January 1, 2015
Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback! My 2013 moto x took a spill due to my affinity for being clumsy so I was in need of a new handset. My requirements for the device werebetter battery life (not necessarily the best, but better than what I have now), a serviceable camera, good build quality and a 'stock' version of googles android operating system.To those who don't otherwise know, stock android refers to android without customizations from a 3rd party oem like samsung or htc. Back in the day, when android was 'ugly' and sparse, these software overlays made a lot of sense...so much in fact that Google began adopting features present in those overlays into the base level of the operating system. With the release of kit kat, (version 4.4) I kinda could still get why someone would opt for htc's or samsungs interface, if only for flair, even though i preferred the cleaner look of Googles version.However, this device ships with 5.0 lollipop, which is a massive update and affects everything you see and touch...and its the first time the O.S. doesnt feel 'bare bones'. Its every bit as 'pretty' and elegant as ios is (Id argue the aesthetic is prettier, with more pleasing animations, but thats just my preference) and its worlds better than many of the software overlays you'll see on phones at att. (Paticularly samsung, with its unrefined looking icons and constant bleeps and bloops which are maddening.) There is a cohesiveness to the design that is only really matched by ios and no previous version of android comes close.The benefit of this is that you get increased performance and updates for your device get approved more quickly, because there is no 3rd party, outside of att, that has to ensure the update is implemented properly with existing software. If you are looking for the 'iphone approach' which is hardware made for the software, but on on android....this is it. (The only downside for some folks is that this is more like the 'iphone 6plus' experience...you'll have to look to the new moto x if you want something comparable to this same hardware/software accord on a smaller handset that competes with the iphone6)I strongly considered the moto x before getting this device...however att refuses to let me customize it on the next program so that ruled it out. Also, I wanted a significant bump in battery life, as opposed to only slightly better. The hardware is equally nice on the moto x.As long as you can stomach the size, you'll love this phone. Its fast, fluid, extraordinarily well built and feels very premium.Googles engineers were asked why they went with a device this big considering the nexus 5 was much smaller and they gave an answer that made me, a strictly one handed-use guy' a covert to big phones.'Whats the ideal size for a pocket internet device?'So spot on. There is only one tablet in our household and it sees most of its use by my s.o., so as someone who lacked a tablet, this is a great in between device.If you already have a tablet, the advantages of a giant phone may not be readily apparent, and it may actually seem silly. But as someone who doesnt have a tablet, it makes all the sense in the world.A few key points to consider, especially when looking at the other two big 'BIG' phones on the market.1. Screen: The resolution is great. Text is fantastic. You get darker blacks then you do with the iphone6+ and less blown out colors than the note4. However, the note4's colors can be set to look more accurate, but most folks who i've seen with that device leave that paticular mode unchecked. There is an ever so slight difference in sharpness compared to the iphone6 plus (to the nexus' benefit). Its a great screen, and a wonderful way to view all of your content. Reading books in amazon or google play is a treat, and i've actually started to read more often given that its with me all the time.2. Camera: its damning praise to say it has the best camera ever on a nexus, but thats the case here. The camera is better than what was on my moto x and the colors are very very accurate. Low light photography is a tad slow to focus, but the outcome is pleasing. I would still put it a tick or two below the note and 6 plus' camera, but the usability is much nicer and straightforward. My mom would have an easier time snapping a photo here and editing it then she would on her Galaxy s4. You can shoot in 4k video, which is cool, but comes at a heavy space premium. Low light photos between this and my buddies 6+ were very similar.Its the first android camera that I've used that doesnt feel like i'm a second class citizen to what an iphone can produce. Very big thumbs up.3. Build: perfect. Motorola knows hardware. This is basically a mix between the old (2013) and 'new (2014) moto x design-wise. Its a very wide phone however, noticeably wider than both the note and 6+. Feels great in hand, weighty in a quality way. I prefer the texture to the note4's backplate, though it still doesnt feel as premium as the 6+ or something like the htc one. (Build quality and materials quality are two different things however, and the nexus6 does excellent in the former and great in the latter.)4. Speakers: the quality of sound isnt as 'full' as the HTC one, but man...these speakers are incredibly good and i'd argue that they are louder. It has 2 of them, both front facing, which makes a huge difference when sharing a video or just enjoying content, which is something that you'll do often. They protrude ever so slightly from the front of the device, which keeps the screen safe if you ever leave it face down.5. Turbocharger and battery life: Turbocharger works. Maybe not 100% on the dot with googles claims, but man, this device charges quickly. In about a half hour of charging, being at 10% battery life, I was up to 34%. Thats great considering the size of the battery. This morning, I pluged my phone in at 7:05, it was down to 9%, and by the time i left for work i had gotten up to a 94% charge. That is serioulsy impressive.As far as battery life itself goes, I've been pretty hard on my device the last few days i've had it. I've gotten an average of 3/12-4 1/2 hours of screen on time, which is with more than just 'average' usage...this included A LOT of gaming, chromecasting an enteire movie and running several benchmarks and having an android wear device (bluetooth) connect the whole time. Lots of streaming music and video watching and website browsing as well. If your a moderate user, expect to get over 3 hours daily. My original moto x (with MY specific usage) had just about had it by around 8-9pm...so going out required a 'safety' charge. You wont have to worry about it with this device.6. Gaming: just crushes everything I throw at is. It has top of the line specs and because of that standard, instead of just running well for while its 'new' it will continue to do so for quite some time. Despite the resolution, games load quickly and dropped frames is a non-issueAll in all, I'm very happy with my purchase. This is one of the first bleeding edge devices i've owned so soon after its introduction and I plan on keeping it for quite some time. It does everything well and knowing I will still continue to get updates long after other oem's are simply worried about selling you their newest handset feels great.Fwiw...i still miss my moto x. There are some features there that not even stock android can replicate and if you want a smaller handset, i strongly encourage you to check out that device. Had i had the ability to customize it, I would have more than likely gone that route. And if that or the nexus6 were not available, Id still take even a last gen moto x, just for the features and feel in hand, over most other flagships.Note: recommend to check for best price at: seebestdeals.com/?p=1872