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Motorola Moto X

Motorola Moto X Review – It might be easy to consider the Moto X as out of its league in this test, as if it was just a mid-range phone punching above its weight. Certainly its specs do little to contradict this opinion, with the smallest screen in it’s class, slowest of a last generation processor, and very limited memory and no micro SD slot to boost it. However, the Moto X matches its low specs with a low price and what it lacks in hardware, it makes up for with its impressive interface.

Motorola Moto X

Motorola’s close relationship with Google means that not only does the Moto X run Android 4.4, its software is a near stock experience, except for a few clever tweaks. For instance, the Moto X has a higher level of speech control than any other device. Offering a near hands-free experience, saying ‘OK Google Now’ can see all sorts of commands completed, from sending text messages to setting alarms. For those actions that do have to be performed manually can be achieved with some impressively intuitive controls or can be automated through a feature called Motorola Assist. Along with its Active Display function that minimises battery usage, these features add up to an intelligent, ergonomic UX that even Samsung’s commitment to native features struggles to match.

It is disappointing that the Moto Maker system that enables American users to customise the colour of their Moto X wasn’t extended internationally, especially when the only default options available are bog standard black and white. However, the overall design is sleek thanks to a small and slender shape that fits comfortably in both the hand and the pocket.

Screen

The display is 720p over 4.7 inches, which is small but amounts to a pixel density of a healthy 312ppi. Its OLED screen is also able to light up only the pixels required when delivering notifications, which helps conserve the non-removable battery.

Performance

Any reservations about the Moto X’s comparatively low specs, including a last generation processor, vanishes once you actually get your hands on it. No matter what you’re doing with the phone, the Moto X can handle it.

Features

The Moto X is lacking in features, especially in terms of hardware. For instance, it is the phone without a micro SD slot. But it does fully support Google’s speech recognition, so hands-free use is a real possibility.

Value

The Moto X is great value, undercutting the price of every other flagship phone by a long way. Its solid update policy and the lower memory requirements of KitKat should give it an extended life.