4G phones just got a little more accessible, with Motorola confirming the second-generation Moto E with 4G ahead of an MWC 2015 showing.
With the Barcelona-based conference set to kick into action this Sunday, March 1, with the arrival of the Galaxy S6 and HTC One M9, Motorola has jumped the gun with its latest wallet-friendly wares.
Following last year’s birthing of the entry-level Moto E line, the Lenovo-owned manufacturer has added high-speed connectivity to the mix alongside a larger, 4.5-inch display and new quad-core processor.
“We’re taking Moto E a step further,” an official Motorola spokesperson said in unveiling the 4G capable handset.
“We’re introducing the next generation, packed with more features and functionality to give people around the world even greater access to life’s possibilities - without a hefty price tag. Because we believe access to the mobile internet should be a choice, not a privilege.”
Despite jumping from a 4.3-inch to a 4.5-inch panel, the second-generation Moto E has disappointingly failed to get a resolution boost.
The handset features a modest 960 x 540 pixel resolution alongside a Corning Gorillia Glass coating.
Powered by Google’s latest Android 5.0 Lollipop OS, the new Moto E lines up at just 12.3mm thick and a comfortable 145g in weight.
Under the hood a 1.2GHz quad-core, Snapdragon 410 processor keeps things running alongside 8GB of internal storage – expandable via microSD up to 32GB – and, of course, new 4G LTE connectivity options.
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While the phone’s 5-megapixel rear-mounted camera has been further enhanced by the addition of auto focus capabilities, unlike its predecessor, the latest model adds a secondary VGA snapper up front.
For those tempted by the new Moto E, you won’t have long to wait to snap one up. Motorola has confirmed the handset will roll out to 40 countries, including the UK, tomorrow, February 26.
Although still at the more affordable range of the smartphone spectrum, the new Moto E’s £109 asking price is considerably higher than its predecessor’s £80 fee.