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The new Moto X (2nd Gen) specs, pricing, and availability now official [VIDEO]
Check out the new Moto X Forums!
It’s official, folks — the follow up to last year’s Moto X is here. Still simply called the “Moto X,” the 2014 device brings major upgrades in every facet of smartphone technology. Processor, display, battery, camera and more are all seeing significant bumps. We’ve also gotten early word on pricing, availability and a lot more.
Moto X (2014) Specs
Here’s a quick rundown of the specs:
- Android 4.4 KitKat
- Dimensions: 72.4mm by 140.8mm with a 3.8mm/9.9mm low and high on the curve
- Weight: 144 grams
- 5.2-inch AMOLED 1080p Full HD Display
- 423 ppi
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor
- 2.5GHz quad-core CPU, Adreno 330 GPU
- 13MP camera with Ring Flash and 4K video capture and 4X zoom
- Aluminum metal frame
- 3 all-new leather back options
- 2300 mAh battery
- Moto Actions (IR gestures)
- Turbo Charging
How’s that compare to the previous Moto X? It has a bigger screen yet, bigger camera, built with metal, adds several sensors, yet is thinner than the Moto X 2013. And it now allows you to alter “Okay, Google” voice activation with your own custom commands.
Motorola was criticized for using what people thought to be an underpowered chipset in the original Moto X despite it getting the job done well enough for everyday use. That said, they should have no qualms about the Snapdragon 801 that snuck inside this thing. The display’s 1080p resolution isn’t the 2560 x 1440 being featured in other flagship phones, but at a 5.2-inch form factor that’s still pretty nice pixel density there.
In terms of build, the new Moto X is made with a metal frame that stretches across the entire edge of the body. Metal is also used as accents for the power button, volume rocker, speaker grill and the rear-facing Moto logo. Coupled with some of the wooden (Bamboo, Teak, Walnut or Ebony) or leather backs (Natural, Cognac, Black and Navy from Horween Leather) that’ll be made available through Moto Maker it’ll all come together to make a really nice looking phone.
Moto X (2014) Software and Features
As you’d expect, Motorola again avoided the custom software route and instead embraced Android and Google’s apps as pretty organically. You’re getting a pretty clean version of Android 4.4, and you can expect the features Motorola added at the application level more than embedded deep within the firmware itself. This, of course, allows them to not only update the Android core at a ridiculous pace, but also the various apps and features they’ve cooked up.
Returning this year is hands-free voice control, except now you can customize the trigger to be whatever you want — something owners of the original Moto X have been begging for since the device’s launch. You could say “bing bang boom” and have it wake up and ready to act on whatever command you issue. Pretty neat stuff there.
Other big features making returns are Moto Assist for automatic actions (such as silencing a phone at bed time or replying to texts while driving), Active Display for viewing notifications without sucking up battery life (you can now view up to 3 instead of just the latest notification) and context-aware gestures like twisting your wrist to launch the camera app.
And because Moto believes less is more, well, there isn’t much else to talk about — they feel anything else you need is sitting right in the Google Play Store.
Moto X (2014) Pricing and Availability
Wondering when you can get your anxious little paws on it? Later this month, and you’ll be able to find it on carriers through Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia. Motorola anticipates some carriers pricing this thing as low as $99.99 depending on which model you get (16GB or 32GB), while the off contract pricing is expected to begin at $499.99. There’s no word on how much Moto Maker additions such as wooden or leather backs will cost, though we’re sure that information will come to light as we head closer to release.
Buy the Moto 360 today for $250 at these 3 locations
It’s been a long time coming. Ever since getting a firsthand look at the Motorola Moto 360 during the Google I/O developer conference, we’ve done nothing but drool over its premium materials and fashionable circular watch face. But today marks the day you can finally spend your hard earned money towards your very own.
Motorola has just announced that starting at 9AM PT/11PM CT/12PM ET, the Moto 360 will officially go on sale for $250 at the following online retailers:
For the time being, this means you can pick up the smartwatch in either a black frame with black leather or silver frame with gray leather either direct from Motorola’s site, the Google Play Store, or online at BestBuy.com. Motorola mentions that the smartwatch modern timepiece will also be available in-store at select Best Buy locations, so you might want to check availability before making the drive to your nearest location.
If the premium Horween leather bands don’t quite get your motor running, the waiting isn’t over yet. Remember those metal bands Motorola was showing off in that GIF? Well, Motorola will be releasing two titanium metal options later this fall for $299.99 from the same locations. Should you decide to jump on the smartwatch right now, the metal bands will also be available separately for $79.99 at that same time, along with leather bands for $29.99.
Where’s my free Moto 360 from Google I/O 2014?
Unfortunately for Google I/O attendees anxiously awaiting the arrival of their free smartwatches, Motorola tells us the availability of those models is in the hands of Google (not Motorola). It would have been a privacy concern to share contact information of Google IO attendees with Motorola without prior written consent. We were told Motorola has already shipped Moto 360 units directly to Google for their eventual enjoyment by 2014 I/O attendees.
Your move, Googs.
Will you be buying the Moto 360 today? If so, which color option will you be opting for?
The new Moto G (2nd Gen) specs, pricing, and availability now official [VIDEO]
It’s happening! The follow up to Motorola’s most successful smartphone to date — the Motorola Moto G — is here and it’s aptly called, what else, but the “Moto G.” Why ruin a good thing? The idea behind the Moto G line is to provide consumers with quality smartphones that goes easy on the wallet without skimping on any user experience. Sadly, too often budget Android smartphones are stuck running old, outdated software or consist of older generations of premium smartphones that have long since been forgotten in the ever changing release cycle. The Moto G, however, is a breathe of fresh air in this regard. Offering a winning combination of hardware and user experience, Motorola plans on focusing their success with the Moto G towards connecting the next billion people.
Moto G 2014 Features
As mentioned above, the new Moto G focuses on user experience, bringing a slightly larger edge-to-edge 5-inch HD display to the table this time around, as well as stereo sound, thanks to the dual equipped speakers on the front and bottom of the phone. Just as before, the Moto G offers of plenty of customization options thanks to interchangeable shells. The new Moto G is packing that familiar Snapdragon 400 processor, all day battery life, an FM radio, and dual SIM support in certain regions. For the full list of hardware features, check out the specs below.
On the software side of things, Motorola continues to stick with their version of the pure Android experience, adding only small tweaks here and there to enhance the usual Android offerings. Motorola guarantees that the Moto G will receive at least one software update to Android L, launching sometime this fall.
Motorola’s software tweaks include touching anywhere on the screen to take a picture from inside the camera app, the contextually aware Motorola Assist app, as well as Motorola Migrate to help users make the switch to the Moto G, Trusted Devices for easy device security and unlocking, and Motorola’s safety application dubbed Motorola Alert.
Moto G 2014 Specs
- Android 4.4.4 (KitKat)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 1.2 GHz quad-core CPU, Adreno 305 450MHz GPU
- 1GB RAM
- 8GB & 16GB versions
- Supports up to 32GB microSD
- Dimensions: Height: 141.5mm Width: 70.7mm
- Weight: 149 grams
- 5.0” 720p IPS HD display at 720×1280 (294 ppi)
- Gorilla Glass 3
- 2070 mAh battery (mixed usage up to 24 hours)
- Rear Camera: 8 MP (4:3) 6 MP (16:9) (LED flash, 4x digital zoom, HDR, panorama, burst mode, slow motion)
- Front Camera: 2 MP + 720p HD video
- Water repellency
- Micro USB, 3.5mm headset jack
- FM Radio
- Dual SIM with Intelligent Calling
- US GSM Model:
- GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- UMTS/HSPA+ (850, 1700 (AWS), 1900 MHz)
- Global GSM Model:
- GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- UMTS/HSPA+ (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz)
Moto G 2014 Pricing
Just like the original Moto G, the new Moto G (2014) will debut at a highly affordable $179.99 USD (8GB model), making Motorola’s latest offering quite temping for those looking for a wallet friendly smartphone.
Moto G 2014 Availability
Starting today, the new Moto G will be available unlocked and off contract from Motorola’s online store front as well as retailers in the US. International users will be happy to know that the Moto G also goes on sale today in India, France, UK, Brazil, Spain, and German residents can pick up a Moto G from Motorola’s German online store. Motorola hopes to have the Moto G in more than a dozen countries, with several carriers, by the end of this year.
If you’re looking for an exceptional smartphone at an exceptional price, the new Moto G might just be for you. Be sure to check out our official Moto G forums and stay tuned to Phandroid.com for additional Moto G news and resources.
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