Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the new Motorola Moto X Pure Edition (Style) goes up against the new Motorola Moto X Play. Two new models from Motorola go head-to-head to see which one of these devices deserves to win this specification comparison. Both devices are unmistakably Motorola in their design, although the Moto X Pure is decidedly a better build, whereas the Moto X Play is plastic all around. Let’s take a look at what these two smartphones have in common before we look at each one individually in more detail.
The Moto X Pure and the Moto X Play are very close to each other in physical size with the Moto X Play slightly smaller and 10 grams lighter. Both are designed to be dust and water resistant with their nano-coating IP52 certification. The displays are very close at 5.5-inches for the Moto X Play and 5.7-inches for the Moto X Pure. Both devices use 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon multi-core processors, but different models. They both offer 16GB or 32GB of internal memory (Moto X Pure also offers up 64GB) and they both allow for internal memory expansion via a microSD card. Both devices use a 21MP sensor for the main camera, although the cameras are not exactly the same with the Moto X Pure taking much better pictures. Both devices use a 5MP sensor for the front-facing camera (FFC) for selfies and video chatting.
They both have the usual suspects – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (4.1 on the Moto X Pure and 4.0 on Moto X Play), GPS, NFC capable, microUSB v.0 port for charging and data transfer, non-removable batteries and both offer fast battery charging.
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 Moto X Pure Edition
The new Moto X Pure Edition in the US and Style everywhere else – is a nice upgrade over its predecessor. Motorola continues the pattern that started with Moto G and Moto E – offering up great smartphone specs and delivering them at a very reasonable price. Is the Moto X Pure the perfect smartphone for today, certainly not. However, for only a $400 price tag there is not much you can complain about. There is no fingerprint sensor for mobile payments and many users may think its 5.7-inch display is too large to carry around as a daily driver. Motorola built the Moto X with a solid metal frame, while retaining the comfortable curved backing making it a joy to hold even with its larger size. It is also fully customizable with Moto Maker and you can still grab that beautiful wood backing.
Motorola no longer uses an AMOLED display. They decided to go with an IPS LCD QHD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels with 520 pixels-per-inch (PPI) versus the FHD display on the Moto X Play with 403 PPI. The Moto X uses a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 hexa-core with four cores running at 1.44GHz and two cores running at 1.8GHz. This goes up against the 64-bit Snapdragon 615 octa-core processor on the Moto X Play. The Moto X Pure packs 3GB of RAM and choices of 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, while the Moto X Play packs 2GB of RAM with 16GB or 32GB of storage – both have the ability to expand that internal memory 128GB via a microSD card.
The camera on the Moto X Pure scored well on the DxOMark test, but we need to get our hands on one to test just how good of photos it produces. It uses a 21MP sensor with phase detection autofocus, an aperture of f/2.0 and dual-tone LED flash, but no OIS. It has a large 5MP FFC with the same f/2.0 aperture and a wide-angle lens for great group selfies or video chatting. This goes up against the 21MP main camera and 5MP FFC on the Moto X Play. The Moto X Pure uses a 3000mAh battery versus the larger 3630mAh battery in the Moto X Play – both are non-removable, both should last through an entire day and the Moto X Play possibly two days.
The Moto X Pure includes front-facing stereo speakers with Smartboost for a great new sound. The Motorola is selling the Moto X Pure 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. The device measures 153.9 x 76.2 x 11.06 and weighs in at 179 grams. Motorola has given it a starting price of only $399.90.
Motorola Moto X Play
The Moto X Play falls in as a mid-range device, but is a fairly competent device. It is unmistakably Motorola in looks, however this is where the plastic comes in. The plastic back actually feels nice and ‘grippy’ in your hand, but do not be fooled by the chrome looking plastic around the edge. It will be available across Europe, Latin America and Canada, but not the US.
The Moto X Play sports a 5.5-inch LCD FHD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and 401 PPI…that does not come close to the QHD display and 520 PPI on the Moto X Pure. Motorola went back to Qualcomm and snatched up the 64-bit Snapdragon 615 octa-core processor with a quad-core clocked at 1.0GHz and a quad-core clocked at 1.7GHz. This goes up against the Moto X Pure’s 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor that thoroughly outdoes the Moto X Play’s 615, which lagged and jerked in our review model. The Moto X Play is packing 2GB of RAM and either 16GB or 32GB of internal storage with a microSD card slot to expand. The Moto X Pure comes with 3GB of RAM and 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of memory which can also expand via a microSD card.
The Moto Play X uses that same camera sensor found on the flagship Moto X Style – 21MP with a dual-tone LED flash and an f/2.0 aperture and is capable of HD videos in 1080p and 30fps. However, we must point out that on our review model, the Moto X Play took adequate pictures, but the Moto X Pure and any other flagship camera should easy out shoot this setup. It also sports the 5MP FFC for selfies and video chatting, as does the Moto X Pure. Powering the device is a huge non-removable 3630mAh battery that offers TurboPower charging and should get you through 2 days. The Moto X Pure uses a 3000mAh non-removable battery that should easily make it through a day and also uses the Turbo Charger.
The Moto X Play comes with 4G LTE connectivity, a single front-facing speaker at the bottom of the device. It is running almost stock Android 5.1.1 Lollipop – except for the added Moto Voice, Moto Assist, Moto Display and Moto Actions. The device measures 147.3 x 73.7 x 10.9 mm and weighs in at 169 grams and will cost approximately $430.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
Okay, this one here is a slam-dunk with the Moto X Pure winning by a landslide – it just has too many things going for it…especially when you consider they cost about the same amount of money! If you are simply looking for a cheaper device that will last two days without needing a battery charge, then go ahead and pick yourself up a Moto X Play…providing you do not live in the US.
But for the rest of us that want a better display, better processor, more RAM, better camera components…an all-around complete package, then the Moto X Pure (Style or Moto X 2015…whatever you want to call it) is the smartphone that wins this comparison.
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