Motorola Announces Two Versions of the Moto X

Last week we looked at the new Moto G, the latest budget 4G phone from Motorola, but the Moto G wasn’t the only smartphone announced, there were also two versions of the Moto X – the Moto X Play and the Moto X Style.

Moto X Play 4G Phone

While still affordable compared to other well-known smartphone manufacturers’ flagship devices, the two versions of the Moto X are higher end phones for Motorola. Motorola makes a point of delivering a pure Android experience rather than adding its own signature effects on top of the Android operating system as other manufacturers do. Motorola says “you’ll love the efficient simplicity of the latest pure, clutter-free Android™ OS.”

So what are the similarities and differences between the two Moto X devices?

The Moto X Play

While they are both large devices, the Moto X Play has a smaller screen than the Moto X Style at 5.5 inches. The screen is 1080p full HD resolution, 403 ppi, and Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3. The smartphone’s main selling point is endurance, with a 3630 mAh battery that is expected to last up to 48 hours with mixed usage. It also has a water repellent coating with advanced nano-coating technology to protect it from water damage such as accidental spills, splashes, and light rain.

The rear-facing camera on the Moto X Play is an impressive 21 megapixels with rapid focus, auto-adjusting flash, slow motion video, 4 x digital zoom, burst mode, and night mode. There is also a 5 megapixel front facing selfie camera. The device measures 148 x 75 mm with an 8.9-10.9 mm curve, and weighs 169 grams. With Motorola Shells users can change the back of the phone to express their own style.

The Moto X Style

The Moto X Styles has a larger display than its little brother at 5.7 inches and Motorola boasts that 76% of the phone is screen. Motorola promises endless entertainment, saying “Bring your favourite games and videos to life on a stunning 5.7″ Quad (1440p) HD display, with immersive stereo sound from front-facing speakers.” The Moto X Style has the same 20 megapixel rear-facing camera, and 5 megapixel front facing camera as the Moto X Play, but photos can be enjoyed in greater clarity on the TFT LCD display, with 1440p Quad HD resolution, 520 ppi, and Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3.

As the name might suggest this handset is all about looks and it comes with Moto Maker to allow owners to personalise it before delivery. Measuring 153.9 x 76.2 mm with a 6.1-11.06 mm curve, and weighing 179 grams, this is sizeable device. It has a smaller battery than the Moto X Play (3000 mAh) which should last all day with mixed usage, and also has an IP52 certified water repellent nano-coating.

The Moto X Play will be available during August and will be slightly cheaper than the Moto X Style. Customers will have to wait until September for the more expensive Moto X Style.

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