Mobile Technology

Moto X Style (Pure Edition) vs. 2014 Moto X

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Motorola's newest flagship has a similar design to the 2014 model, but with a much larger display
Motorola's newest flagship has a similar design to the 2014 model, but with a much larger display
Weight
Build (frame)
Build (back)
Display size
Display resolution
Display type
Fingerprint sensor
Storage
Processor
RAM
Battery
Removable battery
Camera megapixels
Camera aperture
Front-facing flash
Software
Release
Size
Starting price
MicroSD
View gallery - 21 images

Since its introduction in 2013, the Moto X line has provided a great balance between specs and price point, while offering a stock Android experience. The company has changed things up a little with the third iteration, with the new handset – known as the Moto X Style or Pure Edition depending on your region – taking a step into phablet territory. Read on as Gizmag compares Motorola's 2014 and 2015 flagship handsets.

Size

Size

The Moto X Style is 9 percent taller than the 2014 device, but it's also 12 percent thicker.

Weight

Weight

It's a similar story on the scales, with the 2015 handset weighing in a full 24 percent heavier than last year's model.

Build (frame)

Build (frame)

Both of Motorola's smartphones feature metal frames.

Build (back)

Build (back)

One of the big selling points of the Moto line, both handsets are available with a selection of different back cover materials.

Display size

Display size

This year's Style release features a much larger display than the second generation Moto X. You'll get 20 percent more screen real estate with the newer smartphone.

Display resolution

Display resolution

It's not just screen size that's increased, but also resolution, with the Moto X Style offering 23 percent more pixels per inch than its predecessor.

Display type

Display type

We're used to seeing AMOLED displays in Motorola's flagship smartphones, but the company opted for a TFT panel with this year's model – a possible cost-saving measure.

Fingerprint sensor

Fingerprint sensor

Fingerprint sensors are a standard feature on Apple and Samsung's recent flagship smartphones, but Motorola is yet to bring it to the Moto X.

Storage

Storage

The new handset offers a higher capacity, 64 GB storage option.

MicroSD

MicroSD

The 2015 model's microSD is a first for the Moto X lineup.

Processor

Processor

The 2014 device's chip was great for when the handset hit shelves, but the Moto X Style's processor is the more up-to-date of the two, offering 64-bit processing and a greater number of cores.

RAM

RAM

The Moto X Style packs an extra gigabyte of RAM over the 2014 model.

Battery

Battery

Given that the newer smartphone is fitted with a much larger display than its predecessor, and offers beefier internals, it's no surprise that there's a bigger battery on board.

Removable battery

Removable battery

Neither handset lets you swap out its battery.

Camera megapixels

Camera megapixels

There's a big jump in megapixel count between the two generations of Moto X.

Camera aperture

Camera aperture

The newer device wins out here, offering a larger ƒ/2.0 aperture.

Front-facing flash

Front-facing flash

Both smartphones offer dual LED flashes with their main cameras, but the 2015 handset sweetens the deal with a front-facing flash.

Software

Software

While the 2014 Moto X originally shipped with Android 4.4 KitKat, it's since received an update to the newer, Lollipop version of the software.

Release

Release

The Moto X Style is set to hit shelves next month, one full year after the 2014 handset was released.

Starting price (full retail)

Starting price

The second generation Moto X is currently priced at US$299 on Motorola's website, while the Style is set to go on sale for $100 more next month.

For more on the Moto X Style (Pure Edition), look out for our full review. Interested in the smaller-framed 2014 model? You can always check out our review from last year.

Since its introduction in 2013, the Moto X line has provided a great balance between specs and price point, while offering a stock Android experience. The company has changed things up a little with the third iteration, with the new handset – known as the Moto X Style or Pure Edition depending on your region – taking a step into phablet territory. Read on as Gizmag compares Motorola's 2014 and 2015 flagship handsets.

Size

Size

The Moto X Style is 9 percent taller than the 2014 device, but it's also 12 percent thicker.

Weight

Weight

It's a similar story on the scales, with the 2015 handset weighing in a full 24 percent heavier than last year's model.

Build (frame)

Build (frame)

Both of Motorola's smartphones feature metal frames.

Build (back)

Build (back)

One of the big selling points of the Moto line, both handsets are available with a selection of different back cover materials.

Display size

Display size

This year's Style release features a much larger display than the second generation Moto X. You'll get 20 percent more screen real estate with the newer smartphone.

Display resolution

Display resolution

It's not just screen size that's increased, but also resolution, with the Moto X Style offering 23 percent more pixels per inch than its predecessor.

Display type

Display type

We're used to seeing AMOLED displays in Motorola's flagship smartphones, but the company opted for a TFT panel with this year's model – a possible cost-saving measure.

Fingerprint sensor

Fingerprint sensor

Fingerprint sensors are a standard feature on Apple and Samsung's recent flagship smartphones, but Motorola is yet to bring it to the Moto X.

Storage

Storage

The new handset offers a higher capacity, 64 GB storage option.

MicroSD

MicroSD

The 2015 model's microSD is a first for the Moto X lineup.

Processor

Processor

The 2014 device's chip was great for when the handset hit shelves, but the Moto X Style's processor is the more up-to-date of the two, offering 64-bit processing and a greater number of cores.

RAM

RAM

The Moto X Style packs an extra gigabyte of RAM over the 2014 model.

Battery

Battery

Given that the newer smartphone is fitted with a much larger display than its predecessor, and offers beefier internals, it's no surprise that there's a bigger battery on board.

Removable battery

Removable battery

Neither handset lets you swap out its battery.

Camera megapixels

Camera megapixels

There's a big jump in megapixel count between the two generations of Moto X.

Camera aperture

Camera aperture

The newer device wins out here, offering a larger ƒ/2.0 aperture.

Front-facing flash

Front-facing flash

Both smartphones offer dual LED flashes with their main cameras, but the 2015 handset sweetens the deal with a front-facing flash.

Software

Software

While the 2014 Moto X originally shipped with Android 4.4 KitKat, it's since received an update to the newer, Lollipop version of the software.

Release

Release

The Moto X Style is set to hit shelves next month, one full year after the 2014 handset was released.

Starting price (full retail)

Starting price

The second generation Moto X is currently priced at US$299 on Motorola's website, while the Style is set to go on sale for $100 more next month.

For more on the Moto X Style (Pure Edition), look out for our full review. Interested in the smaller-framed 2014 model? You can always check out our review from last year.

View gallery - 21 images
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1 comment
navmed
Why are all manufacturers thinking that every one wants these monstrosities? The moto x sent from the perfect size, to a little bigger than perfect, to this monstrosity.