Nowhere does it say that a good smartphone must cost more than $150. And these days, there isn't as much difference between an entry-level and high-end phone, save for processor, camera, and display specs. Motorola's second-generation Moto E's display isn't as large or as sharp as the Moto X, Motorola's flagship smartphone, and the Moto E ($149) isn't adorned in premium materials like leather, teak, or bamboo, either. But if you just need a solid phone that lets you browse the Web and stream your media over LTE, without taking out a loan, the Moto E is an excellent option. 

Design, Features, and Call Quality
The second generation of the Moto E unapologetically takes after its bigger and older brother, the Moto G 4G LTE. At 5.11 by 2.63 by 0.48 inches (HWD) and 5.11 ounces, the soft-touch, matte plastic Moto E feels relatively thick and somewhat heavy. Yet, it makes for a solid feel that's satisfyingly comfortable to hold and use—no doubt aided by the curved back, rounded edges, and balanced weight distribution.

The Power button and rocker-style volume button on the right edge provide light clicky feedback, but still feel mushy. A tiny notch on the phone's bottom left lets you peel away the removable plastic accent border surrounding the phone, revealing microSD and mini SIM card ports on the left edge. It's an ingenious design that lets you easily access those ports, as well as customize the phone with accent borders in different colors.

The second-generation Moto E gets a 0.2-inch screen upgrade, bringing it up to 4.5 inches, though resolution remains at just 960 by 540 pixels (256 ppi)—not particularly sharp, but suitable for a smartphone at this price point. Maximum brightness is good, but you still might squint in direct sunlight. Off-center viewing angles considerably darken the display, making it difficult to see if you deviate even slightly from front and center. A silver accent bar above the display serves as the earpiece and a front-facing speaker. The mono speaker projects music fairly loudly without distortion.