What's good
- Snappy performance that handles all tasks with ease
- Vivid color and good contrast
- Premium materials and excellent build quality
What's bad
- No expandable microSD slot
- Suffers from oversaturation
- Mediocre camera performance
The 2014 Motorola Moto X might share the same name as its predecessor, but it is definitely an upgrade in almost every way starting from the design. Instead of an all plastic device, Motorola opted for an aluminum rim around the phone. While the metal does make the phone slightly heavier than its predecessor at 144 grams, reviewers point out it makes the device look and feel like a premium device. As well, they point out that the smooth finish and tapered edges makes it very comfortable to hold in hand, despite its slightly larger dimensions.
The most noticeable upgrade is the larger 5.2-inch AMOLED display. With a 1080p Full HD resolution, the screen offers a stunning pixel density of 423ppi. Critics point out the improved sharpness makes it great for reading also due in part to its bright light legibility. They did notice that colors tended to be oversaturated though it ultimately leads to better contrast and deeper blacks.
The new Moto X might not pack the latest internal specs, but the 2.5GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM is powerful enough that experts had no issue with lag or stutters when using normal and processor-heavy apps. Internal storage is adequate with a choice of 16GB or 32GB, though those looking to expand their storage will be disappointed as there is no microSD slot. In the same vein, critics describe battery life as "acceptable but not exceptional" as it clocked a little under 9 hours during their battery draining tests. In real life tests, they were able to get around a full day's worth of charge during moderately light use.
Around the back is a 13MP camera and dual LED flash. When compared to the previous camera, reviewers discovered that this one produced more vibrant colors and better details. Despite these improvements, they mention that low-light performance is still mediocre and its overall performance is fairly average.
Although the Moto X(2nd generation) might have a couple weak points, overall critics appreciate the updated look and specs. Phone Arena says, "…the new features are nice…and the phone is zippy and premium feeling." PC advisor adds, "It has a great screen, isn't too big or heavy, and has excellent performance."
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Jamshed Avari, Gadgets 360A lot of people loved the first Moto X, and plenty will be disappointed that there isn't a new model in the same size class and price range. Motorola has stepped its game up, but at the same time has left a void in the market where the X used to reign. We hope to see that opportunity capitalised on...
- Aaron Weiss , Cool ToolsYes, you can put many of the Moto X features on existing Android phones, but this is the only one that does it out of the box, and without sacrificing battery life. I’ve had mine for 6 months, and if I lost it today, I wouldn’t consider replacing it with anything else.
- Travis Pope, GottaBeMobileOverall, I’d say the Moto X 2014 is a great device and definitely capable to standing up to even the latest generation of flagship phones. No, Moto Voice is neither a game changer nor a reason to purchase the Moto X 2014, but it never should have been. The fundamentals are right here. Its desi...
- Reviewed.com staff, ReviewedWe can't emphasize enough how useful Motorola's Active Notifications are, taking Android's already superior notification system to the next level. Moto Assist is another huge win, intelligently managing your ringer and other key functions behind the scenes, saving you from workplace embarrassment an...
- Jason Million, G Style MagazineEven with its camera’s shortcomings the Moto X 2014 can be considered one of the best overall smartphones out. It’s one of the only phones you can have customize yourself and it’s available on most carriers. Its battery life is decent and it’s built in Moto apps are some of t...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen) user manual here.
Motorola backs up the Moto X (2nd Gen) with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Moto X (2nd Gen) has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Motorola support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Motorola's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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