Asus Snapdragon Insiders vs. Motorola Moto X: A Clash of Eras

The smartphone landscape has changed dramatically. We're pitting a modern powerhouse, the Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders, against a classic, the Motorola Moto X. This isn't just a comparison; it's a look at how far mobile technology has come.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Asus Snapdragon Insiders phone utterly dominates in performance and charging speed thanks to its Snapdragon 888 chipset. While the Moto X boasts impressive endurance for its age, it's simply outmatched. The Asus is the clear winner for users prioritizing speed and modern features.

PHONES
Phone Names Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders Motorola Moto X
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - AT&T
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66, 712, 4, 5, 17 - AT&T
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave-
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -2, 4, 17 - T-Mobile
Launch
Announced2021, July 082013, August. Released 2013, August
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 31Discontinued
Body
Dimensions173.2 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm (6.82 x 3.04 x 0.38 in)129.3 x 65.3 x 10.4 mm (5.09 x 2.57 x 0.41 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight210 g (7.41 oz)130 g (4.59 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels (~395 ppi density)720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~312 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)AMOLED
 Always-on display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm MSM8960DT Snapdragon S4 Pro
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 320
OSAndroid 11Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1 (Lollipop)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal512GB 16GB RAM16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single-10 MP, f/2.4, 30mm (standard), 1/2.6", 1.4µm, AF
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 112˚, 14mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF-
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec., HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm2 MP
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
 Snapdragon Sound Technology 32-bit/384kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS, GLONASS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CmicroUSB 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, hotspot
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature
 Illuminated Snapdragon fireball icon on the back-
Battery
Charging65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 50% in 30 min, 100% in 50 min-
Stand-by-Up to 576 h
Talk time-Up to 13 h
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Ion 2200 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsMidnight blueBlack, White (front panel), 18 color options (back panel)
ModelsI007DXT1058, XT1053, XT1052, XT1056, XT1060, XT1055, XT1049
PriceAbout 1270 EURAbout 250 EUR
SAR-1.39 W/kg (head)     0.50 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -91.6dB / Crosstalk -92.8dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 39h

Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders

  • Blazing-fast performance
  • Rapid 65W charging
  • Modern display technology
  • Advanced camera system
  • 5G Connectivity

  • Potentially higher price
  • May have a shorter battery life than the Moto X (despite fast charging)
  • Software support may eventually end

Motorola Moto X

  • Excellent battery endurance (for its age)
  • Simple and reliable
  • Potentially very affordable (used)

  • Outdated chipset
  • Slow performance
  • Low-resolution display
  • Poor camera quality
  • No 5G

Display Comparison

The Asus likely features a modern AMOLED display with a high refresh rate (likely 90Hz or 120Hz), offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Moto X probably had an LCD display, which is less vibrant and has a lower refresh rate. The Asus wins hands down in display quality.

Camera Comparison

Modern smartphones have made huge strides in camera technology. The Asus likely has a multi-lens camera system with advanced features like optical image stabilization and computational photography. The Moto X's camera, while decent for its time, is significantly outdated and will produce lower-quality images, especially in low light. The Asus is the clear winner.

Performance

The Snapdragon 888 in the Asus is a beast compared to the Moto X's Snapdragon S4 Pro. The Asus will handle demanding games and multitasking with ease, while the Moto X will struggle. The Asus's octa-core CPU and 5nm process are vastly superior.

Battery Life

The Moto X's endurance rating of 39 hours is impressive for its age, but the Asus's 65W charging means it can reach 50% in just 30 minutes and 100% in 50 minutes. While the Moto X might last longer on a single charge, the Asus offers significantly faster replenishment. It's a trade-off between longevity and charging speed.

Buying Guide

The Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders is for tech enthusiasts, gamers, and anyone needing top-tier performance. The Motorola Moto X, while outdated, might appeal to those seeking a simple, reliable phone on a very tight budget, understanding its limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Motorola Moto X still usable in 2024?
Yes, but it's significantly outdated. It will handle basic tasks, but performance will be slow, and it lacks modern features like 5G and a high-quality camera.
❓ Why is the Asus phone called 'for Snapdragon Insiders'?
It's a program by Qualcomm that allows users to test and provide feedback on upcoming Snapdragon hardware and software, often resulting in optimized performance.