Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – we have two great looking smartphones going up against one another, the Xiaomi Mi4 with LTE and the new Motorola Moto X Pure Edition. Both of these devices offer great specifications and both devices offer a lot of value for your dollar. So which one of these smartphones offers the most and is worthy to win this specification comparison?
Let’s take a quick look at what the Mi4 and Moto X have in common – they both use the IPS LCD display technology, but different resolutions and sizes. Both devices use a Snapdragon processor, but different models. They both come with 3GB of RAM, they both offer a 16GB internal storage model, with only the Moto X having a means to expand. Both devices have a large front-facing camera (FFC) with the Mi4 coming in at 8MP and the Moto X has a 5MP.
The Mi4 and Moto X have the usual suspects – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (Mi4 is 4.0 and the Moto X has 4.1), GPS, a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer and both have a means to rapidly charge their batteries. Both have non-removable batteries and actually very close in size – 3080mAh in the Mi4 and 3000mAh Moto X.
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
Xiaomi Mi4
This is the Xiaomi Mi4’s newest model with FDD-LTE that works using Bands 1 (2100MHz) and 3 (1800MHz). Xiaomi said there would be a 16GB and 64GB memory models, but it is currently available only in the white 16GB model – neither model has room for additional storage. The Mi4 has a solid feel, not to mention the look of a premium device even though the Mi4 has a plastic back with full-metal body and trim. The Mi4 fits comfortably in your hand and is a pleasure to use.
The Xiaomi Mi4 sports a 5-inch FHD IPS LCD with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and has 441 pixels-per-inch (PPI) – this is competing with the Moto X’s 5.7-inch QHD display with 520 PPI. The Mi4 uses the reliable 32-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core CPU clocked at 2.5GHz, which was a great processor early last year, but it is no match for the 64-bit hexa-core processor in the Moto X. Both devices carry 3GB of RAM on board, with the Xiaomi Mi4 carrying only 16GB of internal storage and no room for expansion, whereas the Moto X offers 32GB or 64GB of storage with available expansion.
The devices both have very good camera areas – the Mi4 uses a Sony produced 13MP sensor, auto-focus, a large f/1.8 aperture and a dual-LED flash, but the Mi4 does not have OIS. This compares to a 21MP Sony sensor with phase detection autofocus and a dual-tone LED flash in the Moto X. The Mi4 has an excellent 8MP FFC with an f/1.8 aperture. That is larger than the 5MP on the Moto X, but either smartphone should take great selfies and offer a good video chatting experience. The Mi4’s 3080mAh battery is slightly larger than the 3000mAh found on the Moto X, but both should easily get you through a full day – both are non-removable and both offer quick charge options.
When it comes to other extra features that the Mi4 possesses over the Moto X, it would be is an FM Radio. This model is the new FDD-LTE device, so please check with Xiaomi’s website and your carrier to make sure that you can use 4G LTE in your country – in the US it should work on AT&T and T-Mobile. The Xiaomi Mi4 is running Android 4.4.2 KitKat with MIUI 5 on top. Pricing is all off-contract via online ordering – approximately $330 for 16GB model.
Motorola Moto X Pure Edition
Motorola has redefined their flagship device for 2015, in the US they are calling it the Moto X Pure Edition, and outside the US it is called the Moto X Style. The new Moto X is improved in just about every area of its design. They are many ways to customize and personalize the look of the new Moto X besides the Moto Maker – there are colored backings, casings and even the wood backings. It is a larger device, but retains the full-metal frame and curved backing making it comfortable to hold.
On the new Moto X, Motorola replaced the AMOLED display for the IPS LCD variety. They enlarged it to 5.7-inches, gave it a QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 520 PPI, while the Mi4 uses only the FHD display technology in a 5.0-inch display with 441 PPI. Motorola decided to stick with 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 32-bit Snapdragon 801 quad-core clocked at 2.5GHz in the Mi4. The Moto X comes with 3GB of RAM and either 16GB/32GB/64GB of internal memory with a microSD card slot to expand. The Mi4 also has 3GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage and no means to expand.
Motorola went the extra mile on the Moto X with a 21MP sensor for their main camera. They added a quick, phase detection autofocus, dual-tone LED flash and uses an f/2.0 aperture. The Moto X even includes a 5MP FFC with an f/2.0 aperture and a wide-angle lens for great selfies and video chatting. This goes up against a 13MP main camera and a huge 8MP FFC in the Mi4. The Moto X uses a 3000mAh battery versus the slightly larger 3080mAh battery in the Mi4 – non-removable battery in both and the Moto X 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. Motorola also includes the IP52 water repellency in the Moto X. The Moto X is unlocked and can be used on all major US networks. Using the pure Android experience – currently 5.1.1 Lollipop – you will get the fastest updates possible with Motorola. Motorola has given it a starting price of $399.99 and it will be available this fall.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
This was a close call, but I am picking the new Moto X as the winner of this comparison. As nice a device as the Xiaomi Mi4 is, it just does not seem quite as ‘polished’ as the Moto X. The Moto X is unlocked and will work on all major US networks, whereas the Mi4 will work on limited LTE bands on AT&T and T-Mobile.
The Moto X has a newer 64-bit processor, more memory flexibility with 32GB and 64GB options as well as a microSD card slot and is NFC capable. It has a QHD display, is IP52 water resistant and has a much better camera area. The Moto X is also customizable with Moto Maker and with a price tag of only $399.99 it is only about $70 more than the Xiaomi Mi4.
The Xiaomi Mi4 LTE is a terrific phone for the money, and if the larger Moto X is too big for you, then the 5-inch Mi4 may be more up your alley, as long as you are willing to use AT&T or T-Mobile. I just think that you get a lot more for your money and more up-to-date specifications and more options with the Moto X and that is why I pick it as the winner.
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