Update 21/01: It appears that The Good Guys have added the Motorola Moto G to their website now with the price we quoted down below($247) we’re also hearing reports that JB Hifi has begun receiving their stock – although it’s not on their website as yet and JB HiFi has now added it to their website.
Further, we’ve been advised by Motorola that the Flip Shells will be in stock in the next 2-3 weeks with prices to be announced when they’re ready to head into stores.
Unfortunately the latest bad news is that the 16GB version of the Moto G has no RRP and the two retailers that the Moto G is being sold through – The Good Guys and JB Hifi – won’t be stocking it at this stage.
We’ve been chasing the Motorola Moto G for a few weeks now, it’s not a high end handset but as the first Motorola handset released in Australia that the hardware and software design has been influenced by Google it’s been a highly anticipated release. We’ve seen importers advertising handsets – and even reviewed an imported Moto G ourselves – but this is the official Australian launch of the handset, which Motorola has advised we will see in stores from the 21st of January.
Motorola hasn’t had any handsets in stores for a long time – 14 months to be precise – and when asked the majority of retailers advised right off the bat that they didn’t carry Motorola devices. To offset this, Motorola has partnered with wholesale handset supplier Brightstar who have the connections with retailers to enhance Motorola’s Australian comeback.
We know the specs, the device comes with :
- 4.5″ 1280×720 HD 329 ppi display
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor with 1.2 GHz quad-core CPU
- 1GB RAM
- 8/16GB Storage with Two years 50 GB storage free on Google Drive(65GB total)
- 5MP Rear Camera with 1.3MP Front-Facing Camera
- GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSPA+ up to 21 Mbps as well as CDMA/EVDO Rev A
- Dual SIM support with Quad-Band 3G support it will work seamlessly on any Australian network
- WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS/GLONASS
- Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) – Guaranteed upgrade to Android 4.4 in early 2014
- 129.9×65.9 mmx6.0-11.6 mm (curved) @ 143 grams
- Built-in rechargeable 2070 mAh lithium-ion battery
With only 8GB of storage in the standard Moto G – there is a 16GB version but doesn’t seem to be in stock in Australia yet – Google are cognisant of the fact that people like more storage and are offsetting this limited onboard storage by offering cloud storage. People who purchase the Motorola Moto G are eligible for a bonus 50GB of Google Drive storage which will last for two years that’s on top of the standard 15GB included with all Google Accounts for a total of 65GB of Google Drive storage to store their photos, documents and other files online.
Motorola has set the official Recommended Retail Price of the 8GB Motorola Moto G at $249 and we’ve spoken with a number of the usual retailers in Australia to see whether they will be stocking the handset and what price they will be offering it for, those that advised they will be stocking the handset have advised they expect stock this week :
| Retailer | Price |
|---|---|
| Telechoice | $279 |
| The Good Guys | $247 |
| JB Hifi | $243(Rep said he could do it for $235) |
| Officeworks | Not in the System as of 19/01 |
| DSE | Not in the System as of 19/01 |
| Bing Lee | Not in the System as of 19/01 |
| Harvey Norman | Not in the System as of 19/01 |
| AllPhones | Not in the System as of 19/01 |
We’re currently clarifying with Motorola Australia on the availability of the 16GB Moto G and of course the removeable Shells which have been listed on the accessories section of the Motorola Australia site. We hope to add more information on these this week.
You guys should update the prices cos officeworks has it at 238 and good guys aswell
Anyone use the dual Sim versione on bluetooth Car ? Work Good?
Anyone know how long it will take for the 16gb to come in stock?
just picked up mine from jb hifi in brisvegas …. incredible build quality/screen for the price
You prioritize of you want data or calls to take priority over each other but the war is worded said can’t use both at same time
Few people on forums have started getting theirs…unlike the US version, people getting it from JBHifi or Good Guys have said that the Aussie version also includes a wall charger/adapter (US version only has USB cable).
Does this dual sim mean dual 3G capabilities or uses a 2g frequency for the second card?
I was going to buy one til i managed to pick up a Motorola Razor HD in very good condition for $150. I might buy the Moto G for the missus down the track, she is getting a little bored with the Galaxy S2 I bought her just shy of a Year ago.
Just picked up one from Leichhardt JB Hi-fi (Sydney). Didn’t bother haggling on the price. Happy with it so far.
Did they have 16gb or just 8gb ?
From what we understand, only the 8GB model is available in retail in Australia at this stage.
To be honest, I didn’t ask. You could give them a call – James in the telco section at JB Leichhardt was very helpful.
Just picked one up in Harvey Norman
On-line or in-store ?
Has anyone found any Australian stock available online ? None of the websites for the retailers above lists it yet. If you find it, please post a link !
If anyone is looking to grab a Moto G 8GB from JB Hi-Fi, the SKU is S17000 – will help you get the right one when asking for it on the phone or in person.
Could I also have the model number?
XT1033
Thank you.
A Dual SIM Moto G is strangely attractive.
I currently carry around my work iPhone 4, and a Nexus 5. The work phone is on a very low data Telstra plan, and it’s an iPhone 4, so I keep my own beast.
I was thinking of a Moto G for the wife who is running a smashed screen HTC One X, but I could give her the Nexus. I love my Nexus, but a small step backwards in one way would be a big step forwards in another.
A good thought toast; the Moto G certainly stands up well against a Nexus.
” the Moto G certainly stands up well against a Nexus…”
Assuming that you’re referring to Nexus 5, How? Besides price? and battery life?
(same thing with Nexus 4…)
Nexus 5, sorry. I should have clarified. It’s cheaper, the battery lasts longer, and the speed/performance/etc is almost exactly the same. They’re very much on par.
No way man!
Nexus 5 is much more powerful. E.g. Ram difference, and speed difference, and resolution (if that means much). Nexus 5 is much much more ‘future proof’ than the already outdated specs (but good!) of the Moto G
But yes, I agree with everything else. Nexus 5 has nothing on the Moto G regarding the price and battery.
Hopefully the $200+ price tag doesn’t scare people off. Anyone who skips it to buy a dreaded Galaxy Ace just because it’s under that mark would be better off buying a used Nokia 3310.