Can Moto X save Motorola? Yes!!

[ultravisitor]

You should see all the threads on windows phone central bashing the moto x. They compare it to the lumia 720.

LOL

 

[mech1164]

Well one thing is for sure, there are plenty of clueless cell phone buyers that wouldn't know 720p from a removable battery. Give them something shiny and new and they will flock to it. Moto has a good product. I still might get one eventually. But pricing it at GS4 and HTC One pricing is still a mistake IMHO. I might be totally wrong we will have to see. I still say it should have been cheaper.At least my Gnex has had new life breathed into it by putting on 4.3. So I might just wait for Moto X 2 in 6 months.

 

[spawndoodling]

I am willing bet that there are many consumers who don't even know what does 1080p or 720p or what the difference is. They may assume 1080p is better because the number is bigger.

As long as the sales rep explains that the 720p screen was chosen to give a much better battery life/experience, the consumer will probably understand nor care about 1080p at that point anyways.

To the average consumer these are just a bunch of meaningless numbers versus price.

I agree with you re: 1020p vs 720p (heck, my mother couldnt even tell the difference between SD and HD for the longest time). Just for clarification, though, when I said aware I didn't mean knowledgeable or informed. The vast majority of consumers can't tell the difference until these devices are side by side - and even then, as has been evident with the GS4 and HTC One - the differences are subtle and often indescribable.

That being said, not digging sales reps, but I doubt many are going to be able to convince consumers with the argument that Moto sacrificed screen resolution for battery life. In fact, I would even contend that most won't point out that footnote, instead going straight to the shallow specs list and claiming that the GS4's AMOLED 1080P screen is superior - and the battery is removable so you can get an extended battery if need be or swap out batteries if battery life is really a concern. Again, I'm not suggesting that any of this stuff is necessarily true, merely that if Motorola is depending on thousands of sales reps to tell consumers that the Moto X's short comings on a spec sheet do not translate into poorer performance than the widely successful and universally recognizable GS4, they're not going to get the sales they desire.

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[dpham00]

I agree with you re: 1020p vs 720p (heck, my mother couldnt even tell the difference between SD and HD for the longest time). Just for clarification, though, when I said aware I didn't mean knowledgeable or informed. The vast majority of consumers can't tell the difference until these devices are side by side - and even then, as has been evident with the GS4 and HTC One - the differences are subtle and often indescribable.

That being said, not digging sales reps, but I doubt many are going to be able to convince consumers with the argument that Moto sacrificed screen resolution for battery life. In fact, I would even contend that most won't point out that footnote, instead going straight to the shallow specs list and claiming that the GS4's AMOLED 1080P screen is superior - and the battery is removable so you can get an extended battery if need be or swap out batteries if battery life is really a concern. Again, I'm not suggesting that any of this stuff is necessarily true, merely that if Motorola is depending on thousands of sales reps to tell consumers that the Moto X's short comings on a spec sheet do not translate into poorer performance than the widely successful and universally recognizable GS4, they're not going to get the sales they desire.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using AC Forums mobile app

it will also depend on carrier subsidy. Let's say Carriers subsidize the iPhone by about $400-450. Let's say Carrier subsidy for the s4/one is $300,now if Motorola can reduce the carrier subsidy to say $250, then carriers may be willing to push the Moto X over the one/s4,just like how carriers push android over iPhone.

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II

 

[Aquila]

it will also depend on carrier subsidy. Let's say Carriers subsidize the iPhone by about $400-450. Let's say Carrier subsidy for the s4/one is $300,now if Motorola can reduce the carrier subsidy to say $250, then carriers may be willing to push the Moto X over the one/s4,just like how carriers push android over iPhone.

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II

It seems like you're suggesting that Verizon, and perhaps some other carriers, have less care for the philosophical relevance, or integrity of their arguments, than for the profits they realize from making one decision over another....

 

[xoomer1]

now we know why mototola is investing so much money (like 500 million dollars) in advertising the X ...they have to downplay the specs and get you to think they don't matter..some people have taken the bait... me personally I got the S4 last week after seeing the specs on the X... I wont get another underpowered moto phone only to have them release another one with a HD or a maxx tacked onto the end of it in 3 months

 

[dpham00]

It seems like you're suggesting that Verizon, and perhaps some other carriers, have less care for the philosophical relevance, or integrity of their arguments, than for the profits they realize from making one decision over another....

I have seen it happen with my very own eyes. Customer comes in wanting to buy the free iPhone. Sales rep pulls every trick in the book to get customer to get a low end android. I love android and all, but I would not recommend low end crap android over iPhone 4. Now, if this was when the dna was free on contract, then that is a different story, but something tells me the salesmen weren't pushing that deal...

Actually Verizon attempts to mask decisions that benefit them (pretty much all recent changes), and claims that somehow it is for our own good.

Like when they got rid of one year contracts (i paid just $30 more for my Tbolt for a one year contract over a 2 year contract price). They said that they were getting rid of it because no one was using it, that people prefer 2 year contract. Yet now, they want to give people the EDGE so that they can upgrade more often, but you can't use your subsidy. It would have made more sense to just reinstate one year contracts, though edge is much more profitable for them.

They also ended unlimited data plan, with the replacement plan being 2gb, which costs more than unlimited data (granted only by a penny), claiming that the vast majority of consumers don't use over 2gb. I also don't get corporate discount I'd I switched to 2gb . that, and I have used more than 2gb in an hour.

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II

 

[ultravisitor]

I wont get another underpowered moto phone only to have them release another one with a HD or a maxx tacked onto the end of it in 3 months

What phone did Motorola release on Verizon after the RAZR HD, RAZR MAXX HD, and RAZR M were announced? And how long did it take for Motorola to release that phone after that trio was released?

 

[osubeavs728]

now we know why mototola is investing so much money (like 500 million dollars) in advertising the X ...they have to downplay the specs and get you to think they don't matter..some people have taken the bait... me personally I got the S4 last week after seeing the specs on the X... I wont get another underpowered moto phone only to have them release another one with a HD or a maxx tacked onto the end of it in 3 months

You can't call out the moto X for being "under powered" when the s4 has issues of its own being smooth with its almighty quad core processor...

 

[mattopotamus]

now we know why mototola is investing so much money (like 500 million dollars) in advertising the X ...they have to downplay the specs and get you to think they don't matter..some people have taken the bait... me personally I got the S4 last week after seeing the specs on the X... I wont get another underpowered moto phone only to have them release another one with a HD or a maxx tacked onto the end of it in 3 months

Yet in real world usage it is proving that specs do not matter. It is running every bit as smooth as the s4 and HTC One. Marketing will be the biggest deciding factor on how this phone sells. Personally, I think it is going to have great sales.

 

[spawndoodling]

Yet in real world usage it is proving that specs do not matter. It is running every bit as smooth as the s4 and HTC One. Marketing will be the biggest deciding factor on how this phone sells. Personally, I think it is going to have great sales.

I just can't find credibility in that argument. Early reviews are coming in and reviewers are saying the exact same things that everyone and their mothers has been saying for weeks: It's a mid-range phone at a high-end price; it's hard to justify purchasing something that should be much cheaper; its screen is acceptable but not the best for its price; Moto Maker shouldve been available for more carriers at launch.

Sure, these are just tech reviews a lot of people won't even read. But the truth is, we live in a polarized market, dominated by two phones - the iPhone and the GS4. Whether you like it or not, for the vast majority of consumers, they're not even coming in the store considering another option. They've seen the HTC One and like it, but fear not being in the same caliber of their friends and family if they don't stick with Apple or Samsung. They love the set-up of Windows Phone but wouldn't dare consider it although it may actually suit their needs better.

That's why I think Motorola seriously dropped the ball on this. I remember when the HTC One came out, there was a similar euphoria on these forums, a similar feeling of optimism. All I'm hearing these days are doom and gloom at the slight mention of HTC - despite the fact that they released a wonderful phone. I'm not doubting the Moto X is awesome, I would certainly consider it if I didn't care about external storage, merely saying that Motorola is losing serious points by not coming to the table with something that beats all of the other high-end smartphones on the market raw specs wise - AND introduces features like the Moto Maker to all potential buyers at launch.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[mattopotamus]

I just can't find credibility in that argument. Early reviews are coming in and reviewers are saying the exact same things that everyone and their mothers has been saying for weeks: It's a mid-range phone at a high-end price; it's hard to justify purchasing something that should be much cheaper; its screen is acceptable but not the best for its price; Moto Maker shouldve been available for more carriers at launch.

Sure, these are just tech reviews a lot of people won't even read. But the truth is, we live in a polarized market, dominated by two phones - the iPhone and the GS4. Whether you like it or not, for the vast majority of consumers, they're not even coming in the store considering another option. They've seen the HTC One and like it, but fear not being in the same caliber of their friends and family if they don't stick with Apple or Samsung. They love the set-up of Windows Phone but wouldn't dare consider it although it may actually suit their needs better.

That's why I think Motorola seriously dropped the ball on this. I remember when the HTC One came out, there was a similar euphoria on these forums, a similar feeling of optimism. All I'm hearing these days are doom and gloom at the slight mention of HTC - despite the fact that they released a wonderful phone. I'm not doubting the Moto X is awesome, I would certainly consider it if I didn't care about external storage, merely saying that Motorola is losing serious points by not coming to the table with something that beats all of the other high-end smartphones on the market raw specs wise - AND introduces features like the Moto Maker to all potential buyers at launch.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using AC Forums mobile app

My main response would be, what reviews are you reading? Sure the benchmarks on the ONE and S4 are better but they are noticing zero lag on the phone which is more than I can say for the s4 running touchwiz. I think you personally are too caught up in the spec sheet.

 

[asanatheist]

It might sound ridiculous, but I am assuming that if the rumors were out that it was $200 on contract, that there wouldn't be this backlash now.

It also goes to show how useless rumors are.

But let's also remember that the gnex was $300 on contract with Verizon when released, and when it went to the play store a few months later, it was $400

Similarly, the tmobile nexus 4 was $200 on contract or $300 from the play store.

So perhaps the Moto X will be released at a lower price after a few months

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II

Good points. I would be thrilled to find out if its under $400 off contract. I would definitely get one just to support the USA labor.

 

[Farish]

Good points. I would be thrilled to find out if its under $400 off contract. I would definitely get one just to support the USA labor.

Traditionally these phones go on sale 2-3 months after their release.

 

[anon(847090)]

interview with moto engineers explaining the X8 chip and screen. Top Motorola engineer defends Moto X specs (Q&A) | Mobile - CNET News

wakeup people

 

[Aquila]

interview with moto engineers explaining the X8 chip and screen. Top Motorola engineer defends Moto X specs (Q&A) | Mobile - CNET News

wakeup people

Great interview. Nice find, thanks!

 

[Ry]

It'd be interesting to see what kind of device all of these critics would put together given free rein. Would it be the phone version of this, and cost $50?

http://onscreencars.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/TheHomer.jpg

Had me rolling. HAHAHA

 

[JHBThree]

Great interview. Nice find, thanks!

I like the attitude they give. It gives a nice view into how Google views all of the spec race BS that android has devolved into.

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