Skip to main content

Motorola teases a new smartphone that’s made to last, and priced for everyone

motorola to hold may 13 event in london

Motorola has called a press event for May 13, where it has confirmed a new smartphone will be revealed. The big unveiling will take place in London, and in addition to mentioning the new product will be a smartphone, the invitation also gives us a hint about two of the new device’s major selling points.

It says the phone will be “made to last,” and “priced for all.” The latter statement could mean we’re not going to see a hugely expensive flagship phone announced, and that it may be more along the lines of the popular Moto G. Priced from $180, the Moto G is one of the best value Android smartphones available, but as it was only released in November last year, it seems a little early for a sequel to arrive.

Motorola May 13 InvitationSaying it’ll be made to last suggests the phone will be resistant to damage. It’s not clear whether this means a rugged body – Motorola recently launched the Moto G Forte, which comes wearing a protective case – or waterproofing, a feature which is becoming more common in the smartphone world.

Rumors have been spreading about several new Motorola phones recently. We’ve heard whispers of a 4G LTE version of the Moto G (could the “made to last” line refer to future proofing?), and a low-end smartphone called the Moto E. We’re also expecting the follow-up to the Moto X, and there has been talk of a phablet device, referred to as the Motorola XPlay, coming before the end of the year. 

Would Motorola publicize and hold an event where all it announces is a low-end smartphone like the Moto E? It seems unlikely. Motorola has gained a considerable amount of market share in the UK since the Moto G’s release, and it could be looking to increase this again with a flashier model. We’ll bring you all the news on the day.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Andy Boxall
Senior Mobile Writer
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
I record interviews for work. These are my favorite free recorder apps
The iPhone 14 Pro and Google Pixel 7 Pro's voice recording apps running together.

The Voice Recorder app on a phone (left) and the Voice Memos on another phone Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Before you head to the app store on your phone to buy a voice-recording app, take a moment to consider the apps that may already be installed on your phone. Why? In my experience, they're likely all you really need. I’ve recorded interviews and voice-overs for work for years, and I’ve found the two best examples come preinstalled on your phone already, so they’re entirely free to use.

Read more
The best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 cases: 10 best ones so far
Two Galaxy Z Fold 5 phones next to each other -- one is open and one is closed.

Samsung’s next-generation foldable is here with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. This iteration has some notable improvements, including a new hinge design that eliminates the gap from previous generations when the device was folded. You also get a 6.2-inch HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the outside while having a 6.7-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the inside, with both screens having a 120Hz refresh rate. In other words, they're about as nice as you could ask for.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is made with premium materials, and the triple-lens camera system packs in a 50MP main shooter, 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. There’s a 10MP selfie camera on the front cover, and a 4MP camera on the inner display. You also get a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip inside for the best performance and power efficiency.

Read more
Google Pixel Tablet just got its first big discount and it’s worth a look
Google Pixel Tablet on its charging dock.

Tablets are a dime-a-dozen these days, with offerings from all the great brands including Apple, Samsung, Lenovo, and more. So, if you really want to stand out in a sea of similar tech, you need to do things a little differently. That's what Google's Pixel Tablet offers. How? It comes with a unique speaker dock that can be used to both charge the device and offer room-filling sound -- almost like a smart speaker add-on. Better yet, when your Pixel Tablet is docked it benefits from the Hub Mode, turning the device into a smart display, with digital photo frame support, smart home controls, and hands-free Google functionality. Of course, it could set you back at full price, normally $499 unless you find it included in a roundup of the best Google Pixel deals. Well, guess what? Thanks to a Best Buy Google Pixel Tablet deal, you can get it today for $439 and save $60. Hurry, though, it's part of Best Buy's recent 48-hour sale so it won't stick around for long.

Why you should buy the Google Pixel Tablet
Okay, okay, so in our Google Pixel Tablet review, Joe Maring did give it less than stellar remarks, but he called out its reliable fingerprint sensor, comfortability during use and excellent speaker dock. Honestly, how many tablets come with a matching speaker dock that transforms the entire experience? This tablet also marks a "lot of firsts" for Google, as it's the first tablet from the company in nearly five years, the first Android tablet in eight years, and can be converted into a smart home display with the speaker dock. All of which are notable milestones.

Read more