The annoying wait is on for the 16GB Moto G

So alluring yet so hard to come by. Photo: Motorola

So alluring yet so hard to come by. Photo: Motorola

The third-generation Motorola Moto G is already off to a promising start, with wait times slipping to three weeks for the top-tier, 16GB handset with 2GB of RAM.

To the profound surprise of absolutely nobody, budget Android shoppers have standards. They may not afford the sharpest screens or punchiest mobile processors around, but given the choice between 1 and 2GB of RAM, they know the latter’s worth a few extra bucks.

$40, to be specific, which also accounts for the additional 8GB of storage space offered by the $220 Moto G (2015). Unfortunately, the entry-level $180 model feels more within reach at the moment, with just a few days to wait for shipping.

Nowhere to be found at Amazon or Best Buy, the more expensive Moto G is listed as “in stock” via the Moto Maker online tool. Only the earliest you could hope to receive it is August 24 — and that’s if you hurry and order right away. We wouldn’t be shocked to see this model on back order before long.

The new Moto G runs vanilla Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, packs quad-core 64-bit Snapdragon 410 power, a generous 2,470 mAh battery, plus an extremely capable 13-megapixel camera. Not to forget the vivid, 5-inch HD screen and waterproof exterior.