AnandTech: Moto X (second generation) Review

[onthecouchagain]

It seems you just summed up what Ry quoted with this post. I see your points and concerns. I am curious though, what other phones, if any, are you considering instead?

At the moment? The iPhone 6 or the new Nexus smartphone. I'd prefer not to go back to the iPhone as I think iOS is still very limiting, more difficult to use, and just not as fun as Android. However, the iPhone excels on the basics like battery life and camera -- the very two sore spots of the Moto X.

So I'm really putting my hopes on the new Nexus smartphone. I'm hoping that the screen remains in the ballpark of 5". With Google apparently abandoning the Android Silver program (based on recent reports), I have to believe Google will put as much into this year's Nexus phone as they can. With rumors of Motorola and even HTC creating Nexus smartphone devices, it could be very promising. Ideally, there would be a 2014 Nexus 5 and an all new Nexus 6 that appeases the phablet users.

Hopefully time will tell. Supposedly only a month or so away. I can wait. Motorola made it easy to resist the new Moto X, honestly.

I'm also keeping an eye on the new Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, though I still don't understand how reviews of the Sony Xperia line's camera still doesn't stand out. It perplexes me. It seems reviews are always ho-hum on the camera. Also, while it's light, I'm still not a big fan of Sony's UI over Android. Much prefer stock.

Not to ramble, but I had so many hopes for the new Moto X. It's such a shame Motorola chose to do what it did with the battery size. Even as a rumor, the 2300mah spec was always concerning. And now that it's out with reviews and tests, those concerns are legitimized. Yes it's cheaper than the competition, but it's still upwards of ~$500 dollars. And it ain't worth it.

If nothing else, I'll stick to my Nexus 5. It's a perfectly serviceable phone. Just wish it has a better/louder speaker, better camera, and more consistent battery life.

 

[PAC757]

The review wasn't really just trashing the Moto X, the battery size / life is a real concern, that is a somewhat small battery for a phone with a 5.2" screen and features that keep the phone awake a lot of the time. I'm holding out till it has been out a while and there is some real life usage reports on battery life.

 

[oldDummy]

Ideally, there would be a 2014 Nexus 5 and an all new Nexus 6 that appeases the phablet users.

A Nexus 5 gen2 could be intriguing. Rumored Nexus 6 size makes it a non-starter. Reading just the specs that Z3 compact is a beast. Always found that Sony products don't hold well in my hammy mitts...darn that Moto X, you spoiled me.
Moto X Gen1 will have to hold me over until.....who knows, maybe another Gen 1.
In reality don't *need* a new phone, most last, what, 3-4 years until battery makes it unbearable.
Just, man I had high hopes.
Ordered a Hint; should work well with my glasses w/lanyard.

 

[planoman]

I still preordered one and if it does not cut it, I will return it. I would never not buy a device until I tried it myself or because of a review regardless of how scientific they try to make it. 14 day return policy.

If I was obsessed with battery life, I would have kept my OPO. Looking forward to trying out the quick charge feature.

Michael Fisher of pocketnow bought one and that is good enough for me lol!

Posted via Nexus 5

 

[Citizen Coyote]

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/moto-x-review-i-freaking-love-this-phone-97575964474.html

Another quick review. They liked the screen a lot and the software. Some camera comparo shots with the S5.

While it's good to read other reviews (especially positive ones), I have to question this reviewer's diligence when he states that MotoMaker is exclusive to AT&T and Verizon.

 

[oscarnyc]

Motorola clearly felt that a bigger battery would make a severely negative impact on the ergonomics of the phone, and their research showed that having a 5.2" display was necessary. They seem to have done a remarkable job in mitigating the smaller battery by the antenna design which reduces power use (AnandTech shows that by the equal battery life on LTE vs. Wifi), and the quickcharge feature. Based on reviews the battery life should be enough for me, so it'll come down to how well I can handle the larger phone. If it is significantly easier to hold than the S5, M8 and G3 I'll probably get it. If not, I'll just hold on (pun intended) to my '13 X and see what the future brings. I've been impressed with the performance and stability of the X - it hasn't slowed down at all in the several months I've owned it, and I rarely re-boot it (once a month at most), and it will be getting L and the new Voice features, so it's not like keeping it is a burden.

 

[nonstopski]

Yea, I like Anandtech as a site, but they're very focused on hardware. I large portion of their forum, for years, was focused on custom built PCs. The reviewer also clearly doesn't care about stock android honestly.

I respect their battery reviews though. Really the only major negative in my mind. The camera is "good enough."

 

[onthecouchagain]

The battery situation might have been mitigated if the new Moto X had wireless charging. Because then you could just plop the device down on your wireless charger throughout the day and let it juice up.

The fact that they're offering battery packs and the turbo charger, to me, is Motorola quietly admitting the new Moto X doesn't have good battery life. "24 hours of mixed usage" -- yeah right.

 

[onthecouchagain]

I still preordered one and if it does not cut it, I will return it. I would never not buy a device until I tried it myself or because of a review regardless of how scientific they try to make it. 14 day return policy.

If I was obsessed with battery life, I would have kept my OPO. Looking forward to trying out the quick charge feature.

Michael Fisher of pocketnow bought one and that is good enough for me lol!

Posted via Nexus 5

Do share your impressions! Especially in regards to the battery life and the turbo charger.

By the way, is their 14 day return policy completely free? As in, no restocking fee and no return shipping fee? They provide the return shipping label?

 

[anon(464338)]

Do share your impressions! Especially in regards to the battery life and the turbo charger.

By the way, is their 14 day return policy completely free? As in, no restocking fee and no return shipping fee? They provide the return shipping label?

Nothings free

Posted via Android Central App

 

[oldDummy]

By the way, is their 14 day return policy completely free? As in, no restocking fee and no return shipping fee? They provide the return shipping label?

Best return policy in the business. Hands down.
A main reason I'm trying to stay with Moto.
14 Day return.
Have done it more than I care to admit and it's completely free.

 

[planoman]

Do share your impressions! Especially in regards to the battery life and the turbo charger.

By the way, is their 14 day return policy completely free? As in, no restocking fee and no return shipping fee? They provide the return shipping label?

Not sure but thought if it is a moto maker moto x, you still have a 14 day 100% no remorse return policy but you do pay for shipping back?

 

[onthecouchagain]

Not sure but thought if it is a moto maker moto x, you still have a 14 day 100% no remorse return policy but you do pay for shipping back?

I just checked their website and return shipping is not covered. So if you do a full refund, you have to pay to ship it back.

 

[planoman]

I just checked their website and return shipping is not covered. So if you do a full refund, you have to pay to ship it back.

I thought so. No more than 8 bucks using Fedex 2 day and company discount

 

[acedl]

Their review was brutal....

 

[Clocks]

I just checked their website and return shipping is not covered. So if you do a full refund, you have to pay to ship it back.

I think it said that for the 2013 version as well but they definitely sent me a free return label for the one I returned.

 

[Jonathan Lin1]

You think we can return it for a different moto design for free? I don't know how mine will turn out.. I ordered a ebony wood back with white front... and red trims. I have a feeling it might be hideous -.-

 

[acedl]

Sand and stain the wood? Lol. Tri color could work!

 

[delrey1900]

You think we can return it for a different moto design for free? I don't know how mine will turn out.. I ordered a ebony wood back with white front... and red trims. I have a feeling it might be hideous -.-

You couldn't tell with the preview pics? lol

 

[cgardnervt]

You think we can return it for a different moto design for free? I don't know how mine will turn out.. I ordered a ebony wood back with white front... and red trims. I have a feeling it might be hideous -.-

I did the same but the gray trims instead. Looked good by me!