Joshua Topolsky for The Verge:
But once I used the phone heavily, I started to come around to the Moto X in a way I hadn’t expected. The additions to the software that Motorola has made are legitimately useful and really quite impressive. They add to the experience of Android without removing what is most vital in Google’s software, unlike the competition, which seems intent on obscuring what’s already a sophisticated and beautiful operating system. If Motorola ends up producing a Google Play Edition of this phone that retains the customizable hardware and software additions like Assist and Active Notifications – this could be as good an option as the S4 or One.
And the phone is nice. I mean, really nice to use. It’s a reminder that the way something is built can be as important as what it’s made of.
If I’m right in reading between the lines of Google’s marketing speak, the Moto X was made in the image of the everyman. […] The 4.7-inch screen size, the curvature of its back, the composite materials, its weight and front-face look were focus-tested for maximum inoffensiveness. The Moto X exudes no tech halo like the Galaxy S 4 or the HTC One because it is the sum of averages. Here’s how I see it: You know those people who own iPhones, but don’t know which model number they own and also refer to all Android phones as Droids? This phone is for them.
It seems like there’s a consensus regarding the Moto X: it’s average in almost every way, but for some reason, it still feels like a fantastic phone. It’s not the best at any metric, but at the same time, nothing really sucks about it either. It’s an interesting approach in the smartphone world, but since older and/or cheaper models (e.g. iPhone 4/4S, Galaxy SIII) are still selling really, really well, to the point where they harm margins, the Moto X might be on to something.
However, this makes the price tag that much weirder. It’s $199 on contract, just like most other flagship phones. So, who is this for?
Not for most of the world, it would seem, since Motorola have expressly said this phone will not be released in Europe or Asia.
Edited 2013-08-06 11:42 UTC
But I really want one in the colours of my favorite football club (black-yellow)!!
The Pittsburgh Steelers?
Football, not “playing tag with a ball-like object in your armpit”
Edited 2013-08-07 09:12 UTC
You know I had iphone, and now I am using nexus 4. The thing I liked about HTC one was that it was not looking plasticky, and at the same time handled way better than iphone.
This time moto/google managed to do the right thing. Almost all people don’t need very powerful processors, because they would just waste battery, but they need fastest gpu possible. Moto X from what I heard have the best balance possible, and also it has the best battery duration of them all. This is what matters. Oh, not to forget that it looks cool because its your custom choice.
The only thing that pisses me off is that they most likely won’t upgrade the os. The point that they haven’t released it with 4.3 is the point that they might continue their last mistakes again.
Any carrier released phone is going to have os upgrade problems, except apple for some reason. Luckily there is the Google edition that will be available for some unknown price at some unknown point. However… It won’t have all of the cool features Moto baked in.
I’m kind of torn, and glad I don’t have to make a decision anytime soon. I’d love for the google edition to be at the Nexus 4 price. That would make its successor very tempting in another year when my contract runs out. I think this is my last contract phone…
It released with 4.2 because 4.3 just came out the week before, and Google had publicly promised not to give Motorola early/special access to Android development.
Now the test will be how quickly/smoothly they push out the 4.3 update…
Just having a reasonably sized phone without bargain basement specs is reason enough. Am I the only one who thinks the S4 is just stupidly large? If you want something big, just go for the note. Sometimes I think the S4 is popular just because the specs are higher than the last version and people recognize the name. Bragging rights is all it is.
I think the pricing is part due to the a few things:
1. Made in USA. It has to add some cost, same with the customization.
2. Price sometimes sells. Some people get turned off by a lower price, they think their missing out on things. Pricing it low from the get go, means you’re admitting it’s inferior. $200 on contract doesn’t seem to dissuade a lot of people.
3. Carrier pricing. Motorola can price it one way, but the carriers have ultimate control over pricing. Mid range phones start at $0-50 in the US, that gives no room for discounting and promotions. AT&T wants to make it’s money too, Verizon doesn’t want to detract from their Droids.
Assembled in the USA — big difference.
One theory as to why they are assembling in the USA and only releasing it there is to avoid potential ITC import bans and litigation.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2013/08/04/the-real-reason-…
Right, just like the HTC One is popular just because it’s aluminum
For me, now that they have the Play edition, the S4 is like a Nexus with all the goodies that the Nexus 4 is missing, like the LTE, removable battery, and SD card support. Plus, it is light as a feather compared to the Nexus 4.