Moto X Style vs Play: what’s the difference?
It’s rare to be presented with a pleasant surprise in the world of gadgets, but Motorola has just unveiled two beauties – the new Moto X Style and Moto X Play. While both come bearing the company’s flagship Moto X branding, there are some rather major differences between the two handsets. So here’s a little check-list of what’s different and what features they have in common.
Let’s quickly breakdown the spec sheets.
| Moto X Style | Moto X Play | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.7-inch display Quad HD (2560×1440) resolution, 515 ppi |
5.5-inch display Full HD (1920×1080) resolution, 401 ppi |
| Processor | 1.8 GHz hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor Adreno 418 GPU |
1.7 GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor Adreno 405 GPU |
| RAM | 3GB | 2GB |
| Storage | 32/64 GB expandable via microSD up to 128 GB |
16/32 GB expandable via microSD up to 128 GB |
| Camera | 21 MP front-facing camera with dual LED flash 5 MP front-facing camera |
21 MP front-facing camera with dual LED flash 5 MP front-facing camera |
| Battery | 3,000mAh | 3,630mAh |
| Software | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop |
| Extras | IP52 certified, NFC, Cat 6 LTE, Bluetooth 4.1, 4K video capture, Turbo Charge | Water repellent, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, 1080p video capture |
| Price | $399 | $299 (expected) |
The Moto X Style is the bigger beast, both in terms of processing capabilities and physical size. The Moto X still weighs in with a large 5.5-inch FullHD display, but the Moto X Style makes the jump up to a 5.7-inch display with a high-end QHD display resolution, bridging the size gap with the huge Nexus 6.
Despite stacking up an octa-core SoC against a hexa-core, it’s the Moto X Style that features the more powerful processor. Built from a combination of two high-performance Cortex-A57 cores and four Cortex-A53s, the Snapdragon 808 will provide superior levels of peak performance for when you need it. The Adreno 418 GPU is also significantly more powerful than the Adreno 405, but it does have to power the higher resolution QHD display, so the performance gap may not be as big as you may think. The Moto X Style also includes an additional 1GB of RAM which may help with multitasking scenarios, but the 2GB in the Moto X Play should be more than enough for most situations.
The Moto X Style and Play both feature a microSD card slot and 32GB storage options. The Play also offers a smaller 16GB storage capacity, while only the Moto X Style offers 64GB of built in storage. Oddly, the Moto X Play seems to have a larger battery, with a huge 3,630mAh capacity verses the Style’s still plentiful 3,000mAh.
From here on out, there differences are much more subtle. Motorola has made big strides with camera technology this generation and both the Moto X Style and X Play offer the same high resolution shooting capabilities. There’s a 21MP rear camera with dual flash and a 5MP front camera on both models, so photographers will likely be happy with either option.
However, the Snapdragon 808 SoC allows for 4K video capture with the Moto X Style, while the Play is limited to 1080p video recording. There’s Bluetooth 4.1 with the Style and 4.0 with the Play. The former also has Tubro Charge capabilities and is IP52 resistant against water and dust, while the latter only features a water repellent coating. Subtle differences I know, but ones perhaps worth considering.
Both smartphones also offer the full range of Moto Maker customization options, including color and Flip Shells, engraving, and metallic accent options. Software is also the same across both models, with the latest Motorola tweaked version of Android 5.1.1 Lollipop on board.
The final separator is the price and retail availability. The Moto X Style, or Moto X Pure Edition as it will be known in the US, is the more expensive smartphone at $399, unsurprisingly. Motorola states that the X Play will be around $100 cheaper than the Style, suggesting a retail price of around $299. It is also important to note that the Play won’t be available in the US, hinting that Motorola is targeting the handset at more price sensitive markets.
Despite the differences, the Moto X Style and Play are two quite appealing handsets in their own rights. Which one is your favourite?
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Motorola unwraps Moto G, Moto X Play, and Moto X Style
Motorola on Tuesday announced three new models of smartphone, each designed with a different demographic in mind. One is a successor to an existing line while the other two are variations on another line. Beginning today and rolling out over the coming weeks are the Moto G, Moto X Style, and Moto X Play.
Moto G (3rd Gen.)
Available immediately via Motorola.com, the new Moto G can be had for as low as $179.99 — off contract, of course. Options include 8GB storage with 1GB RAM as well as 16GB storage with 2GB RAM.
Powered by Android Lollipop, the phone offers a 5-inch full HD display, 13-megapixel rear camera, and front-facing 5-megapixel camera. Water resistant, the Moto G is rated against splashes and drops in water and can withstand up to 30 minutes in a meter of water.
Internally, the handset runs a quad-core Qualcomm 410 processor and can be designed with either of the aforementioned memory combinations. There is a difference of $40 between the 8GB/1GB and 16GB/2GB option.
Rounding out the specs are a microSD expansion card slot, 4G LTE support, and a 2470mAh battery. In terms of added software, Motorola has kept it light, loading Moto Display and Moto Assist.
The 2015 (3rd Gen.) edition also marks the first time the Moto G can be customized using the Moto Maker tool. With two front colors and ten back plate colors, it’s possible to deck out your device in a handpicked accent color; engraving is also available. As an added bonus, the back plates can be removed and changed using shells and flip shells at a later date.
Moto X Play
The first variant of the Moto X family, the Moto X Play boasts a downright ridiculous 3,630mAh battery with Quick Charge technology. Promising two days on a single charge, the phone can pick up 8 hours of battery life from only 15 minutes of charging.
Other details disclosed today were the 5.5-inch full HD screen, 21-megapixel rear camera, and 5-megapixel user-facing camera. Powering the show here is a 1.7GHz Qualcomm 610 processor; storage and memory is not yet known.
Motorola has not revealed pricing was nor specific U.S. plans at this time. Moto X Play will be available starting in August in various countries across Europe, Latin America, and Canada (sorry, it won’t be available in the US, but we’ll have more choices for you all later this year). Moto X Style will be available in countries across Europe, Latin America and North America starting in September. News for Asia Pacific, China and India will come later this year.
Moto X Style
Considered a “Pure Edition” handset in the U.S., the unlocked phone will feature universal banding which means support for LTE networks around the world.
Like its predecessor, the Moto X Style can be designed via Moto Maker with rear panel materials that include wood, leather, and silicon.
In terms of specs, this version packs a 5.7-inch screen, 21-megapixel rear camera, and Quick Charge capabilities. Shipping with Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, the Moto X Style will be arrive in the US in September with a price tag of $399.
New accessories
In addition to the three new devices, Motorola also introduced the Moto Pulse and Moto Surround, new audio device “that fit with our busy on-the-go lifestyles”.
The Pulse is an ultra-light, wireless on-ear Bluetooth headphone that delivers up to 18 hours of continuous playtime. Available through motorola.com immediately, the unit is priced at $59.99.
The Surround is an earbud designed to wear around the collar and which promises 12 hours of playtime. Sweat-proof and waterproof, the headset also has a built-in mic and volume buttons for taking calls. It, too, is available starting today on motorola.com with a for $69.99 sticker.
The post Motorola unwraps Moto G, Moto X Play, and Moto X Style appeared first on AndroidGuys.
The Moto X Style Pure Edition hands-on
So if you’ve ever wished you could get a Nexus 6, but with all the Moto Maker customizations, you’re in luck, cause that’s pretty much what the Moto X Style Pure Edition is. It’s got the same basic shape and design as the Moto X you love, just super-sized to 5.7-inches. At its thickest, the Moto X Style is a surprisingly beefy 11.06mm. That’s not exactly chunky, but it’s certainly thicker than many other super svelte flagships out there. You don’t necessarily notice the extra bulk though, because the edges taper down to a more manageable 6.1mm. What you do notice is the heft. The 179g body feels substantial. But not in a holding a brick way, more in a premium way. The Moto X Style feels like it was made from durable high-end parts and materials, not from cheap flimsy plastic.
What you really want to know about though is those customizable backplates (it’s ok you can admit it, you don’t really care what processor is inside). And let me tell you, Motorola has knocked it out of the park. The new silicon backs are soft and lovely in a way that you don’t come across too often any more on smartphones. They feel difficult to scratch or mark and, at least on the light champagne finish, collected exactly zero fingerprints. Even more impressive was the natural Saffiano leather. Now, obviously this is a matter of personal preference, but I love the feel of the Saffiano leather. Most commonly you find this material on handbags and briefcases. It’s a leather thats stamped with a crosshatch pattern that makes it scratch resistant and offers great grip and texture. It wont age in the same way smoother leathers will, or develop the same type of patina, but it will still gain character as you beat it up use it.
What about the software? Well, it’s Lollipop. It’s Android. It’s pure as the driven snow. Ok, maybe not that pure, but pretty close. There’s no ugly skin, no carrier bloatware. The only additions to the basic Google package of apps are a few Motorola tools that are actually pretty useful. Moto Assist, Moto Display and Moto Actions are there to add more features to your voice commands and automate things like turning on and off your ringer based on your calendar or location. The boost in processing power, including the dedicated context and language processors, mean that all these features (and the phone in general) zip along with nary a hiccup. (At least until you’ve install a few dozen apps and taken a few hundred photos.)
The one new hardware feature that you can’t avoid noticing is the screen. It’s big. It’s crisp. It’s beautiful… so long as you don’t turn down the brightness too much. When cranked to top brightness the Moto X Style’s display is beautiful. Samsung, Apple and LG hold a bit of an edge in pure quality, but that’s hardly a knock on Moto and more a testament to the insane level of work that goes into those company’s screens. The only issue with the display is that when you drop the brightness too low, the screen takes on an unmistakable blue hue. It hardly ruins the experience of using the phone, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re a stickler for color accuracy. It’s also surprising since Motorola is touting the Style’s photo capabilities. It does take excellent photos, but if you’re trying to save battery by dimming the screen, you’d never know it.
What’s most impressive though, is that you’d never realize this phone only costs $400 when you’re playing with it. It feels and looks better than many phones that would cost $600 or even $700 off contract.
Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Lenovo
This year’s Moto G feels like another cheap champion
It’s a little hard not to look at the Moto G as one of the less interesting devices we saw today — after all, it got unveiled in India well while plenty of us were sleeping and it was quickly overshadowed by the unlocked beauty of the Moto X Style. Motorola clearly doesn’t see it the same way. The Moto G has been the best-selling smartphone in the company’s history, and it had to make sure that this year’s model struck a crucial balance between price and performance. We just got our own unit to fiddle around with, and so far, Motorola has another cheap champion on its hands.
As we know, this year’s Moto G is powered by a 1.4GHz quad-core Snapdragon 410, but there’s a there’s crucial difference between the two major models available today. The baseline model – the one we just got – costs $179, but only has 8GB of storage and 1GB of RAM. In all likelihood, you’re going to want the model starting at $219 since it has double the storage and RAM for, not accounting for all your MotoMaker add-ons.
Sussing out performance in situations like this is always a crapshoot, but the combination of some decent silicon and an almost-completely-stock version of Android 5.1.1 Lollipop mean there’s not much room for hiccups just yet. Not everything worked the way it should right out of the gate, though. I spent a good 10 seconds trying to figure out why the on-screen shift key wouldn’t work when punching in a WiFi password, and the despite setting the system language to English, the very first notification that popped up in my shade was something en Francais. Still haven’t been able to figure that one out. Still, after installing some apps and taking the Chrome for a spin, I didn’t notice much in the way of glaring slow-down. The Snapdragon 410 certainly won’t blow you away, but at first blush it’s easily as solid – if not moreso – than most of the other low-cost unlocked smartphones I’ve played with lately. Smarter features like Moto Assist work just as well as they always have too, which only helps Motorola stand out from the madding crowd.
So yes, the Moto G is finally starting to feel a little more premium — thankfully looks are catching up too. There’s still a sizable bezel running around the 5-inch 720p screen, but the addition of a metallic accent around the 13-megapixel camera and flash add a welcome dose of style to the thing. Oh, and there’s a very good chance your Moto G will look better than ours since you’ll be able to run it through the MotoMaker wringer, choosing your own colors for the accents and backplates. While I’m rambling on about the Moto G’s back, it’s been said that it has the same camera as the Nexus 6. Turns out that’s not the full story. Yes, the Moto G uses the same 13-megapixel Sony sensor as its much bigger cousin and a similar f/2.0 aperture lens. The differences lie in the way the elements around it are constructed — the lens is loaded up with IR-filtering coatings that help the camera handle ambient light more intelligently. I haven’t spent too much time with the thing yet, but early results are pretty impressive — it more accurately exposed a photo of me in a darkish room than a similarly priced Samsung phone.
It’s obviously way too early to start passing judgment on this thing, but one thing seems clear from the get-go: Motorola still knows how to make a good, cheap phone. We’ll update this story with more nuanced impressions as they develop, and stay tuned for our full review in the days to come.
Filed under: Mobile
Moto X Play hands-on: a little G, a little X
It’s fair to say that the Moto X Play is the phone that no one expected from today’s big event. Think of it as something in-between a Moto G and a Moto X. It’s got the specs of a mid-ranger like the original Moto X, but the pop-off covers and more practical design of the Moto G line. It’s actually a fairly attractive phone; a little big for my tastes, perhaps, but everything feels well-built and sturdy, even if not mind-blowingingly so. In my limited time with it, the 1.6Ghz Snapdragon 615 processor seemed plenty fast enough, and its 5.5-inch 1080p display looks very pretty (although it pales in comparison to the higher-end Style’s Quad-HD panel). Perhaps the only thing Play owners will be able to laud over Style owners is the phone’s enormous 3,630mAh battery, which Motorola claims is good for two days use, and supports quick charging.
I couldn’t test either of the Play’s cameras extensively, but I can — very, very tentatively — say that the photos it captures seem better than I’ve ever seen from a current-gen Moto X, and the wide-angle selfie camera is indeed a wide-angle selfie camera. Software-wise, the Play comes with a fairly vanilla 5.1.1 Lollipop build, with only a couple of tagged-on features like Moto Voice and Moto Assist. Motorola has already committed to a “brisk” update to Android M when Google’s latest and greatest launches later this year.
But who is this phone for? The 16GB version will cost £299 ($467) in the UK, and Motorola is quiet on whether the Play will ever come to the US. It seems Motorola is scared that the Style’s £359 ($560) price tag will put off the sort of customers that have opted for Moto Xs in the past. The problem with that strategy is that the Moto G is getting better and better, and if it continues on the upwards trajectory it’s on, it may well cannibalize the Play’s market. We’ll have proper analysis of its merits when the Motorola X Play launches this August in the UK, Canada, and 53 other countries.
Filed under: Mobile
Motorola launches new Moto G today
At their launch announcement held in Brazil today, Motorola announced the new version of their most popular smartphone, the Moto G. The new Moto G will come equipped with a 5.0-inch HD display, a Snapdragon 410 processor and either 1 or 2 GB of RAM. The Moto G gets a 13 MP rear-facing camera with a 5 MP front-facing unit. For power, the Moto G comes equipped with a 2,470 mAh battery.
Along with the updated hardware, Motorola is shipping the Moto G with Android 5.1.1 and like the new Moto X models, the operating system is described as a “pure” version that gets some Motorola specific apps added to it. Motorola also added IPX7 water resistance to the device to help protect it.
In a first for the budget phone, Motorola is making the Moto G available through Moto Maker so buyers can customize the device. Motorola is launching the phone today, so be on the lookout for pricing and ordering details along with more information about the new Moto G here at TalkAndroid.
Come comment on this article: Motorola launches new Moto G today
Motorola introduced the Moto X Play, a smaller and more affordable Moto X Style
Motorola today announced three new devices in the Moto series, one of them being the Moto X Play. Motorola says that it’s a larger and more affordable handset, only with a sizeable battery that could potentially last you up to two days.
The Moto X Play features a 5.5-inch 1080p AMOLED display, an Octa-core Snapdragon 615 CPU, 2GB of RAM, LTE connectivity, a 21-megapixel rear sensor, and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. It’s also sporting a massive 3,630mAh battery said to last 30+ hours and is running the latest version of Android Lollipop. Just like the Moto X Style, the smartphone can be personalized through the Moto Maker.
You also get all the usual Moto apps–Moto Display, Moto Actions, Moto Assist, and so on.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Unfortunately, the device will not be available in the United States, as its exclusively making its way to Europe, Latin America, and Canada in August. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on pricing and availability as more details come through.
Come comment on this article: Motorola introduced the Moto X Play, a smaller and more affordable Moto X Style
Motorola unveils two new Bluetooth headsets the Moto Pulse and Moto Surround
The Moto Pulse and Moto Surround are two new Bluetooth headsets from Motorola and are available to buy today. The Moto Pulse is priced at $59 while the Moto Surround is $69.
The Moto Pulse is an over the ear design and has a battery life of 18hrs playing music. Plus they can be folded very flat which makes them the perfect travel headphones. The Moto Surround are in ear headphones, but are also waterproof or sweat proof. They offer 12hrs of playing music and feature a microphone to make calls.
Motorola also has a Moto Connect app which allows you to view the battery life of your headphones. You can also use the app to check where you last paired them.
Source: Moto Pulse, Moto Surround
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Motorola announces two Moto X variants, the Moto X Style and Moto X Play
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Now the two X’s on the invite make sense – Motorola teased its announcement event by signing off “XOX” with the “O” looking more like a “G”. We had assumed that this was a neat way to tease the announcement of the Moto X and Moto G, but we weren’t expecting the announcement of two Moto X variants. These variants are the Moto X Style and Moto X Play – the Moto Style is a high end device sporting a Snapdragon 808 processor, whereas the Moto X Play slots in between the mid-range Moto G and the Moto X Style with a Snapdragon 615.
Starting with the Moto X Style, it will also be a big device, upgrading its screen size from last year’s 5.2-inch display to a 5.7-inch Quad HD display, and will be powered with 3GB RAM, a 3,000mAh battery, and have a pleasantly surprising 21MP f/2.0 rear camera. For those selfie lovers, the Moto X Style will also come with a 5MP wide angle front camera that also has a front facing flash. It will come in 3 storage variants (16/32/64GB) and will have a microSD slot for expandable memory.
As for the Moto X Play, it’s still going to be a big phone, with a 5.5-inch 1080p display, and has its internals rounded out by 2GB RAM, a 3,630mAh battery, the same camera as the Moto X Style, but will only come in two storage variants, 16/32GB. The huge battery of the Moto X Play is a big surprise and could be a viable option for those looking for that smartphone with decent battery life.
Overall, we’re really impressed with both devices, and Motorola appears to have stuck with almost stock Android Lollipop for all devices. Both will be available from Moto Maker (which is now accessible from Brazil!), with the Moto X Style (predictably) taking all the stylish options like leather and wood customizations, with the Moto X Play only offered with plastic shells. As for when they’ll be available, Motorola says that the Moto X Play will be available first, starting in August, and the Moto X Style will become available sometime in September.
In case you want to recap the livestream, you can check it out below:
What do you think about the Moto X Style and Moto X Play? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The post Motorola announces two Moto X variants, the Moto X Style and Moto X Play appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Moto X Pure Edition heading to the US, only $399
Motorola has taken the veil off three new handsets this morning, the Moto G, Moto X Play, and the Moto X Style. All three devices look quite impressive, but the X Style, in particular, stands out at the top of the line.
For those in the U.S., the Motorola X Style will also be offered as a Pure Edition. As you’d expect, that means a dev-friendly option that you can tweak to your hearts desire. Even more exciting, Motorola claims that the device will support LTE on any carrier, with the ability to switch between them if you so wish. That doesn’t just mean going from AT&T to T-Mobile, or from one of the MVNOs based on either of those networks. Reportedly the phone will also work with Sprint and Verizon! Of course that’s hinging on the fact that the carriers will play nicely when it comes to activating, which only time will tell how that goes.
Aside from an unlockable bootloader and all the frequencies needed to play nicely on all US carriers, this is the same handset as the X Style. And while we don’t know the official pricing of the X Style just yet, the Moto X Pure Edition is said to sell for just $399 unlocked. That’s pretty damn impressive considering what you get. For more details on the X Style, you’ll want to head here.
AIVAnet 