“When we were designing this new generation of Moto E, we went back to consumers who bought the first generation,” said Kristin Arnold, one of our consumer researchers. “We really listened to what they liked about the phone and how we could make this affordable device even more useful to them and more powerful.”

For instance, we heard you like taking pictures—selfies to be specific. So we added a front facing camera and, for the first time, we brought one of our most popular experiences on the Moto X to the new Moto E.

“Quick Capture has been one of the most popular features we have on Moto X. So we decided to bring it to Moto E, too. It’s just one more way we are able to bring our premium innovation into a smartphone that doesn’t break the bank,” said Michelle Gattuso, product management director.

There’s more than just Quick Capture, too. The new Moto E is engineered to include dual accelerometers that enable some of the most popular features found on Moto X. We included Moto Display and Motorola Assist. With Moto Display, the Moto E will stay dark until you nudge it or get a notification, so you can stay up on top of things with just a subtle glance. And with Motorola Assist’s Sleep Mode and Meeting Mode, you can tell Moto E when you don’t want to be bothered.

A phone is more than just what is inside of it. It’s also about how it looks and feels. The Moto E has a curved back, ergonomically designed to fit perfectly in your hand and not bend in your back pocket. You can also choose a soft touch finish on the black Moto E for a more comfortable feel and better grip.

And we sweated the small stuff.

“We embrace authentic materials and focus on even the tiniest design details, like the elegant spin finish around the camera bezel and texture on the buttons. This kind of attention to detail creates a premium look you usually see in more expensive devices,” said SangSoo Park, a designer for Moto E.

And we always want to give you the ability to personalize the device with customizable colors to fit your style. You can choose from among six colorful Motorola Bands that are easy to swap out. Not only are these patented bands designed to look great, but they also feature a unique ridged pattern which provides an even better grip.

Our President Rick Osterloh said it best, “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. 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. ”

We’re all about giving people the power to choose. That’s what drives us and that’s the idea behind the new Moto E - that a great smartphone should be a choice for everyone. So we saw an opportunity to make a great, affordable device for people who don’t want spend a lot money.

What’s New with Moto E:

Start connecting at 4G LTE / 4G speed
We took an already great smartphone and paired it with the best network in the world. Start browsing the web, streaming music, playing games and watching videos all at 4G LTE speeds. The new Moto E will also be available in a 3G version.

Do more, faster, with a quad-core processor
The new Moto E features a powerful Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ processor with a 1.2GHz quad-core CPU and advanced graphics. Start switching back and forth between your favorite apps without slowing down. Or listen to music and surf the web at the same time -- without missing a beat.

Keep going with an all-day battery
With a 2390 mAh battery, the new Moto E is designed to last a full day. Dash to school or work in the morning. Meet up with family or friends. Then head out for the evening. All without worrying about stopping to recharge.

Take more shots with two cameras
The new Moto E comes with a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera and a second camera in front, making it perfect for selfies or video calls with family and friends. With two twists of the wrist, you can launch the camera with Motorola’s Quick Capture feature. Want to take a selfie? Just twist your wrist again to switch to the front-facing camera. All without touching the screen.

Start with the latest Android™ OS, Lollipop
The new Moto E runs Android™ Lollipop, the latest version of the world’s most popular mobile operating system.

Let the fun begin... just add color
Give your phone a splash of color with interchangeable Motorola Bands and Grip Shells. Start with a black or white phone and then choose from six Motorola Bands like turquoise or raspberry, or attach a colorful Grip Shell for added protection from scrapes and spills.

Make it easy with Moto software experiences
With the new Moto E, you get premium Moto experiences like Moto Display for notifications and updates without interruptions and Moto Migrate to quickly and easily transfer contacts, photos and videos to your new phone.

Starting today, the new Moto E will begin rolling out in more than 50 countries in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia. It will be available unlocked in the U.S. at www.motorola.com for $119.99 (3G) and $149.99 (LTE).


4G LTE not available in all regions. Contact your carrier for availability.
All battery life claims are approximate and based on an average mixed use profile that includes both usage and standby time. Actual battery performance will vary and depends on many factors including signal strength, network configuration, age of battery, operating temperature, features selected, device settings, and voice, data, and other application usage patterns
Motorola Bands and Grip Shells sold separately.


IMAGES: Images can be found here (you agree to our license terms when downloading images or video)

Lollipop will first come to Moto Maxx and Moto E smartphones bought at retail. As we normally do, we’re starting by rolling out the upgrade to smaller test groups, and if the results are strong, we will expand the software to more phones. 

For Moto E users, you can prepare for the upgrade by making sure you have the latest version of Motorola Update Services from the Play Store. 

We’re working hard to continually make your phone better and better with the latest Android, and we will keep pushing out new software to you. If you’re new to Lollipop, check out our FAQs and support notes and give the Motorola Owners’ Forum a spin for additional insight from other users and experts. You can always check the latest on upgrade news for your phone by visiting our Software Updates page. Please let us know what you think about Lollipop on our Facebook, Google+, or Twitter. Enjoy!

Posted by David Schuster, Software

Starting next Monday, February 2 at 11am CT, we’re offering a promo code* worth $140 off your purchase of $499.99 OR $50 off your purchase of $249.99 on Motorola.com. Pick your favorite Motorola devices and accessories, such as a new Moto X (2nd Gen.) and Moto 360, add them to your cart, and purchase before February 14.

If you miss that offer, you can still get a great deal. Spend $499.99 and get $100 off, or get $35 off a purchase of $249.99 — no promotion code needed. The same exclusions below apply and you’ll still need to complete purchase by 10:59 p.m. CT on Saturday, February 14.

How do you get in on it? Simply register here. Once you enter your contact information, we’ll email you a unique, one-time-use promotion code that can be redeemed no later than Saturday, February 14th at 10:59pm CST.

Until recently, those in search of their first smartphone faced only a couple of options, and none of them were particularly thrilling. They could either opt to carry on using a flip phone or feature phone, devoid of critical features such as a web browser, access to a thriving app store, and turn-by-turn navigation. Or, they could turn to an antiquated and feature-stripped “smartphone,” many of which tested the very definition of the term. The third option — out of reach for many — was to cobble together well over $500 for a top-tier, premium smartphone.

Thankfully, we no longer live in a world where you’re forced to either stretch your budget or continue to live without one of the world’s most transformative technologies.

Earlier this year, Moto E was revealed to a global audience. It was a project many years in the making, and according to an interview I conducted with VP of Product Marketing Steve Sinclair, it was a phone that was built very deliberately. At $129 with no subsidization (nor strings attached), Moto E is amongst the most affordable smartphones on the planet. But the true allure of the E goes beyond the price — it’s the unprecedented performance at its price that makes it special.

In speaking with a number of engineers, designers, and executives within Motorola’s walls, I learned that the price tag was meaningful on a number of levels. After leaving Apple to join Motorola, Sinclair told me that he “wanted to build high quality products that more people could afford.” Echoing my own sentiments, he continued: “Bringing high quality smartphones to the masses is something that we as an industry should’ve been focusing on.”

I’ve witnessed entire swaths of society transformed by gaining access to broadband Internet for the first time, and in a similar vein, the price point of the Moto E stands to enable the next billion to get connected on a device that punches above its weight.

Sinclair stated that Moto’s decision to build the E was based heavily around research. “We knew the market was going in this direction,” said Sinclair, “as people were migrating from feature phones.” In studying what customers at all levels were interested in, Moto’s team found that display quality were high atop the list. The challenge, of course, was to include these features on a phone that wasn’t just affordable, but enjoyable to use.

Perhaps the most critical differentiator for the Moto E is the power that it possesses. For years, sub-$200 phones were built with old internals and substandard materials. In a nutshell, they paled in comparison to high-end flagships, and left a sour taste in the mouths of many buyers. Too many corners were cut to achieve a rock bottom price, and the user experience suffered mightily. Motorola’s team wanted to make sure such a scenario wouldn’t unfold with the E.

Nine months ago we launched the Moto franchise and flagship Moto X, which brought new value to smartphone buyers through exclusive experiences like Touchless Control and Moto Maker, and the fastest software upgrades in the industry. Then we introduced Moto G, an exceptional phone at an exceptional price and now the best selling smartphone in Motorola history.

Now we’re pushing the boundaries of the value equation even further with Moto E, a new class of smartphone that’s fully loaded and fairly priced -- a perfect combination for savvy shoppers and first-time smartphone buyers. Because smartphones haven’t always come at smart prices and we believe that people shouldn’t have to compromise on quality, style or experience. 

The fact is, about 70% of mobile phone users in the world are still using feature phones that can’t unlock the full wonder of the mobile Internet, in many cases because they don’t think it’s worth the $337 for a smartphone (the average selling price globally in 2013).

We believe it’s time the feature phone era came to an end and that quality smartphones are made accessible and affordable for all. Say hello to Moto E and join us in officially saying goodbye to the feature phone forever.

Moto E: Made to Last. Priced for All.

Built to last
Moto E has a high-resolution 4.3” display with 256ppi, the sharpest in its class. Everything from photos to videos to web pages comes to life in brilliant detail. Plus, Corning® Gorilla® Glass and a water-resistant splash guard help protect it for lasting durability.

Power to last
With a long-lasting 1980 mAh battery you can go all day without plugging in.1 So you can think about everything you want to do, not how much time you have to do it.

Software to last
Moto E runs Android™ 4.4.2, KitKat®, the latest version of the world’s most popular mobile platform. And with a guaranteed upgrade,2 you’ll know you’re always up to date with the best Android experience.

Style to last
Moto E features colorful interchangeable backs -- called Motorola Shells -- providing more than 20 color and design combinations to let you personalize the look of your phone.3

More features: 

• Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 200 processor with up to 1.4GHz dual-core CPUs for high performance power, superior mobile graphics and exceptional battery life.
• 5MP rear-facing camera with Motorola’s streamlined camera interface; touch anywhere on the screen to take a shot, capture panoramic pictures or record video. 
• microSD slot for up to 32GB of expandable memory to save photos, videos, music, movies and apps. 
• Built-in FM radio -- just tune in to listen to your favorite stations or pick up a new signal.

Learn more about mobile Internet access, feature phone usage and the desire for affordable smartphones around the world here.

Share your memories of what life was like before smartphones, while helping your family or friends say #GoodbyeFlipPhone and hello #MotoE here.

IMAGES and BROLL: Follow this link (also in the footer) for images and broll (you agree to our license terms when downloading images or video)

3Motorola Shells sold separately. Colors and availability vary by market.