Moto X (2nd Gen) Review: Features & Specs

Moto X (2nd Gen, 2014)

Product Overview: The Moto X (2nd Generation), officially unveiled in September 2014 and released in October 2014 (codenamed Moto X+1), is a premium mid-range Android smartphone by Motorola Mobility (then owned by Google, later sold to Lenovo). It is the successor to the 2013 Moto X, featuring a refined design, upgraded hardware, and enhanced Motorola-exclusive software features (Moto Actions, Moto Voice, Moto Display). Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, it sports a 5.2-inch AMOLED display, 13MP rear camera with OIS, 2MP front camera, 2300mAh battery with wireless charging, and a customizable plastic/wood/leather back via Motorola’s Moto Maker platform. Launched with Android 4.4.4 KitKat (upgradable to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow), it targeted users seeking a balance of flagship performance, software simplicity, and personalization—standing out against competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S5 and Google Nexus 5 with its stock Android experience and unique contextual features.

Core Specifications

Component	Details
Model Aliases	XT1092 (Single-SIM), XT1093 (US CDMA), XT1094 (US GSM), XT1095 (Dual-SIM), XT1096 (Verizon), XT1097 (AT&T)
Launch Price	~$499 (unlocked, 16GB); Moto Maker customizations added premium pricing
Display	5.2-inch Super AMOLED, 1080×1920 (FHD, 423 ppi), 16M colors, Corning Gorilla Glass 3, 178° viewing angles, capacitive touch
Processor & GPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (MSM8974AC, 28nm), quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400; Adreno 330 GPU
Memory & Storage	2GB LPDDR3 RAM; 16GB/32GB internal eMMC 5.0 storage; non-expandable (no microSD slot)
Rear Camera	13MP Sony Exmor RS IMX214, f/2.2 aperture, 1/3.06″ sensor, OIS, PDAF, LED flash, 4K@30fps / 1080p@60fps video recording, slow-mo 720p@120fps
Front Camera	2MP, f/2.4 aperture, fixed focus, 720p@30fps video recording, front LED flash
Battery & Charging	2300mAh non-removable Li-Polymer; 10W wired charging (microUSB 2.0); Qi wireless charging (built-in, no accessory required); 24h mixed use, 13h talk time (3G)
Operating System	Android 4.4.4 KitKat (stock UI, minimal bloatware); upgradable to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow (no further major updates); Motorola MyUX overlay (lightweight)
Design & Build	140.8×72.4×10.0 mm, 144g; Plastic frame, customizable back (plastic, natural wood, genuine leather); curved rear for ergonomics; front-facing stereo speakers; side-mounted volume/power keys; no fingerprint sensor
Connectivity	4G LTE Cat.4 (150 Mbps down/50 Mbps up), GSM/UMTS/HSPA+; Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band), Wi-Fi Direct/Hotspot; Bluetooth 4.0 (LE); NFC; GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou; microUSB 2.0 (OTG support); 3.5mm headphone jack
Sensors	Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, barometer, magnetometer, dual-microphones (noise cancellation), IR blaster (for remote control)
Exclusive Software Features	Moto Display (always-on notifications), Moto Voice (hands-free voice commands), Moto Actions (twist to launch camera, chop twice for flashlight), Moto Connect (cross-device sync), Active Display
Color/Finish Options	Base plastic: Black, White, Red, Blue; Premium: Bamboo, Walnut, Ash wood; Black/Dark Brown genuine leather (Moto Maker exclusive)

Key Feature Breakdown

1. Display & Performance

The 5.2-inch FHD Super AMOLED display delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and sharp visuals—an upgrade from the first-gen Moto X’s 720p screen—with Gorilla Glass 3 for scratch resistance. Paired with the Snapdragon 801 processor and Adreno 330 GPU, the device delivers flagship-level 2014 performance: smooth multitasking, seamless gaming (e.g., Asphalt 8), and 4K video recording. The 2GB RAM is sufficient for Android 4.4–6.0, with the stock Android UI ensuring no performance bloat from heavy custom skins.

2. Camera Capabilities

The 13MP rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and PDAF is a standout feature for 2014, capturing sharp, blur-free photos in low light and motion, and 4K video with crisp detail. The twist-to-launch camera (Moto Action) enables 0.5s quick capture—faster than most competitors—while the front LED flash improves low-light selfies/videos (a rarity in 2014 mid-range phones). The only limitation is the 2MP front sensor, which lags behind higher-res selfie cameras in flagship devices.

3. Design & Personalization (Moto Maker)

Motorola’s Moto Maker platform is the device’s defining feature, allowing users to customize the back finish (plastic, natural wood, genuine leather), front color, accent trim, and even engrave text— a first for mass-market smartphones. The curved rear design and 144g weight make it highly ergonomic, with front-facing stereo speakers delivering clear, loud audio for media and calls (a step up from the first-gen’s single speaker).

4. Contextual Software Features (Moto Experience)

The 2nd Gen Moto X refines Motorola’s exclusive AI-driven features, which were revolutionary for 2014:

Moto Display: Always-on notifications that light up the screen with minimal battery drain, showing alerts without unlocking the device.
Moto Voice: Hands-free voice commands (“OK Google, OK Moto X”) for making calls, sending texts, or launching apps—even when the screen is off.
Moto Actions: Gesture controls (twist for camera, chop twice for flashlight, lift to wake) for one-handed, quick access to core functions.
IR Blaster: Built-in remote control for TVs, ACs, and other home appliances, eliminating the need for a separate remote.

5. Battery & Charging

The 2300mAh battery delivers all-day 24h mixed usage—a key selling point—thanks to the energy-efficient Snapdragon 801 and stock Android’s battery optimization. The built-in Qi wireless charging is a premium feature for 2014 (no need for a separate wireless charging back like the first-gen Moto X), with support for all Qi-certified charging pads. Wired charging is limited to 10W, but wireless charging adds convenience for desk/bedside use.

Market Position & Legacy

Market Position (2014)

Premium Mid-Range Flagship Alternative: Positioned between budget mid-range phones (e.g., Moto G) and top-tier flagships (e.g., Samsung Galaxy S5, iPhone 6), offering flagship performance and exclusive features at a lower unlocked price (~$499 vs. $699+ for flagships).
Stock Android Enthusiast Choice: Competed with the Google Nexus 5, appealing to users who wanted a pure Android experience with additional hardware/software refinements (wireless charging, OIS, Moto features) and customization.
Personalization Pioneer: The Moto Maker platform set a new standard for smartphone customization, making the device a hit with users seeking unique, personalized hardware.

Legacy

Motorola’s Comeback Device: The 2nd Gen Moto X solidified Motorola’s return to relevance in the smartphone market after its acquisition by Google, following the success of the 2013 Moto X and Moto G.
Contextual AI Feature Blueprint: Moto’s gesture/voice/always-on features pioneered the modern smartphone’s contextual AI capabilities, inspiring later features like Google’s Ambient Display, Samsung’s Bixby Routines, and Apple’s Back Tap.
Stock Android with Premium Extras: It proved that a stock Android phone could offer premium hardware (OIS, wireless charging, AMOLED) and exclusive software features without the bloat of custom UIs— a formula Motorola continued with the Moto Z and One series.
Customization Standard: Moto Maker paved the way for other brands to offer hardware customization (e.g., Samsung Galaxy S Custom Edition, Google Pixel Custom Case), though mass-market customization remains limited today.

Limitations

Plastic Frame: While the customizable back was premium, the plastic frame felt less high-end than the metal unibody designs emerging in 2014 (e.g., iPhone 6, HTC One M8).

Non-Expandable Storage: The lack of a microSD slot (16GB/32GB only) was a major drawback for 2014 users, who relied on expandable storage for media/files.

No Fingerprint Sensor: While fingerprint sensors were still emerging in 2014 (e.g., iPhone 5s, Samsung Galaxy S5), their absence meant no biometric security— a feature users soon began to expect.

Limited Software Updates: Only two major OS updates (KitKat → Lollipop → Marshmallow) left the device outdated by 2017, lagging behind Google’s Nexus/Pixel series (3+ years of updates).

2MP Front Camera: The low-res front sensor was outmatched by competitors (e.g., Nexus 5’s 1.3MP was similar, but flagships like the Galaxy S5 had 2MP with better optics) and became a pain point for selfie-focused users.