Moto X (2014) vs Z3 Compact

[smileman]

For me the Sony's advantages (in approximate rank order of importance):

-battery life (#1 most important issue for me by far)
-SD card
-audio quality (Hi-res, DSEE, Bluetooth apt-X - although there are rumors the Moto X might also support apt-X I can't find any official confirmation of this)
-camera performance
-smaller size/weight
-waterproof (Moto X is only water resistant, meaning it may or may not survive accidental drop into the bath tub)
-More LTE bands (my Z3 model D5803 gets 700/800/850/900/1700/1800/1900/2100/2600 but the U.S. model (D5833) has fewer LTE bands: 700 / 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600. In comparison Moto X only has only three: 800 / 1800 / 2600)
-dedicated camera button
-glove mode
-FM radio
-PS4 support (don't have a PS any more so not really an advantage for me, but maybe someday...)

Moto X's advantages (again, roughly in my rank order of importance):

-ergonomics, in-hand feel (subjective but it seems that there is a general consensus that this phone has great ergonomics although perhaps not quite as good as last year's smaller version)
-active display
-handsfree software
-design/materials customizations
-1080p and bigger screen (but this also makes the phone bigger/heavier, so there is a tradeoff)
-rapid charge (this is only really useful if you actually need to charge your phone during the day, which you don't need to do with the Z3. the fact that Moto had to include this feature is a sign of weakness)

Overall, I'm sure the Moto X (and Droid Turbo if you're on Verizon would appear to be even better) is a better option for many people than the Z3, but the Z3 ticked more of my boxes.

 

[smileman]

I should add that the above isn't meant to be completely exhaustive list of differences. For example, I'm sure a lot could be said about things like AMOLED vs. IPS screens, color/viewing angles, strength of WiFI signal, etc. but I don't have enough information to comment on these and some of other differences between these two fine devices.

 

[huntnyc]

I thought the D5803 was being sold by Sony in the US. Can you please confirm this?

 

[anon(464338)]

I thought the D5803 was being sold by Sony in the US. Can you please confirm this?

Yes it's being sold on the US site although nothing has shipped. Just pre-orders

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[mattopotamus]

I got mine off amazon. Since I didn't have to pay tax it equates to student pricing from the sony store

 

[FSRBIKER]

Comparing my Moto X(2013) vs my Z3 Compact the Active display is something I miss but I have been using Nil's Lockscreen Notification app and generally this enough for me. I configured the Z3c notification light to be a certain color for the things I would wake the phone up for, other colors I know aren't important right now. The dimple on the back of the Moto X is something I miss and might use a dremel in my TPU case to make my own.

That being said I wouldn't trade my Z3c for ANY phone on the market, best phone hands down that I have owned and not having to worry about where I can charge it during the day is such a relief.

 

[Issemann]

For me the Sony's advantages (in approximate rank order of importance):
Moto X's advantages (again, roughly in my rank order of importance):
-ergonomics, in-hand feel (subjective but it seems that there is a general consensus that this phone has great ergonomics although perhaps not quite as good as last year's smaller version)

Ergonomics will always vary from person to person. IMO, last year's MotoX felt awesome in my small hand. I am hoping that the Z3C will give the same feeling.

As for this year's MotoX, I personally felt it was too wide. (I am using the HTC One m7). But... I recently went into my local Verizon store to check out the new Droid Turbo and I have to admit, if I were to pull the trigger on a 5+ inch device again, my money is on the GSM variant (Moto MAXX) of the Turbo!! For whatever reason, it just felt right - especially the new Ballistic Nylon back cover!!

 

[mattopotamus]

Ergonomics will always vary from person to person. IMO, last year's MotoX felt awesome in my small hand. I am hoping that the Z3C will give the same feeling.

As for this year's MotoX, I personally felt it was too wide. (I am using the HTC One m7). But... I recently went into my local Verizon store to check out the new Droid Turbo and I have to admit, if I were to pull the trigger on a 5+ inch device again, my money is on the GSM variant (Moto MAXX) of the Turbo!! For whatever reason, it just felt right - especially the new Ballistic Nylon back cover!!

having owned the 2013 moto x and now the z3c, I much prefer the ergonomics of the moto x. The z3c is a good size, but almost is awkward to hold. I have very small hands, and it still feels almost too small for some reason. I love the size of the iphone 5s, and this feels less premium which could have something to do with the feel in hand. I hate putting cases on my phones, but this is a phone that may actually need one. It feels like it could just slide right out of your hands.

It is very close to stock andoird, which is a really good thing. On the moto and nexus phone you can slide up from the home button and get to google now. You can do the same thing with the compact, but there is an extra shortcut to a built in sony app that cannot be removed. I know that may sound picky, but it is pretty annoying.

Early impression is that battery life will be completely insane. My nexus 5 actually feels "faster" in terms of smoothness and that is with both running nova launcher. I know some have concerns with the screen quality. It is "decent." I personally immediately noticed the difference in screen quality compared to the nexus 5.

 

[wmdunn]

There is a fix for the Sony app which competes with the Google Now swipe up from the bottom of the display. Can't remember where I read about it ... maybe over at XDA. Take a look, I'm sure you'll find it.

 

[oldDummy]

Have the OG Moto X [XT1053], had the 2014 Moto X [XT1095], just ordered the Sony Z3 Compact from B&H.
My thoughts are: the 2014 Moto X is just a tad large.
It is smoother/faster than the OG Moto X and that is what influenced me to grab a Z3C.
Now the quandary is if the Moto Maxx comes to pass with all the bands necessary for US carriers.
Tomorrow is announcement day for the Moto Maxx in Brazil....we shall see.

 

[Issemann]

Have the OG Moto X [XT1053], had the 2014 Moto X [XT1095], just ordered the Sony Z3 Compact from B&H.
My thoughts are: the 2014 Moto X is just a tad large.
It is smoother/faster than the OG Moto X and that is what influenced me to grab a Z3C.
Now the quandary is if the Moto Maxx comes to pass with all the bands necessary for US carriers.
Tomorrow is announcement day for the Moto Maxx in Brazil....we shall see.

+1 I saw the Droid Turbo in the store last week, and while it is almost the same overall size as the 2014 Moto X, it felt a lot better in the hand. (Not sure why though). If the Moto Maxx is the GSM variant, then I may return the Z3C and give it a shot.

 

[mattopotamus]

Spending more time with the phone, it feels very plastic to me, very cheap. I went into T-Mobile and held the regular z3 and it feels much more premium. I would like to hear from others, but the n5 feels better in my hands.

 

[Puzzlegal]

I bought the Sony compact, but am still using my 2013 Moto x. Partly, it is that I haven't taken the initiative to switch from Sprint to gsm, but partly it's because of the ergonomics of the two phones. The x feels great in-hand, is easy to hold (black back) and has a good viewing angle. The Sony is slippery as all get out, and actually feels larger in my hand due to the squarer edges. And the viewing angle is mediocre, so I have to hold it, I can't put it on the table.

The sony is faster. The battery is way better. It's nice that it's waterproof. Yet, here I am, typing on the Moto.

(At home, with Wi-Fi, they both work, and I have used both. And of course, they both work for games and stud that doesn't require a connection. The Sony comes with a really nice news app that I wish I could get on the Moto.)

 

[oldDummy]

......... The sony is faster. The battery is way better. It's nice that it's waterproof. ....

Same problem here. Am giving it a trial run.
Might say it's on probation.
does feel a bit hmmm..."squarish" in nature, not as nice in hand.
Then again think that's where the extra battery life comes into play.
Camera is better, no doubt about that.
Will give it a week or so.
Then make a selection.

 

[mario24601]

Bought and returning 2014 X. Z3C should be here next week.

 

[anon(464338)]

Same problem here. Am giving it a trial run.
Might say it's on probation.
does feel a bit hmmm..."squarish" in nature, not as nice in hand.
Then again think that's where the extra battery life comes into play.
Camera is better, no doubt about that.
Will give it a week or so.
Then make a selection.

Go use any other current flagship then come back to the Z3c. You'll be happy as a lark

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[oldDummy]

Go use any other current flagship then come back to the Z3c. You'll be happy as a lark

Posted via the Android Central App

Ha, so you say.
Your correct, the Z3C has much going for it.
I use it with a wallet for convenience, in hindsight: a no-brainer.
That totally eliminates any shortcomings regarding "sharp" edges.
I'm not saying the Z3C doesn't feel good in hand.
Just that the 2013 Moto X was better. Nothing to be ashamed about.
On the other hand Sony's effort is more powerful regarding hardware.
Utilizing the Z3C as my daily driver.... Nuff said.

 

[anon(464338)]

Ha, so you say.
Your correct, the Z3C has much going for it.
I use it with a wallet for convenience, in hindsight: a no-brainer.
That totally eliminates any shortcomings regarding "sharp" edges.
I'm not saying the Z3C doesn't feel good in hand.
Just that the 2013 Moto X was better. Nothing to be ashamed about.
On the other hand Sony's effort is more powerful regarding hardware.
Utilizing the Z3C as my daily driver.... Nuff said.

I definitely agree. I also had the moto x 2013 and it was and is still unmatched for comfort. Guess I'm just saying that as new current models go, all the other phones out today are so big, the Z3c feels nice after using them. I bought a Rinke Fusion case. I like it but adds just a bit of bulk. I'm still trying to find a thin shell case. A slim bumper would be nice to just cover the square edges.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[nlys87]

Currently I have the 2nd gen Moto X and the Z3 Compact and am torn between them. Performancewise I do not really feel a difference. I do like how the Moto X sits in my hand pretty much perfectly and feel that eventhough it is considerably bigger than the Sony it is easier and more comfortable to use with one hand. The screen is a different story though. I hate the Moto X's screen. I just cannot stand AMOLED and its inability to produce accurate whites.

 

[mario24601]

Keep em both

But seriously, go with one most comfortable to use. I returned my 2014 X due to its size and my z3 should arrive this week. One annoying thing about X screen for me was that gray film look when light catches it a certain angle. It just washed all details out but maybe I'm only one who found this.