Over the weekend, a couple of renders for the upcoming Moto X hit the web. While they do look similar, there are a few differences. And as we’re hearing today, they are two different devices, although they both do feature a 5.5-inch display. There’s the Vertex (a mid-ranger) and the Vector thin (a high-end model). According to this report, Lenovo is going the modular route with the Moto X4 (or whatever the final name ends up being). Instead of popping off the bottom of the phone like LG did with their LG G5, Lenovo is opting to pop off the back plate. Which is why you see those connectors on the back. In yesterday’s coverage of the renders, we noted that they appear to be connectivity pins. And that’s exactly what VentureBeat is reporting today.
Lenovo is using modular backplates here on the Moto X4 which can be snapped on and off. Currently, they have at least six modules and the company is calling them “Amps” (better than “friends”?). These modules include a simple colored backplate, which is actually going to be shipping with both handsets. The other Amps include a battery pack, camera grip with flash and optical zoom, stereo speakers, pico projector and a rugged cover with wide angle lens attachment. All of which will make for a pretty interesting experience with either of these handsets. Motorola is also planning to have third-party manufacturers create these Amps, much like LG is doing with their Friends for the LG G5.
The spec sheet for these two devices reads about as you’d expect. We’re looking at 5.5-inch AMOLED displays on each (so Moto Display is likely sticking around). However the Vector Thin is getting a QHD resolution panel and the Vertex has a FHD resolution panel. Additionally, the Vector Thin sports a Snapdragon 820 processor clocked at 2.0GHz, and the Vertex sports the Snapdragon 625 which is overclocked to 2.4GHz. For storage and RAM, we’re looking at 32GB/3GB and 32GB/4GB combinations for the Vector Thin. The Vertex gets 16GB/2GB and 32GB/3GB configurations. The Vector Thin will be sporting a pretty decent looking camera on paper. It’s a 16-megapixel sensor, which also has laser-assisted and phase detection auto-focus. However the Vertex is getting a 13-megapixel sensor with just laser AF. On the battery front, we have a 2600mAh battery powering the Vector Thin and a larger 3500mAh on the Vertex.
There’s no word on when these devices will be announced, but the renders do show an August 24th date. Which typically leads to the date that the device is being announced. So that’s a pretty good bet.
