Info: The Motorola Moto X vs the Samsung Galaxy S4

The wait for Motorola’s next smart phone is finally over. There was a time when Motorola used to rule the cell phone market albeit some 6 years ago. They have released some amazing cell phones in the past and even though it took so long, they have finally entered the smart phone market with the Motorola Moto X. So how good is this smart phone? The easiest way to find out is by comparing it with one of the best, the Samsung Galaxy S4. Will the Galaxy S4 still rule the roost at the end? Read on to find out...

Phone	Motorola Moto X	Samsung Galaxy S4
Image
Operating System	Android 4.2.2 (JellyBean)	Android 4.2.2 (JellyBean)
Processor	Dual Core, 1700 Mhz, Krait	Quad Core, 1900 MHz, Krait 300
System Chip	Motorola X8 (Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro MSM8960)	Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 APQ8064T
System Memory	2 GB	2 GB
Graphics Processor	Adreno 320	Adreno 320
Display	4.7” AMOLED	5.0” Super AMOLED
Screen Resolution	1,280 x 720	1,920 x 1,080
Pixel Density	316 ppi	441 ppi
Storage	16 / 32 GB Internal memory	16 / 32 / 64 GB User memory + microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC slot (up to 64 GB)
Primary Camera	10 MP	13 MP
Flash	LED	LED
Secondary Camera	2.0 MP	2.0 MP
WiFi	WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac / n 5GHz	WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac / n 5GHz
Bluetooth	4.0, EDR	4.0
Battery	2,200 mAh	2,600 mAh
Weight	130 g	130 g
Dimensions	129.3 x 65.3 x 10.4 mm	136.6 x 69.8 x 7.90 mm
Announced	01st August 2013	14th March 2013

Size and weight

There are very few cell phones that can compete with the Galaxy S4 in terms of size and weight, but the Moto X does a pretty decent job. It measures 129.3 x 65.3 x 10.4 mm which is less than 3 mm thicker than the Galaxy S4 which measures 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.90 mm. Now the Galaxy S4 is wider and longer, but that is only because it has to incorporate a larger screen. In terms of weight, both cell phones are exactly the same and weigh 130 g. This is a pretty good try for Motorola.

For Motorola’s decent effort, let’s call this one a draw.

(Motorola Moto X - Zero / Samsung Galaxy S4 - Zero)


Display

In terms of display, the Moto X has a long way to go before it can match up to the best smart phones in the industry. It comes with a 4.7” AMOLED touch screen that has a pixel density of 316 ppi. This is nothing in comparison to the 5.0” Super AMOLED touch screen on the Galaxy S4 which has a pixel density of 441 ppi. A lot more work to do for Motorola as far as display quality is concerned.

This point clearly goes to the Galaxy S4.

(Motorola Moto X - Zero / Samsung Galaxy S4 - One)


Memory & Storage

The Galaxy S4 probably has the most options as far as storage is concerned. There is little hope that the Moto X will be able to compete with it here. The Moto X comes in two versions, 16 GB and 32 GB. It doesn’t have any expandable memory options though. This isn’t enough to compete with the Galaxy S4 which comes in 16, 32 and 64 GB versions and also allows for expandable memory up to 64 GB. On the plus side, both smart phones come with 2 GB of RAM and you can rest assured there really is no difference between them in terms of memory.

Even though the Moto X doesn’t offer enough as the Galaxy S4 it definitely does enough to draw with the Galaxy S4.

(Motorola Moto X - Zero / Samsung Galaxy S4 - One)


Camera

The Moto X does a much better job when it comes to the camera on the back. It comes with a 10 MP camera on the back and also supports LED flash. That isn’t bad at all. The Galaxy S4 has a 13 MP camera on the back though and I’m guessing the picture quality on the Galaxy S4 will be slightly more detailed than the Moto X. Both smart phones have a 2 MP front camera. One noticeable difference between both smart phones is that the Galaxy S4 offers 1080p HD recording at 30 fps while the Moto X offers 1080p HD recording at 60 fps. I’m not exactly a camera “Guru” but I’m sure more ‘frames per second’ is better.

Clearly, this point is a draw as well.

(Motorola Moto X - Zero / Samsung Galaxy S4 - One)


OS & Performance

This is where Motorola is severely lacking. The Galaxy S4 comes with a Quad Core, 1900 MHz, Krait 300 processor and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 APQ8064T chip. The Moto X comes with just a Dual Core, 1700 MHz, Krait processor and a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro MSM8960 chip (which is quite old now). I’m guessing the Moto X won’t perform as well as similar smart phones out there. In terms of operating system, both smart phones run on the latest Android OS 4.2.2 (JellyBean).

This point has to go to Samsung for no other reason but superior technology.

(Motorola Moto X - Zero / Samsung Galaxy S4 - Two)


Battery

When you go for a Samsung smart phone, there is one thing that definitely won’t disappoint and that is the battery. The Galaxy S4 has a 2,600 mAh battery which offers a stand by time of 15.4 days which is outstanding for a smart phone. There isn’t too much information available about the Moto X and all we know is that it will come with a 2,200 mAh battery. I remember my old Motorola Razr V3 giving me quite decent stand by time and I can only presume that the Moto X will be just as good.

This point will be a draw due to the lack of information available. (Although, personally I feel Samsung might pull ahead here.)

(Motorola Moto X - Zero / Samsung Galaxy S4 - Two)


Price

The truth is, I don’t have a clue how much the Moto X is going to cost. It is rumored to cost around $ 700 and if that is true I think Motorola is going to have a tough time getting the smart phone off the shelves. The Galaxy S4 costs $ 690 and that too seems a little too steep for a smart phone.

If the Moto X is going to be priced so high. It will definitely fail. This point goes to Samsung.

(Motorola Moto X - Zero / Samsung Galaxy S4 - Three)


Conclusion

The important point to notice here is not that Samsung thrashed Motorola 3 points to 0 here, but the fact that Motorola managed to tie on 4 points with one of the leading smart phone manufacturers in the world. What’s more, the Motorola Moto X is supposed to have an always on voice mode which I can’t wait to try out. I’m expecting a lot from Motorola in the years to come and I’m sure they won’t disappoint. The one advantages of being at the bottom is that there’s nowhere to go but up.

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