Moto X Style, "Best-in-Class" Camera

[Suika]

(click for sauce)

Haven't all Motorola devices had a let down of a camera? Hopefully that's changed.

 

Here comes the most interesting Motorola smartphone yet. Not because it looks terribly different, not because the spec sheet says it's better than everyone else, not even because this will retail at $399, but because marketing claims this is the best camera in a smartphone yet. This interests me quite a bit actually, I'm no photographer but I do feel like the camera is a major selling point to a smartphone anymore, considering software optimization can be just as powerful as a good processor (My 2013 Moto G still feels very relevant today).

 

This new Moto smartphone has a 21-megapixel image sensor and comes with a bold promise from Marketing VP Adrienne Hayes, who says that Motorola "can guarantee the cameras in our phones will now be best in class." 

 

Camera aside, specifications are still very nice. We'll have a 5.7" QHD display, 1.8GHz hexacore processor, 3GB of RAM, 3,000mAh battery, up to 64GB of storage AND THANKFULLY microSD card expansion. As far as the screen is concerned, fortunately the bezels are thin so the device is smaller than the display actually is. These are flagship specifications fortunately and if the camera is as nice as marketing is saying, then Motorola has a real fighter on their hands.

 

The Moto X Style will be available in September at a price that's "$200 to $300 less than the best phones from Apple or Samsung," according to Motorola's design chief Jim Wicks. In the US, this phone will be known as the Moto X Pure — featuring a "pure Android" experience with priority software updates — and will be sold unlocked for $399.

 

If you're like me, you're still interested in that camera. Fortunately they have preview images, and if the description on these images appear correct, the Moto X's camera could potentially have as extensive of a camera feature, full of options, much like the LG G4. My interest will be in auto mode and how well it will behave, but only time will tell.

 

(click for more images)

 

So I don't know about you guys, but I do think the Moto X Style can be the OnePlus 2 killer. Being only a few dollars more than OP2's 64GB model with similar flagship specs, I think the OP2 will have a tough time selling with its invite system and the Moto X Style being cheaper and freely available, as well as available to carriers. What do you guys think? Will the Moto X be the better flagship, will OnePlus have to cut prices or find a reason to make the OP2 better, or is it too early to tell?

[Deletive]

Wait wait wait 399$? I'm buying it in september. If it's OLED/AMOLED I'm super happy.

Any thing about IP certifactions?

[aom]

Top Contenders for Phone Upgrade in September :

1) Note 5 (Prayng it'll still be 5.7")

2) S6 Edge Plus

3) One Plus Two

4) Moto X Style

 

Though to be honest, doubt I can get an invite, so Moto X is probably going to be my first pick

[Deli]

Surprised how good the little phone camera has improved. The little sensor and little lens produce good images in good light that rivals some lower-end M43 cameras.

[Mister Snow]

Why does it have to be a 5.7" display. 

Add a bit more and you'll have an average tablet.

[cesrai]

@Suika

@Rohith_Kumar_Sp

IF you want an actual review http://connect.dpreview.com/post/3318468090/dxomark-mobile-report-motorola-moto-x-style

[cesrai]

Wait wait wait 399$? I'm buying it in september. If it's OLED/AMOLED I'm super happy.

Any thing about IP certifactions?

Nothing for them but they have coating that supposed to be against water drops or something.

[Techicolors]

Meanwhile the Moto X Play has a 3600mAh battery... 

[dizmo]

The model you quoted is called the Pure. The 5.5" model is called the Play, and has a smaller screen with a few other changes.

 

You forgot one of the best parts! Stereo front facing speakers! Which on a phone of this size is actually quite amazing.

 

I was totally ready to throw down money for this, I think it absolutely destroys the OnePlus 2. Unfortunately, no dual SIM support means no go.

 

 

Wait wait wait 399$? I'm buying it in september. If it's OLED/AMOLED I'm super happy.

Any thing about IP certifactions?

Alas it is not. LCD this time.

 

Why does it have to be a 5.7" display. 

Add a bit more and you'll have an average tablet.

The body of the phone isn't much bigger than a lot of other 5.5" phones...

Once you go big, you never go back

[Deletive]

Alas it is not. LCD this time.

Well then I see almost no reason to go with it over the oneplus 2 =/

[dizmo]

Well then I see almost no reason to go with it over the oneplus 2 =/

MicroSD expansion, front facing stereo speakers, better camera, front facing flash, basically the same size phone with a bigger screen, turbo charging, NFC, dual color flash, substantially wider LTE coverage.

[Deletive]

MicroSD expansion, front facing stereo speakers, better camera, front facing flash, basically the same size phone with a bigger screen, turbo charging, NFC, dual color flash, substantially wider LTE coverage.

Sure, need more then 16gb, have 5gb left on 64gb 1+1, use mainly headphones but guess it would be nice, thats a nice one, never take selfies plus glases would mess everything up. more phone in same factor is nice, turbo charging is nice but smaller battery. NFC is never really used for me, I use wind.

It would be nice but with the Canadian dollar probably dropping to 1.4 of USD by september would it really be worth the cost? 1+2 is 479$ for 64gb and is going to stay there while the Moto x Style I can't tell if it'll be 429$ CAD to 499$ starting price.

[cesrai]

Meanwhile the Moto X Play has a 3600mAh battery...

???? What's your point ?

[Mister Snow]

...

 

The body of the phone isn't much bigger than a lot of other 5.5" phones...

Once you go big, you never go back

 

That might be but I find even 5" too large for regular pockets and I wouldn't want to carry it in my back pocket. 

It's sad that there are only a few high end phones that are < 5" large.

[Deletive]

That might be but I find even 5" too large for regular pockets and I wouldn't want to carry it in my back pocket. 

It's sad that there are only a few high end phones that are < 5" large.

I never realized people still carry their phones in their back pockets.

[Real_PhillBert]

That might be but I find even 5" too large for regular pockets and I wouldn't want to carry it in my back pocket. 

It's sad that there are only a few high end phones that are < 5" large.

 

Agreed I think the 5" size is about perfect. It is about as far as my thumb can reach (corner to corner) without moving my hand.

[dizmo]

Sure, need more then 16gb, have 5gb left on 64gb 1+1, use mainly headphones but guess it would be nice, thats a nice one, never take selfies plus glases would mess everything up. more phone in same factor is nice, turbo charging is nice but smaller battery. NFC is never really used for me, I use wind.

It would be nice but with the Canadian dollar probably dropping to 1.4 of USD by september would it really be worth the cost? 1+2 is 479$ for 64gb and is going to stay there while the Moto x Style I can't tell if it'll be 429$ CAD to 499$ starting price.

Really? I only have half of my 16gb N5 filled up. Then again, if I want music I carry a Nano.

I hate, hate hate bottom mounted speakers. I find it easier to cup and project from the back than the side. Either way you have to redirect..

I don't take many selfies either, but the gf likes them as well as most of the other people in the world it seems. Snapchat is a thing. *shrug*

I totally agree about the smaller battery. It's never a trade off to have fast charging over a bigger battery. The whole point is being away from the wall longer. I don't get why OEM's don't see that..

I think the Moto will probably be more expensive, no doubt. I'd bet $499 CAD.

 

It just seems like Motorola really stepped up their game this year, whereas OnePlus just added a few niceties.

This is why we need the big players. Sure, cheap phones are awesome, but without massive investment we'd never see improved camera sensors, finger print readers, vastly superior displays, etc. Someone needs to buy high end flagships to get these things developed. People seem to forget that. OnePlus has never really improved anything, merely pieced together others accomplishments. /endrant

 

How do you find Wind? Ever have reception issues?

That's actually why I want a dual SIM phone. I plan on getting a Wind plan so I can talk with the gf unlimited, have unlimited data but still keep my old number, and have a separate number for business.

 

That might be but I find even 5" too large for regular pockets and I wouldn't want to carry it in my back pocket. 

It's sad that there are only a few high end phones that are < 5" large.

Adapt or die.

Haha, kidding. But really. After using the Nexus 5 for over a year, I can't imagine anything smaller. The gf's iPhone 5 is a joke. Way too small.

The Z3 Compact seems to be your perfect phone. It'd be ideal for me too if it had dual SIM.

 

Then again, I use my phone for a lot more than just calls/texting.

 

I never realized people still carry their phones in their back pockets.

Haha, I do. Depending on the pants..

 

Agreed I think the 5" size is about perfect. It is about as far as my thumb can reach (corner to corner) without moving my hand.

How often do you really need to reach the top left of the screen?

[Real_PhillBert]

How often do you really need to reach the top left of the screen?

 

To toggle wifi, several times a day.

[dizmo]

To toggle wifi, several times a day.

There's these wonderful things called widgets..

[Real_PhillBert]

There's these wonderful things called widgets..

 

I prefer a clean background.

 

If you like a larger phone that is cool, I just don't. 

[MrDynamicMan]

WANT. WANT. WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT.

[Ruostunut kokis]

Surprised how good the little phone camera has improved. The little sensor and little lens produce good images in good light that rivals some lower-end M43 cameras.

In good light, almost any camera can do well. Lower the amount of light, and smaller sensor cameras start to struggle, especially phone cameras.

 

Now only if manual controls were a thing in other phone cameras than phone / camera hybrids, like Lumia 1020...

 

 

Agreed I think the 5" size is about perfect. It is about as far as my thumb can reach (corner to corner) without moving my hand.

I have grown used to ~6" total size of the Xperia Z1, but would still prefer it to be a tad smaller. 5" seems to be a great spot, not too small, not too large.

 

 

I never realized people still carry their phones in their back pockets.

And I have never realized why people carry anything in their back pockets at all... Can't feel if something has been stolen or not. I guess it's just a preference, but still.

[Deli]

In good light, almost any camera can do well. Lower the amount of light, and smaller sensor cameras start to struggle, especially phone cameras.

 

Now only if manual controls were a thing in other phone cameras than phone / camera hybrids, like Lumia 1020...

 

 

 

I was looking at 100% crop. The detail and minimum amount of noise in the surprisingly good for such small sensor. 

 

When you look at the picture at 100% crop, sometimes even APSC sensor with less than stellar lens will show more flaws than those.

[Techicolors]

???? What's your point ?

 

The X Style has better specs than the X Play but has a smaller battery. 

[totjup5]

Meanwhile the Moto X Play has a 3600mAh battery... 

And I'm sitting here with my 3900 mAh droid turbo....