Moto X (2nd Gen) By Motorola Review

Our first impression of the 2014 Moto X is that it looks and feels like a premium smartphone. You can tell Motorola paid attention to details when you pick up this device. The phone has a curved metal frame that feels solid. The aluminum edges add class, and the curved edges of the Corning Gorilla Glass 3 blend the screen into the body in a way that makes the phone feel seamless.

It may seem minor , but the curved metal frame and dimpled Motorola logo on the back of the phone go a long way in making it very comfortable to hold. In many ways, it feels like you’re holding a phone that’s considerably smaller than it really is. Because you get this smaller feel without a decrease in size of the actual device, you still get the large 5.2-inch display, which is a big bonus in our book. Speaking of the display, this 1080p AMOLED screen is gorgeous. It’s vibrant and sharp and packs 423 pixels per inch.

We have the white with bamboo base model from Verizon Wireless in for testing. The bamboo back gives the phone a unique look that you won’t get with other phones. If bamboo isn’t your style, Motorola is offering 25 different backs (17 colors, 4 woods, 4 leathers sourced from Horween) and your choice of 10 accent colors on the back and front to make the phone truly unique. Personally, I found the bamboo back to be a little slick to grip, but I generally put a protective case on my phone that adds texture and grip so this would be a non-issue. The indented Motorola logo helps with steadying the phone in one’s hand, but when trying to use the phone one-handed, my hands are too small to take advantage of this gripping feature. The Moto X also features a water-resistant coating to help protect the phone from mishaps.

With the exception of various sensors and two speaker grills, Motorola has kept the front of the Moto X very clean. The primary Android control buttons (Back, Home, and Recent Apps) are found on the base of the display. The left edge of the Moto X is clean, and the right edge houses a Power button along with the volume rocker.

You’ll find the microUSB port on the bottom edge of the phone. The 3.5mm headset jack is centered on the top edge. The SIM card tray is located to the right of the headset jack. On the back of the phone above the indented Motorola logo, you’ll find the rear-facing 13 megapixel camera that’s surrounded by a ring flash with dual LEDs. This camera is capable of capturing 4K UHD video. The Verizon Wireless logo also can be found on the back of the Moto X near the bottom.

The Moto X doesn’t have a microSD slot for expansion. It also lacks a user replaceable battery. Although this can be a sticking point for some users, Motorola has attempted to solve the power needs of heavy smartphone users with the inclusion of Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 2.0 technology which works with the Motorola Turbo Charger ($34.99). According to Motorola, in just 15 minutes, you can get up to eight more hours of battery life  from the Moto X.