Mini review: Our quick verdict on the Moto G4 and G4 Plus
Bigger and mostly better.
Since 2013, the Moto G has been our favorite mid-range smartphone -- or favorite budget phone, even, depending on how you define "budget." Now in its fourth generation, the G series has expanded to include three models, two of which we got to take for a spin in a recent review. Indeed, the 5.5-inch G4 and G4 Plus mostly impress, but not every design decision feels like an improvement. Though the phones are more expensive than they used to be, at $200 and $250, respectively, the plastic build feels less durable than we would have otherwise expected.
What's more, the G4 is no longer waterproof, and its camera suffers in low light, to boot. The G4 Plus at least offers a better camera and faster performance, though it too has a chintzy build that doesn't feel likely to stand years of wear and tear. Those complaints aside, the handsets nonetheless deserve their strong scores of 84 and 86 -- and they continue Moto's tradition of holding down the "value smartphone" crown.
