What's the Moto G4 like with Amazon's ads? Not bad at all

Amazon Prime members can slash $50 off the G4's already low price by ignoring ads on the lock screen. The catch? It's for life.

Jessica Dolcourt

Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Thought Leadership, Speed Desk and How-To. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica led CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).

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Jessica Dolcourt

July 18, 2016 5:00 a.m. PT

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This is what you'll see when you fire up the Moto G4 version for Amazon Prime members.

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It's an ad on your lock screen, which you can either swipe away or tap to view.

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Or, if notifications salt the screen, the ad will shrink to banner size.

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Amazon also preloads apps on the home page. You can sign in to them all in one fell swoop when you set up the phone (or not!)

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You can delete these apps and customize the home screen any way you'd like.

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Amazon will eventually target ads to your buying and browsing patterns, but I'm not sure why it thinks I'm interested in whey protein.

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A second ad module appears as a home screen widget.

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You can drag and drop to delete it.

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Double-tap a notification-style ad to open it.

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Here's what you'll see if you tap it once (like on accident, for instance).

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Opening an ad kicks off the corresponding Amazon app or website.

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In this case, it's Amazon Prime's video collection. You can tap to stream now.

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Apart from the two sizes of lock screen ads, the phone looks and acts just the same as the full-price Moto G4.

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It's already our top budget pick -- this $50 off deal just makes the value that much better, as long as the ads don't bother you. Read all about the Moto G4 here.