Motorola has announced the identity of its next flagship smartphone: the Moto X. Keeping the name probably won’t confused too many people who have become used to Apple’s new way of doing things. The name is also the only thing that remains of the old Moto X, as Motorola have piled on the upgrades and new features.
A 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor lies at the heart of the Moto X, along with 2GB RAM. Motorola has retained the vanilla Android experience, although it now packs the most recent Android 4.4.4 KitKat operating system. No word if Android L is somewhere in the works, but there is a series of new applications that change the OS in subtle ways. The most important is the ability to customise the “OK Google” voice prompt; users are free to change it to whatever they would like to activate their phones. An option that really should have been there from the very start.
The display is a 5.2-inch 1080p OLED screen; an upgrade from the previous 720p display. There is minimal bezel on the sides, leaving the image looking quite pleasing; although any further judgment is reserved until it is seen in real life. The back of the Moto X holds the 13MP, F/2.2 camera that now sports a ring flash. Motorola claims this new flash configuration makes for softer illumination, which will be interesting to see.
Also retained from the previous model are the Moto Maker options; allowing users to customise the back of their Moto X. Some 25 different options exist for the new flagship smartphone. The old wooden backing remains, along with a new option for choosing leather back. This is not pleather, but actual genuine leather from the same tannery that makes the strap for the Moto 360.
Finally, the Moto X is fitted with a 2300 mAh battery that is intended to last a full day. Internal storage is a choice between 16GB and 32GB, with no option for expansion slots.
The new Moto X will be coming to countries in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia starting later this month. It will be available off-contract and unlocked in the US from $499.99.
