Moto E: price, specs and features of new Motorola handset

The new Moto E 2015 from Motorola Motorola

Motorola's promise to reveal "an exciting announcement" last week finally came on Feb. 25 when the media received a mystery box that contains the new and improved edition of the Moto E. 

The new Moto E is still the same affordable mid-range smartphone that Motorola released in 2014, but with a lot of added features. One of the most noticeable changes in the 2015 edition is its external features. The old version has a removable plastic back, which has now been replaced with a permanent cover. In its place, the SIM and microSD cards can now be accessed on the side. 

The new Moto E with a bigger 4.5-inch screen is also revamped under the hood. It now has a quad-core 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor, alongside 1 GB of RAM and an Adreno 302 graphics card. Also, Motorola finally decided to upgrade the dual-core Snapdragon 200 SoC to a quad-core variety. Its first version only has a 4.3-inch screen. 

The new Moto E variety now also includes a bigger 2390 mAh non-removable battery, which is a big improvement from the original 1980 mAh battery pack. An additional front-facing VGA secondary camera is also installed in the new device. Moreover, the new Moto E comes with the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system straight from the box. 

The improved Moto E came out from inside a crafty box complete with a stage setting that looks like an actual press conference being held at the Chicago headquarters of the company. The items in the box also include a lanyard, a USB drive loaded with the press announcement, phone images, as well as a reviewer's kit. 

The device is reportedly priced at $150 unlocked, and will be released in over 50 countries simultaneously, including the countries located in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and North America. 

News
US criticises prosecution of pro-life campaigner over silent prayer near abortion clinic
US criticises prosecution of pro-life campaigner over silent prayer near abortion clinic

The US State Department has said it is closely monitoring the prosecution of a Christian woman who prayed silently in an abortion clinic buffer zone. 

Over £900,000 awarded to help UK churches stay open amid growing funding pressures
Over £900,000 awarded to help UK churches stay open amid growing funding pressures

Hundreds of churches across the UK are receiving vital financial support to remain open and safe, as rising repair costs and shrinking funding streams place historic buildings under increasing strain.

How to make the most of the quiet period between Christmas and New Year
How to make the most of the quiet period between Christmas and New Year

Make the most of these last days of the year to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with God.

US carries out strikes on Islamic State in Nigeria over violence against Christians
US carries out strikes on Islamic State in Nigeria over violence against Christians

The US military has conducted airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Nigeria over the violent "targeting" of Christians.