Motorola X. Motorola Moto X Play Smartphone - Review
Despite the relative simplicity of the design of modern Motorola smartphones, it is unique and easily recognizable. Two wide speaker slots on the front panel, rounded corners and back panel, and, of course, a vertical strip with a camera lens, an LED flash and a stylized letter M - these are the main distinguishing features of Moto devices. All four Motorola smartphones recently presented in Russia are made in this style, and differ in appearance only in size and the number of sensors on the front panel. U Moto X Style there are a lot of them, which is especially noticeable in white colors, so if the accumulation of circles and ovals around the top speaker seems ridiculous to you, it is better to choose the black option. Apparently, there are no others in sight - the Moto Maker service, which allows you to independently choose the color of each main element and the material of the back panel, is still not available in Russia. Those wishing to get their hands on the Moto X Style with a wood or leather back panel will still have to order the smartphone from abroad.
However, we really liked the standard materials. The display is protected by glass Gorilla Glass 3, A water-repellent coating provides some protection against splashes and drops. Rubberized back panel pleasant to the touch and does not tend to slip out of your hands, but metal frame frame significantly strengthens the structure - the smartphone perfectly resists bending. Here, however, its thickness also plays a role, varying from 7.5 to 11.1 mm. Motorola once again refuses to sacrifice functionality and durability for the sake of record thinness, and this is good news. Of course, thin devices like the Huawei Mate S (7.2 mm) seem more elegant, but the Moto X Style is still safer in your jeans pocket. The only sad thing is that with such dimensions, Motorola did not bother to make the battery removable, and the back panel is tightly attached. (Nano-SIM and microSD cards are inserted on the tray into a common slot on the top edge.)
Speaking of dimensions: despite the 5.7-inch display and fairly large speakers, the smartphone is even shorter and narrower than the 5.5-inch Apple iPhone 6S Plus and only a centimeter longer than the 5-inch HTC One M9. The sound, although not as high quality as that of HTC's flagship, is still very loud and clear, even with hints of bass. Unfortunately, many buyers' complaints about the top speaker turned out to be quite justified; it does wheeze slightly when listening to music at high volumes. But it’s just that it’s slight: if you don’t hold the device close to your ear (and you definitely shouldn’t do this at high volumes), it’s almost impossible to hear the defect. If your player has an equalizer, you can try reducing the bass slightly. For speakerphone use, only the bottom speaker is used, so during a telephone or Skype conversation the problem disappears altogether.
Moto X Force a powerful new product from Motorola in a stylish metal case and a durable, unbreakable screen. Lenovo bought out Motorola and now these will be the top models of the Moto line at a more expensive price and will be equipped with powerful characteristics that real flagships rely on. One of the advantages of Motorola X Force is its unbreakable screen, which is not afraid of falls, so now you don’t have to worry about the screen breaking on your smartphone if you accidentally drop it. The latest technology and a long warranty on the screen, plus excellent performance and a powerful battery. Unfortunately, Moto X Force does not support 2 SIM cards. In Russia, you can buy Moto X Force with one SIM card in Nano-SIM format, but the device supports memory cards up to 2 TB. Of the main characteristics of Moto x force We can highlight: an 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, the Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system, a 5.4-inch diagonal screen, a main 21 MP camera, a 3760 mAh battery, 32 GB of internal memory and 3 GB of RAM.
The screen is one of the most expensive parts of a smartphone, and the convenience and comfort of using the device will depend on the characteristics of the display. In addition to the unbreakable screen on the Moto X Force, it has excellent performance, the high Quad HD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and a high density of 550 pixels per inch ensure a clear picture on the display and it does not lose clarity in bright sunlight. By purchasing Moto X Force, you are purchasing a smartphone with a powerful battery. Phone owners do not need to constantly worry about the battery running out, the new product works for up to two days in active mode, and the fast charging function, if necessary, will recharge the smartphone in 13 minutes, which will work for another 13 hours .
The unique design with aluminum frame and pattern on the back looks simply chic and should appeal to everyone. Moto X Force supports the new generation 4G LTE networks, which allows you to use the Internet on your smartphone at very high speeds, and you can watch online videos in good quality. A powerful 21 MP camera for taking photos and videos in professional quality, and a front wide-angle 5 MP camera for selfies and video calls. Characteristics of Motorola x force at a high level, like his price, but you can pay a little extra for a unique unbreakable screen, long life and the famous Motorola brand.
- Full specifications, and reviews users to Moto X Force, see below.
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Full technical specifications of Moto X Force. Moto x force characteristics.
- SIM card: quantity 1/ Nano-SIM
- Operating system: Android 6.0 Marshmallow
- Processor: 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810
- GPU: Andreno 430, 600 MHz
- Display: 5.4 inches / Quad HD 2560 x 1440 pixels / 540 ppi density
- Water-repellent nanocoating: yes
- Camera: 21 MP / dual LED flash / phase detection autofocus
- Front camera: 5 MP/ wide-angle lens/ flash
- Video camera: 4K (30 fps) / 1080p HD (60 fps)
- Battery: 3760 mAh / up to 48 hours of operation / TurboPower mode - up to 13 hours of battery life after a 15-minute charge / wireless charging function
- Built-in memory: 32 GB
- Memory card: microSD capacity up to 2 TB
- RAM: 3 GB
- Bluetooth: 4.1LE
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- NFC: Yes
- USB: Yes
- Headphone jack: 3.5 mm.
- Navigation: GPS/A-GPS
- 3G: supports
- 4G LTE: Cat 6
- Sensors: accelerometer / gyroscope / Hall / magnetometer / proximity / lighting / IR radiation
- MMS: supports
- Moisture protection: yes
- Voice recorder: yes
- Music player: yes
- Speakerphone: yes
- Dimensions (H.W.T): 149.8 x 78 x 7.1-9.2 mm.
- Weight: 169 grams.
I think many still remember the times when our mobile phone market was ruled by such giants as Nokia, Siemens and Motorola. I myself was an adherent of the latter of them. I have owned the T180, the C650, and even the first smart flip phone MPx200. Much water has passed under the bridge since then, and I think it’s no secret that we won’t see a single new phone under these brands anytime soon. But enough about the sad things, today the hero of our review is the Moto X 16Gb Black - the latest device released by Motorola under the wing of Google. Let's see what fruits this cooperation brought. Be careful, there are a lot of letters in the review!
Choice
It all started with the fact that I was a little tired of my Jiayu G2S, bought a year and a half ago on AliExpers. And there were complaints about its work: terrible GPS, slowdowns, lack of support from the manufacturer, problems with the touchscreen when heating, etc. All these are typical problems with Chinese devices that produce a dozen new models a year and do not have time to properly debug them. By the way, I would like to express my gratitude to the Russian w3bsit3-dns.com community, who essentially do their work for the Chinese and eliminate their shortcomings.
Based on the above, I decided to take a device from a well-known manufacturer, always with a Qualcomm SoC and with LTE support. Also, an important requirement for the phone was compactness within certain limits: no less than 4.5 and no more than 4.7 inches. I do not support the megalomania that has struck almost all mobile phone manufacturers in the last year, I just want a mobile phone that fits comfortably in a jeans pocket. I don’t particularly play games and I don’t chase cores either. Well, the last selection criterion is the price with delivery of no more than 15,000 rubles. Many would have answered me - “take the Nexus 4 and don’t worry,” I would have taken it, but I accidentally came across a review of Moto X and, as they say, I was hooked, or it triggered nostalgia. Since then I haven’t looked at other devices anymore.
Acquisition
In total, Moto X is available in 7 modifications with support for various networks (WCDMA/CDMA/LTE). The memory capacity can be either 16 or 32 GB.
I won’t describe everything in detail, I’ll just leave my recommendation for choosing a model and a summary table with.
XT1052- European version of the device, without blocking. But it is also the most expensive of all. LTE works in Russia.
XT1058- version for America, can be locked to an operator (AT&T). LTE works in Russia. For the AT&T operator, the device is assembled in the USA.
XT1053- differs from XT1058 in other LTE frequencies. LTE will not work in Russia. 3G works.
XT1060- just like the XT1053 does not support our LTE frequencies, 3G works.
Pivot table
One of the features of Moto X is the ability for the buyer to customize the device through the MotoMaker.com service. The user can choose from a variety of phone designs, which even includes 3 wood finish options for the cover. There you can also get an inscription on the back cover. There is only one problem: you won’t be able to order a phone from there directly - the store only accepts cards issued in the USA. Although, if you really want to, you can find an intermediary or a friend and assemble the device for yourself. Personally, I was happy with the standard design of a black device with a gray carbon back cover. It is also worth noting that the XT1058 model is assembled exclusively in the USA, unlike other models assembled in China.
I decided to order the device on ebay. I chose Moto X 16Gb Black with a radio module locked to AT&T. On the one hand, it’s cheaper, but unlocking AT&T is always expensive and there’s a chance that they won’t be able to help you. Here it’s up to everyone to decide whether the game is worth the candle or not. Personally, I was lucky, although I still had to be a little nervous.
Delivery
The seller sent the goods by service. For those who are not in the know, this is a method where the product is sent to an Ebay mailing address in the USA, and that, in turn, through several courier services, delivers the product to you personally. In Russia, delivery is carried out by SPSR-Express, which also requests passport information from you and processes the cargo at customs. It was delivered to me in 17 days, and 4 of them I waited for delivery in the region. Initially, the track can be viewed on Ebay and then tracked on SPRS, when they send you the invoice number.
Appearance and equipment
The parcel reached me safe and sound, the box was without dents or damage. Initially, the phone comes in a Retail box. In addition to the phone, the kit includes a USB cable and a 1A charger with 2 USB outputs. Unfortunately, I received the phone in a non-original box from AT&T with a left-hand charger of 0.6A. The phone itself was in protective film, without signs of use. The seller also included a car charger as a bonus. I didn’t even print out either charge.
Appearance
P.S. I didn’t take a photo right away, in the photo the phone is already unlocked. 
Characteristics
The phone fits comfortably in your hand thanks to the curved back cover. Although the device is designated Black, the cover is actually made “carbon-fiber” and has a gray color. The surface is slightly rough to the touch, but not textured. Hand marks remain, but are easily removed. The frames on the screen are narrow, but accidental clicks on the edges of the screen do not occur. The display is covered with Corning Gorilla® Glass 3 with a good oleophobic coating and an effective light filter.
Comparison of dimensions with iPhone 4S
The phone is built on the company's own chip - Motorola X8. This SoC includes:
2 CPU cores Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro
4 core GPU Adreno 320
1 L-NLP core (noise reduction and speech recognition processor)
1 CCP core (processor for processing data from sensors and other calculations)
Essentially, this is a dual-core Qualcomm with modifications from Motorola, designed to provide proprietary functions such as Touchless Control, Active Display and Quick Capture while reducing power consumption.
There is 2 GB of LP-DDR2 RAM in the device, 16 GB of internal memory in the device, where “out of the box” about 11 GB is available to the user.
I ran the device in several popular benchmarks.
Test results
The results are quite normal, I think the performance is enough for most modern games. The weakest link, as one might expect, was the dual-core processor. This factor does not affect the operation of the device; after all, the processor frequency is decent, and optimization from Google is worth a lot. Although, it’s a bit of a pity to see a 2-core solution in the company’s flagship.
The screen resolution is 1280 by 720 pixels, which is quite enough for a 4.7-inch display. Personally, I don’t notice individual pixels and consider this resolution to be optimal for this size. The screen is made using AMOLED technology with excellent dynamic contrast values and (like everyone else) slightly oversaturated colors. The image does not fade at angles, and in daylight the screen remains quite readable.
Display photo
The smartphone is equipped with a Wi-Fi module operating in the 2.4 and 5 GHz range. The reception is reliable, it sees access points that my Chinese device couldn’t even find. See the spoiler for the signal level to the router located in the next office behind the brick wall.
Wi-Fi Signal Strength
In addition to WCDMA networks, my model supports LTE Band 7, at the frequency of which 4G networks are being deployed in Russia. Below I will give an example of his work, where the smartphone acted as a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. Photo from a laptop screen, I apologize for the quality of the photo.
Speed on LTE
The battery in the device has an average capacity of 2200 mAh. In my usual mode of use, it lasts for one and a half to two days. It is worth noting that I work outside the city and the loss of communication with the device is a common occurrence here. On weekends, the device lives quietly for two days with average use. At the same time, Bluetooth and LTE are turned on 100% of the time.
Battery consumption
My typical day 
Navigation on the smartphone works great. Below is the result of testing in GPS Test. I measured the work while standing at the window facing the north side. At the same time, the Internet was turned off, but A-GPS data seems to have been used.
To perceive information about the surrounding world, the smartphone is equipped with various sensors. For a complete set, the only thing missing is an ambient air temperature sensor.
List of sensors from Antutu
The main camera on the phone has a resolution of 10.5 Mpx, the front one is 2.1 Mpx. Video is recorded in Full HD H.264 format with a bitrate of 17.2 Mbps at 30 frames per second. The native camera application does not allow you to change the quality and resolution of pictures. The LED flash is single, but quite powerful. There is also an HDR and Slow Motion function.
The device has NFC and Miracast, but unfortunately, it was not possible to check its functionality.
Firmware and software features
Initially, in 2013, the smartphone was released with Android 4.2.2 on board. It was subsequently updated to the latest version 4.4 KitKat. Moreover, the release of new updates directly depends on the specific modification, and if for the XT1058 AT&T the latest version is 4.4.2, then for the XT1053 T-Mobile it is already 4.4.3. According to official statements, the recently announced Android 5.0 L is also planned for Moto X.
The phone came to me with firmware 4.2.2, which I updated to version 4.4 via OTA. The official firmware is not multilingual and lacks Russian language support.
Android version
Installing unofficial firmware on the XT1058 device is complicated by the fact that its bootloader is locked. It is possible to partially correct the situation if you have root rights on the device, however, after such changes it is impossible to update the firmware over the air. So the best solution would be to switch the locale to Russian through the Morelocale2 program.
Now let's dwell a little on Motorola's proprietary technologies implemented in the smartphone.
Touchless Control - the device constantly listens to the surrounding background while waiting for the code phrase “OK, Google”. When first launched, it learns to recognize the owner’s voice and subsequently responds only to it. Essentially, this is an add-on for Google Now and when you set the Russian language in the search, it can, for example, execute the command “Write an SMS to your Beloved - I’ll be home soon” without touching the phone. All this is available with the Internet, however, Touchless Control also has its own teams, working anytime, anywhere. It is very convenient to find out the current time and information about missed calls using the “Wat's Up” command. Or, for example, the phone will beep if you say the phrase “Find my phone.”
Active Display - the phone perfectly understands when you pick it up. If this happens, it displays the current time on the screen and offers to unlock the device. This is very convenient - when you take it out of your pocket, you can immediately unlock the screen without pressing the power button. In addition, the function periodically notifies you about missed calls or new SMS. The list of programs that are allowed to display information on it can be edited in the settings.
Quick Capture - this function allows you to launch the camera without unlocking the screen, by rocking the device twice along its vertical axis. Just as in the case of Active Display, no accidental activations were observed.
Motorola Connect - allows you to view SMS and a list of incoming phone calls through the Chrome browser on your computer. I haven't gotten around to testing this feature of the device yet.
Conclusion
Motorola has turned out to be a controversial product, unfortunately, its parameters do not reach the flagships of 2013, such as the Samsung S4 or HTC One M7. The reason for this is the long development of the device, into which, according to rumors, Google invested a lot of time and effort, but never caught up with the market leaders. In addition, the smartphone was initially aimed at the North American market, for which the devices were assembled at home. However, this advertising move did not produce the expected results - soon the factory in the USA will be closed and all new Moto X will be assembled in China.
pros
- high quality build and materials
- work in 4G networks
- excellent screen
- 2GB RAM
- support from Google
- proprietary technologies from Motorola
Minuses
- 2-core processor
- lack of Russian language
- no slot for memory cards
- poor equipment
- no support for wireless charging
The bottom line is that we have an excellent phone for those who care about quality and who are not chasing cores and megapixels. For these people (including me), using this phone will be a real pleasure. The updated Moto X+1 model is expected to be released soon, where these shortcomings should be eliminated. Thanks everyone for your attention!
Problem solved
Pros: + Excellent 1080p screen, bright, juicy. Not as rich as the Samsung ones, but I like it better, the colors are more natural. In the settings you can set cooler shades if you want. Protection from scratches Gorilla Glass 3, unfortunately, does not save you from falling + Almost pure Android - a minimum of pre-installed software (only motion recognition and geolocation sharing in case of emergency from Moto), Google Now launcher (Google Start). No pre-installed Facebook, Twitter and other nonsense + Very fast, I think, due to minimal cluttering of the system + Replacement panels included (I took white, orange and light green panels were included) - very pleasant to the touch, not easily soiled, not slippery , are easily replaced. Another tactile feature is that the screen lock button is corrugated, so it cannot be confused with the volume buttons even blindly. + Support for 2 SIM cards, both slots for nano-SIM + Good quality sound + Good sound transmission in conversations, there is a rear microphone for noise reduction + Convenient Moto lock screen - I liked how notifications are displayed on the locked screen, how they can be configured + Support quick access to the camera using a gesture (it’s a pity, for some reason you can’t turn on the flashlight, although in reviews of the younger model, Moto G, this feature works) + Very good, fast camera, but you need to get used to the interface - tap on any location on the screen + adjusting exposure and focus + Updating to Android 6 over the air worked right out of the box - however, I somehow didn’t notice any tangible advantages. + Quite a capacious battery, lasts one and a half to two days stably Disadvantages: - The price is high. I got the phone as a gift, after all, 30 thousand is more expensive than my old iPhone at the start! Although now everything has greatly increased in price (- There is no way to disable the Google search bar at the top of the screen. They say this can be “cured” by installing a custom launcher, but it’s still inconvenient - Weight and dimensions: due to the large battery, the phone weighs quite a lot + a bit thick, although it fits comfortably in the hand - The gesture for quickly turning on the flashlight does not work - Poor equipment Yes, the kit includes 2 color panels and a charger with 2 USB inputs (you can charge 2 devices at once), but no protective film, no headset, no There is no memory card in the box - The built-in memory is only 16GB, but this can easily be fixed by installing a removable microSD - Earpods and Beats headphones are not supported, the Beats phone only responds to the pause button, the volume is not adjustable. This is inconvenient, now you will have to look for headphones for everything to work (they are not included in the package) Comment: Overall, I am very pleased with the phone, it is very fast and the battery holds well! I understand that with such characteristics you can find a more budget “Chinese” of some kind, but in terms of tactile sensations, build quality, screen quality, sound, ease of use - this is definitely an “above average” class phone.
Life in HD standard.
The Moto X Play's 5.5-inch Full HD 1080p display delivers high-quality images for videos, photos and gaming. Incredibly realistic...
The device works with Nano-SIM cards from all GSM operators.
The battery lasts as long as you do.
The rhythm of life never slows down. And the phone should not lag behind. Watch movies, surf the Internet, play for up to 48 hours without recharging.
Water-repellent coating. N...
The device works with Nano-SIM cards from all GSM operators.
The battery lasts as long as you do.
The rhythm of life never slows down. And the phone should not lag behind. Watch movies, surf the Internet, play for up to 48 hours without recharging.
Water-repellent coating. No worries.
Water is the phone's worst enemy. Moto X Play is reliably protected by a water-repellent coating. Spills, splashes and light rain will no longer be a threat to your phone.
Charge your device in record time.
A little energy at the right time. Moto X Play is equipped with a fast charging feature that guarantees up to 8 hours of battery life in just 15 minutes of charging.
Life in HD standard.
The Moto X Play's 5.5-inch Full HD 1080p display delivers high-quality images for videos, photos and gaming. Incredibly realistic images. Films with the effect of full presence. This is what a premium display should be.
Get everything done. Together.
It has the processing power you need to play games, stream videos, and multitask at blazing speeds. The Qualcomm Snapdragon processor improves battery life and speed.
Storage of all your files.
With microSD card support (optional), you can expand the internal memory to store a huge amount of photos, videos, music and applications (up to 128 GB).
Consistently high-quality photos and selfies in any lighting.
The 21 megapixel camera allows you to take clear, realistic pictures. Fast focusing, automatic HDR mode and dual LED flash for the most natural color balance ensure high-quality photos. There is also a high-quality video recording function in HD format with a resolution of 1080p. The 5 MP front camera allows you to take high-quality selfies and provides a clear image in video chat.
Get maximum performance with a pure version of Android.
Get a clean, uncluttered Android OS. There is no unnecessary additional software to slow you down.
Use your phone effortlessly.
Moto X Play makes life easier. Operate your phone, ask questions and search for information while keeping your hands free. Shake your phone to preview notifications, then navigate to the app you want or leave it for later. Play or pause music without unlocking your phone.
Your phone will do this for you.
Moto Assist detects the time when you are at home, in the car or in the office, adapting your phone to your needs. The application will read messages out loud if you are driving, or mute the ringer while you sleep.
Two tariff plans. One smartphone.
Having one device doesn't mean you have to use just one data plan. Take advantage of freedom of choice.
Add protection and style.
Make your Moto X Play colorful with interchangeable panels.