Moto G Android phone - $99 (no contract from Verizon) - great iPod Touch equivalent!

[Kaido]

Update: $99 Boost Mobile model now available as well:

http://redirect.anandtech.com/r?url...le-Prepaid-Phone/dp/B00HPP3VW2&user=u00000687

$99 on Amazon from the Verizon model: (does not require purchase of a pre-pay plan, you can bypass activation as well to use as a "tablet" - see thread)

http://www.amazon.com/Moto-Verizon-Prepaid-Phone-Only/dp/B00HPP3QD6/

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$99 from Verizon:

http://www.verizonwireless.com/new/prepaid/smartphone-plans/moto-g-by-motorola+prepaid/

In a nutshell:

1. $99 no-contract Android phone (ex. you can use it as mini tablet or media player)
2. 4.5" 720p touchscreen with camera
3. Lots of features Front & rear camera/camcorder, photo/music/video player, Wifi/Bluetooth, 8GB (no expandable storage though), etc.

This is a big deal because:

1. It's a super-cheap Android phone (GSM version is $179, so it's a pretty big savings)
2. You don't have to activate a plan. Use it as a $100 iPod Touch equivalent for your kids.
3. You can use it as a pre-paid phone

Some ideas to use it for: (off-contract)

1. For your car: HUDWAY, Torque Pro + OBD-II Bluetooth Adapter, and Google Maps (it does have a limited offline mode)
2. For kids: games (ex. Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, Cut the Rope), movies (Netflix, VLC), educational apps (top free educational apps list), also see Top 50 Apps for Kids, 2013 Edition
3. For a camera: 5-megapixel camera (ProCapture) & 720p camcorder (also edit photos & video right on the phone!)
4. As an MP3 & Media player: PowerAmp MP3 player, Google Play, Amazon MP3, BeyondPod Podcast, Spotify, Plex
5. As a TV & home theater remote control: Logitech Harmony
6. For wireless music: ex. Bluetooth Headphones & Bluetooth Speakers & Bluetooth Speaker Adapter (converts any speakers or headphones into Bluetooth-capable)
7. For mobile gaming: "My Boy!" GBA emulator, Grand Theft Auto, etc. (see Top 50 Android Games, 2013 Edition)

Background:

First, some background: Motorola released their flagship Motorola X Android phone in August of 2013. In November, they released the Motorola G, a similar but more basic phone. See a feature comparison here:

http://www.androidcentral.com/moto-g-versus-moto-x

Official website for the Moto G here:

http://www.motorola.com/us/shop-all-mobile-phones-1/Moto-G/moto-g-pdp.html

Phone specs are here:

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/Motorola-Moto-G_id8208

You can buy a global unlocked GSM (for AT&T and T-Mobile) Moto G on Amazon for $179: (if you actually want to use it as a phone on a GSM network or use it outside the US)

http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Moto-...dp/B00GWR36F6/

There's a good discussion thread going on in the Mobile Devices sub-forum here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2353921

Some great apps in this thread:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2358587

 

[SunRey]

Thank You!

 

[Kaido]

Thank You!

You're welcome! I'm not sure how fast Verizon ships, but I'm definitely anxious to get my hands on it! I forgot to mention, but if you're using it with kids, there are a couple nice security options:

1. AppLock: (free) Lets you lock individual apps (ex. put a pin code on the Settings app).

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.domobile.applock&hl=en

2. SureLock Kiosk: ($50) Not cheap, but it completely locks EVERYTHING out by hiding ALL of the icons, and only letting those you choose appear on the homescreen. This is the ultimate for childproofing an Android because they can only access the apps that you choose to show. I actually use it at work on the 21" HP Slate Android "tablets": (as thin clients with the Microsoft Remote Desktop app)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gears42.surelock&hl=en

 

[Kaido]

I haven't seen it for sale by itself yet, but Mad Catz has a wireless Xbox-style controller with a clamp for your Android phone called the C.T.R.L.:

http://store.madcatz.com/mad-catz-mojo-and-ctrlr-06

It's currently sold as part of the M.O.J.O Android console package, but I thought I had read it was supposed to be standalone:

http://madcatz.com/mojo/en-us/

I did a quick check on one Android app search engine and there's nearly 40,000 games listed, and I'm sure that isn't even the tip of the iceberg. Not all games are compatible with the controller, but it makes a nice little Nintendo/Playstation portable gaming alternative, especially if you like to play stuff like emulators for GBA, NES, etc.

 

[Awesomedude99]

I haven't seen it for sale by itself yet, but Mad Catz has a wireless Xbox-style controller with a clamp for your Android phone called the C.T.R.L.:

http://store.madcatz.com/mad-catz-mojo-and-ctrlr-06

It's currently sold as part of the M.O.J.O Android console package, but I thought I had read it was supposed to be standalone:

http://madcatz.com/mojo/en-us/

I did a quick check on one Android app search engine and there's nearly 40,000 games listed, and I'm sure that isn't even the tip of the iceberg. Not all games are compatible with the controller, but it makes a nice little Nintendo/Playstation portable gaming alternative, especially if you like to play stuff like emulators for GBA, NES, etc.

Thank you for the deal and info.
Useful...

 

[Kaido]

Thank you for the deal and info.
Useful...

Yah, it's a pretty neat little device - the nearest iPod Touch equivalent with a camera is $299, so this is 1/3 the price with a lot more customizability.

 

[Thump553]

I've been waiting with bated breath to find out if I can use this on Page Plus.

 

[sequoia464]

I've been waiting with baited breath to find out if I can use this on Page Plus.

No chance of using this on Verizon's regular service?? My wife is using some old piece of junk Droid something or other - think it is running on android -.103.

Can't talk her out of Verizon (she won't give up her unlimited data no mater how much it costs her) and she really need a cheap update to her phone.

 

[long tang]

No chance of using this on Verizon's regular service?? My wife is using some old piece of junk Droid something or other - think it is running on android -.103.

Can't talk her out of Verizon (she won't give up her unlimited data no mater how much it costs her) and she really need a cheap update to her phone.

What kind of phone does she use currently, and is she locked to Android? Could look for something on FS/FT, Swappa, or eBay.

 

[Radeon962]

They are also available at Best Buy as of January 9th

 

[Redmenace]

No chance of using this on Verizon's regular service?? My wife is using some old piece of junk Droid something or other - think it is running on android -.103.

Can't talk her out of Verizon (she won't give up her unlimited data no mater how much it costs her) and she really need a cheap update to her phone.

I have this same question. Can you use this phone as replacement phone on an existing Verizon plan?

 

[fralexandr]

I have this same question. Can you use this phone as replacement phone on an existing Verizon plan?

phone doesn't seem to support 4g LTE, so kind of pointless for replacing a VERIZON smart phone (unless it's an old iphone or something else that doesn't have 4g, but 4g is one of the biggest reasons to upgrade).
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7586/motorola-moto-g-review/7

 

[Kaido]

I have this same question. Can you use this phone as replacement phone on an existing Verizon plan?

Yes and no. According to this article, you can with a catch - you have to use it for 6 months before you switch:

http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...-in-stores-for-99-without-an-annual-contract/

Keep in mind, the Moto G does not have an LTE radio, so you will be stuck with 3G speeds. And don't think of using this device as a cheap means of upgrading your postpaid contract device, as you will have to activate and use it with a prepaid plan for at least six months before you can switch.

 

[Roland00Address]

I am excited with all the good cheap phones we will be seeing soon.

The Moto G which you covered.

ASUS (we do not know if they will come stateside, but the price was in US dollars in the CES presentation so I am hoping) just announced the Zenphone 5 for $149. It has a 5" screen, 1280x720 screen, 2 ghz intel dual core, 1 gb of ram, 8 megapixel camera 2 megapixel front. No LTE though

We should be seeing the Nvidia Tegra4i phones near MWC. Last year Nvidia said their reference platform with 5" 1080p and LTE should be under $300. This is the exact quote from Brian Klug "NVIDIA claims the reference design can be picked up by an OEM and ship with an unsubsidized price tag of between $100-$300 USD"

And we have the Nexus 5 16gb for $350, Nexus 5 32gb for $400, and the Moto X for $400.

 

[sequoia464]

Yes and no. According to this article, you can with a catch - you have to use it for 6 months before you switch:

http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...-in-stores-for-99-without-an-annual-contract/

Thanks, the 3G is not huge for my lady, but the phone is not worthwhile if she would have to use it prepaid first - better to look into a Moto X for 4 bills.

 

[techtechie]

you forgot if you buy from verizon you need to spend 60 extra bucks on one months worth of prepaid 60 is the least they offer on prepaid data plan. so 160 and its verizon only 8gb no sd card support but and upside is it support USB OTG which is plain and simply AWESOME. but for a limited time you get 50 dollars off with coupon code "techbar"

 

[theeedude]

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.osmand

Offline Nav and maps, 8 map areas free.

 

[Kaido]

you forgot if you buy from verizon you need to spend 60 extra bucks on one months worth of prepaid 60 is the least they offer on prepaid data plan. so 160 and its verizon only 8gb no sd card support but and upside is it support USB OTG which is plain and simply AWESOME. but for a limited time you get 50 dollars off with coupon code "techbar"

Ah, that would explain it. I bought off Amazon and it did not require me to purchase anything prepaid - just $99 + tax at checkout.

 

[bearxor]

Has anyone got one of these and popped a AT&T or TMo SIM in yet?

I imagine it'd work like the iPhone 4S, where the CDMA radio takes precedence over the GSM radio, but am just interested to find out.

 

[emenk]

Amazon had it at $79 in a lightning deal, but 100% were taken just before I looked.

Has anyone got one of these and popped a AT&T or TMo SIM in yet?

Supposedly, it doesn't have a SIM slot.

The GSM version is available via Google Play now for $179 and $199.

 

[OSULugan]

Amazon had it at $79 in a lightning deal, but 100% were taken just before I looked.

I was just coming in here to brag that I got one at that price!

 

[cnccnc]

I've been waiting with baited breath to find out if I can use this on Page Plus.

It has to be on Verizon's $60 per month prepaid plan for six months before you can do anything with it. It's not clear if it would go to PagePlus at that point, but the general thinking is it would.

 

[RossMAN]

Amazon had it at $79 in a lightning deal, but 100% were taken just before I looked.

Yep saw it on SD earlier today but they were all sold out, I was on the waiting list but decided against it. I'd rather have GSM or PagePlus (without 6 month Verizon requirement).

 

[Jtorrespr1]

Prob one the best post and informative I have ever seen in hot deals. Thank you Kaido

 

[RossMAN]

Prob one the best post and informative I have ever seen in hot deals. Thank you Kaido

Agreed and actually all his posts are incredibly detailed and informative. Easily one of the best AT'ers in terms of post quality and helpfulness, definitely Elite member material.

Back to the thread, I wish you could use this on PP out of the box.