The Motorola Moto X line was once a flagship contender, offering a unique blend of customization and value. But with two generations – the 2nd Gen and the Style – which one holds up best today? We're diving deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Moto X Style emerges as the clear winner thanks to its significantly larger battery, faster charging, and slightly more powerful processor. While the 2nd Gen Moto X offered a more compact design, the Style's longevity and performance advantages make it the better choice overall.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EU, AT&T, Verizon | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 / 900 - EU (XT1572) |
| 4G bands | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 17 - XT1097 AT&T, XT1095 T-Mobile | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 28, 29, 40, 41 - EU (XT1572) |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 7, 20 - India | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, September. Released 2014, September | 2015, July. Released 2015, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 140.8 x 72.4 x 10 mm (5.54 x 2.85 x 0.39 in) | 153.9 x 76.2 x 11.1 mm (6.06 x 3.00 x 0.44 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 144 g (5.08 oz) | 179 g (6.31 oz) |
| | Water resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~520 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~73.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 87.9 cm2 (~74.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400 | Hexa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A57) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8974AC Snapdragon 801 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808 (20 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Adreno 418 |
| OS | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), 6.0, upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM (AT&T, T-Mobile) | 16GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 29mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.13µm, AF | 21 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/2.4", 1.1µm, PDAF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, HDR | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.0, 1/4.0", 1.4µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired, QC2 | 15W wired, 34% in 15 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 2300 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black lens/Dark Gray Frame and accents/ Black Soft Feel InlayWhite lens/Silver Frame and accents/Bamboo Inlay |
| Models | XT1097, XT1096, XT1095, XT1092, XT1085, XT1093 | XT1572, XT1575 |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| SAR | 1.46 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.43 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.49 W/kg (head) 0.69 W/kg (body) | 0.39 W/kg (head) 0.73 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -93.8dB |
Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -92.7dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 48h
|
Endurance rating 63h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 72dB
| - |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1176Basemark X: 11855 | - |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -93.8dB | Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -92.7dB |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 48h | Endurance rating 63h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 72dB | - |
| Performance | Basemark OS II 2.0: 1176Basemark X: 11855 | - |
Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen)
- More compact and pocketable
- Customizable design options
- Good performance for everyday tasks
- Shorter battery life
- Slower charging
- Less powerful processor compared to Style
Motorola Moto X Style
- Excellent battery life
- Fast charging
- Larger display
- Slightly better performance
- Larger size may not be ideal for everyone
- Design is less distinctive than 2nd Gen
Display Comparison
The Moto X Style boasts a larger 5.5-inch display (1920 x 1080) compared to the 2nd Gen's 5.2-inch screen (1920 x 1080). Both offer vibrant colors and decent viewing angles, but the Style's larger size provides a more immersive experience, especially for video playback and gaming.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature decent cameras for their time. The Moto X Style generally produces slightly better images in various lighting conditions, with more accurate colors and better dynamic range. Both offer standard photo and video capabilities, but the Style's processing algorithms seem to be a bit more refined.
Performance
The Moto X Style's Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor provides a noticeable performance boost over the 2nd Gen's Snapdragon 801 quad-core. While both phones handle everyday tasks smoothly, the Style excels in multitasking and demanding applications. The Style's Cortex-A57 cores offer improved performance for heavier workloads.
Battery Life
This is where the Moto X Style truly shines. Its 3000mAh battery provides significantly longer battery life (63h endurance rating) compared to the 2nd Gen's 2300mAh battery (48h endurance rating). The Style also features faster charging, reaching 34% in just 15 minutes.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen)? Those prioritizing a smaller, more pocketable phone and don't mind slightly reduced battery life. Who should buy the Motorola Moto X Style? Users seeking extended battery life, faster charging, and a larger display for media consumption and productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Moto X Style worth buying in 2024?
While both phones are older, the Moto X Style's superior battery life and performance still make it a viable option for budget-conscious users, especially if you can find one in good condition. However, consider modern alternatives for better software support and features.
❓ What was unique about the Moto X (2nd Gen)?
The 2nd Gen Moto X was known for its customizable design, allowing users to choose from a variety of colors and materials for the frame and back panel. It also featured Moto Actions, allowing for gesture-based shortcuts.
