All-Metal Moto M Gets Listed Online Ahead Of Official Debut

"M" is for metal. Or so we think it is. It's definitely not for "magnificent" or "maximum". Lenovo and Moto have yet to actually announce the smartphone, but the Moto M has already broken cover on the Tmall webshop, giving us a glimpse of the first ever all-metal Moto smartphone. And that metal design might actually be the best thing about the Moto M, as the spec sheet for the device reveal a mixed bag of mid-range specs that will have a hard time standing out from the crowd.

It's not that Motorola hates metal, but almost all of its smartphones so far have had plastic or a mix of plastic and metal. But, as Chinese OEMs continue to prove, even mid-range smartphones are embracing metal now. Strangely enough, Moto didn't opt to introduce the material in a premium flagship. Then again, in order to support Moto Mods, it couldn't do so anyway.

So, instead, the Moto M is relegated to a sort of mix in between mid and high tiers. The 5.5-inch screen, for example, only goes as far as 1080p. There is, however, 4 GB of RAM, which is particularly deceptive. Because running inside is MediaTek's mid-range processor, the Helio P15. There are a few nice things though like a 16 megapixel PDAF rear camera paired with an 8 megapixel front shooter, a rear fingerprint sensor, and Dolby Atmos Audio. And yes, it still has a headphone jack.

All of these come in a 1,999 RMB ($295) package, which isn't that exceptional when you compare it with the likes of Xiaomi. And that is where the Moto M's greatest challenge will lie, in setting itself apart from the dozens of affordable mid-range smartphones, in a market where the name "Motorola" isn't exactly popular. The Moto M is slated to officially launch 11th November.

SOURCE: Tmall