Tested In-Depth: Moto X (2014)

After testing the new Moto X Android smartphone for a month, Will and Norm sit to down to discuss how its three most important features: the display, camera, and battery life compare against today's top Android phones. How does Motorola's spin on Android compare to the stock version? Plus, does the custom wood back look and feel any good?

Note: this was recorded before the announcement of Google's Nexus 6, which is also made by Motorola.

[JonConley]

This review is surprisingly ignorant of some of the most basic facts regarding the moto x and Android. It feels extremely rushed and disingenuous. While not a perfect device, I feel as though this review was mostly nitpicks and didn't at all focus on the beneficial aspects of the device.

There absolutely _is_ CDMA support with the device; you can have the back engraved; the aluminum band color changes based on the front panel (dark aluminum versus lighter aluminum); you can adjust ISO / White Balance by enabling the focal ring in the camera software (admittedly, it's not fine-tune control, but it's something); you didn't cover the camera gesture shortcut (you didn't even know there was a camera shortcut on the lockscreen); nor did you really go in-depth with any of the unique Motorola software at all. The phone is also water-resistant.

The voice-controlled commands via the DSP allow you to do a lot more than simply query Google searches. Motorola's software will also allow you to choose a "geofence" location for your "home", and via Motorola Assist, the phone will prompt you for voice control with incoming calls, texts, and will read out _all notifications_ if prompted to; all hands-free.

On testing with my own devices, my voice queries take a maximum of six seconds to accomplish a task.

This is actually a rather significant leap forward in computing - especially for accessibility - which you have completely ignored for whatever reason. It's not perfect, and things will only get faster -- but I can't understand how you just glossed over this aspect of the device. It's one of the safest devices to use while driving (you never have to even look at the device to acquire a navigation route or to make a hands-free call, et cetera), and it is hands down the best contextual services device, due to Motorola Assist. You briefly mentioned that it can read out texts while detecting driving (which it does via multiple sensors), but failed to mention that the phone can also look at your calendar meetings and automatically mute the device for the duration and auto-reply with template text messages.

And last year, Motorola was able to update the _Verizon moto x_ (somehow) before Google could update the Nexus 4. Afterwards, nearly all moto x models were updated either the week of or within two-to-three weeks of the Nexus devices.

You're championing a phone (the OnePlus One) that most people _literally cannot buy, _ over a tangible product which fits an extremely niche category ("stock" Android with helpful, user-friendly usability features where Android is lacking), which is designed to make the user experience much more enjoyable.

You also didn't mention how lenient Motorola is with exchanges, in the event that you don't like your custom design, nor did you perform any research in regards to the material build of the other backs (in regards to polymer construction and feel).

Also, Lenovo does _not_ own Motorola yet (they are still a Google company).

I expect this sort of rush job from a random YouTube vlog trying to cash in on _"Unboxing / Drop Test"_ hype. I didn't expect it from Tested.

[scourned]

Did this fool call the original Moto X mediocre?

[dacianspinu]

This review was shot in 720p. Need I say more?

[TahaNasser]

It's totally ridiculous and completely untrue to say that the original Moto X was a mediocre phone. On the contrary it was, and still is, a brilliantly designed phone and here's why: Firstly it had excellent battery life in comparison to any of the top end phones at the time, owing to its unique multiple core design, which allowed it to shut down individual processors that weren't being used, unlike other smartphones that only have a single processor and ram, meaning that they cant shut anything down and keep draining battery. The camera, after the update, was decent and had the double rotate feature for easy access. It came in 16gb or 32gb options with enough storage and had a simple sleek design running essentially stock Android. It gets the latest Android updates fairly soon too. This phone was essentially what the Nexus 5 should have been and all this for less than half of some of the top end phones that were available last year. By all objective measures, it was easily the best value for money phone available in the last few years. Don't review stuff if you don't know the market.

[brreed]

A couple of corrections; 1) The red stripes are speaker grills. 2) there is a VERY easy shortcut to the camera from the lock screen. Twisting your hand twice quickly brings up the camera instantly from lock.

[marcosdiogenes]

I own the 1st gen Moto X. The screen looks sharp enough for such a small phone. The camera isn't half bad, I just wish the pictures were brighter and more colorful. The phone feels nice in the hand and has good battery life. With moderate use, it can last up to 2 days! In terms of performance in heavy tasks and games, it doesn't disappoint me either. This guy is clearly not fond of Motorola phones!

[WillyToons]

One minute into the video, and already Norm is wrong again. Not only was the American factory that produced the Moto X shut down, the original Moto X was a fantastic device; the Nexus 5 would not even be released until a while later. Then again, he thinks spec sheets are more important than actual quality and performance, which may be why he also talks trash of Apple phones as well.

[JUSTTHETRUTHTV]

I think the best feature of the MOTO
It the Motorola Connect feature to your computer.
You can call your phone if lost. Lock it.. and get notifications on you personal PC.
It saves me so much time. I don't have to text from my phone or answer it either.

[RyanHarrellA]

I disagree with your analysis of the original MotoX.  I think it's a fantastic phone.  Battery lasts all day for me, and the features that it has makes up by far for any lack in the screen resolution. I use the voice activation features a ton, and not having to unlock the phone is a HUGE bonus. I also use the shake to use the camera feature all the time.  Also the amoled screen is super crisp even though it's only 720p.  I've been using it as my main phone for almost a year now, and love it!  

That being said, I can't wait to get my hands on the new version when my contract is up in February!  Love Tested though! Even though I disagreed with you!

[prachetaspatel]

I recall Moto X (previous) having a great battery life.

[johnydangerously]

Norm's biggest problem with the camera, pocket-to-shutter speed, is negated by using the MotoX's double-twist feature. I can't believe they didn't know! Simply twist your wrist twice, and the locked phone goes directly to camera mode. It just took me 3 seconds to pick mine up and snap a pic. 
Come on guys! 

[mteo]

There's a shortcut to the camere: you flick the wrist twice. And the metal frame is not the same on the white and the black one. And you can set what notifications to show on Moto Display.

[Jack]

the metal band is not always the same.
if you get a black phone your metal band is dark grey, if you get a white phone, you get a light aluminium colored metal band.

[LucasHaither]

I'm sorry if this sounds rude, but I got to tell you and everyone.

You got some points seriously wrong.
For instance, you CAN open the camera even with the screen off by quickly twisting your hand /phone. And you CAN set what's to show on the active notifications, just go to the settings.
You didn't mention the driving mode, how could it be forgotten? The screen is AMoled, and it is needed for the active display to save energy.
And Moto Voice is not just for Google searches, seriously, you call use it to send a message or call to someone with your phone in your pocket.

Sorry, but this is an unfair and misleading review. And I like your work, generally.

[BlvckAdam]

I've had the phone for over two weeks now and I have to say that this was a very unbiased review. The phone is OK. That's it. Best thing about it is zero lag. It's lightning fast! But everything else is just meh. The Moto options seem fun at first but when they sporadically become unresponsive, that's when you realize how incomplete this phone is. And don't be fooled by some other reviews, the battery is really that bad. The twist to open the camera option is great, but, the camera that it opens kind of sux.

[maya]

A couple of errors I saw in this review: (1) there is a quick way to open the camera; you can launch the camera with a twisting gesture, (2) you can pick which app notifications show up on the lock screen in the settings.

[Sucy]

Never thought I'd see the day where there's a 30 minute video on youtube of two guys rubbing wood.

[wes]

Really didn't like this review. He kind of griped about some things that don't matter and would deter people from getting it, and he didn't even hit all of the new moto x's features. Just sad

[tjh]

When you said "Hey Siri", because my iPad was charging and it picked the voice up, you managed to activate Siri lol.

[dejiarolann]

Reviewers said "it is still assembled in the USA." I assume that statement applies to pre-configured X2s sold by retailers/ cellular phone companies. I just ordered one after receiving the Cyber Monday $140 off coupon code from Motorola, UPS shipping details show it shipped from Schezhen, CN (HongKong). I guess customized Moto Xs are still assembled in China. Looking forward to getting mine in a few days.