Moto X (second generation): Price (Starts at $499.99 off-contract!)

[A895]

Personally, I think that smartphones are overpriced across the board. Device manufacturers primary distribution channels (at least in the in the United States) are via wireless carriers and their channel partners who operate within a natural oligopoly created by the scale required to build out a network. As a result of imperfect competition, carriers have historically utilized cartel pricing to take economic profits. I'm a big believer in public choice theory and though the anti-trust legislation in the United States has been used in the past to regulate monopolies, overall it has done a pretty poor job of addressing this issue. And because this is consumer facing issue and there's so much informational assymetry, the general public is rationally disinterested from the regulatory process. I see the FCC as basically a captive regulator. But hey, you're right, none of my degrees are in economics. I just took a lot of electives.

You have a problem with the wireless industry which your problem, I am talking about the phone itself. If you remember smartphones were even more less than a decade ago. For phones like the Moto G to be $179 and the Moto X to be $499 is very good. I remember paying $200-$300 (on contract!) for a 3G slider 5-6 years ago, oh how times have changed.

 

[robjulo]

With no SD card while the lower end G does. I don't get it.

 

[planoman]

I will not pay over 499 for the 32GB with Tax. Will wait for a sale or a few weeks for a new one on SWAPPA. The G3's are already 500 and below there.

 

[A895]

With no SD card while the lower end G does. I don't get it.

Two different makets of perspective buyers, the Moto X gets a limited release in richer countries who have access to internet and cloud storage more easily. While the Moto G is a worldwide available phone for all markets so it crams in things like a micro SD card slot. Also, those who clamor for micro SD card slots are becoming the minority nowadays. The iPhone has over 40% smartphone marketshare in the U.S. with no micro SD card slot.

 

[robjulo]

The Moto X is competing with the likes of the LG G3, which is only slightly more expensive with a bigger screen, bigger battery and an SD card slot.

The cloud costs data (ie money) and doesn't work in airplanes.

Two different makets of perspective buyers, the Moto X gets a limited release in richer countries who have access to internet and cloud storage more easily. While the Moto G is a worldwide available phone for all markets so it crams in things like a micro SD card slot. Also, those who clamor for micro SD card slots are becoming the minority nowadays. The iPhone has over 40% smartphone marketshare in the U.S. with no micro SD card slot.

 

[A895]

The Moto X is competing with the likes of the LG G3, which is only slightly more expensive with a bigger screen, bigger battery and an SD card slot.

The cloud costs data (ie money) and doesn't work in airplanes.

We are talking about the Moto G and X. Why are you bringing in the G3? No one is in airplanes 24/7 for one, and things can be stored on internal storage just fine, it is the fact that you just want the option, well it is not there, you can complain to Motorola about it but it does not change the fact, they have been without micro SD card slots for their high end devices since 2012 now. Something tells me the Droids will be the same this year.

I know some here like to think that some small features that are deal breakers amount to the wider audience ( I know I am guilty of the same sometimes) but micro SD card slots are a take it or leave with cellphones nowadays an while it is disappointing it is not unexpected since Motorola is still owned by Google.

 

[radgatt]

I am just thankful that MotoMaker is not exclusive at launch this time around. The 2300mAh battery is a little disappointing but I'd reserve judgment until I get to test it for myself in real world situations. Same thing goes for the camera. I had a feeling that this phone wouldn't be smaller like last year. I'm cool with that. I am torn at this point. Part of me wants to get this phone but part of me wants the rumor of the Z3 coming to Verizon to be true as well. I'd love to get that phone so I can have something different besides the same OEMs as before. But if that doesn't happen I'd more than likely get this phone and sell my OG Moto X on either Swappa or Craigslist.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[CarbonOak]

I am just thankful that MotoMaker is not exclusive at launch this time around. The 2300mAh battery is a little disappointing but I'd reserve judgment until I get to test it for myself in real world situations. Same thing goes for the camera. I had a feeling that this phone wouldn't be smaller like last year. I'm cool with that. I am torn at this point. Part of me wants to get this phone but part of me wants the rumor of the Z3 coming to Verizon to be true as well. I'd love to get that phone so I can have something different besides the same OEMs as before. But if that doesn't happen I'd more than likely get this phone and sell my OG Moto X on either Swappa or Craigslist.

Posted via Android Central App

Pretty much this. The bigger size is fine with me. I just hope the battery life and camera are great.

I'm pleased that the off-contact price is $499. Premium specs and much more affordable that the $600-700 that most flagship phones go for.

 

[A895]

I am just thankful that MotoMaker is not exclusive at launch this time around. The 2300mAh battery is a little disappointing but I'd reserve judgment until I get to test it for myself in real world situations. Same thing goes for the camera. I had a feeling that this phone wouldn't be smaller like last year. I'm cool with that. I am torn at this point. Part of me wants to get this phone but part of me wants the rumor of the Z3 coming to Verizon to be true as well. I'd love to get that phone so I can have something different besides the same OEMs as before. But if that doesn't happen I'd more than likely get this phone and sell my OG Moto X on either Swappa or Craigslist.

Posted via Android Central App

From what Phil said on the Podcast the Moto X (2014) has a better camera than the original Moto X and if you are coming from 2013 version you will be much happier with this one. I also hear the camera is super, super fast from The Verge.

 

[Aquila]

micro SD card slots are a take it or leave with cellphones nowadays an while it is disappointing.

I may be alone here, but I prefer it now be included. There are licensing costs, engineering and materials cost, space loss and software development costs that I'm honestly glad they are saving or spending elsewhere on things that add functionality.

XTNiT-1060 through spacetime. Android Central Moderator.

 

[Scott7217]

With no SD card while the lower end G does. I don't get it.

Yeah, it does seem strange, especially when you consider the competing devices that have microSD card support in their phones:

HTC One (M8)
LG G3
Samsung Galaxy S5
Sony Xperia Z3

This is just more evidence that phone manufacturers have no problem with putting microSD card support in their top Android phones.

 

[A895]

Yeah, it does seem strange, especially when you consider the competing devices that have microSD card support in their phones:

HTC One (M8)
LG G3
Samsung Galaxy S5
Sony Xperia Z3

This is just more evidence that phone manufacturers have no problem with putting microSD card support in their top Android phones.

Google don't want any stinking cards in there phones /s

But seriously Motorola is still owned by Google so they may have still some influence on their high end devices.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Scott7217]

Google don't want any stinking cards in there phones /s

But seriously Motorola is still owned by Google so they may have still some influence on their high end devices.

Is Google losing influence over the other big Android manufacturers with respect to microSD cards? It might explain why there are more Android phones that support them now.

If that's the case, I suspect we might see a future Moto X with a microSD cards slot once Motorola is under Lenovo's leadership. It probably won't happen anytime soon, though.

 

[Ry]

Is Google losing influence over the other big Android manufacturers with respect to microSD cards? It might explain why there are more Android phones that support them now.

If that's the case, I suspect we might see a future Moto X with a microSD cards slot once Motorola is under Lenovo's leadership. It probably won't happen anytime soon, though.

The simpler explanation is that SD card support sucked in Jelly Bean but got better with KitKat.