Should Moto change its low end approach to hardware for the Moto X2?

[Ry]

The S4 had a quad-core processor clocked at 1.9 GHz, not 1.7

Sent from my Galaxy S4 running SlimKat 4.4.2

Fixed.

 

[Eli_C]

There is a lot more to a chip then just clock speed, and the X has a SD S4 Pro architecture, which is 2 generations behind the 600 and 800. Now there is probably significantly less difference looking at the 800, 801 and 805, but there is still optimization in silicone design, improvements in efficiency, etc. Since the 805 is designed to push 4k video it shouldn't break a sweat at 1080.

The spec war, where specs are pushed for the sake of simply checking off boxes is pointless. However, better specs CAN lead to a better, more powerful and faster phone and smoother user experience, if implemented well. Moto can do that.

 

[UJ95x]

There is a lot more to a chip then just clock speed, and the X has a SD S4 Pro architecture, which is 2 generations behind the 600 and 800. Now there is probably significantly less difference looking at the 800, 801 and 805, but there is still optimization in silicone design, improvements in efficiency, etc. Since the 805 is designed to push 4k video it shouldn't break a sweat at 1080.

The spec war, where specs are pushed for the sake of simply checking off boxes is pointless. However, better specs CAN lead to a better, more powerful and faster phone and smoother user experience, if implemented well. Moto can do that.

The 805 can push a 4K display, and while it should handle a 1080p display easily, the screen will still use more battery than a 720p display. I think the extra battery life was worth the trade-off in the Moto X. The display wasn't the best, but it certainly wasn't bad.

As for higher specs...they are not needed. There is no benefit from adding in the latest processor when the one in use does everything just as well. Apps will run fine on a year old processor...

Sent from my Galaxy S4 running SlimKat 4.4.2

 

[Eli_C]

As for higher specs...they are not needed. There is no benefit from adding in the latest processor when the one in use does everything just as well. Apps will run fine on a year old processor...

Easy solution, if you don't need/want better performance/specs, then you can just buy a Moto X, I'm holding out for an X2, which I hope sports better specs/performance.

 

[UJ95x]

Easy solution, if you don't need/want better performance/specs, then you can just buy a Moto X, I'm holding out for an X2, which I hope sports better specs/performance.

And it will have better specs. That doesn't mean it has to have the exact same chip, camera and display as every other flagship. There is no place where the X is inferior to the S4/M7 or other flagships of the time other than the camera. For everything else, the X was equal or better than the rest. The display was more than good enough

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[someguy01234]

I think the OP need to look at other offerings beside Samsung and Apple to be able to gain better appreciation of competitions. Stop thinking Samsung and Apple is the pinnacle of mobile design, I have no desire to own phones from either of them.

 

[b_slow1]

Will giving the Moto X2 specs that are equal to the competition help sales? Yeah, probably.

Should Motorola focus its energy on producing a phone that has specs that are equal to the competition? No.

The Moto X is a phone that was designed with the user in mind. As test after test has demonstrated, we've reached a point where spec bumps aren't going to make any tangible difference to the usability of the device. So sure, Moto could throw in a more powerful processor and give it 3GB of RAM and give it a 4K display and all this other nonsense, but it's not going to make the phone operate any better.

Sadly, due to the trends that we see in the phone market, we can almost guarantee that Motorola is already going to go with a bigger screen, and that it will be 1080P. However, I would have had no problem if Motorola left the 4.7", 720P screen alone, increased battery life, put in a slightly better camera, and found ways to improve the Touchless Control and Assist features.

Specs sell phones, but when it comes to usability, there is a limit beyond which is just a waste of resources, and is merely for show.

 

[Eli_C]

I think the OP need to look at other offerings beside Samsung and Apple to be able to gain better appreciation of competitions. Stop thinking Samsung and Apple is the pinnacle of mobile design, I have no desire to own phones from either of them.

Did you read the post. I just point out that they have the dominant market share. That's just a fact. HTC has a great focus on build quality, but their phones are to big (IMO). Sony also is putting out nice phones, but again to big and not available in the US. Nokia has great camera's. Despite Moto making a great phone, it really isn't on the radar for most people in the US. Maybe as more people shift away from getting phones steeply discounted on contract less expensive but high performing phones like the X will demand a greater market share. However, Moto stumble on the release of the X in the US. They released it at the same cost as other phones with better specs. Had they come out of the gate with the phone at $350 they may have had some wind in their sales.

 

[Ry]

Did you read the post. I just point out that they have the dominant market share. That's just a fact. HTC has a great focus on build quality, but their phones are to big (IMO). Sony also is putting out nice phones, but again to big and not available in the US. Nokia has great camera's. Despite Moto making a great phone, it really isn't on the radar for most people in the US. Maybe as more people shift away from getting phones steeply discounted on contract less expensive but high performing phones like the X will demand a greater market share. However, Moto stumble on the release of the X in the US. They released it at the same cost as other phones with better specs. Had they come out of the gate with the phone at $350 they may have had some wind in their sales.

Looking at market share estimates, only Apple and Samsung are on the radar of most people in the US. HTC and LG play the spec war and haven't made any significant jumps. Google's Nexus 5 is arguably the best value in mobile today, yet that phone hasn't made any significant dents in the marketplace either.

You know what Apple and Samsung have done better than everyone else?

Marketing.

Posted via Android Central App (Moto X)

 

[UJ95x]

Looking at market share estimates, only Apple and Samsung are on the radar of most people in the US. HTC and LG play the spec war and haven't made any significant jumps. Google's Nexus 5 is arguably the best value in mobile today, yet that phone hasn't made any significant dents in the marketplace either.

You know what Apple and Samsung have done better than everyone else?

Marketing.

Posted via Android Central App (Moto X)

This x 1,000

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[A895]

Looking at market share estimates, only Apple and Samsung are on the radar of most people in the US. HTC and LG play the spec war and haven't made any significant jumps. Google's Nexus 5 is arguably the best value in mobile today, yet that phone hasn't made any significant dents in the marketplace either.

You know what Apple and Samsung have done better than everyone else?

Marketing.

Posted via Android Central App (Moto X)

All of this.

 

[A895]

While I get what OP is saying, I don`t think specs is where it`s at. We reached the point where specs don`t matter and but optimization does. And to those who say apps will get more demanding I ask you this: Do you really think we need quad-core processors for the public at large to run Facebook? Not only that do some forget that the majority of android devices are older phones that don`t have top of the line specs, Do you really think future developers and games makers will cut out a good portion of potential customers? If anything I think the Moto X+1 will have a architecture similar to last years but have an updated piece of silicon, and camera. I hope they keep the same display because 720p is just fine on a phone and the size of the Moto X display was wonderful.

 

[UJ95x]

While I get what OP is saying, I don`t think specs is where it`s at. We reached the point where specs don`t matter and but optimization does. And to those who say apps will get more demanding I ask you this: Do you really think we need quad-core processors for the public at large to run Facebook? Not only that do some forget that the majority of android devices are older phones that don`t have top of the line specs, Do you really think future developers and games makers will cut out a good portion of potential customers? If anything I think the Moto X+1 will have a architecture similar to last years but have an updated piece of silicon, and camera. I hope they keep the same display because 720p is just fine on a phone and the size of the Moto X display was wonderful.

Not only that, but the Moto X had the same GPU as the S4 and M7. So gaming wasn't bad...

Sent from my Galaxy S4 running SlimKat 4.4.2

 

[CDG]

I have the Moto X and it's by far the smoothest and the fastest device I have owned without the restrictions of iOS.

As far as the specs go it just goes to show that a good design with reasonable specs supersedes high specs with mediocre design.

The market share is all marketing's credit. Both Apple and Samsung have that down pat for sure. I don't know about Samsung but during my iPhone days I always felt like I belonged to a cult and took an oath never to point out any shortcomings of an iDevice.

Just my 2 cents.

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[Premium1]

I think yes. Now I'm not saying throw a snap805 or the latest processor, but they can use a snap800 since it will be a year old and should be cheaper to use, while also using the x8 or whatever they will call it this time around. I feel like last years moto x was nice, but it still did not feel as smooth as say some of the newer devices which most likely had to do with the somewhat out dated internals. I think 2gb of ram is still good , even the 720p display wasn't bad. I think all of those areas can keep costs down and allow them to beef up the processor a little. That and the camera, in the same or similar size and I feel they will have a real winner on their hands.

 

[A895]

I think yes. Now I'm not saying throw a snap805 or the latest processor, but they can use a snap800 since it will be a year old and should be cheaper to use, while also using the x8 or whatever they will call it this time around. I feel like last years moto x was nice, but it still did not feel as smooth as say some of the newer devices which most likely had to do with the somewhat out dated internals. I think 2gb of ram is still good , even the 720p display wasn't bad. I think all of those areas can keep costs down and allow them to beef up the processor a little. That and the camera, in the same or similar size and I feel they will have a real winner on their hands.

What Moto X did you try? The Moto X is often corroborated by others of this site including Phil and me that the Moto X is one of the fastest Android phones on the market.

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[Premium1]

What Moto X did you try? The Moto X is often corroborated by others of this site including Phil and me that the Moto X is one of the fastest Android phones on the market.

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G2, nexus 5, m8 all were smoother. Haven't used an s5 so can't say. And yes "others" claimed it was one of the smoothest, I just had a different experience. I'm not saying it wasn't smooth, just saying it wasn't everything people were claiming, and by no means am I bashing the device. I really liked the device and what moto could do with more mid range hardware. Just hoping for a little more this time around

 

[NoYankees44]

The confusion here is specs vs experience. Your device can have great specs and still have a bad experience. Great hardware can rarely cover up bad software. At the same time, if a device does not have the power to run the software, no amount of optimization will help you.

Experience comes in when both software and hardware harmonize. You have to have both in order to have a great experience. You can debate how much power you really need, but having too much power is never a problem. Future software will always demand more powerful hardware, so stuffing the most power Chipset you can in a device is always preferable as long as the software adjusted accordingly.

 

[Eli_C]

The confusion here is specs vs experience. Your device can have great specs and still have a bad experience. Great hardware can rarely cover up bad software. At the same time, if a device does not have the power to run the software, no amount of optimization will help you.

Experience comes in when both software and hardware harmonize. You have to have both in order to have a great experience. You can debate how much power you really need, but having too much power is never a problem. Future software will always demand more powerful hardware, so stuffing the most power Chipset you can in a device is always preferable as long as the software adjusted accordingly.

I couldn't agree more! Moto did a great job squeezing amazing performance out of an older SoC. If they optimize with a faster chipset, it will only be better and FUTURE PROOF. Soc does more then just run angry birds. Want an instant on camera and very fast capture times, you can go with a dedicated camera processor or a faster SoC. The second is usually cheaper. Newer SoCs aren't just faster, they are more energy efficient, so batteries last longer.

 

[A895]

I couldn't agree more! Moto did a great job squeezing amazing performance out of an older SoC. If they optimize with a faster chipset, it will only be better and FUTURE PROOF. Soc does more then just run angry birds. Want an instant on camera and very fast capture times, you can go with a dedicated camera processor or a faster SoC. The second is usually cheaper. Newer SoCs aren't just faster, they are more energy efficient, so batteries last longer.

The Moto X is future proof. Is Facebook is going to require Snapdragon 600 in the near future? Or angry Birds? Instagram? No to all of that. The Moto X is loads better than any low end or kid rang phones that are in consumers hands now. Or did we all forget a good portion of Android devices have a dual core w/ 1GB of RAM or less?

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