The Moto X name hasn’t changed in 2014, but rest assured, this updated Android smartphone packs enough new specs to deserve its own Moto X+1 or Moto X2 title.
Yes, the original Moto Maker device returns with a larger screen, a better camera, surprisingly useful Motorola-made apps and, of course, deeper customization for $99 on-contract or $499 (£419.99, AU$534).
The Moto X 2014 display size measures 5.2 inches, up from the 4.7-inch original Moto X that some may have found to be a tad too small. It’s now the perfect size for my hands.
It’s again protected by Corning Gorilla Glass with the same AMOLED technology behind it, but the 1080p Full HD resolution makes for a much crisper screen with 423 pixels per inch. You won’t want to go back to 720p and 316 ppi ever again.
This sharper display is put to the test as soon as the new Moto X is booted up thanks to the bright and colorful default wallpapers that Motorola includes with the handset. It really sets the tone for this premium smartphone experience next to the still-720p Moto G 2014.
It stands bezel to bezel with the Samsung Galaxy S5, though it lacks the Super AMOLED display of its 5.1-inch rival. But keep in mind that Motorola has made its smartphone significantly cheaper than anything in its class.
Hardware
Take for example the all-new aluminum metal frame of the Moto X 2014. No longer is it plastic material binding together Motorola’s flagship device. It’s closer to the build material of the iPhone 5S than the somehow still-plastic Samsung Galaxy S5.
This aluminum metal frame plus beefier components on the inside give it slightly more weight this time around: 144 grams vs last year’s 139 grams. And the phone now measures 72.4mm x x 140.8mm with a 3.8-9.9mm curve.
That’s well worth it for the performance upgrades. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor is the same 2.5GHz quad-core CPU that’s found at the heart of the Galaxy S5. Moto X 2014 also answers Samsung’s graphics performance with the same Adreno 330 GPU at 578 MHz.
Around back, it comes with a 13-megapixel camera and a ring flash that essentially means the lense is flanked by LED flash bulbs on the right and left to balance out shots. Selfies are best taken with the front-face camera that’s 2 megapixels, though there’s not flash here for dark environments.
Both cameras can shoot 1080p HD video, but only the rear-facing camera is capable of extending the quality to Ultra HD. The pixels extend to 2160p, which means Motorola is now welcomed into the small, but growing 4K smartphone capture club. It also has a unique shortcut to access the camera app. Twisting your wrist twice with the Moto X in hand brings up the default app so that you can touch and capture in a minimal amount of time.
New Motorola, same as the old Motorola
Google may have sold Motorola to Lenovo, but the company is still dedicated to providing a pure Android experience that helps its phone contrast with devices from Samsung and HTC. You won’t find TouchWiz or Sense changing the experience with a wonky overlay.
The interface is much the same as last year save for a few fresh Motorola-branded apps and some carrier-loaded bloatware depending on your provider. Once again, Moto Display returns when the display is off for a discreet and battery-saving method of seeing notification icons.
Moto Assist takes driving seriously by reading text message while you’re on the road. It also knows when to keep quiet; during meets or when you’re going to bed. The next day, it wakes up when you wake up.
Moto Voice lets you change the voice prompt for your smartphone to a custom name from the old “Okay Google Now,” as if that was only futuristic in 2013. “You there Moto X?” or just “Wake up buddy!” are some of the examples Motorola pitched to us, but I prefered the Motorola staffer / X-Men fan who used the prompt, “Okay Professor X.”
Gestures work rather well through the Moto Actions interface once it’s turned on. The front of the Moto X 2014 has three IR emitters on its face, looking a bit like the Amazon Fire Phone, and these sensors recognize hand motions coming in from all directions: top, bottom, left and right.
Waving your hand in front of the phone wakes it up, but it can also silence incoming calls and, somewhat dangerously, snooze alarms. Don’t worry, it’ll buzz you in spite of your flailing arms that only want to go back to sleep.
Battery life is being tested for our full review, but the new Moto X has a 2300 mAh battery backing up its larger screen, which Motorola says lasts for 24 hours with mixed use. That’s enough to plug it in at night without fail.
If you’re desperate for an energy boost, the company is introducing the Motorola Turbo Charger, which is designed to gain 8 hours of power in just 15 minutes of charging time when the battery is nearly depleted. That’s perfect for quick layovers at the airport.
Early Verdict
Don’t think that just because the Moto X 2014 name didn’t get much of a change that the phone is just a basic specs bump. The first 24 hours with Motorola’s new flagship smartphone proves that the reinvented company is listening to customer feedback with a bigger screen and flashier 13-megapixel rear camera, all for a price that’s better than its competition.
It’s also continuing with its Moto Maker policies for customization. That means custom backs including premium wood paneling and trim accents on the front as well as around the camera lense. And yet it doesn’t tinker with the pure Android experience set forth by Google. The specs are more robust while the software stays minimal, pretty much the opposite of other phones out there. That’s just the way Motorola rolls, and we rather enjoy it.
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