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Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the popular Motorola DROID Turbo goes up against the new Motorola Moto X Pure Edition. I always love it when the same manufacturer makes both phones, as it gives us a chance to see what decisions they made designing each device, although, I am sure that Verizon had something to say about their exclusive DROID Turbo. Both devices are unmistakably Motorola in design and build – strong and sturdy, yet comfortable to hold. Let us see exactly what these two Motorola devices have in common.
Both devices use the QHD display, although different technologies and slightly different sizes. Both use a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, but different models, bits, cores and speeds. The Motorola DROID Turbo and Moto X both come to us with 3GB RAM and 32GB or 64GB of internal memory, although the Moto X also offers up a 16GB optional as well. The Moto X offers expansion via a microSD card slot, but the memory in the DROID Turbo is fixed. Both devices use a 21MP sensor as their main camera and both have a non-removable battery.
Of course, they both have the usual suspects – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (4.0 in the DROID Turbo and 4.1 in the Moto X), GPS, NFC, a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer, some form of water resistance and both offer a quick charge option.
Please take a deliberate look at the detailed Specifications Comparison chart below and here you will see just how these two great devices stack up against one another – click on the “View Full Comparison” link at the end of the chart to expand the details. After that, we will look at each individual device in greater detail and point out some of its pros and cons. From all of this information we will try to determine the winner based on specs and execution of design and functions.
Specifications
Motorola DROID Turbo
The Motorola DROID Turbo was a new entry to the Verizon DROID collection, but it shares certain DROID characteristics – that same Kevlar backing and DROID ‘chin’ are there to greet you. It is typical Motorola – rugged, well built and good looking in a masculine sort of way. It has a real good feel in your hand and a comfortable size that seems just right.
We like to call a display of 5-5.2-inches, the ‘sweet spot,’ and that is just where the Motorola DROID Turbo lands. They went all out with a 5.2-inch QHD AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 565 pixels-per-inch (PPI) – close to the QHD and 520 PPI on the Moto X. The Turbo used the best processor Qualcomm had at the time – a 32-bit Snapdragon 805 quad-core clocked at 2.7GHz. This compares to the 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor used in the Moto X. They both come with 3GB of RAM and can be had with 32GB of internal memory, although the DROID Turbo had a 64GB model, but is no longer available. The Moto X can also be ordered in a 16GB or 64GB model as well and has the option to expand.
After years of criticism on their mediocre cameras, Motorola started to step up their specs and put in a 21MP sensor, autofocus and a dual-LED flash…still no OIS in the DROID Turbo. The camera does a nice job taking photos, however, the 21MP on the Moto X is somewhat more sophisticated and should outclass the one on the DROID Turbo. The front-facing camera (FFC) on the DROID Turbo is only 2MP, compared to the 5.0MP on the Moto X. It comes with a huge non-removable 3900mAh battery and will certainly last you over a day of service. If you need to charge it, you have the wireless charging option or Turbo Charger to get you quickly up and running again. The smaller 3000mAh battery in the Moto X will also get you through the entire day or maybe two and offers quick charge via the Turbo Charger as well.
Extras on the DROID Turbo include a single front-facing speaker and an inside nano-coating for water resistance. Because it is a DROID device, it is a Verizon exclusive, and the current price for the 32GB model is down to $99 on a two-year contract or $495 off-contract.
Motorola Moto X Pure Edition
Motorola has redefined their flagship device for 2015 and they are calling it the Moto X Pure Edition in the US and the Moto X Style outside of the US. Improvements show in just about every area of its design. They are many ways to customize and personalize the look of the new Moto X – colored backings, casings and even the wood backings – and to further custom your Moto X you have access to Moto Maker. It is a larger device, but still retains the full-metal frame and curved backing making it comfortable to hold.
On the new Moto X, Motorola abandoned the AMOLED display and went with the IPS LCD technology. It is 5.7-inches with a QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 520 PPI, while the DROID Turbo uses the AMOLED QHD technology in a 5.2-inch display with 565 PPI. Motorola went back to Qualcomm and put in their 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor with one quad-core clocked at 1.44GHz and the other dual-core clocked at 1.8GHz. This goes up against the older 32-bit Snapdragon 805 quad-core processor used in the DROID Turbo. The Moto X comes with 3GB of RAM and either 16GB/32GB/64GB of internal memory with a microSD card slot to expand. The DROID Turbo also has 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage and no expansion.
Motorola surprised us all by putting a 21MP sensor in the new Moto X. The camera is complete with quick, phase detection autofocus, dual-tone LED flash and uses an f/2.0 aperture…no OIS. The Moto X even included a large 5MP FFC with an f/2.0 aperture and a wide-angle lens for great selfies and video chatting. This goes up against a 21MP main camera and a smaller 2MP FFC in the DROID Turbo. The Moto X comes with a large, non-removable, 3000mAh battery, while the DROID Turbo comes with a huge non-removable 3900mAh. Both the Moto X and the DROID Turbo can use Motorola’s Turbo Charger for a very quick charge.
The Moto X Pure Edition includes front-facing stereo speakers with Smartboost for a great new sound…possibly their take on HTC’s ‘BoomSound?’ Motorola also includes the IP52 water repellency in the Moto X. The Pure Edition is a device that is unlocked and can be used on all major US network. Using the pure Android experience – currently 5.1.1 Lollipop – you will get some of the fastest updates. Motorola has given it a starting price of $399.99 and it will be available this fall.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
Picking the winner of this one was one of the most difficult decisions to make – both devices are a great everyday driver. If you are in need of a huge 3900mAh battery, than the DROID Turbo may be the smartphone for you. However, for the rest of us that want a 64-bit processor, memory expansion, dual front-facing stereo speakers with enhanced sound, full IP52 water protection and a much better camera area, then you may go with my pick for the winner – the Moto X.
As far as specifications go, the Moto X will win in every category but battery size, and when you add to that the great pricing of $400, it wins in that category as well, going up against the $500 off contract price of the DROID Turbo. Another win for the Moto X is that it can be used, unlocked, on any major US network, whereas the DROID Turbo is a Verizon exclusive.
Either device should make you happy, but if want just a little bit more in specs, flexibility, customization and looks, then the Motorola Moto X is your winner.
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