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Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen) review

8.4/10 AVG.
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Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen)
Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen)
Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen)
Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen)
Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen)
Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen)
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8.4/10
Informr score
The Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen) currently has an Informr score of 8.4 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 55 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

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."


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2.5 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.5 GHz
5.2"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5.2"
13+ MP
Camera
Camera
13+ MP
2300 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Gadgets 360
Gadgets 360

A 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...

- Jamshed Avari, Gadgets 360
Cool Tools
Cool Tools

Yes, 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.

- Aaron Weiss , Cool Tools
GottaBeMobile
GottaBeMobile

Overall, 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...

- Travis Pope, GottaBeMobile
Reviewed
Reviewed

We 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...

- Reviewed.com staff, Reviewed
G Style Magazine
G Style Magazine

Even 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...

- Jason Million, G Style Magazine


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions



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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Quick view

Screen Size
5.2"

The Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen)'s screen size is 5.2 inches with 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.5 GHz

There is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974-AC Quad core 2.5 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 4.4.4 KitKat (Update Available: 5.1 Lollipop) operating system (OS).

Camera
13+ MP

You can take photos with the phone's onboard 13+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 2+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
16/32 GB

Internal memory is 16/32 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
2300mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 2300 mAh battery. Motorola's performance ratings are 1020 minutes, 453 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Moto X (2nd Gen) Specs

Overview
Release Date September 5, 2014
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 4.4.4 KitKat (Update Available: 5.1 Lollipop)

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974-AC Quad core 2.5 GHz
Internal Storage 16/32 GB
RAM 2 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 1.46 W/kg
Body: 1.4 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Unknown
SIM card size
Nano-SIM
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, BPP, DUN, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot No
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
13+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (Dual LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Face detection, Geotagging, Multi-shot, Panorama, Burst mode, HDR
Video Recording Formats
3G2 / 3GPP2, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
2+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels)
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology AMOLED
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels
Pixel Density 423 pixels
Size 5.2 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 2300 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Up to 610 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 453 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 1020 minutes
Standby Time Up to 10 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Black, White
Dimensions [H x W x D] 14.1 x 7.2 x 1 cm (5.6 x 2.8 x 0.4 in)
Weight 144 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Stereo
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA): Motorola Moto X (2014), Moto X+1, Moto X2
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen) Reviews
Where to buy Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen)
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