I wouldn't say this is an Android for the average Joe. That's the Moto G, the Moto X advanced functions are above every other smartphone(S4/5, HTC One, Nexus 5 even iPhone: I'm looking at you). This is the only true "smart" phone in my opinion. That being said, nice review. I'm loving mine and after an year with a 1080p 5" phone(Oppo Find 5, which I loved size apart) going back to a model I can really use with one hand felt like coming back home after a long trip: you enjoy it but you still want to go back. With the G and the X they made two of the best phones in that price range(and even in general), period.
Actually, we just got this notice from Motorola today: "Moto X on Sprint, US Cellular and T-Mobile networks will have unlockable bootloaders, and we are offering a Verizon Wireless Developer Edition and a general North America Developer Edition. Each of our developer editions will be available on Motorola.com. You will need to go through a series of steps to unlock the bootloader on these developer editions and this process does void the phone’s warranty." ^MF
They really are some of the best. Whenever I see reviews from him, they are very objective and informative, with just the right opinions and remarks to help you interpret the information along the way.
The Moto X is the best phone I've ever had--seriously (I've owned four). But I think that everyone's a little harsh on the camera. Although I'm not a professional photographer, I have a lot of experience in photography. I think you need to make it clear to folks that there are a lot of image processing tools built into the software of the Moto X that let you send out beautifully processed imagery. I find that even if I take photos with our high-end 35mm, I still have to tweak the images and it's no different on the Moto X. Besides, this is a 'cell phone', not a camera by design. I don't think that the image quality of the Moto's camera is enough to decrease its quality. All in all this was a nice review for a fantastic phone.
I just switched from this one to a 3rd gen moto g, and even when the g is a fine phone... damn, I miss my X. Best phone I've had. I'm considering to change the new g for a brand new original moto x if I can find one.
We're not going to trash our review unit just to demonstrate that the thing feels rugged. It's an illustration. A chuckle-worthy one, but an illustration nonetheless. ^MF
I used to have a moto x all the way till 2017 and not once did it slow down over time. Even the battery life was still great. Easily my favorite phone, sadly a drop killed the screen but for it to go years without a case and being dropped a good many times it lived up to its rugged looks
A Moto X 2013 with updated specs, a better battery, a better camera and the promise of future updates (As Moto killed the 2013 X) would be the perfect device IMO.
Michael Fisher is by far my favorite tech reviewer; nobody even comes close in terms of verbal delivery, actual writing, and just how cleanly he gets the message across. Thanks, Iron Man.
The complaints about the camera is due to the camera app itself, it does take nice pictures and I noticed when using my magnifier app it's a significant improvement over an 8MP camera (the HTC One X). I took a picture of a quarter using the magnifier app on the MX and HOX, the quarter on the MX is much sharper.
Very thorough job mike. You should have your own column in a magazine or a newspaper. (Not to belittle what you are doing now). You just seem to have alot of potential. Thanks for the informative videos.
Already ordered mine yesterday and should be at my front 🚪 by Tuesday. So excited to get my hands on it! 4 of my friends own one and not one have a complaint about any of the features so far. Love the review by the way! Oh..... And for those interested in owning this phone as a prepaid phone instead through contract. Verizon is selling it right now for $200 unlimited talk and text. I'm Happy cause i hate contract phones due to me not being too committed at times. So having a prepaid option is awesome!
Michael, could you please help and answer my technical question... will GSM UNLOCKED T-MOBILE MOTO X from Moto Maler work Europe's 3G/4G(LTE) networks? Would be most appreciated if you could spear me some of you precious time. P.S. Really love the format of your work, keep it up amd thanks!
You are hands down the best reviewer I follow...I am so sorry I went ahead and got my Galaxy S4 (replaced my Motorola Electrify) in June from U.S. Cellular. Should have waited, as now I guess I am stuck for nearly two years!...Ouch.
My brother has always been a Motorola user since the Original droid. He has the maxx HD now. Ive always preferred HTC or Samsung. But this device actually makes me want to try Motorola out now.
It just seems to me the Camera Color issue isn't the issue of the Camera like you seem to be implying, but this issue is that of displaying the images on other devices.. You said at about 9:50 that the colors of the pictures like vibrant on the Moto X's Screen but dull when you send it to friends. I would think that right there means the there displays are calibrated wrong, along with the fact the Pictures you showed looked quite colorful and true to life on my display.
2 things I love about this phone, battery life and the best phone call quality, which are both lacking in most other smart phones out in the market right now. It's time for phone manufacturers to understand that they are making cell phones and not just mobile mini PCs, and if a phone could not make great quality phone calls, then it's not a great phone no matter how good the camera/gpu/cpu is.
I don't find the under saturated images bad. From the video it looks pretty good detail and clarity. You can always add it with many of the post processing apps in the play store. Everyone is so use to these over. Colorize images. Majority of the people aimed for this phone gets and instagram filter anyways.
Ive also read that for tmobile you will have to buy it direct from motorola. So im not sure if motorola is selling a carrier unlocked version or just selling both an att locked and tmobile locked.
Please press gently on the lower back of your Moto X ( around the area where the phone is branded with operator logo). The polycarbonate will bend easily like there is nothing to sustain the backplate on the inside.Furthermore, when under pressure, it felt like the polycarbonate(in the same area) is gluing to a some sort of powerful scotch tape ( the green strong one).When released, the same noise as you would strip a powerful scotch tape from a hard surface. Could you please, check it?
Now that I am a father having a great camera on my phone is a must. I went from my Lumia 920 to now using my HTC One, this phone looks like it can't even compare.
I have been waiting a long time for this phone. I currently have a Motorola Photon 1st gen, I wonder if they are going to use some kind of gorilla glass to keep it from breaking.
The snapdragon s4 found in the moto x and the new nexus 7 are both based on the krait 300 architecture just like the snapdragon 600. How is the performance of the phone was there any stutter or lag while you used it?
Man I thought the touchless controls were a cool idea at first, but guess it's not as polished as I imagined. Also, the camera performance is definitely a deal killer for me based on your review. Cya Moto.
Here is one major reason to maybe not get the Moto X: I've noticed numerous demo units, and some not very old and with no signs of abuse, suffering from 'AMOLED screen burn-in.' To observe this: Open a program allowing a completely solid white or light colored background; look at the areas between the on-screen menu buttons and below the top menu: this area will appear to have a discolored eggshell cast instead of white; the correct white color will be where the menus were. This is happening because the phone constantly lights the center while the menu areas remain black. This discoloration becomes progressively worse over the lifetime of the screen.
It's a phone first and a simple and snappy Android OS. It's something every phone out there should be like, and it offers much more such as the ability to connect your phone to your computer or tablet and continue texting and calling from your PC. I own it and I love it, and after benchmarking more than an S4, I am pretty sure I'll be happy with it for at least 18 months. It's still talking a while to get into more people's hands, but Motorola keeps making it even cooler with wooden backs and Sol Republic headsets to match. Very cool, very functional, very hip. maybe a bit too loud, but other than that it's all good. Unique, snappy, dependable phone for under $500. There's probably going to be another price cut in a few months, but I don't think they will be making a successor announcement anytime soon. If you love Google, go and get yourself a Moto X!
Seriously? HTC One mini beats Moto X in review score? I have to disagree with the final score, but that's my opinion. That said, love Michael's review. I really like how much enthusiasm he puts on every single video. He's probably the best of Pocketnow's crew.
Wow, you got to see one? I'm probably going to upgrade to the X in September, and I absolutely cannot wait to have a smartphone in purple and also without a case (I hate cases). At first I was a bit offed by it because of the specs, but I'm actually excited to get one for the features and customization. that's what we should be buying phones for, not specs.
Thanks for a good and fair review, I consider myself a spec geek, but this phone seems really nice. Sadly, I do not live in the States, any idea if this phone will come to the rest of the world? An unlocked version maybe? If this happens, will we receive the same customization? I mean, an electric blue phone?? That'd be awesome, I'm kinda tired of navy blue and black on my phones!
pocketnowvideo, I noticed in the video battery saver was off. During the duration of usage was it always off? if so what is the full time of use with it on?
okay so witch one feels better in the hand , the moto x or the iphone 3gs,, that was the last iphone i used and since then i started using android phones and till now i just cant forget how grate that phone feels in the hand it just fits perfectly!
Only real shortcoming on the Nexus 4 is the camera (it's not really terrible - I use it all the time and am happy enough with the results) and storage (again, not such an issue for me as I don't keep a load of stuff on my phone). Battery life is great now on 4.3, and you can easily install a firmware upgrade to get LTE.
I think that Google making the Nexus 5 very similar to this would be a really good idea. Geeks praise the Nexus branding, and for some reason most geeks think that having the best specs is the only way to have a good user experience. Most of the people that hate on the Moto X are geeks, so if Google makes the Nexus 5 with similar specs to both the Nexus 4 and Moto X, they can prove to everybody that specs doesn't matter most on a smartphone - the user experience does.
the thing that attracts me to this phone the most is the customization. and the one thing im worried about is gaming. i only play a couple of games but they are games that require a good gaming chip, like arcane legends and modern combat 4. if this phone can run the games as nice as my nexus 4, im sold!
Which camera is better? The nexus 4 or moto x? I've heard that neither are too good, but I haven't had a negative experience with the camera on my nexus 4 (except the autofocus)
Try an HTC One. Never ever lags or slows down. Has never glitched on me. Beautiful phone all around. Sense 5 is much more simplistic than previous versions. Though I've also used things like the S4, and I don't see why you're complaining...
I don't know why, but I want a bigger screen, better camera, expandable storage and maybe a better processor and then we'll be talking phone of the year; However this phone is great at what it does. I'm really interested in what other phone makers will do to compete with it.
Not a bad phone but not really missing out on much here in the UK. Seems quite expensive over there in the US too though, definitely no nexus 4 killer.
This is one of the non nexus android phones that i 'lusted' for (the way i felt about the iPhone when i was a kid, and for the Nexus 4). I guess behind my spec sheet type guy is a consumer type individual.
I have a moto x, I got it two weeks ago and I must say I love it!!!!!! It has good battery life, a nice camera, a nice screen size, and is quick.
I wouldn't say this is an Android for the average Joe. That's the Moto G, the Moto X advanced functions are above every other smartphone(S4/5, HTC One, Nexus 5 even iPhone: I'm looking at you). This is the only true "smart" phone in my opinion.
That being said, nice review. I'm loving mine and after an year with a 1080p 5" phone(Oppo Find 5, which I loved size apart) going back to a model I can really use with one hand felt like coming back home after a long trip: you enjoy it but you still want to go back.
With the G and the X they made two of the best phones in that price range(and even in general), period.
Actually, we just got this notice from Motorola today:
"Moto X on Sprint, US Cellular and T-Mobile networks will have unlockable bootloaders, and we are offering a Verizon Wireless Developer Edition and a general North America Developer Edition.
Each of our developer editions will be available on Motorola.com. You will need to go through a series of steps to unlock the bootloader on these developer editions and this process does void the phone’s warranty."
^MF
Top 5 best tech reviewer in RUclips:
5=DetroitBORG
4=TechnoBuffalo
3=Austin Evans
2=Pocketnow
1=MKBHD
Some Reviews From TheVerge Are Good Too .
Some?
Maybe 5th Or 4th ;)
Haha, okay.... Wish the Moto X will sell internationally
I'd put MobileTechReview way above DB, maybe even technobuff
They really are some of the best. Whenever I see reviews from him, they are very objective and informative, with just the right opinions and remarks to help you interpret the information along the way.
The Moto X is the best phone I've ever had--seriously (I've owned four). But I think that everyone's a little harsh on the camera. Although I'm not a professional photographer, I have a lot of experience in photography. I think you need to make it clear to folks that there are a lot of image processing tools built into the software of the Moto X that let you send out beautifully processed imagery. I find that even if I take photos with our high-end 35mm, I still have to tweak the images and it's no different on the Moto X. Besides, this is a 'cell phone', not a camera by design. I don't think that the image quality of the Moto's camera is enough to decrease its quality. All in all this was a nice review for a fantastic phone.
I just switched from this one to a 3rd gen moto g, and even when the g is a fine phone... damn, I miss my X. Best phone I've had. I'm considering to change the new g for a brand new original moto x if I can find one.
Having just watched videos from others I must say, you guys deliver some of the best review videos. Keep them coming!
We're not going to trash our review unit just to demonstrate that the thing feels rugged. It's an illustration. A chuckle-worthy one, but an illustration nonetheless. ^MF
I used to have a moto x all the way till 2017 and not once did it slow down over time. Even the battery life was still great. Easily my favorite phone, sadly a drop killed the screen but for it to go years without a case and being dropped a good many times it lived up to its rugged looks
A Moto X 2013 with updated specs, a better battery, a better camera and the promise of future updates (As Moto killed the 2013 X) would be the perfect device IMO.
agreed i wanted to buy one in 2015 but....
I used to have this phone too. still miss it...
Thanks for the review.
Whatever happened to that sound-proof room you usually record in?
Great video Michael Are you filming your videos in a different place?
Michael Fisher is by far my favorite tech reviewer; nobody even comes close in terms of verbal delivery, actual writing, and just how cleanly he gets the message across.
Thanks, Iron Man.
What do you use to shoot these videos? I'm constantly impressed with the cinematography.
The complaints about the camera is due to the camera app itself, it does take nice pictures and I noticed when using my magnifier app it's a significant improvement over an 8MP camera (the HTC One X). I took a picture of a quarter using the magnifier app on the MX and HOX, the quarter on the MX is much sharper.
Very thorough job mike. You should have your own column in a magazine or a newspaper. (Not to belittle what you are doing now). You just seem to have alot of potential. Thanks for the informative videos.
Already ordered mine yesterday and should be at my front 🚪 by Tuesday. So excited to get my hands on it! 4 of my friends own one and not one have a complaint about any of the features so far. Love the review by the way! Oh..... And for those interested in owning this phone as a prepaid phone instead through contract. Verizon is selling it right now for $200 unlimited talk and text. I'm Happy cause i hate contract phones due to me not being too committed at times. So having a prepaid option is awesome!
Very very well done review. Thought I'd mention that as the depth of coverage was awesome. Great work pocketnow. Keep it up.
When I saw the title I thought Joe Levi would be doing this review! Regardless, another well executed one from Mr.Fisher!
Michael, could you please help and answer my technical question... will GSM UNLOCKED T-MOBILE MOTO X from Moto Maler work Europe's 3G/4G(LTE) networks?
Would be most appreciated if you could spear me some of you precious time.
P.S. Really love the format of your work, keep it up amd thanks!
Awesome review, Michael Fisher is a great reviewer and a master in pronunciation...
I've watched a few reviews for the moto x and, as usual, your's are second to none. Great job.
You are hands down the best reviewer I follow...I am so sorry I went ahead and got my Galaxy S4 (replaced my Motorola Electrify) in June from U.S. Cellular. Should have waited, as now I guess I am stuck for nearly two years!...Ouch.
You guys are my favorite tech channel on youtube. :D
My brother has always been a Motorola user since the Original droid. He has the maxx HD now. Ive always preferred HTC or Samsung. But this device actually makes me want to try Motorola out now.
really hope the nexus 4 get's that slow-mo feature in an eventual update,it's one of those things i really loved in my note 2 (touchwiz)
I appreciate the multiple outdoor location shots. Way better than 99% of others who stay in a 4 corner room.
It just seems to me the Camera Color issue isn't the issue of the Camera like you seem to be implying, but this issue is that of displaying the images on other devices.. You said at about 9:50 that the colors of the pictures like vibrant on the Moto X's Screen but dull when you send it to friends. I would think that right there means the there displays are calibrated wrong, along with the fact the Pictures you showed looked quite colorful and true to life on my display.
Thought it was funny, when Michael said the phrase "OK, Google now" my moto x stopped the video and opened Google now lol
God!!!
Illuminati confirmed
Ok. The studio is a classic of your videos!
finally a phone that mentions that teh size of the phone vs the screen size is a huge feature no other phone has.
Amazing video quality, it seems to have auto-focus, is it correct?
This is by far the best review on the moto x. You can really feel that you spent a lot of time with the phone unlike other reviews.
2 things I love about this phone, battery life and the best phone call quality, which are both lacking in most other smart phones out in the market right now. It's time for phone manufacturers to understand that they are making cell phones and not just mobile mini PCs, and if a phone could not make great quality phone calls, then it's not a great phone no matter how good the camera/gpu/cpu is.
I don't find the under saturated images bad. From the video it looks pretty good detail and clarity. You can always add it with many of the post processing apps in the play store. Everyone is so use to these over. Colorize images. Majority of the people aimed for this phone gets and instagram filter anyways.
How does the camera compare to the iPhone 4S? I have an iPhone 4S, and strongly considering the Moto X.
I've been waiting for this review. Thanks!
Ive also read that for tmobile you will have to buy it direct from motorola. So im not sure if motorola is selling a carrier unlocked version or just selling both an att locked and tmobile locked.
Mr. Fisher, where do I get that awesome wallpaper?
Nice review, Michael. You doing great videos. Thanks.
Is the camera bad or is the firmware bad? Is it possible that a simple update makes it a great cam?
Please press gently on the lower back of your Moto X ( around the area where the phone is branded with operator logo).
The polycarbonate will bend easily like there is nothing to sustain the backplate on the inside.Furthermore, when under pressure, it felt like the polycarbonate(in the same area) is gluing to a some sort of powerful scotch tape ( the green strong one).When released, the same noise as you would strip a powerful scotch tape from a hard surface.
Could you please, check it?
Now that I am a father having a great camera on my phone is a must. I went from my Lumia 920 to now using my HTC One, this phone looks like it can't even compare.
Excellent review. Your delivery is perfect and content is professional.
I have been waiting a long time for this phone. I currently have a Motorola Photon 1st gen, I wonder if they are going to use some kind of gorilla glass to keep it from breaking.
Can u take a pic while videoing? Would like to see the camera re-reviewed now with software update
The snapdragon s4 found in the moto x and the new nexus 7 are both based on the krait 300 architecture just like the snapdragon 600. How is the performance of the phone was there any stutter or lag while you used it?
Michael has the best reviews very well done
Did you try taking photos using the nexus camera app?
That was a great review, love the way you do your reviews michael you're the best at it
Man I thought the touchless controls were a cool idea at first, but guess it's not as polished as I imagined. Also, the camera performance is definitely a deal killer for me based on your review. Cya Moto.
Hello Michael,
Do you know if Moto X will ever come to other countries ??
Here is one major reason to maybe not get the Moto X: I've noticed numerous demo units, and some not very old and with no signs of abuse, suffering from 'AMOLED screen burn-in.'
To observe this: Open a program allowing a completely solid white or light colored background; look at the areas between the on-screen menu buttons and below the top menu: this area will appear to have a discolored eggshell cast instead of white; the correct white color will be where the menus were. This is happening because the phone constantly lights the center while the menu areas remain black. This discoloration becomes progressively worse over the lifetime of the screen.
It's a phone first and a simple and snappy Android OS. It's something every phone out there should be like, and it offers much more such as the ability to connect your phone to your computer or tablet and continue texting and calling from your PC. I own it and I love it, and after benchmarking more than an S4, I am pretty sure I'll be happy with it for at least 18 months. It's still talking a while to get into more people's hands, but Motorola keeps making it even cooler with wooden backs and Sol Republic headsets to match. Very cool, very functional, very hip. maybe a bit too loud, but other than that it's all good. Unique, snappy, dependable phone for under $500. There's probably going to be another price cut in a few months, but I don't think they will be making a successor announcement anytime soon. If you love Google, go and get yourself a Moto X!
Seriously? HTC One mini beats Moto X in review score? I have to disagree with the final score, but that's my opinion. That said, love Michael's review. I really like how much enthusiasm he puts on every single video. He's probably the best of Pocketnow's crew.
I plan on getting this phone, it's good for the average Joe I hear.
Wow, you got to see one? I'm probably going to upgrade to the X in September, and I absolutely cannot wait to have a smartphone in purple and also without a case (I hate cases). At first I was a bit offed by it because of the specs, but I'm actually excited to get one for the features and customization. that's what we should be buying phones for, not specs.
This guy give the BEST reviews PERIOD. If you want an expert opinion that is honest and balanced. Listen to him. Great review as usual.
Thanks for a good and fair review, I consider myself a spec geek, but this phone seems really nice. Sadly, I do not live in the States, any idea if this phone will come to the rest of the world? An unlocked version maybe? If this happens, will we receive the same customization? I mean, an electric blue phone?? That'd be awesome, I'm kinda tired of navy blue and black on my phones!
pocketnowvideo, I noticed in the video battery saver was off. During the duration of usage was it always off? if so what is the full time of use with it on?
Michael , how does the X's camera stack up against the nexus 4 ?
How does your camera review change with the software update?
okay so witch one feels better in the hand , the moto x or the iphone 3gs,, that was the last iphone i used and since then i started using android phones and till now i just cant forget how grate that phone feels in the hand it just fits perfectly!
Mike does a great job with his reviews
Your reviews are on par with Technobuffalo, Pocketnow. Very well done. It sounds like a "moto x 2" will be in order in a few months.
THIS was beautifully done, excellent review!
There's going to be a camera software update which will fix the washed out color saturation problem sometime in September.
Great review as always Mr. Fisher :)
Only real shortcoming on the Nexus 4 is the camera (it's not really terrible - I use it all the time and am happy enough with the results) and storage (again, not such an issue for me as I don't keep a load of stuff on my phone). Battery life is great now on 4.3, and you can easily install a firmware upgrade to get LTE.
Upgrade is in November. At this point its between the Moto X, Note 3, and G2
the touchless control is way more useful than a notification light in my opinion.
Your video title says all. Nice review and my feelings are same about this device.
you got a good point point but remember the iphones processor is an A6 CPU which was produced by Samsung so it isnt that bad
Many thanks. Don't overthink review scores; it's the content, not the number, that matters. ^MF
This was an excellent review..keep up the good work....
Own this phone. On 4.4 it is really the most well rounded phone I've even owned. Huge Motorola fan. Awesome review.
i think you can use moto maker to get your colors of choice and choose your carrier.
I think that Google making the Nexus 5 very similar to this would be a really good idea. Geeks praise the Nexus branding, and for some reason most geeks think that having the best specs is the only way to have a good user experience. Most of the people that hate on the Moto X are geeks, so if Google makes the Nexus 5 with similar specs to both the Nexus 4 and Moto X, they can prove to everybody that specs doesn't matter most on a smartphone - the user experience does.
Google Now has since fixed all the issues you stated. Including the "Take me home" command
How is the X's feel in hand compared to the HTC One?
This 'experience over specs/numbers' thing worked for the iPhone. Why won't it work with an android device?
Yeah I believe the camera will be updated in a following ota.
the thing that attracts me to this phone the most is the customization. and the one thing im worried about is gaming. i only play a couple of games but they are games that require a good gaming chip, like arcane legends and modern combat 4. if this phone can run the games as nice as my nexus 4, im sold!
Comments like that are why you're my favorite, Michael.
Which camera is better? The nexus 4 or moto x? I've heard that neither are too good, but I haven't had a negative experience with the camera on my nexus 4 (except the autofocus)
Your reviews r the only reason i sbscribe to pocket now.wow really clean and honest.i agree 8/10
Try an HTC One. Never ever lags or slows down. Has never glitched on me. Beautiful phone all around. Sense 5 is much more simplistic than previous versions. Though I've also used things like the S4, and I don't see why you're complaining...
Spectacular review. Great work once again.
What are the difference between the casper tek and verizon? help please.
WE NEED A RELEASE DATE! BEFORE PEOPLE GET TIRED OF WAITING FOR THIS PHONE (LIKE MYSELF) AND GO GET A HTC ONE FOR 99.99 FROM RADIO SHACK
Can you do a review like this for the Droid Mini, Ultra, and Maxx?
Lots of these Moto enhancements will no doubt roll upstream to KLP?
Hey Michael your reviews are the best
what do you use for a microphone?
I don't know why, but I want a bigger screen, better camera, expandable storage and maybe a better processor and then we'll be talking phone of the year; However this phone is great at what it does. I'm really interested in what other phone makers will do to compete with it.
Not a bad phone but not really missing out on much here in the UK. Seems quite expensive over there in the US too though, definitely no nexus 4 killer.
Another fair and great review mr. Fisher
This is one of the non nexus android phones that i 'lusted' for (the way i felt about the iPhone when i was a kid, and for the Nexus 4). I guess behind my spec sheet type guy is a consumer type individual.
do u think they will tweak the software side of the camera? i rly want this phone