Motorola Moto E review

A dinky dialler that's got a lot to shout about

Motorola Moto E review
Do good things really come in small (and cheap) packages?

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Motorola Moto G

The Motorola Moto G is the current cut-price king and while the Moto E isn't positioned as a direct competitor to it (it slots just below it in price and specs) it will likely be a consideration for many potential Moto E buyers.

Moto G

Prices for the Moto G start at around £120, so roughly £30 more expensive, but you get quite a lot more for your money, with a 4.5 inch 720 x 1280 display, a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, up to 16GB of built in storage and a 1.3 megapixel front facing camera, alongside a Moto E matching 5 megapixel rear camera, albeit one with a flash, which the Moto E is lacking.

On the other hand the Moto G doesn't have a microSD card slot, unless you plump for the more expensive 'Moto G with 4G', so not everything about it is better, but I'd argue that it more than justifies the extra £30 if your budget can stretch that far.

Nokia Lumia 630

The Nokia Lumia 630 is another quite compelling alternative to the Moto E. At £89.95 SIM free it's almost exactly the same price and it matches the Moto E's 5 megapixel camera as well as having a similarly solid build.

Nokia Lumia 630

It even has a 1.2GHz quad-core processor. That's coupled with just 512MB of RAM. It runs Windows Phone 8.1, which is a more lightweight OS than Android, so it still feels fairly snappy.

In fact the operating system is the main difference between them. It's also worth noting that the Lumia 630 comes with 8GB of built in storage, which is double what the Moto E has. But while its 4.5-inch screen is slightly larger, at 480 x 800 it's also slightly lower resolution and by extension has a lower 218ppi pixel density.

Vodafone Smart 4 Mini

The Vodafone Smart 4 Mini is just about the cheapest smartphone you're likely to come across, as it's available for just £50. But being locked to Vodafone is the least of its problems.

Its 1.3GHz dual-core processor is encouraging but it's coupled with just 512MB of RAM, while its 4-inch screen is a little smaller than the Moto E's and it has an utterly underwhelming 3.2 megapixel camera.

Vodafone Smart 4 mini

For £50 it's not a total waste of time, but it's somewhat lacking compared to the Motorola Moto E.

James is a freelance phones, tablets and wearables writer and sub-editor at TechRadar. He has a love for everything ‘smart’, from watches to lights, and can often be found arguing with AI assistants or drowning in the latest apps. James also contributes to 3G.co.uk, 4G.co.uk and 5G.co.uk and has written for T3, Digital Camera World, Clarity Media and others, with work on the web, in print and on TV.

Latest in Motorola Phones
Motorola Edge 50 Pro lavender
Your next Android bargain? Major Motorola leak teases details of multiple 2025 phones – including the Edge 60 series
The Motorola Moto G Power in grey and green on a desk
Motorola's new cheap phones offer flagship features for a quarter of the price of an iPhone 16
Motorola Razr 2024 orange folding phone on pink background with lowest price sign
The brand-new Motorola Razr 2024 has dropped to just $500 at Amazon
Motorola Razr Plus 2024 in green
The next Motorola Razr foldable might be able to close on its own with a motorized hinge
Motorola Razr Plus 2024 in green standing like a tent with a clock on its face
It looks as though another Motorola Razr flip foldable is about to launch
Motorola Razr Plus 2024 in green standing like a tent with a clock on its face
Motorola's next Galaxy Z Flip 6 rival just took another step towards launching
Latest in Reviews
Product shots for the Xiaomi Poco X7 Ultra review
I spent a month testing the Xiaomi Poco F7 Ultra, a top-end mid-ranger that masquerades as a flagship
The Kiwi design K4 Boost Battery strap being worn by Hamish
I test VR headsets for a living, and this affordable headstrap is the first Meta Quest 3 accessory you should buy
Both Kiwi design G4 Pro Performance Controller Grips
I thought VR controller grips were pointless until this Meta Quest 3 accessory proved me wrong
The Kiwi design H4 Boost Halo Battery Strap
Want to upgrade your VR headset? Look no further than my new favorite Meta Quest 3 headstrap
WithSecure Elements EPP and EDR main image
I tested the WithSecure Elements EPP and EDR - read how I rated this Endpoint Protection for small business
The RIG M2 Streamstar.
I wanted to love the new RIG M2 Streamstar, but this pricey gaming microphone fails to deliver