Moto X (2 Gen) - full review. Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen) - Specifications Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, colors offered, certificates
Last summer, Motorola announced a device that was the fruit of a brand reboot - . The company was then in the process of coming under the control of Google and fans of the brand were full of optimism regarding both the Moto X itself and the future fate of Motorola. The smartphone was not without its shortcomings; it had poor battery life and mediocre photo capabilities.
This year, Motorola was once again resold, this time from Google to the Chinese Lenovo, but this did not affect the process of creating new models; it goes on as usual. In September, the company's first smart watch, Moto 360, was announced. budget smartphone Moto G 2nd gen., and the flagship Moto X 2nd gen., in the latter Motorola tried to develop the ideas laid down in the first generation of the device. All the features of the first Moto X have been retained here, including active notifications and touch-free control, while almost all the characteristics of the device have been improved!
Packaging and equipment
The box of the Moto X2 (hereinafter for the convenience of the reader Moto X 2nd gen. = Moto X2) is large, it is made of thick cardboard, the design resembles a book, and in general is not much different from that of the original Moto X. Inside the box there is a screen in the recess down lies the device itself, under it: a cardboard case with instructions, another case with a paperclip for opening the SIM card tray, a USB-microUSB synchronization cable and a power adapter with an output current of 5V/1.15A.
There are no additional accessories included in the package, including the removal of the frankly outdated Motorola EH25 headset. What’s unusual is the presence of two USB outputs in the power adapter, which means simultaneous charging of two devices.
Appearance and ergonomics
One of the important features of the first generation Moto X was the ability to personalize when ordering appearance devices using a special service, the so-called motomaker. In the case of the Moto X2, this possibility remains, but now the choice of back covers has been expanded; four options for genuine leather covers have been added to the plastic and wooden covers. The review involves a device with a rather discreet configuration: black front, black plastic back cover and silver design elements. In comparison with its predecessor, Moto X2 began to look more solid and neater, thanks to metal and original design elements, while continuity is visible due to the preservation of the shape and proportions of the body, the location of the main elements on it.
The quality of the materials from which the body of the device is made is excellent. The aluminum frame around the perimeter of the device does not have sharp edges or polished surfaces, which means that chips and burrs are less likely to appear on it. The back cover, made of polycarbonate with a soft-touch coating, is practically scratch-resistant, but unfortunately, it is very easily soiled. Mechanical buttons, branding frames and speaker surrounds are made of metal. The entire front surface is occupied by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which bends at the edges, smoothly turning into a plastic frame, which in turn turns into an aluminum frame, a similar design is used in and. But unlike the latter, in the Moto X2 the body parts are not perfectly matched to each other, and dust is constantly getting into the gaps, which is clearly visible in the black version of the device.
Dimensions Moto X2 140.8 * 72.4 * 9.9 mm, weight - 144 grams. The ratio of device dimensions to screen diagonal of the Moto X2 is one of the best; with similar body sizes, the screen in the same iPhone 6 is half an inch smaller! The device fits into a men's jeans pocket, and it's almost convenient to carry it there; perhaps, due to the shape of the Moto X2 case, it will fit into women's jeans, but you definitely won't be able to carry it in the breast pocket of a shirt. The ergonomics of the smartphone are excellent, Moto X2 lies confidently in the hand and in this regard resembles one, including due to the smooth lines of the body. The mechanical power and volume buttons are located conveniently - under the thumb of the right hand and not too high, they have a short, distinct stroke, but there is no excessive pressing force that is inherent in iPhones and some Android devices. The power button has a pleasant-to-touch ribbing.
The Moto X2 does not have any additional mechanical controls, including a two-position camera shutter button. Under the protective glass in the corners there are infrared motion sensors, which are necessary for the active notifications function and touch-free control, but more on that below. The headset connector, nanoSIM card tray and additional microphone are located at the top end; The microUSB connector and the main microphone are on the bottom. The eye of the main camera is placed on the back surface in the top center; by the way, this location reduces the risk of fingers getting into the frame.
Screen
In Moto X2, as in most Motorola smartphones the last two or three years, an AMOLED screen was installed. Compared to the first generation of the device, the screen resolution has increased from 1280*720 to 1920*1080 pixels, and the diagonal has increased from 4.7 to 5.2 inches (PPI=423). The touch screen is, naturally, a capacitive type; it is able to detect up to 10 touches simultaneously. The Moto X2 screen shows all the advantages of AMOLED technology, including infinite contrast and absolute viewing angles, although the black color is not black, but dark gray with a greenish tint, again when the view deviates from the normal White color turns greenish. It seems very likely that the pixels are arranged in a pentile structure, although we could not find reliable information about this on the Internet.
The smartphone screen has an effective anti-glare filter and behaves well in the sun. There is automatic backlight adjustment, which works correctly in most cases, but sometimes you have to adjust the brightness manually. There is no provision for working with seals; the Moto X2 touch screen does not respond to foreign objects. Overall, I really liked the screen! By the way, one of the best representatives of the IPS camp - the screen in the iPhone 6 - when compared head-to-head with the screen of the Moto X2, no longer seems so ideal.
Hardware platform and performance
The smartphone is built on a SoC called Motorola Mobile Computing System, which is nothing more than a system-on-chip Snapdragon 801 (MSM 8974AC), which Motorola has supplemented with two coprocessors - Natural Language Processor and Contextual Computing Processor. The latter are necessary for the functioning of “active notifications” and “touch-free control”. The MSM 8974AC itself includes an eight-core CPU operating at frequencies up to 2.5 GHz and an Adreno 330 graphics coprocessor operating at frequencies up to 578 MHz. DDR3 RAM – 2 GB. The permanent memory can be 16 or 32 GB; the review involves a device with 32 GB of memory on board, of which 24.3 GB is available to the user. There is no slot for memory cards.
If the Moto X1 did not use the most productive hardware platform at that time, the Moto X2 runs on a top-end chip for the beginning of 2014 and is still relevant; the smartphone scored 44,052 points in AnTuTu. Powerful hardware combined with stock Android 4.4.4. KitKat provides an almost perfect user experience. All built-in and third-party 2D applications launch instantly and run smoothly. Also, all 3D games with the exception of GTA work without problems at maximum settings. After updating the Moto X2 to Android 5.0 Lollipop, the AnTuTu benchmark score improved to 46082 points.
Cellular communications and interfaces
The modem in Motorola Moto X2 supports 2.3 and 4th generation networks. At the moment, there are three modifications of the device: version for the AT&T operator XT1097, version for Verizon operator XT1096, and the so-called Pure Edition – XT1095. The first two can work in Russian LTE networks by default, but the XT1095 on the current modem firmware does not support any of the bands set for Russian operators cellular communications. I hasten to reassure those Moto X2 owners who, by the will of fate or on purpose, bought the Pure Edition, along with updating the device to Android 5.0 Lollipop, the modem firmware will also be updated. The new firmware will expand the list of LTE frequency ranges, including the addition of those bands that are used in Russia. And this will happen in the very near future! There is only one slot for a SIM card in the device, type – nano (the photo below shows the result of measuring the speed of access to the LTE network on the XT1095 with updated modem firmware in the St. Petersburg Megafon network):
From wireless interfaces Motorola Moto X2 has Bluetooth 4.0LE, Wi-Fi 802.11a/g/b/n/ac, NFC. There is a GPS receiver with A-GPS support. The wired USB interface complies with the 2.0 standard and supports OTG technology.
Battery and autonomy
The smartphone has a 2160/2300 mAh battery; the first version had a 2120/2200 mAh battery. Taking into account the increased diagonal and resolution of the screen and more powerful hardware, it would be logical to assume that the autonomy of the Moto X2 should have worsened in comparison with the Moto X1. In fact, there is an increase in time battery life by 20-30%, in mixed operating mode (calls, SMS, browsing, installing and testing applications, some games) and active LTE, the smartphone “lives” from morning until late evening with 3.5-4 hours of screen operation. Unfortunately, such indicators do not look attractive compared to competitors. Using a native power adapter with an output current of 5V/1.15A, the device charges from 0% to 75% in 1 hour and 10 minutes, to 100% in 2 hours and 10 minutes. Testing in typical operating conditions showed the following results:
- in the mode of listening to music on headphones at maximum volume with the screen turned off, the smartphone worked for about 35 hours;
- viewing 1080p video from the device memory at 50% backlight brightness and maximum sound volume in headphones – 8 hours and 20 minutes;
- active browsing (constantly opening new tabs, actively scrolling pages, etc.) via Wi-Fi at 50% backlight brightness – just under 6 hours;
- 3D games (Real Racing 3) at 50% backlight brightness – 2 hours and 30 minutes.
After updating the device to Android 5.0 Lollipop, battery life in mixed operating mode increased by 20-25%! On the day of the test, the Moto X2 was taken off charge at 8:00 and without any problems survived until 24:00 with 4.5 hours of screen activity (including 20 minutes of 2D games). Looks like Project Volta is actually working!
Cameras, photo and video quality
The main camera is based on a 13-megapixel sensor, the lens has an equivalent focal length of ~26 mm and an F/2.3 aperture. HDR is supported in hardware, the maximum possible ISO is 1000 units. The system camera does not have the ability to adjust any shooting parameters. The flash consists of two LEDs of the same color temperature located under a ring around the camera.
The camera in the Moto X1 was not so great, pictures took a long time to save, white balance suffered in low light conditions, and in the twilight the photos turned out to be very noisy. The new product has significantly increased the focusing and shutter speeds, pictures are taken almost instantly! The camera's detection of white balance has also improved. But at dusk and in low-light conditions, the Moto X2's camera still looks pale compared to its competitors. CLICKABLE! On the left is Motorola Moto X 2nd gen., on the right is Apple iPhone 6:
When creating HDR photos, there is a stronger compression of tones compared to what is done in the iPhone 6. The image is saved almost as quickly as in normal mode, and the Moto X2 camera effectively combats the ghosting of moving objects in the frame. CLICKABLE! On the left is Motorola Moto X 2nd gen., on the right is Apple iPhone 6:
In low-light conditions, the smartphone's camera performed well, although pictures from the iPhone 6 look obviously better. In conditions of almost completely absent lighting, the Moto X2 turned out to be ineffective - the photo did not work out. CLICKABLE! On the left is Motorola Moto X 2nd gen., on the right is Apple iPhone 6:
There were no problems with macro photography, there was only a slight mistake with the white balance. The minimum focusing distance is approximately 60 mm. CLICKABLE! On the left is Motorola Moto X 2nd gen., on the right is Apple iPhone 6:
While Chinese brands are gradually mastering taking panoramic photographs, specialists from Motorola are marking time. The Moto X2 takes panoramas of terrible quality and low resolution - ~3 MP. The photo takes a long time to process, and the process of creating it is constantly interrupted by warnings that the camera is “moving too fast.” CLICKABLE:
The 2 MP front camera is equipped with a lens with an equivalent focal length of ~26 mm and an F/2.3 aperture; there is no autofocus. The video is recorded with a maximum resolution of 1920*1080 pixels @ 30 fps and a bitrate of 19 Mbit/s, stereo sound 48 KHz / 96 Kbit/s. Neither the resolution nor the quality of the resulting photographs can be called satisfactory, although this may be sufficient for self-portraits. CLICKABLE:
The smartphone records video in a maximum resolution of 3840*2160 pixels @ 30 fps and a bitrate of 51.2 Mbit/s for UHD mode. Sound is recorded in stereo with a sampling frequency of 48 KHz and a bitrate of 96 Kbps. In addition, there is a shooting mode in FullHD resolution @ 30 fps with a bitrate of 17.2 Mbit/s and a slow motion mode in the same resolution with a bitrate of 8.5 Mbit/s without the ability to record sound.
Sound quality
The first generation of the device used a solution from Qualcomm for audio processing - WCD9310. There is a suspicion, but not yet certain, that a similar solution has been used in Moto X2. There is only one ringing speaker, it is located on the front surface under the screen, it plays loudly and quite clearly.
The sound in the headphones also has a decent volume reserve, and in terms of sound quality the Moto X2 can be called a solid average. In the smartphone settings there is an equalizer that can be configured separately for headphones and the speakerphone; FM radio does not.
Operating system features
Smartphone Motorola Moto X 2nd gen. It came from the factory with a pre-installed OS, which is almost stock Android 4.4.4. KitKat with some original Motorola features. After a couple of days of testing I updated it to Android 5.0 Lollipop having installed official firmware from Motorola (leaked). Together with new version The Android firmware file contained an update for the modem that unlocked many frequency bands for access to the LTE network, including those used by our big three.
Motorola, leaving the interface of the absolute majority untouched standard applications from Lollipop, modified the application Camera. The application can be launched in the usual way by tapping on the icon, or through a gesture. On the main screen of the application, only two buttons are displayed: the camera switch button and the video recording button. The shutter is released by tapping on any part of the screen, a long tap takes a series of pictures, and sliding up and down controls the digital zoom. Camera settings can be accessed by swiping from the left edge of the screen; swiping from the right edge will take the user to the gallery. In the camera settings you can: enable HDR mode; select the flash activation mode; enable manual focus point selection mode; select video recording resolutions; activate panoramic shooting mode; turn on the shutter timer; enable geotagging; set the photo resolution; enable shutter sound; activate the camera launch gesture.
Several non-removable proprietary applications from Motorola have been added to the system. Application Migration allows you to transfer data from your old phone to Moto X2 in two clicks. If your old phone runs on Android, almost all data will be transferred; if it's an iPhone, then only contacts and calendar; If you are switching to Moto from any other phone, it will be possible to transfer only contacts.
Application Alerts is an extended version of the SOS button. Once the application has been configured (by setting emergency numbers, emergency response options, etc.), the user will be able to signal for help by pressing one single button.
Using the app Connect you can control devices from the Motorola ecosystem: Keylink key fob, Moto 360 watch, Power Pack Micro power bank, and interact with your phone using a special extension for Chrome, the latter is reminiscent of Apple’s Handoff, albeit somewhat stripped down. Through the extension, you can view the list of missed calls, as well as view and send/receive text messages.
Application Moto The most interesting of the pre-installed ones, it greatly simplifies working with a smartphone, using, among other things, the hardware capabilities of the Natural Language Processor and Contextual Computing Processor coprocessors. The Moto app works in four ways. Function Assist changes the behavior of the device, in particular alerts, depending on the context: Dream allows you to set the time when the user is sleeping to turn off the sound of alerts; Behind the wheel– automatically connects to the radio in the car while driving; House– will read SMS to the user and inform him who is calling when he is at home; Meeting accesses the user's calendar, looking for upcoming meetings; during the meeting itself, the phone will turn off the sound of alerts and, in which case, will automatically send a crash message to the caller, if he is listed in a special list.
Function Actions reacts to simple user gestures, performing certain actions. To turn off the sound of an incoming call or alarm, just move your hand over the phone (the phone should be face up). The twist gesture launches the camera from anywhere, including when the device is locked. Among other things, the Moto X2's screen will turn on if you simply pick up the phone.
Function Voice commands allows you to control your phone without touching, only with your voice. Voice control is activated with a preset phrase from any screen, including a locked one. If Russian is set as the system language, then this function will not work.
Function Display notifies the user about missed events by displaying information on the locked screen, but at the same time saving battery power. The latter is possible due to the fact that a small area of the AMOLED screen is used, and the icons themselves are displayed interlaced.
The company has done a lot of work on bugs, the second Moto X is better than its predecessor in everything. But unfortunately, the products of the oldest American brand are still playing catch-up. What confuses me most is the weak autonomy and frankly middle chamber. If we take these two points out of the equation, then Moto X 2nd gen. It’s just a very good Android device, as it doesn’t spoil it with any add-ons or proprietary software, and Moto X2 should be among the first to receive updates for at least the next two years.
The advantages of a smartphone can and should include ergonomics and an excellent ratio of body dimensions to screen diagonal. The screen, by the way, is simply excellent! The quality of speech transmission and sound quality in the headphones are at a good level. And most importantly, none of the manufacturers today do anything similar to active notification systems and touch-free smartphone control.
And now about the sad thing, Motorola several years ago left Russian market, and no one knows when he will return. This means that you can purchase Motorola Moto X 2nd gen. it is possible only abroad, which is not so convenient, and in the event of a warranty claim, it will be very difficult for the user to use the manufacturer’s support. Today, without being tied to a contract, the manufacturer is asking $500 for the version with 16 GB of permanent memory and $550 for the version with 32 GB of memory. You will be charged another $25 if you want a lid made of wood or genuine leather. Compared to the cost of the iPhone 6/6+ and Nexus 6, the smartphone looks like a justified purchase, you just need to wait until the dollar exchange rate normalizes.
The phone body has almost no right angles. The front is made entirely of Gorilla Glass 3. There are two grilles at the bottom and top, but there are no stereo speakers underneath them. To the right of the top grille there is a front camera peephole, and to the left there are proximity and light sensors.
The base of the case is made of aluminum. Mechanical controls - the power key and the volume rocker - are located on the right side.
- Display
The device has a 5.2-inch. Screen with a resolution of 1080x1920 and a density of 423 ppi. The matrix is covered with protective glass Gorilla Glass 3 with anti-reflective and oleophobic coating.
The screen has all the advantages of AMOLED technology. Rich colors, excellent saturation and contrast, maximum viewing angles, but color rendition is quite specific. However, there is no way, like some manufacturers, to customize the color palette.
In general, the display can be called almost perfect. It is perfect for almost any task and any conditions.
- Interface
The smartphone runs Android OS 4.4.4, but there is also an update to version 5.0. Internal memory capacity is 32 GB (of which 24.3 is available to the user), DDR3 RAM is 2 GB.
The smartphone uses the standard Android interface, but there are also a number of applications from Motorola. They are designed primarily to handle smart notifications, voice commands, and gesture or touchless controls. Moreover, two additional coprocessors are responsible for them - Contextual Computing Processor and Natural Language Processor.
- Hardware
The phone is powered by a chipset from Qualcomm: a quad-core Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AC processor clocked at up to 2.5 GHz and Adreno 330 graphics.
Working with the device is a pleasure. Desktops quickly turn over, all drop-down menus smoothly appear and are removed. There are no difficulties with the Internet; even with a large number of open windows, web pages work without problems.
- Camera
The new product is equipped with two cameras: the main one with 13 megapixels and the front one with 2 megapixels. The front camera is traditionally focused on self-portraits and there are no problems with video communication in this regard.
Main camera with Exmor RS sensor. There is autofocus and a flash, which consists of 2 LEDs located in a transparent ring that frames the lens. There is support for HDR and a panorama function. With good lighting you can get good results. The camera also handles macro photography or text shots well.
The smartphone can shoot video up to Ultra HD (4K). There is also a SloMo slow motion mode with FullHD resolution.
- Wireless network
There are no complaints about the operation of the wireless interfaces. There are no connection problems.
The Wi-Fi module works quickly and reliably, as it finds and retains the network. Correct information transfer via NFC.
Bluetooth 4.0, support for GPS and GLONASS also does not pose any problems.
- Autonomy
The battery capacity of 2300 mAh is not a record figure. This could not affect the autonomy time, although it was not so fatal. With moderately active work (20-25 minutes of talking, about an hour of games, messages and Internet surfing), it can last until the evening, with 20-30% of the charge remaining.
The charger charges the phone in a little more than two hours.
- Conclusion
It can be seen that Motorola was able to correct most of the shortcomings of the Moto X of the first version. The display has become better, the performance is excellent, the operating system updates are as fast as possible - all these are tangible advantages. The weak point can be called insufficient autonomy and the camera is of average quality. But what remains and has even improved is the ability to change the design of the device.
- Specifications MotorolaMotoX (2ndGen) 32Gb (XT1095)
Screen: AMOLED 5.2 '', 1080x1920, capacitive, multi-touch
Processor: Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 2.5 GHz
Graphics accelerator: Adreno 330
Operating system: Android 4.4.4 / 5.0.2 (latest update)
RAM: 2 GB
Built-in memory: 32 GB
Memory card support: no
Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC
Communication: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz || UMTS 850/900/1900/2100 MHz || LTE: 20, 3, 7
Cameras: main - 13 MP, front - 2 MP
Navigation: GPS / GLONASS
Sensors: light, proximity, gyroscope, compass
Battery: 2300 mAh
Dimensions: 72.4x140.8x9.9 mm
Weight: 144 grams
Video review of the Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen) smartphone
Information about the make, model, and alternative names of the specific device, if available.
Design
Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, colors offered, certificates.
| Width Width information - refers to the horizontal side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 72.4 mm (millimeters) 7.24 cm (centimeters) 0.24 ft (feet) 2.85 in (inches) |
| Height Height information - refers to the vertical side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 140.8 mm (millimeters) 14.08 cm (centimeters) 0.46 ft (feet) 5.54 in (inches) |
| Thickness Information about the thickness of the device in different units of measurement. | 9.97 mm (millimeters) 1 cm (centimeters) 0.03 ft (feet) 0.39 in (inches) |
| Weight Information about the weight of the device in different units of measurement. | 144 g (grams) 0.32 lbs 5.08 oz (ounces) |
| Volume The approximate volume of the device, calculated based on the dimensions provided by the manufacturer. Refers to devices with the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. | 101.63 cm³ (cubic centimeters) 6.17 in³ (cubic inches) |
| Colors Information about the colors in which this device is offered for sale. | Black White |
| Materials for making the case Materials used to make the device body. | Aluminium alloy |
SIM card
The SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.
Mobile networks
A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.
| GSM GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is designed to replace the analogue mobile network (1G). For this reason, GSM is often called a 2G mobile network. It is improved by the addition of GPRS (General Packet Radio Services), and later EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) technologies. | GSM 850 MHz GSM 900 MHz GSM 1800 MHz GSM 1900 MHz |
| CDMA CDMA (Code-Division Multiple Access) is a channel access method used in communications in mobile networks. Compared to other 2G and 2.5G standards like GSM and TDMA, it provides higher data transfer speeds and the ability to connect more consumers at the same time. | CDMA 1900 MHz CDMA 850 MHz |
| UMTS UMTS is an abbreviation for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. It is based on the GSM standard and belongs to 3G mobile networks. Developed by 3GPP and its biggest advantage is providing greater speed and spectral efficiency thanks to W-CDMA technology. | UMTS 850 MHz UMTS 900 MHz UMTS 1700/2100 MHz UMTS 1900 MHz UMTS 2100 MHz |
| LTE LTE (Long Term Evolution) is defined as a fourth generation (4G) technology. It is developed by 3GPP based on GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA to increase the capacity and speed of wireless mobile networks. The subsequent technology development is called LTE Advanced. | LTE 700 MHz Class 13 LTE 800 MHz LTE 850 MHz LTE 1700/2100 MHz LTE 1800 MHz LTE 1900 MHz LTE 2100 MHz LTE 2600 MHz LTE 700 MHz |
Mobile communication technologies and data transfer speeds
Communication between devices on mobile networks is carried out using technologies that provide different data transfer rates.
Operating system
An operating system is a system software that manages and coordinates the operation of hardware components in a device.
SoC (System on Chip)
A system on a chip (SoC) includes all the most important hardware components of a mobile device on a single chip.
| SoC (System on Chip) A system on a chip (SoC) integrates various hardware components, such as a processor, graphics processor, memory, peripherals, interfaces, etc., as well as the software necessary for their operation. | Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AC |
| Technological process Information about the technological process by which the chip is manufactured. Nanometers measure half the distance between elements in the processor. | 28 nm (nanometers) |
| Processor (CPU) The primary function of a mobile device's processor (CPU) is to interpret and execute instructions contained in software applications. | Krait 400 |
| Processor size The size (in bits) of a processor is determined by the size (in bits) of the registers, address buses, and data buses. 64-bit processors have higher performance compared to 32-bit processors, which in turn are more powerful than 16-bit processors. | 32 bit |
| Instruction Set Architecture Instructions are commands with which the software sets/controls the operation of the processor. Information about the instruction set (ISA) that the processor can execute. | ARMv7 |
| Level 0 cache (L0) Some processors have L0 (level 0) cache, which is faster to access than L1, L2, L3, etc. The advantage of having such memory is not only higher performance, but also reduced power consumption. | 4 kB + 4 kB (kilobytes) |
| Level 1 cache (L1) Cache memory is used by the processor to reduce access time to more frequently used data and instructions. L1 (level 1) cache is small in size and is much faster than both system memory and other cache levels. If the processor does not find the requested data in L1, it continues to look for it in the L2 cache. On some processors, this search is performed simultaneously in L1 and L2. | 16 kB + 16 kB (kilobytes) |
| Level 2 cache (L2) L2 (level 2) cache is slower than L1 cache, but in return it has a higher capacity, allowing it to cache more data. It, like L1, is much faster than system memory (RAM). If the processor does not find the requested data in L2, it continues to look for it in the L3 cache (if available) or in RAM memory. | 2048 kB (kilobytes) 2 MB (megabytes) |
| Number of processor cores The processor core executes software instructions. There are processors with one, two or more cores. Having more cores increases performance by allowing multiple instructions to be executed in parallel. | 4 |
| CPU clock speed The clock speed of a processor describes its speed in terms of cycles per second. It is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 2500 MHz (megahertz) |
| Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) handles calculations for various 2D/3D graphics applications. IN mobile devices ah it is used most often by games, consumer interface, video applications, etc. | Qualcomm Adreno 330 |
| Number of GPU cores Like a CPU, a GPU is made up of several working parts called cores. They handle graphics calculations for various applications. | 4 |
| GPU clock speed Running speed is the clock speed of the GPU, measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 578 MHz (megahertz) |
| Volume random access memory(RAM) Random access memory (RAM) is used by the operating system and all installed applications. Data stored in RAM is lost after the device is turned off or restarted. | 2 GB (gigabytes) |
| Type of random access memory (RAM) Information about the type of random access memory (RAM) used by the device. | LPDDR3 |
| Number of RAM channels Information about the number of RAM channels that are integrated into the SoC. More channels mean higher data rates. | Dual channel |
| RAM frequency The frequency of RAM determines its operating speed, more specifically, the speed of reading/writing data. | 933 MHz (megahertz) |
Built-in memory
Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) memory with a fixed capacity.
Screen
The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.
| Type/technology One of the main characteristics of the screen is the technology by which it is made and on which the quality of the information image directly depends. | AMOLED |
| Diagonal For mobile devices, screen size is expressed by the length of its diagonal, measured in inches. | 5.2 in (inches) 132.08 mm (millimeters) 13.21 cm (centimeters) |
| Width Approximate screen width | 2.55 in (inches) 64.75 mm (millimeters) 6.48 cm (centimeters) |
| Height Approximate screen height | 4.53 in (inches) 115.12 mm (millimeters) 11.51 cm (centimeters) |
| Aspect Ratio The ratio of the dimensions of the long side of the screen to its short side | 1.778:1 16:9 |
| Permission Screen resolution shows the number of pixels vertically and horizontally on the screen. Higher resolution means clearer image detail. | 1080 x 1920 pixels |
| Pixel Density Information about the number of pixels per centimeter or inch of the screen. Higher density allows information to be displayed on the screen with clearer detail. | 424 ppi (pixels per inch) 166 ppcm (pixels per centimeter) |
| Color depth Screen color depth reflects the total number of bits used for color components in one pixel. Information about the maximum number of colors that the screen can display. | 24 bit 16777216 flowers |
| Screen area Approximate percentage of screen area occupied by the screen on the front of the device. | 73.36% (percent) |
| Other characteristics Information about other screen features and characteristics. | Capacitive Multi-touch Scratch resistance |
| Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
Sensors
Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical indicators into signals that a mobile device can recognize.
Main camera
The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on the back of the body and is used for taking photos and videos.
| Sensor model Information about the manufacturer and model of the photo sensor used in the device's camera. | Sony IMX135 Exmor RS |
| Sensor type Digital cameras use photo sensors to take photographs. The sensor, as well as optics, are one of the main factors in the quality of the camera in a mobile device. | CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) |
| Sensor size Information about the dimensions of the photosensor used in the device. Typically, cameras with larger sensors and lower pixel densities offer higher image quality despite the lower resolution. | 4.69 x 3.52 mm (millimeters) 0.23 in (inches) |
| Pixel size The smaller pixel size of the photosensor allows more pixels per unit area, thereby increasing resolution. On the other hand, a smaller pixel size can have a negative impact on image quality at high ISO levels. | 1.136 µm (micrometers) 0.001136 mm (millimeters) |
| Crop factor The crop factor is the ratio between the dimensions of the full-frame sensor (36 x 24 mm, equivalent to a frame of standard 35 mm film) and the dimensions of the device's photosensor. The indicated number represents the ratio of the diagonals of the full-frame sensor (43.3 mm) and the photosensor specific device. | 7.38 |
| Diaphragm Aperture (f-number) is the size of the aperture opening that controls the amount of light reaching the photosensor. A lower f-number means the aperture opening is larger. | f/2.25 |
| Focal length Focal length is the distance in millimeters from the photosensor to the optical center of the lens. The equivalent focal length is also indicated, providing the same field of view with a full frame camera. | 3.98 mm (millimeters) 29.4 mm (millimeters) *(35 mm / full frame) |
| Flash type The most common types of flashes in mobile device cameras are LED and xenon flashes. LED flashes produce softer light and, unlike brighter xenon flashes, are also used for video shooting. | Double LED |
| Image Resolution One of the main characteristics of mobile device cameras is their resolution, which shows the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in the image. | 4128 x 3096 pixels 12.78 MP (megapixels) |
| Video resolution Information about the maximum supported resolution when shooting video with the device. | 3840 x 2160 pixels 8.29 MP (megapixels) |
| Video - frame rate/frames per second. Information about the maximum number of frames per second (fps) supported by the device when shooting video at the maximum resolution. Some of the main standard video shooting and playback speeds are 24p, 25p, 30p, 60p. | 30fps (frames per second) |
| Characteristics Information about other software and hardware features related to the main camera and improving its functionality. | Autofocus Continuous shooting Digital zoom Geographical tags Panoramic photography HDR shooting Touch Focus Face recognition |
Additional camera
Additional cameras are usually mounted above the device screen and are used mainly for video conversations, gesture recognition, etc.
Audio
Information about the type of speakers and audio technologies supported by the device.
Radio
The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.
Location determination
Information about the navigation and location technologies supported by your device.
WiFi
Wi-Fi is a technology that provides wireless communication for transmitting data over close distances between various devices.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a standard for secure wireless data transfer between various devices of different types over short distances.
USB
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.
Headphone jack
This is an audio connector, also called an audio jack. The most widely used standard in mobile devices is the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Connecting devices
Information about other important connection technologies supported by your device.
Browser
A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.
Video file formats/codecs
Mobile devices support different video file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital video data.
Battery
Mobile device batteries differ from each other in their capacity and technology. They provide the electrical charge necessary for their functioning.
| Capacity A battery's capacity indicates the maximum charge it can hold, measured in milliamp-hours. | 2300 mAh (milliamp-hours) |
| Type The type of battery is determined by its structure and, more precisely, the chemicals used. Exist different types batteries, with lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries most often used in mobile devices. | Li-Ion (Lithium-ion) |
| 2G talk time 2G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 2G network. | 24 h (hours) 1440 min (minutes) 1 days |
| 3G talk time 3G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 3G network. | 24 h (hours) 1440 min (minutes) 1 days |
| Technology fast charging Fast charging technologies differ from each other in terms of energy efficiency, supported output power, control of the charging process, temperature, etc. Device, battery and Charger must be compatible with fast charging technology. | Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 |
| Characteristics Information about some additional characteristics device battery. | Fast charging Fixed |
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
The SAR level refers to the amount of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by the human body while using a mobile device.
| Head SAR level (EU) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device close to the ear in a conversation position. In Europe, the maximum permissible SAR value for mobile devices is limited to 2 W/kg per 10 grams of human tissue. This standard established by the CENELEC Committee in accordance with IEC standards, subject to the ICNIRP guidelines of 1998. | 0.558 W/kg (Watt per kilogram) |
| Head SAR level (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device near the ear. The maximum value used in the USA is 1.6 W/kg per 1 gram of human tissue. Mobile devices in the US are regulated by the CTIA, and the FCC conducts tests and sets their SAR values. | 0.726 W/kg (Watt per kilogram) |
| Body SAR level (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation to which the human body is exposed when holding a mobile device at hip level. The highest permissible SAR value in the USA is 1.6 W/kg per 1 gram of human tissue. This value is set by the FCC, and the CTIA monitors mobile devices' compliance with this standard. | 1.28 W/kg (Watt per kilogram) |
As Lenovo promised, the Motorola brand could return to the Ukrainian market as early as 2015. And although with a high degree of probability new models of the company will come to our country, we continue to introduce readers to current smartphones legendary Motorola. This time we got a second-generation Moto X model, rare for Ukraine, for testing.
Contents of delivery
Motorola Moto X 2 comes in a cardboard box, inside which you can find the smartphone itself, a charger, a USB cable, and a paperclip for removing the nanoSIM card tray.
Design, materials and build quality
Motorola smartphones have always had their own charm. And if you remember the classic RAZR, then of the modern models only the DROID line has something in common with it. Other devices belong to a new era in which Motorola is not an independent company. The design of the second generation Moto X was created during a transitional period for the manufacturer, but this did not stop it from making a truly beautiful smartphone.
The first thing that catches your eye when looking at the front panel of the Moto X is the display glass, which curves along the edges of the case. It creates an interesting effect when you look at the smartphone from the front panel, it seems that it is all made of glass.
But this is just an illusion, because the body is framed by a metal frame, and its back can be made of plastic, wood or leather. The last two options are available when ordering through the Motorola website and you need to pay extra for them.
We received a wood-coated model for testing, and it looks really great. During the time that the smartphone was under review, it is difficult to say how resistant to damage such a solution will be, but in reality it does not look flimsy. And in general, the build quality of the case is simply excellent. Last but not least, this is facilitated by the non-removable back cover, but other parts are also tightly fitted.
Ease of use
The Moto X case dimensions are 140.8 x 72.4 mm, with a thickness that varies from 3.8 to 9.9 mm. Last feature caused by the fact that the smartphone is thinner at the bottom edge and thickens towards the top, where the camera unit is located.
This gives the impression that the body, which weighs up to 144 grams, is poorly balanced, but in fact this is not the case. The weight is distributed more or less evenly throughout the body, so the upper part, despite being slightly thicker, does not weigh heavily.
The relatively thin bezels around the 5.2-inch display make it easy to reach the top of the screen.
There is nothing on the left side of the smartphone; the volume control and display keys have been moved to the right side.
This arrangement, which has already become traditional for Motorola, does not look very good at first glance. But in practice they are convenient to use.
The 3.5 mm headphone jack is located on the top edge of the Moto X body, and there is also a tray for a nanoSIM card.
A microUSB port can be found at the bottom of the smartphone.
Overall, the Moto X is comfortable to use, although it will take some getting used to the location of the volume button.
Display
The second generation Moto X uses a 5.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen display with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels and a pixel density of 423 per inch.
The screen has good clarity and viewing angles, but not everyone will like the color rendition.
The AMOLED matrix of the smartphone makes the colors brighter and more saturated, but this display does not correspond to reality. It is also worth noting that the screen calibration is not very good.
One of the features of the Moto X display is the alert mode. During an incoming message or letter, the corresponding icons appear on the screen in white, as well as the time.
In addition, there are sensors under the display, and if you bring your hand to it, the lock screen is activated.
This functionality has virtually no effect on battery life, since one of the features of AMOLED screens is the ability to illuminate individual pixels. At the same time, unlocking a smartphone is much more convenient; you just need to take it in your hand and the screen lights up; all you have to do is pull the lock icon.
Platform and performance
The new Moto X offers a good level of performance thanks to the 2.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, Adreno 330 graphics, and 2 GB of RAM. In the synthetic AnTuTu test, the smartphone shows good, but not the best performance to date.
However, there are no real performance issues and the Android interface and apps on the Moto X are very fast. If you play demanding games, the smartphone heats up, but this does not create discomfort. As for the built-in memory, its volume can be 16 or 32 GB, depending on the version. Unfortunately, you cannot increase the memory yourself; the device does not have a microSD slot.
Interface
One of the features of the latest generations of Motorola smartphones is the use of the standard Android interface. Thus, the company's models are always among the first to receive updates. This is what happened with the new Moto X; it was updated to Android 5.0 even before the Nexus line. A detailed review of Google's new mobile operating system. We will just look at some features software Moto X.
It’s worth noting right away that Motorola, for some reason, does not use Ukrainian localization in its smartphones, although it is natively available in Android. There are no problems adding Ukrainian language not in the keyboard.
The Moto X interface, as mentioned above, is no different from standard Android 5.0, with the exception of the lock screen. The principle of its operation was described in the “Display” section. In addition, Motorola installs a number of applications on its devices. Among them is a utility for quickly transferring data from another smartphone, as well as voice assistant, which, unfortunately, does not work in either Russian or Ukrainian.
But there is a useful Assist function that adjusts the operation of Moto X to a certain time or place.
For example, in a car, it can automatically switch the smartphone to voice control and play music. In addition, with its help, Moto X can independently turn on silent mode at night.
Camera
The Motorola Moto X uses a 13-megapixel camera with autofocus, HDR and f/2.25 aperture.
On either side of its lens are two flash LEDs, although initially they appear to be embedded in a ring.
The quality of pictures of the Moto X camera depends on the lighting; with enough light, you can get good shots from it, but when it deteriorates, it starts to make a lot of noise.
1. Shooting in automatic mode
3. When lighting deteriorates
4. With flash
The camera can record video in resolutions up to 4K.
Multimedia
Multimedia capabilities of the Moto X are at the standard level for modern smartphones, with the only exception that it does not support all popular codecs. In particular, you can’t watch MKV movies on the device and you can’t listen to FLAC, but all this can be solved by installing third-party applications, so there are no special problems.
But what’s really great about the Moto X is the sound output from the smartphone to the headphones.
The device sounds unusually spacious, like for a phone. Of course, I would like more bass and volume reserve. But even without them, Moto X can be called one of best smartphones for music.
Autonomy
The Moto X has a 2300 mAh battery, which is not the most outstanding indicator today. But thanks to good optimization in terms of autonomy, the smartphone is not inferior to other flagships.
In above-average load mode, Moto X is capable of working for about a day, while showing more than 4 hours of display operation.
Eventually
The second generation Moto X leaves a good impression overall. Motorola still has some work to do; it would like to see better displays and cameras in its smartphones. But overall, the new Moto X has more positive aspects. This is an excellent design, build quality, performance, and, of course, sound. During its wanderings, Motorola has not lost the charm for which we love this brand so much. And there is hope that Lenovo will be able to breathe into it new life without spoiling anything.
Compare prices
In 2014, despite the fact that many manufacturers hit a certain threshold of technological progress, there were quite a lot of smartphones that were worth waiting for. Just remember the enlarged or “flagship killer”, and many others can also rightfully be mentioned in this context. But personally, it wasn’t them that I was waiting for. One of the most anticipated smartphones of 2014 for me was Moto X (2014), and now, after quite a long period of use, I can tell you about it in detail.
You can read about my first impressions of using the second generation Moto X. You can also find out how the new model compares to its “little” brother from last year. You can do this by going to .
Video review
Specifications
- Dimensions: 140.8 x 72.4 x 10 mm.
- Weight: 144 g.
- Operating system: Android 5.0 Lollipop.
- Processor: quad-core, 4 x 2.5 GHz, Qualcomm Snapdragon 801
- Graphics: Adreno 330
- Display: AMOLED, 5.2″, 1920 × 1080, 424 ppi
- Memory: 16/32 GB flash.
- RAM: 2 GB.
- Camera: main - 13 MP, front - 2 MP.
- Wireless technologies: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1.
- Interface connectors: 3.5 mm jack, Micro USB 2.0.
- Battery: Li-Ion 2300 mAh.
Design and ergonomics
Now let's move on to my personal impressions of the device. Honestly, I can talk about the ergonomics of the Moto X for a very long time, because there really is something to talk about. The new generation took what worked well in the first and improved it in almost every aspect. The frame around the perimeter is now metal, and it really adds that same “premium feel” when in contact with the hand.
The rounded shape makes you not even think about the fact that the maximum thickness is as much as 10 mm; you don’t feel it at all. As in the first generation, the recess with the Motorola logo deserves special attention. Now it is larger, and the part is made from a separate piece of aluminum. I like this performance much more, both externally and tactilely. And although with the increase in size it became much more difficult to grasp the camera with your fingers (you simply can’t reach it), and this is precisely what the recess protected from, it is still a very cool feature.
Speaking of sizes. Compared to the previous generation, which seems to me very close to ideal, they have grown quite significantly. At first it was very annoying, but over time I got used to it. Especially after using the six-inch monster. Everything is known by comparison, as is known. After some time, I can say that you can use the Moto X even with one hand with an acceptable degree of comfort. But 5.2″ is something on the edge of my comfort zone at the moment, if not beyond it.
In general, Motorola engineers managed to repeat the small “miracle” of the Moto X (2013): the smartphone feels much more compact and nicer than its counterparts with the same diagonal. And, for sure, other materials, such as wood or leather, which can be selected using the Motomaker service or obtained at retail, will only enhance this feeling. The plastic version (which is exactly what I had on the test) is not impressive and very actively collects difficult-to-clean fingerprints.
It is worth saying that along the perimeter there is a microUSB connector on the bottom edge, a SIM card slot and a 3.5 mm jack on the top, a volume rocker and an on/off button. The latter are made of metal, and the unlock key has a corrugated texture, which allows you to identify it without looking. It is very comfortable. The buttons themselves are quite clickable, but in my device the power key is positioned somehow crookedly, which spoils the impression a little. But the height of their location and the fact that both are concentrated on one face are a definite plus.
We did not forget about usability even when creating components. Thus, the charger has two USB outputs, which will allow you to charge two gadgets at once from one outlet. In addition, there is a logo on the case, located in the corporate recess. It's a small thing, but nice. The output power is not high - only 1.15 A, which is very little if you divide it into two outputs.
The microUSB cable is also worth paying attention to. On the plug it has an asymmetrical shape. As soon as you take it with your thumb by the notch, it immediately becomes clear which end it needs to be inserted, so for now we are waiting for mass distribution USB Type-C, like what will go in, the problem of four-dimensional cables has to be solved this way.
Display
The new Moto X has a 5.2″ display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080, which is also known as FullHD, and provides a more than sufficient pixel density of 424 ppi. If we put aside questions of convenience, then the large screen, of course, has a number of undeniable advantages. However, they have already been talked about many times, and there is no point in listing them all again. The main thing is that they are all here.
As with the first generation Moto X, the display technology is AMOLED. In addition to deep blacks and slightly oversaturated colors, which you quickly get used to, this allows you to light only the necessary pixels without wasting the battery on backlighting all the others. Thus, for example, a feature called Moto Display has been implemented, but more on that later.
To be honest, I was quite satisfied with the pixel density in the first generation, in which 720p was placed at 4.7″, but, perhaps, at 5.2″ FullHD is a necessity to look truly flagship-quality. In addition, the air gap has decreased, which has a positive effect on the picture quality.
What I would like to complain about is the brightness. Its range is too small on both sides. In bright light, the screen appears dull, and at night it can slightly burn the retina. In addition, the automatic brightness is clearly lowered, which can be quite unpleasant. The viewing angles are damn close to 180 degrees, which will allow, for example, the whole group to watch a YouTube video by placing the smartphone on the table.
Sound
As you probably already know, although there are two grilles on the front panel - above and below the display, there is only one speaker. More precisely, there is only one main speaker, it is located under the lower grille. Above - only conversational. It seems that initially there were two of them planned (as, for example, in the Nexus 6), but for some reason they changed their mind at the last moment.
The speaker itself is very loud, but not very high quality. However, it seems to me that the time when listening to music using an external speaker was fashionable is long gone. And for toys or YouTube, the quality is quite enough. In addition, due to the high volume level, you will definitely not miss a call or notification. The main thing is that the sound will be directed towards the user, and not away from him.
Thanks to the grilles, even when you place the Moto X with the display down, the speakers do not overlap, and the slightly protruding elements prevent the screen glass from coming into contact with surfaces that could scratch it. But the design also has a minus. Dust gets very active in these very speaker grilles, and the only way to get it out of there is with a can of compressed air. And it is quite likely that the paint will wear off over time and the corrugated surface will be deformed, which will slightly spoil the presentation of the device.
When it comes to headphones, the Moto X doesn't really stand out among its competitors. Quite unusual is the fact that the kit includes plugs, but, frankly speaking, it would be better not to have them there. Apart from the Motorola logo, there is absolutely nothing to note about them, although there are people who wear Apple Earpods. This means that these may also be useful to someone.
Cameras
The Moto X has a camera with a resolution of 13 MP. Compared to the previous generation, this figure has increased by 3 points, but we know that this is not always the main thing.
To be honest, I’m not a big connoisseur of mobile photography, so for me the quality of the output image is not such an important factor. Taking a photograph of a document so that it can be read, and capturing a funny moment so that it is clear what it is about is quite enough for me. However, if you want to find the weak points of the Moto X compared to its competitors, the camera would probably be one of them.
However, when compared with the previous generation not only directly, but also in the context of its contemporaries, the gap between the 2014 Moto X and the recognized leaders in this area is much less than that of the 2013 generation.
An interesting point is the dual flash. In this case, we are not talking about two diodes with different color temperatures (like You-Know-Where), but there is a circular diffuser. As planned, it should produce soft, uniform light, but in reality it is more of a design element. After all, the built-in flash is a thing whose main purpose is still a flashlight. And the Moto X copes with this task perfectly.
The front camera is located to the right of the earpiece grille and produces a fairly good picture. But at the same time, Motorola decided not to follow fashion, equipping the Moto X with a module of only 2 MP, so that modern selfie phones will seem to be torn apart in terms of quality. However, only true connoisseurs notice a significant difference in some Instagram after all the filters and other tinsel.
In terms of the camera application, the developers remained true to their traditions, making everything as simple as possible. Shooting is carried out by tapping on any place on the screen, and settings are called up by swiping from left to right. The focus point can be set separately, which can be quite useful. Naturally, this is far from the manual settings that can be found, for example, in Lumiyah, but no one claims to be a camera phone. Along with the Quick Launch gesture, which we'll get to later, the Moto X does what a smartphone should do: quickly get out of your pocket and capture what's happening. For high art, you will probably have to look for something else.
Video can be shot in resolution up to 4K. Examples can be seen below.
BY
Literally the day before writing this review, I received an OTA update to version 5.0 Lollipop. And this is taking into account the fact that I tested a version with code number XT1092, which means that it is intended for the European market. In turn, the XT1095, also known as the Pure Edition, was able to lick the “lollipop” even earlier than, which seemed to be supposed to be the leader in this indicator. Considering the proximity of Moto X and Nexus 6, you can count on quick updates with the next OS update.
“Google Start” is preinstalled as a launcher, the same as in nexuses, which probably plays an important role in quick updates. On the far left desktop is the updated Google Now, and in general everything is now super-duper Material Design, just the way I like it.
For many, an important point will be that Moto X now has full support for the Russian language at the system level. Previously, this was a significant threshold that did not allow using the device, because you either had to flash the kernel or learn the language. And there are a number of people who don’t know how to do either one or the other and don’t even want to try. Although it is not as difficult as it seems. Especially learning a language.
Changes that Motorola developers have made to operating system, are minimal, but very significant. Largely due to the software features, everyone loved the first generation Moto X so much. And they decided not to spoil what worked well.
Chips
If earlier motorcycle features were scattered, now they have been combined into one application called “Moto”. It includes four main elements: Assist, Actions, Voice, Display. It's worth learning more about them.
Moto Assist
This section has four sub-items: “Sleep”, “Meeting”, “Driving” and “At Home”. Each of them has its own operating mode. In “Sleep” you can set the hours during which you do not want the phone to disturb you, and set the criteria under which the sound should still pass through and wake you up. For example, someone calls twice.
During meetings that are pulled up automatically from your Google calendar, you can also set silent mode or even auto-reply by SMS.
In Driving mode, which also activates when you start driving at an appropriate speed, the phone will read messages out loud and identify the caller to keep you focused on the road, and you can automatically set music playback via Bluetooth or a wired connection.
Home mode is similar to travel mode, and Moto X will also tell you everything that happens out loud. The difference is that it is activated by location, not by movement speed.
Moto Voice
Continuing the tradition of voice control taken from the first generation, Moto X 2014 can recognize your voice and launch a voice assistant even from a locked state. Now the phrase that triggers this whole thing can be whatever you want, without limiting you to “Ok, Google Now”, as before. You can program both “Ok, Moto X” and “Hey, Jarvis”, or anything else that your imagination allows.
It is worth noting that Moto Voice will only work if the system language is set to English. With Russian localization you will have to limit yourself to the standard “Ok, Google” for other smartphones. And it will only work when the display is on.
Moto Display
This feature is perhaps my favorite and most frequently used. Its meaning is that when it is turned off, the clock and current notifications are displayed on the locked screen, the contents of which can be viewed with one touch. Unlike the previous iteration, now you can open three of them at once, and not just the last one.
In addition to the fact that it is convenient to see the latest events this way, it is a very convenient way to unlock the screen. Honestly, I don't remember the last time I used the on/off key for this purpose.
Moto Actions
Just like Moto Display, this is a very useful and necessary feature. As before, you can launch the camera by twisting your wrist twice. It's very convenient and fast. So, for example, I haven’t had a camera launch icon on my desktop for a long time.
In addition, the Moto X has four low-power infrared sensors that detect proximity. They are located in the corners of the screen and are completely invisible in the black version. But with their help, you can wave your hand over the screen to turn on Moto Display, snooze the alarm (this is pure evil, you can easily oversleep, by the way), or turn off the volume during a call.
Attentive Display
There is also an interesting feature in the Moto X that also uses infrared sensors, but is not part of the Moto app conglomeration. You can find it in the display settings section. Using sensors, the smartphone can determine whether your face is in front of it, and if it is present, the screen will not go dark. We could already see something similar performed by Samsung, when they used it for this purpose. front camera and watched the eyes.
Motomaker
Another unique feature is the ability to customize the appearance of the smartphone - from case materials to your own engraving. To the various colored back panels made of plastic or wood and even bamboo, options made of real leather have been added. The most interesting, in my opinion, is the “football leather” option, which is similar to the surface of an American football ball. However, the latter option is exclusive to the Verizon operator.
For now, you can place an order using the Motomaker service only in the USA. The important point is that if you want to order your own version, be prepared for difficulties with the purchase. Motorola is extremely reluctant to accept orders from non-US persons. Unlike some Amazon, which, however, is already selling ready-made options appearance.
Hardware and performance
While the 2013 model was based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro chip, which was already quite outdated at the time of release, the same did not happen this time. The new Moto X entered the market with an almost top-end quad-core Snapdragon 801 operating at a frequency of 2.5 GHz paired with an Adreno 330 video accelerator. The vaunted optimization has not gone away, due to which the first Moto X still works at the same level as flagships. So the second generation can safely be called one of the fastest Android smartphones at the moment.
There was not a single application that would make the smartphone slow down. I won’t say that there were no lags or other troubles during the entire period of use, but this kind of thing happens on absolutely all phones, no matter what anyone says. And with the arrival of Lollipop, everything began to work even faster than before.
Autonomy
The second weak point that you can easily find fault with, besides the camera, is autonomy. The developers installed a battery with a modest capacity by today's standards of 2300 mAh, which is not in the best possible way affected the life expectancy from a single charge.
In my usage, the Moto X made it to the end of a fairly active day with about 20-25% remaining, which isn't bad, but it's not great either. This corresponded to about 4.5 hours of active screen time. If we set a starting point, then the Moto X 2014 feels like it lasts a little longer than the Moto X 2013 or Nexus 5. So, a situation in which a smartphone would ask to be plugged in before the end of the working day is quite possible.
But there are also positive aspects. For example, it supports technology from Qualcomm called Quick Charge 2.0. Using a branded accessory called Turbo Charger, which is sold separately for $35 (or, for example, comes bundled with) you can charge your smartphone very quickly. So, in 15 minutes Moto X was able to replenish its internal reserves from 3 to 31%, which is very good. So with an additional accessory you can charge quickly even in the middle of the day. The only negative is that the Turbocharger itself is quite large and requires an adapter for our sockets. Well, and, naturally, it will need to be purchased separately. And in our retail it is very difficult to find it.
conclusions
Overall, the Moto X left me with the most positive impressions. It fits very well in the hand due to the successful shape of the case, the metal frame pleasantly cools the hand, and it looks very stylish. Fast updates and proper optimization allow you to be sure that the smartphone will work perfectly, and in fact, “naked” Android is becoming more and more attractive compared to touchscreens and sensors. And the hardware should last for a long time, because it is truly flagship here.
The screen has increased in size, but from my own experience I can say that you can get used to it, and it is still possible to use the device with one hand, although you will have to suffer a little. FullHD resolution is more than enough for 5.2″, everything looks really cool, especially if you, like me, like AMOLED.
As before, special attention is paid to all the features that seem to be invisible, but are very important in daily use. You don’t notice how tightly you get used to them, and then you can’t use other smartphones without them.
Of course, there are also relatively weak points. These include battery capacity and camera quality. If these things are critical for you, then you should think twice before taking the Moto X (2 Gen.).
I can safely say that the developers managed to preserve the main thing that was present in the first generation. There is a certain elusive zen in Moto X (and ASUS has nothing to do with it). It is very difficult to convey it in words, photographs or even video, but, as practice shows, it is enough to pick up the device and you understand what exactly is meant. The smartphone managed to remain in reality much better than on paper, and very few manage to do this.
Many may be intimidated by the process of ordering from the USA, because you have to contact intermediaries, wait a long time, and in general, there are a lot of risks and other things that can scare you away. You should only bother with this if you are determined to order some exotic option. And it’s quite easy to find both regular plastic and wooden and even leather options. You can find out more by following the link below this review.
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