Republic Wireless, which offers calling and data plans for as little as $5 a month, began selling the new Motorola Moto G phone on Thursday for $149 – without a contract.

The 8GB model sells at $149.

A 16GB version is available for $179.

“Since our start in 2011, we have been committed to reshaping the wireless experience for consumers everywhere and Moto G furthers that commitment,” said David Morken, co-founder and CEO of Republic Wireless. “With a quad-core processor, HD display and Android 4.4 KitKat [operating system], Moto G is an exceptional smartphone, pairing features normally seen in high-end devices with a price tag that’s under $150.”

Features of the phones as noted by Republic include:

  • Touchless Control – Intelligent voice recognition software that allows users to ask whatever they need to know. Google Now makes it easier than ever to set an alarm, get directions, find out the weather, and much more.
  • Motorola Migrate – Helps users easily transfer messages, photos, video, music and more from their old smartphone devices.
  • HD video calling – Simple video calling via Google Hangouts makes participating in work meetings or keeping in touch with loved ones more personal and easy.
  • Quad-core processor – Offering a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 400 processor with 1.2 GHz quad-core CPUs, Moto G is an affordable smartphone with no compromises in the hardware department.
  • HD display – A 4.5-inch 720p HD edge-to-edge display offers crisp images and text that are easy to read. Corning Gorilla Glass protects the phone from everything users can dish out.
  • Android 4.4. KitKat – The Moto G for Republic Wireless launches with Android 4.4 KitKat, delivering all the best features of Android technology.

The Raleigh-based company recently added customization – such as wood cases – for Moto X phones, which it began selling in November.

As of April 1, Republic customers could buy the Moto X phones with special options that are added at an assembly plant near Fort Worth, Texas.

Options include personal choice of front and back colors, accent colors, wallpapers and accessories.

Among the choices are bamboo or other wood finishes.

The phones are manufactured by Google Motorola Mobility, which is being acquired by Lenovo for some $2.9 billion.

The phones require no contract and cost $349.99 for the 16GB or $399 for the 32 GB model.

Republic began offering Moto X phones in November.

The Moto G is a relatively new phone, having been launched in November. It includes a 4.5-inch high-definition screen and runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor.

And it’s received some good reviews.

Website TechRadar labeled the Moto G as the “bust budget handset around.”

Engadget, meanwhile, called it “an affordable smartphone done right.”