Moto X - Yes or other?

[destrekor]

Convince me there is a better option than the following.


I may be able to get a Moto X Verizon Developer Edition (presumed to be $399) on Monday, and that's my current plan. I've been researching and have failed to discover any alternative solution; in other words, better for the same or less.

I currently have a Galaxy Nexus (VZW)

My conditions which produce the answer above:

1. it must be on Verizon, Android, 4G.
2. it must be off contract if at all possible. I'd like to keep Unlimited. It comes in handy, even if only rarely.
3. Affordable. It will take an ungodly amazing phone to make me buy at $500+. I've been expecting one even worth at $600+, but nothing has stricken me as worth it.

 

[Joe1987]

Samsung S3, or an S4 used.

Insane level of developer support, replaceable battery and mSD card.

 

[lopri]

If you look at it purely from hardware point of view, Moto X is proportionally positioned against the G2 and the Note 3. However, if you count the intangibles (stock Android, attractive designs, always-on voice command) as well as up-front cost, Moto X for $400 is unbeatable, IMO.

So given your condition, my answer is a resounding YES.

P.S. Is the developer edition 32 GB?

 

[openwheel]

Yes, but I wouldn't get the developer edition. Just the regular 16gig for $350. The next upgrade is always just around the corner.

 

[destrekor]

If you look at it purely from hardware point of view, Moto X is proportionally positioned against the G2 and the Note 3. However, if you count the intangibles (stock Android, attractive designs, always-on voice command) as well as up-front cost, Moto X for $400 is unbeatable, IMO.

So given your condition, my answer is a resounding YES.

P.S. Is the developer edition 32 GB?

Yes, 32GB.
I agree with those intangibles you mentioned.

Yes, but I wouldn't get the developer edition. Just the regular 16gig for $350. The next upgrade is always just around the corner.

This is the only reason I want the Developer Edition:
unlockable bootloader. Oh, and get this: Motorola even recently backtracked and is allowing bootloader unlocking under warranty (previously, the moment you made the change you voided your warranty - regardless of what actually happened, and its relevance to the bootloader.

If the phone, as a nearly stock Android with some seemingly brilliant Moto flourishes without the fluff/bloat, can please me in every way - I won't need to customize. I expect I will want to do something, and that road usually leads to custom roms (AOSP or something based on it with additions, like CyanogenMod) and also custom kernels and bootloaders to deliver all that and more.
I tinker far less because I really just like something that works, reliably, with minimal work/effort to keep it doing that, and recent Android has incorporated most of the main tweaks I liked that were previously community custom.

 

[openwheel]

Would the developer edition work with Verizon?

 

[Phobic9]

Would the developer edition work with Verizon?

No because it's gsm only.

 

[notposting]

No because it's gsm only.

They should fix their webpage.

As usual with nearly all of Verizon's phones nowadays, it's also international ready and SIM unlocked as well. You can usually use them on ATT/TMO as well, though no LTE with them, speeds topping out at 3G.

 

[Phobic9]

They should fix their webpage.

As usual with nearly all of Verizon's phones nowadays, it's also international ready and SIM unlocked as well. You can usually use them on ATT/TMO as well, though no LTE with them, speeds topping out at 3G.

I stand corrected but I agree that site should be fixed

 

[gorcorps]

Now that I've had 1080p on a phone, 720 looks old. Given the moto x screen I don't even consider it a contender with current devices. I would compare it to a gs3, so this sale just brings it down to the price it should have been in the first place.

But if you need an off contract phone its a good choice.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I'd go with the Moto X.

I know the specs are underwhelming. But everyone that talks about this phone says it feels fast and smooth. And it does have those two co-processors helping certain tasks out.

I'm an AMOLED fan. So while the display is only 720p, I do like that it's AMOLED and that's a bonus for me. And those active notifications are neat.

The phone has a great ergonomic design. And it looks great too.

I also like the Motorola Skip accessory that lets you unlock the phone by swiping over this clip you can attach to your clothing.

 

[mnewsham]

LG G2 is down to 499 off contract direct from verizon, which is pretty insane considering it's specs (SD 800, 3,000mAh battery, 13MP camera w/ OIS, 5.2" 1920x1080 with minimal bezel, etc)

Moto X with unlocked bootloader is nice I suppose though.

Oh and they just released the official 4.4 update in korea today so expect 4.4 support fairly soon.

 

[thedosbox]

Oh and they just released the official 4.4 update in korea today so expect 4.4 support fairly soon.

Welcome to last weekend: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/11/att-and-t-mobile-moto-xs-get-kitkat-in-time-for-the-weekend/

Amusingly enough, Motorola's OTA 4.4 update beat the Nexus 4's by a day.

 

[mnewsham]

Welcome to last weekend: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/11/att-and-t-mobile-moto-xs-get-kitkat-in-time-for-the-weekend/

Amusingly enough, Motorola's OTA 4.4 update beat the Nexus 4's by a day.

that's nice i guess, not sure what that has to do with the LG G2 4.4 update though.

 

[thedosbox]

that's nice i guess, not sure what that has to do with the LG G2 4.4 update though.

The LG being discounted has nothing to do with the X either.

Anyhow, the point is that the X already has 4.4 and you don't need to deal with LG's UI.

 

[Zivic]

Now that I've had 1080p on a phone, 720 looks old. Given the moto x screen I don't even consider it a contender with current devices. I would compare it to a gs3, so this sale just brings it down to the price it should have been in the first place.

But if you need an off contract phone its a good choice.

and another person commenting based on written specs vs actually using the phone.

 

[thedosbox]

Also, for the LG G2, it appears that the KitKat update for some parts of North America might take awhile:

http://www.androidcentral.com/lg-g2-kitkat-updated-tipped-late-q1-arrival-canada

What that means for Verizon remains to be seen.

 

[s44]

Also, for the LG G2, it appears that the KitKat update for some parts of North America might take awhile:

http://www.androidcentral.com/lg-g2-kitkat-updated-tipped-late-q1-arrival-canada

What that means for Verizon remains to be seen.

It doesn't mean anything for the OP, because this update will almost certainly lock out the bootloader exploit, and he can flash KitKat ROMs before then anyway.

OP, you have three choices:
X - new, official warranty, but smaller screen/resolution
G2 - only if you're going to ROM it, great stock battery
MDK S4 (used) - expandable storage, swappable battery, best ROM and accessory selection; only MDK is fully flashable

 

[mnewsham]

The LG being discounted has nothing to do with the X either.

Anyhow, the point is that the X already has 4.4 and you don't need to deal with LG's UI.

I'm sorry. The title of the thread is "Moto x yes or other?" Isn't it? Back off, I'm offering an alternative, the OP mentions not wanting to spend too much, the price drop on the LG G2 ties right into that. I'm sorry if you don't like the G2, but seriously just stop. Its a legitimate alternative, OP can make his own choices. The moto x is a good phone, I personally prefer the G2 and more so at that price.

 

[thedosbox]

I'm sorry. The title of the thread is "Moto x yes or other?" Isn't it?

Indeed it is. No need to get your panties in a twist when someone points out some issues with one of those alternatives. My preference for the X in no way negates yours, just make your case and let him decide.

It doesn't mean anything for the OP, because this update will almost certainly lock out the bootloader exploit, and he can flash KitKat ROMs before then anyway.

True, and the custom ROM situation for the X isn't that great at the moment. Fortunately, the X has a pretty clean build already, so he might not feel the need. I was surprised how quickly Verizon released 4.4 on the X too.

 

[openwheel]

Fiance just scored a LG G2 verizon edition for $300. Boy is the camera nice, one of the best out there. I installed GEL for her but it loses the double tap to close, so we had to go back to LG UI which is aweful. It even looks like Samsung's garbage Touchwiz. However she loves the phone with a Marshmallow theme so she is keeping it. The camera will come in handy on our vacation starting mid December.

 

[foghorn67]

True, and the custom ROM situation for the X isn't that great at the moment. Fortunately, the X has a pretty clean build already, so he might not feel the need. I was surprised how quickly Verizon released 4.4 on the X too.

If he is anything like me, the need to "ROM" is negated with a close to stock experience. I only installed a ROM on my HTC One to get the GPE experience. I don't feel like doing anything further to it.
The fast OS upgrades and some of the apps and features updating via Play Store are neat.

 

[AHamick]

OP,

http://www.droid-life.com/2013/11/2...eal-grab-an-off-contract-moto-x-for-just-349/

$349 off contract for the moto x.

I have the droid maxx which is damn near the same phone and it runs like a dream. 720p is barely noticeable to me

Edit: this article might help

http://www.androidcentral.com/best-android-phone-you-can-buy-november-2013

 

[destrekor]

If he is anything like me, the need to "ROM" is negated with a close to stock experience. I only installed a ROM on my HTC One to get the GPE experience. I don't feel like doing anything further to it.
The fast OS upgrades and some of the apps and features updating via Play Store are neat.

It's not just about getting a "stock experience", it's also about the additional features that only the community creates (or "ports" based on inspiration of other phones). AOSP is great, but it's not the best - there are features and capabilities that are worthwhile - so long as they are incorporated well.

My current idea will be to stick with the Moto X's stock ROM, which is nearly AOSP but not technically pure, and maybe add/improve that stock ROM one change at a time... the original root experience, if you will. There are a few things I don't think I'll be able to do without for a long time, certainly not forever, so we'll see how it goes adding those. Things like holding the power button and be able to select reboot, turn off, airplane mode, silent/vibrate/sound, and sometimes other quick-access features.

I don't know entirely yet, because I haven't seen Android 4.3 or 4.4 in action. The Moto X demo units in the Verizon store I just went to were on 4.2.2, oddly enough.

I will say that, after playing around with the phone, this is a done deal, so long as I can acquire one at the right price tomorrow. It just feels right in the hand, for one, the screen looks great (for a OLED with extra saturation... not nearly as oversaturated as I've seen before, good quality solid picture, does the job - I don't need 1080p, not so long as it at least looks sharp. For one, that requires more CPU and GPU to drive content, so this will feel just as well on lesser hardware for that reason alone, among many).

It also felt ridiculously snappy. Again, on 4.2.2 even. Also, signal strength and data pulldown absolutely trashed my galaxy nexus. This store isn't super close to any towers, and again it's inside a store. My GN got like 1.7/0.41mbps (up/down) one time, and 1.18/0.38mbps the second time (speedtest), and it was sitting right next to the Moto X that pulled over 7mbps/3mbps iirc.

 

[Born2bwire]

Welcome to last weekend: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/11/att-and-t-mobile-moto-xs-get-kitkat-in-time-for-the-weekend/

Amusingly enough, Motorola's OTA 4.4 update beat the Nexus 4's by a day.

I did not realize this. I did not get an automatic notification of the update on my AT&T Moto X. Installing right now.

I have no complaints with the Moto X. I like that it was a slightly smaller form factor than the Samsung and HTC. It's wonderfully slim and the user experience is great. I don't know what I would be gaining with the S4 or HTC One in terms of the experience. I can only imagine that I might want to replace the battery one day but I have not had to do so with my previous phones (kept each phone on average 4-5 years). Google seems to be pushing the cloud storage a lot with this phone. I think they are hoping to compensate for the lack of removable memory this way.

I will also admit that I got mine with around $60-$70 worth of discounts so the perceived overpricing of the phone wasn't a factor for me. I'd say if you can get it at a good price then it should be fine.