Moto X Play: Various Reviews

[aldo82]

Re: Moto X Play Reviews

I don't see how this is great for the price if the Pure edition is expected to sold at the same price point, roughly $400 USD? Even if you get this for $350 or even $300, I think this is too much money for a “just ok” phone.

Here's my final summary after 10 days of heavy use. Keep in mind that I'm using the XT-1563 variant made in Brazil (Build number: LPD23.118-6.1, system version: 23.41.1.lux_relta_ds.retla.en.01 retbr) so if you have the XT-1562 or the upcoming XT-1565 you'll have some minor software differences not to mention single sim not dual.

Things I like:

- battery charges quickly - not blazing and not as fast as an iOS device - but fast enough
- battery lasts all day on heavy use
- plenty of storage
- dual sim + FM radio

Don't like:

micro lag, unacceptable on a new phone with 8 cores
screen responsiveness: occasionally need to swipe something 2 or 3 times - lock screen in particular
4.0 bluetooth interferes with LTE - where's 4.1?
slow to switch from wifi to cellular data - totally unacceptable
dull FHD screen, and dim in sunlight
camera is below average.
where's my chop chop to flashlight? oh, they didn't include a gyroscope, great.

Camera: Most online reviews are not raving about it, and I think they're actually being too kind. It's ACCEPTABLE, but nowhere near even a 2 year old Apple or Samsung device in picture quality or software, I'm sorry.

Screen: it's possible I just got a dud. It's not terrible, I'm just not impressed. Perhaps my "Made in Brazil" XT-1563 is not up the standard of the other ones reviewed here. Different materials?

Other things that don't affect my user experience yet, but leave me scratching my head:

- no wifi ac
- 32 bit android

This phone is just ok. Literally NOTHING on this phone impresses me, everything is just good enough or occasionally, not up to snuff, like a switch from wifi to cellular data taking 30 seconds.

My recommendation: No!! Get the Style / Pure.

Hopefully that helps someone.

Seems quite a damming review! I'll be interested to see how I find it when I get mine hopefully later today. Hoping I'll get on with it better than you else I might have buyers remorse!

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[Cakefish]

Re: Moto X Play Reviews

I don't see how this is great for the price if the Pure edition is expected to sold at the same price point, roughly $400 USD? Even if you get this for $350 or even $300, I think this is too much money for a “just ok” phone.

Here's my final summary after 10 days of heavy use. Keep in mind that I'm using the XT-1563 variant made in Brazil (Build number: LPD23.118-6.1, system version: 23.41.1.lux_relta_ds.retla.en.01 retbr) so if you have the XT-1562 or the upcoming XT-1565 you'll have some minor software differences not to mention single sim not dual.

Things I like:

- battery charges quickly - not blazing and not as fast as an iOS device - but fast enough
- battery lasts all day on heavy use
- plenty of storage
- dual sim + FM radio

Don't like:

micro lag, unacceptable on a new phone with 8 cores
screen responsiveness: occasionally need to swipe something 2 or 3 times - lock screen in particular
4.0 bluetooth interferes with LTE - where's 4.1?
slow to switch from wifi to cellular data - totally unacceptable
dull FHD screen, and dim in sunlight
camera is below average.
where's my chop chop to flashlight? oh, they didn't include a gyroscope, great.

Camera: Most online reviews are not raving about it, and I think they're actually being too kind. It's ACCEPTABLE, but nowhere near even a 2 year old Apple or Samsung device in picture quality or software, I'm sorry.

Screen: it's possible I just got a dud. It's not terrible, I'm just not impressed. Perhaps my "Made in Brazil" XT-1563 is not up the standard of the other ones reviewed here. Different materials?

Other things that don't affect my user experience yet, but leave me scratching my head:

- no wifi ac
- 32 bit android

This phone is just ok. Literally NOTHING on this phone impresses me, everything is just good enough or occasionally, not up to snuff, like a switch from wifi to cellular data taking 30 seconds.

My recommendation: No!! Get the Style / Pure.

Hopefully that helps someone.

The switch to WiFi and cellular literally only takes a couple of seconds for me. You sure you have good signal where you are? I don't have the best signal in my terraced house here, far from it, but it's still very quick to switch.

Dull screen? No way. This is super bright! Maybe you do have a dud indeed.

32 bit Android is puzzling indeed. I can understand the Moto G having it as there's a 1GB RAM variant but it's definitely disappointing that Moto have decided to do the same with this phone. I agree with you here.

Also agree with the lack of the chop chop too. Again disappointing and puzzling as the cheaper Moto G has this feature! I've looked at the hardware sensors and it has a dedicated chop chop sensor inside, it just isn't being used for whatever reason. Hopefully Motorola add this in an update soon.

Performance isn't as slick as the Nexus 5, I'll say that. It does seem to be improving as time goes on though (no, not placebo, it's definitely gradually getting better - perhaps I have a troublesome background app that I need to purge).

I agree that the Moto X Style appears to be better value for money than this 32GB model I have (only £40 more expensive). Not convinced about the 16GB though - you can get it for just £250 here in UK. That's £109 cheaper than the Moto X Style! A huge difference. Even at £279 from Moto Maker, an £80 difference is a significant amount for some people.

Sent from my XT1562 using Tapatalk

 

[aldo82]

Re: Moto X Play Reviews

The phandroid article on chop chop suggested that Motorola couldn't get chop chop to behave reliably so removed it from the launch software but I don't see anything to suggest they can't add it with a future update. In a way I'd rather not having something than have something that is unreliable. You wouldn't want the flah light turning on all the time when you don't want it!

For me the other consideration with the style is the size. 5.5 inch of the play is already pushing my limit so 5.7 will be beyond it. I don't see a huge amount in the style that would make me want to lay more for it. My alternative wouldve been the new nexus 5 but I'm expecting itll cost more than 250.

Mine is being delivered to CPW this morning so I'll pick it up this afternoon!

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[Cakefish]

Re: Moto X Play Reviews

Hope you enjoy!


Here's the results of my first day on battery. There seems to be some large battery drain by Google services, but not sure why. Will have to look at my settings and apps and see if I can figure it out! I think 6 hours SOT is doable with lower brightness (brightness was higher than it needed to be most of the time) and sorting out those battery hogging services.

Sent from my XT1562 using Tapatalk

 

[aldo82]

Re: Moto X Play Reviews

I think if u use Google now etc Google services is always high. I've tended to stop worrying about it! I think with dose in marshmallow they've finally figure out a way to reduce this so battery life should improve even more with android 6

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[Mrrikki]

Re: Moto X Play Reviews

Hope you enjoy!


Here's the results of my first day on battery. There seems to be some large battery drain by Google services, but not sure why. Will have to look at my settings and apps and see if I can figure it out! I think 6 hours SOT is doable with lower brightness (brightness was higher than it needed to be most of the time) and sorting out those battery hogging services.

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Sent from my XT1562 using Tapatalk

You do have an issue with Google Services on mine it is far lower on the list, I couldn't even see it on my top use from yesterdays screen shot.

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[Cakefish]

Re: Moto X Play Reviews

Hmmm... what could it be?

I wish Android gave more detailed battery info! I want to know which app is the culprit.

Sent from my XT1562 using Tapatalk

 

[Mrrikki]

Re: Moto X Play Reviews

Hmmm... what could it be?

I wish Android gave more detailed battery info! I want to know which app is the culprit.

Sent from my XT1562 using Tapatalk

Google Now? I don't use it so maybe that's the difference?

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[Cakefish]

Re: Moto X Play Reviews

Google Now? I don't use it so maybe that's the difference?

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Perhaps it is because my camera settings were set up so that every picture had the GPS geolocation tagged? I think that may be the culprit.

 

[aldo82]

Re: Moto X Play Reviews

In WiFi settings you can allow WiFi scanning always available. The location services then uses this to help with location even if u have WiFi switched off. It think this constant looking at the location is a big drain which of course Google now needs to do often to give u the relevant information.

I believe dose in android 6 uses the accelerometers to sense the fact that the phone isn't moving and then it won't look for your location which will make a big difference. When you are moving around it will always be working out your location though if you use Google now.

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[andy a]

Re: Moto X Play Reviews

Motorola Moto X Play review - Review - PC Advisor

Another review here and it is an ok review but for me I am going to wait for a review on the style and see what the new Nexus has to offer.

 

[belodion]

Google Now? I don't use it so maybe that's the difference?

Posted via the Android Central App

I fired up Google Now on my Nexus 5 a few days ago to check bus times on the move during the very wet UK weather of late. I quickly noticed reduced battery life in the next day or two, which is why I'd originally switched it off months ago....a pity, because I like it.

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[aldo82]

Re: Moto X Play Reviews

I'm a bit surprised by the overall tone of the reviews. They are OK but not steller. I suppose with the overall praise of the moto G, for a few quid extra you get a better screen, better battery and better camera. I thought that would go down well!

Well I have mine now so can decide for myself. Initial impressions are...

It scared me by struggling to get a signal. I thought the radios must be bust or something but seems OK now. I like the size and the build feels OK. Bit laggy but it is doing a lot getting goin for the first time. Will update as I get used to it and have a play

I got mine for 250 from CPW. Seems a steal for that price so far

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[andy a]

Re: Moto X Play Reviews

I'm a bit surprised by the overall tone of the reviews. They are OK but not steller. I suppose with the overall praise of the moto G, for a few quid extra you get a better screen, better battery and better camera. I thought that would go down well!

Well I have mine now so can decide for myself. Initial impressions are...

It scared me by struggling to get a signal. I thought the radios must be bust or something but seems OK now. I like the size and the build feels OK. Bit laggy but it is doing a lot getting goin for the first time. Will update as I get used to it and have a play

I got mine for 250 from CPW. Seems a steal for that price so far

Posted via the Android Central App

Good on you aldo I would love to know your thoughts on it as I am still on the fence.

 

[krazyatom]

Re: Moto X Play Reviews

At first I was interested but lg g4 may be better buy. International version was $420 recently.

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

 

[aldo82]

Re: Moto X Play Reviews

Early impressions are...

I really like the feel of it. I had a one m8 but to be honest it put me off metal phones. If u used it naked it was hard to hold and it scratched and denred easily. If you out a case on it then what was the point of paying for the premium design!

I like the feel of the play in hand although the buttons are poor like everyone else has commented which is a shame.

Vibrate is better than a nexus 5 but disappointing compared to the one m8.

The screen is good and I like it. Plenty bright enough and best of all it works with polarizwd sunglasses in portrait. No more taking off my sunglasses to use phone like I had to with the m8!

I already love moto display! So awesome to just knock the phone or get it out of your pocket to see the time or notification. Add an app like screen off and lock and I imagine the poor quality power button would never need to be used!

I am a bit disappointed with the software performance so far. I have always used flagships so maybe I'm expecting too much but scrolling is often not as smooth neither are the animations. I don't know if its lag as such, maybe it's just different but its noticeable and my biggest disapoitnment so far. Hopefully I'll get used to it.

Speaker is pretty good. Not boomsoind but I'm more than happy with it. Better than nexus 5.

Music through apple earpods sounds great and certainly good enough for me.

Call quality is really good!

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[Cakefish]

Re: Moto X Play Reviews

I am a bit disappointed with the software performance so far. I have always used flagships so maybe I'm expecting too much but scrolling is often not as smooth neither are the animations. I don't know if its lag as such, maybe it's just different but its noticeable and my biggest disapoitnment so far. Hopefully I'll get used to it.

I had the exact same feeling at first after it had just downloaded and installed all my apps but trust me, it improves over time. Give it a reboot or two and a day or so to 'settle down' so to speak and performance improves noticeably. It's not a placebo because I've still been using my Nexus 5 heavily so it's not like I've got accustomed to choppier animations or anything like that. It truly does speed up after a couple of days and animations get smoother with much less frequent stuttering.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Now I was going to do a video comparison between Nexus 5 and Moto X Play but my camera ran flat out of battery power half way through and it takes a while to recharge the batteries. It'll be too dark to do it by the time they're recharged so I'll have to do it another day.

In the meantime here's some pics of my device (taken with Nexus 5) so that you all can see how the Red Accent and Cabernet back looks like:

 

[Mrrikki]

Re: Moto X Play Reviews

Today's battery, over 4 hours screen time and still on 46% battery! Really impressed.

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[Cakefish]

Re: Moto X Play Reviews

Same here!

Update:

And it keeps on truckin':

Sent from my XT1562 using Tapatalk

 

[aldo82]

So in still getting lag in scrolling. Chrome is the worst offender. I'm quite surprised it's unable to scroll smoothly and I haven't seen much mention if this. If its down to the processor then its a shame they didn't put a better one in for a little bit more! Of course that's the style but then I wouldn't want a screen that big. Everything else on the play I really like and I am enjoying it.

Battery seems great. I'm on 50% with 1h 47 screen on which includes some sat nav. But that's with over 17 hours of standby to and its my first charge so it should improve. It only lost 3% overnight. Perhaps I can go back to not charging my phone overnight which would be great!

A couple of weird things I've noticed in addition to the laggy scrolling. When I switch it on, it takes a good 30 seconds after its booted up to find a signal. Never had that on any other phone. Also ant get the camera gesture to work reliably. And in using this app, if I press the icon to open it it resets to the front screen. If I open it from multitasking then it saves state. That didn't happen on my old phone!

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