Motorola

Motorola Moto X: Pros and Cons

Android OS v4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro MSM8960DT
Adreno 320
2 GB / 16 GB
4.7 inch (720 x 1280 px)
10 MP, 4320 x 2432 px, autofocus

Motorola announced the launch of the Moto X smartphone in 2013. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 4.7 inch AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro MSM8960DT SoC, and 2 GB of RAM. The Moto X comes with Android OS v4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) pre-installed. This phone uses a high resolution 720 x 1280 px, 4.7 inch AMOLED display. This phone has only one rear-camera (10 MP, 4320 x 2432 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. Let's see what makes this device stand out.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Motorola Moto X smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

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Motorola Moto X specifications

BrandMotorola
NameMoto X
ModelMOTOX
Release date2013

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight4.59 oz
Dimensions5.09 x 2.57 x 0.41 inch
Colorsblack, white
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of the Motorola Moto X is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro MSM8960DT
CPUDual-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300
GPUAdreno 320

The Motorola Moto X comes with Android OS v4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) out of the box. Android is an open-source operating system. This means the source code is free to the public. This Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro MSM8960DT CPU can be fast enough for basic phone operations. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.

Motorola Moto X / 1

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeAMOLED
Screen size4.7 inch
Resolution720 x 1280 px
Multitouch supportyes

The Moto X's AMOLED display has deep blacks and vibrant colors. It also has fast response times and features like Always-On Display. Smaller smartphones are generally more compact and easier to handle. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Memory, storage

RAM2 GB
Internal storage16 GB
Memory card slotno

The smartphone has 2 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. If you use your smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web, 32GB may be sufficient for your needs. The internal storage of the Motorola Moto X (2 GB) cannot be expanded.

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Cameras, flash

Main camera10 MP, 4320 x 2432 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera2 MP

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The Moto X does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radiono
USBmicroUSB 2.0, USB host
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The Motorola Moto X supports 4G/LTE networks. The Moto X supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Moto X smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The Moto X has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities. This phone is NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 2200 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Ion 2200 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. The Moto X does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, barometer, compass, gyroscope, proximity, temperature
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 3

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). Gorilla Glass is very scratch resistant. It reduces the likelihood of everyday scratches and abrasions.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Motorola phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • AMOLED display
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • insufficient internal storage
  • non-expandable storage
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no fingerprint reader
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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