Rant: Moto G's Slippery Backside

Never in a week of owning a phone have I ever stood more chance of losing it on a count of it slipping from the depths of my pocket than I have with the Moto G.

By all accounts it's a brilliant device in all other measures, even to some extent, the camera (when you factor in the price of the thing), but Motorola have let themselves down hugely by adding that same buttery smoothness found in the UX, to the finish of the plastic black shell it ships with. It's about as slippery as going for a rushing in the rain while wearing your formal shoes. It's just that bad.

There are of course those out there who'd attest to the added grip found in an aftermarket case, or Motorola's own line of cases and shells designed specifically for that purpose, but if folks are essentially required to purchase accessories just to reassure their confidence in its grip, then it has potential to muck around with the overall satisfaction they have with their product. Considering the phone is geared towards consumers presumably on a budget of sorts, or just need a smartphone, expecting those same people to fork out a pretty penny so that they may rest assured they'll be able to keep their phone for more than a week is in both ways, a clever strategy and a flawed one.

Cases are costly if you want one that's durable and attractive to the eye. Even then, there are those out there who appreciate using their phones bare, surely without the expectation it would fail to keep itself in their pants, so to speak. Motorola's own shells are offered to remedy those users, but they're pricey bits of colourful plastic, and while some report they do add additional traction compared to the standard shell, they may be more susceptible to scuff marks, stains and oily marks which you'd be fine with, if you hadn't purchased the shell, and is something that's already an issue with the standard shell .

I've no qualms about the build quality of the Moto G, and as usual, Motorola have shown themselves to produce a quality device, despite the low price tag. Their material choice for the rear is what lets it down most.

Obviously not every owner of the Moto G will find its shell as being an issue, and not every person keeps their phone in their pant pocket to even notice an issue, but to those who have, it's aggravating and trying knowing that anywhere they sit may be the last time they see their spankin' new phone.

/rant