Motorola Launches Moto E (2 Gen); See What's New in Next Generation Budget Smartphone [Video]
Motorola Launches Moto E (2 Gen); See What's New in Next Generation Budget Smartphone [Video]Motorola Blog (Official)

After weeks of speculation, Motorola has finally taken the wraps off the much anticipated second generation budget smartphone Moto E.

The new device comes with major upgrades over its predecessor Moto E (Gen 1), such as bigger screen, much needed camera on the front, quad-core SoC (System on Chip), a high capacity battery and a couple of value-added features such as gesture-control based 'Quick-Capture' camera launcher, Moto Display and Moto Assist app seen in flagship smartphone Moto X.

For the uninitiated, Moto Display enables the phone to know when the user picks the device out of his pocket, or picks up the phone from the desk near to them, and only then the select pixels of the display light up to show the time or any pending notifications without having to unlock the phone.

The 'Quick-Capture' feature in phone, lets users to launch the camera in a matter of few seconds just by flipping the device twice horizontally and start snapping pictures in no time.

"We designed the Moto E with the idea that people shouldn't have to pay a lot to join the connected world and experience it at its best. So we did what other companies weren't doing with their affordable devices. We packed in great design, great engineering and great software," said Rick Osterloh, president, Motorola.

"We're also providing great customer service and software updates that continue long after you buy the phone. Now that's real bang for the buck. And that's what makes Moto E different," he added.

The new Moto E comes in two models -3G and 4G-LTE having different SoC (System on Chip). The former model houses 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 200 series quad-core CPU, whereas the latter comes packed with Qualcomm 1.2GHz 410 Series quad-core processor.

They both sport 4.5-inch qHD display and run on the latest Android Lollipop OS backed by 1GB RAM, 8GB inbuilt-memory, a 5.0-megapixel camera on the rear side and 0.3-megapixel (VGA) snapper on the front and a 2300 mAh battery, which can run the phone for one full day under mixed usage.

Check out the official Motorola hands-on video detailing Moto E (Gen 2) features:

Motorola Launches Moto E (2 Gen); See What’s New in Next Generation Budget SmartphoneMotorola Blog (Official)

Motorola Moto E (Gen 2) price and release details:

The company has confirmed that the new Moto E will begin rolling out in more than 50 countries in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia starting 25 February.

Both the 3G and 4G-LTE models currently available unlocked in the U.S. at www.motorola.com for $119.99 (around €106/₹7,435) and $149.99 (around €132/₹9,300).

Key specifications of Motorola Moto E Gen 1 and Gen 2:

Model Motorola Moto E (Gen 1) Motorola Moto E (Gen 2)
Display 4.3-inch qHD (960x540p) screen with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 shieldPixel density : 256 ppi 4.5-inch TFT qHD (960x450p) screen with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 shield
OS Android v4.4.4 KitKat (Android 5.0 Lollipop update released in India) Android 5.0 Lollipop
Processor 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 series dual-core CPU (with 400MHz Adreno 302)
  • 4G-LTE Model: 64-bit class 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 series quad-core CPU with Adreno 306 GPU)
  • 3G Model: 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 series Quad-core CPU (with Adreno 302 GPU)
RAM 1GB 1GB
Storage capacity 4GB, expandable up to 32GB 8GB, expandable up to 32GB
Camera
  • Main: 5.0-megapixel camera (no flash)
  • Front : no camera
  • Main: 5.0-megapixel camera
  • Front: 0.3-megapixel (VGA) camera
Network 3G
  • UMTS 850/900/1900/2100
    AWS 850/1700/1900 (2100) + QGSM 850/900/1800/19000
    GSM 850/900/1800/1900
3G & 4G-LTE Both features in individual optional models
  • Moto E with 4G LTE - US GSM (XT1527):
    GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
    UMTS/HSPA+ (850, 1700 (AWS), 1900 MHz)
    4G LTE (2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17)
  • Moto E - US GSM (XT1511):
    GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
    UMTS/HSPA+ (850, 1700 (AWS), 1900 MHz)
  • Moto E - Global GSM (XT1505):
    GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
    UMTS/HSPA+ (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz)
Battery 1980 mAh (Li-Ion); Can provide power for close to 24 hours under mixed media usage 2390 mAh
With Mixed usage, the phone can lasts up to 24 hours
Add-ons Dual-SIM slots, Bluetooth v4.0 (with LE), Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n), micro-USB v2.0, microSD card slot, FM radio, water-resisting coating Single-SIM (Type: micro), Bluetooth v4.0 (with LE), Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n), micro-USB v2.0, microSD card slot, FM radio, water-resisting coating
Dimensions 124.8x 64.8 x 12.3 mm 129.9 x 66.8 x 5.2-12.3 mm
Weight 142 g 145 g