Today I'm here to talk about a fairly new(UPDATE: Not so new) device in the smartphone world: the Morotola Moto X(2012).
The Moto X is a standalone device(Thus far anyway), although the Schaumberg Illinois based company has recently released several other new Android phones such as the Moto G, Droid Ultra, Droid Maxx and the Droid Mini.
NOTE: This review is not specifically a comparison to other devices and any other devices mentioned are used to compare basic functions or features such as size, weight etc. I could use any device, but for the sake of understanding, I picked a popular option with similar specifications for these comparisons. Furthermore, this review is not a "Vs" review. It's strictly my opinion on the device at hand.
The Motorola Moto X.
NOTE: This review is for the Motorola Moto X, XT1050 Android Smartphone.
Being one of the first in line of a new generation of Motorola phones, the Moto X is certainly a step up from older devices such as the Atrix line, Milestone line, and even the famous Razr lineup.
The Moto X is currently available on most US carriers, and the current 2-year contract price for the 16GB model at most stores is around $29.99 or free(Not taking into consideration the many discounts and promotions various carriers offer).
As some of you might know, I previously owned an Inland Cellular Motorola Razr Maxx XT912 that gave me problem after problem. It would reboot randomly, freeze up, overheat, randomly shut down wireless networks, it wouldn't connect to or see other bluetooth devices half the time...it was also very slow...the list goes on. You'll soon see that the Moto X(XT1050) has none of these issues.
When I was in the market for a new phone, it came down to two options....The Samsung Galaxy S4 or the Moto X...the only reason I bought the Moto X over the S4 is because the S4 wasn't available for purchase. It was a very close decision and I'm honestly very glad I ended up with the Moto X.
PROS:
#1: Fits well in the hand without sacrificing screen size!
The Moto X screen is 0.1 inches smaller than that of the Samsung Galaxy S3. The S3's body is very large and finding a hand to fit it comfortably is tough. The body on the Moto X is 5mm smaller than that of the S3. How? I'll tell you! On every phone, there is something called Bezel. Bezel is the part of the phone that holds the screen in position. As companies keep creating and designing new things, their technology will therefore become more impressive. This applies to bezel; as more bezel is made, companies find new ways to make it stronger, allowing for less and less bezel to be necessary to the construction of the device.
#2: Extremely fast.
The Moto X has accomplished(What seems like) wonders when it comes to running apps, processing information of any kind and keeping wireless connection speed consistent.
I actually broke one of my own rules and downloaded a game! Sure, it relies on an internet connection so its not as much of a process hog as other games, but still...amazing. For full specs, see this link: Moto X Specs.
#3: Clean Android experience without MotoBlur or other software getting in the way.
Sure, it has Motorola apps like Motorola Assist, Motorola Migrate, MotoCare, and Motorola's own camera app, but none of them bog the system down like some other custom software might on other manufacturers phones. Plus, the aforementioned apps are actually useful unlike the dreaded "Bloatware" found on other devices.
#4: Camera(s).
The 10MP camera on this device is certainly special! I went from an 8MP on my XT912 to this 10MP on the XT1050, which may not seem like a huge step up, but it is when it comes down to it. Its cleaner, more stable(Although not by a huge margin) and the settings are easy to access and modify.
The front facing camera is quite good for being only 2MP. The light adjustment on both front and rear cams is a huge improvement and does its job very well.
#5: Color options. Although this really only applies to a few carriers and its online only.
With most carriers, you only have the black and white options available.
Below are the carrier options for the Moto X color customization as well as some of the color options available.
#7: Completely Hands Free(If you so choose). There is a marvelous setting that enables full control over the device by using your voice. Even with the screen turned off! Go into settings and enable the Touchless Control. All you have to say is "Ok Google Now" at any time and then give it a command.
#8: The Moto X offers a wide variety of features previously available only through 3rd party apps or that are unique to this phone entirely(So far). Keep in mind, some features may be available on other devices, but if they are, I have not heard about them, so correct me if I am wrong.
The list of features include Texting from your PC, Touchless Control(As mentioned in #7 above), Active Display(See #9 in Pros), Camera wrist gesture(See #10 in Pros).
#9: Active Display! This feature is quite amazing as it allows the user to check for notifications and or the time without turning the screen on. If your phone is in a physically stable environment(NOT a moving car on the back roads of Idaho), you can simply tap the screen or bump the phone(or any similar jarring) and the screen will provide you with an unlock option, time, and any current notifications you haven't seen yet. Sliding up into the notification will take you to the app that the notification originated from. Sliding down will unlock the device.
#10: Camera Gesture Control.
One of the cooler features the Moto X has is the ability to activate the camera(Stock camera only) by twisting the phone back and forth quickly a few times as seen in this GIF Image.
#11: KitKat! The Moto X released with Jellybean(Operating System version 4.2.2) but is upgradable to Android 4.4 KitKat. KitKat releases many improvements, some of which aren't readily noticeable.
These features include the ability to set your default home screen(Launchers like Themer, Aviate, Next, Nova, etc) so apps like Twisted Home Manager aren't necessary, Touchless Control bug fix(Updated version required a SIM card to make phone calls. With 4.4, no SIM card is necessary), Dialer/Contact apps are now practically combined while maintaining their own entities, and much more.
#12: Android 5/L/Lollipop! Whatever people call it, the next OS after KitKat has been confirmed for the Moto X down the line when Google and Motorola get their crap together.
CONS:
#1: My biggest qualm with this device is the lack of MicroSD storage expansion. This means if I want to store music or videos on my device...well, I'm very limited as to how much I store. Of course with the ever growing cloud industry, this isn't a huge problem unless you don't have 24/7 access to wifi or cell service(And even then, almost all carriers have limits on their data and its expensive to go higher than 4GB). Also, the 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage built in isn't bad...
My solution to this issue however, relies on the fact that the Moto X is OTG(On the go) storage compatible.
This means I can plug an adapted USB flash drive or adapted SD card/micro SD card into it and it will work.
#2: This one is small but its still significant if you like to save time when navigating through the system.
When on the Recent Apps screen, you can swype the apps away(Kills the application to save processing power) and one most phones, there's actually a button(on screen) to remove them all at once. The Moto X doesn't have this button and if I have more than 5 apps open, it can be a pain to remove them all slowly.
#3: Battery Life.
Ok so I know that I was spoiled with having a Droid Razr Maxx(extended battery life as compared to normal Razrs) but even for the average smartphone, the battery life on the Moto X isn't that good. I usually charge it overnight and unplug it at 5:30AM and use it throughout the day until late at night(Roughly 9 or 10PM). By midday(12PM Noon), my battery is anywhere from 57% down to 43% and dies before 8PM, where my Razr Maxx would still be at 89% down to 73% and would last until 11pm(With about 13% left).
Of course the solution is an external battery pack or one of the very few battery cases manufactured for this device, but those aren't cheap and it would be responsible manufacturing where the battery is made to last all day. This is the 21st century and people are constantly on their devices. The average smartphone user checks their phone 110-150 times a day. Pretty battery draining if you ask me.
#4: Battery is non-removable. This really speaks for itself.
#5: Limited bloatware. As I stated above, the Moto X does come with some Motorola bloatware, and while it doesn't affect the system in any way, it's still slightly annoying to not start from scratch like most people want.
#6: Limited camera options and speed.
The stock camera is not what I'd call very good...it's slow, has limited settings and has seemingly primitive light adjustment and focus. That's why I suggest going the route of reliable 3rd party camera apps like Focal, A Better Camera, or even VSCO Cam. These among many others are great alternatives and offer a wide range of options, advanced settings and faster shutter speed(For shutter speed and efficiency, I recommend Focal). Granted, some of these aren't supported on all phones or tablets, they're still supported on a great many. NOTE: Google Camera is now available for the Moto X and its AMAZING.
#7: Wireless charging capabilities....while you're technically able to wirelessly charge the Moto X, no one seems to have a definite answer for this or to how easy it is. I did find one 'solution' that requires a specific wireless charging case and a charging mat. Not worth my time, especially if I own a protective case that I don't want to have to take off and on to swap with the charging case/sleeve. The idea behind wireless charging is to be quick and 'no hassle'.
#8: Absence of Notification Light.
As a smartphone user who relied heavily on notification lights to tell when I need to check my messages, this was a big disappointment. However, with the active display, this almost becomes an anti-con.
Summary And Conclusion:
Overall, I am very pleased with the Moto X as my everyday and business device. It has a solid construction, and it runs very smoothly. Its been almost a year since I have purchased this device(This review is VERY VERY late) and it still runs as fast as when I purchased it(Hint: VERY FAST).
Bottom line: Buy it if you're looking for a good phone that's affordable on or off contract.
The NEW Moto X has been released and I do recommend checking that out too.
I give this device a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Thanks everyone! Have a FANTASTIC day! :)
~ARGOS~
