Motorola might not be tied directly with Google anymore, but that isn't stop the company from creating its own stock Android version of the new Moto X.The Verge reports the smartphone maker is will release new version of the Moto X called the Pure Edition this September. This purported device will come unlocked with a version of Android KitKat devoid of Motorola's self made apps such as Moto Display's power saving features or Moto Assist, which dictates your text messages.The device will supposedly even be unbranded making it one of the stealthiest Android devices. As with Google Play devices, users should also expect to get software updates more quickly without having to wait for approval from carriers or manufacturers to tweak their packaged apps.Packaged deal
Other than the repackaged operating system, the Pure Edition Moto X will likely be very similar to the original.The new Moto X features a 5.2 inch, 1080p Full HD screen, which is a step up from the 4.7-inch, 720 display of the original Moto X. Motorola latest flagship device has also been updated with a new metal frame and leather back options for users customizing their handset through the Moto Maker.Internally the smartphone packs a 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor quad-core CPU with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. The Moto X's cameras aren't much to write about, but users will be able to take good photos with the 13MP rear camera and 2MP front snapper.Of course, the biggest selling point of the Moto X is its affordable $499, which makes the device a steal considering it uses the same processor as the Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8.
NEW DELHI: Motorola has refreshed its smartphone lineup, introducing new versions of Moto X and Moto G smartphones. While the new Moto G is more of an evolutionary upgrade, the next-generation Moto X brings with it a number of radical changes. In fact, it won't be wrong to say that it's a completely new phone and not just an iterative upgrade.
We got our hands on the new Moto X and felt it has the potential to be one of the top contenders if there's ever a contest for the best designed Android smartphone. The new Moto X looks much more premium compared to the original Moto X thanks to its all-aluminium frame. Despite sporting a larger, 5.2-inch display, the new Moto X doesn't feel cumbersome to hold and fits nicely in your hands. The narrow bezel and the smooth tapering towards the edges accentuate the phone's design. The AMOLED panel also gets credit for the seamless black glass look at the front. It has two front speaker outlets, but they are subtle unlike the new Moto G's chrome grilles.
The back of the Moto X is slightly curved and the back panel (non removable) will also be available in genuine leather and wood finish in addition to the standard black/white option.
The rear features a slightly recessed Motorola logo and the 13MP camera which is surrounded by a unique ring-shaped flash.
The right edge features metallic keys for power and volume rocker controls and offer good tactile feedback. The 3.5mm headset jack sits at the top while the micro-USB port is placed at the bottom edge. All in all, it won't be wrong to say that the new Moto X looks and feels like a premium version of its predecessor.
The new Moto X features a 5.2-inch full-HD AMOLED display that looks really bright and vibrant, and offers excellent viewing angles.
Thanks to the narrow bezel, it looks bigger than it actually is and dominates the front panel. The display is protected with a Coring Gorilla Glass 3 coating. Touch sensitivity felt great and the panel responded to the slightest of touches.
With the original Moto X, Motorola tried to prove that it's not just the hardware specifications, but the user experience that mattered the most. However, with the new version of the phone, Motorola doesn't want to leave any stone unturned. The new Moto X boasts of high-end hardware specifications. It is powered by a 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor and 2GB RAM.
In India, the phone will be available in the 16GB storage version and unfortunately, it doesn't come with a microSD card slot. This means you'll have to live with the limited internal storage despite the high price you pay for it.
READ ALSO: New Moto G: 6 Things To Know
The new Moto X has a 2300mAh battery and Motorola claims it lasts an entire day. We'll be able to confirm if it lives upto expectations when we get the phone for a review. In our short hands-on time with the phone, we did not find any lag or stutter while launching and switching between apps, and navigating across the home screens.
Motorola has bumped up the rear camera sensor to 13MP (F2.25) from 10MP and has put a unique ring-shaped flash for softer lighting. The camera is capable of recording video in 4K resolution. Pictures taken at the venue turned out well with little or no noise.
The front-facing camera sports a 2MP sensor. In the selfie era, it's acceptable but not that great. Selfies shot at the venue had good amount of detail, but were grainy due to less light. We'll only be able to comment on the camera after using the phone for a few days.
Coming to software, the new Moto X runs a near-stock version of Android 4.4 KitKat and the company has promised that it will get the upcoming Android L update. The phone comes with Motorola's Migrate and Assist software tools.
The original Moto X is known for its special features, namely, Active display and Touchless control. The two features have been updated to support more functions.
The voice prompt can now be customised to your liking if you don't like the standard 'Ok Google' prompt. It also supports additional commands and even actions for third party apps like WhatsApp, YouTube and Facebook. We were not able to test this feature due to connectivity issues. Touchless control now supports a wide range of gestures, including waving your hand to get a peek at your notifications or even silence the ringer.
So is the new Moto X worth a buy? We'll need to spend more time with the phone to arrive on a conclusion but we were impressed with the phone after our brief hands-on session. It looks like a good upgrade for existing Moto X users and will rival the likes of the Nexus 5.
Having said that, the pricing will also play a big role. Currently, the new Moto X costs $499 in the US which roughly turns out to be Rs 30,000. With Xiaomi and OnePlus all set to release their flagship devices in India, Motorola will have to price the phone competitively if to wants to succeed. However, it's highly unlikely that the company will sell the phone below its US price. The new Moto G priced at $179.99 (Rs 10,800 approximately) in the US sells at Rs 12,999 in India.
We'll have to wait till the end of the month to find out if Motorola will offer a price subsidy on the phone in the Indian market.
