OP here: The main difference I found was apparently the Android One version doesn't have fingerprint navigation, which I got used to on my old G5+ and was enough for me to get the non-AO version. It does seem like most of the ones for sale are the AO. The AO part number is PA8S0019US. I ended up getting the "standard" 64 gb version on Amazon, mostly because of the $70 off of list price for applying for an Amazon credit card (that I may never use, no annual fee), part number PA8S0016US. I don't know if that part number is the same on the Amazon Prime version and/or the 32 gb version.
I am happy with the phone so far (3 days), other than the standard 64 gb version was only available in "sterling blue", which is actually shiny silver with a blue-ish tint and is distracting when there is a light over you, like every day in the subway for instance, which gets reflected in the upper and lower bezels. I feel like taking sandpaper to it! Almost enough for me to return it and get the black one from Electronics Force for $72 more, which seems to be about the only place to get a black 64 gb non-Android One model, if that is in fact what it is, but hopefully I'll get used to it somehow.
As for the updates, when I first got it going it went though numerous updates including getting Android 9.0 (Pie) and monthly updates through April 2019. Based on that it seems like it has been getting updates as regularly as the Android One version, so far. That one was guaranteed updates for two years, I think, and according to GSM Arena the Moto X4 was released OCT 2017, so hopefully the updates will continue until at least OCT 2019.
Edit: About the google search bar, in the non-AO one I can just remove it, which I have since I never use it (I always open Chrome to go to the internet) and it makes more room for apps - that would annoy me if it was stuck on the bottom like that.
05-01-2019 03:22 PM