Research Lab Says Moto X Has ‘best performance observed in a mobile display to date’

[dgstorm]

ABI Research recently performed an analysis and teardown of the Moto X which revealed some intriguing results. According to their assessment, the Moto X has several impressive engineering feats. One of the things they were most impressed with was that the device is small for Android standards, yet it still offers excellent battery life despite its high-definition AMOLED display.

That's not all they praised about the device. Jim Mielke of ABI indicated that the Moto X has the "best performance observed in a mobile display to date." He elaborated,

“This level of performance is so significantly improved that other factors are more likely to govern battery life now. Automatic dimming and short idle periods before turning off the display will be less crucial and may even be features that fade away from all handsets soon.

The phone features a unique always-on voice command system that has drawn a lot of attention but a second marvel exists that is very easily seen but not observed: Moto X’s AMOLED display, which draws just 92mA during bright conditions and 68mA while dim. Battery life has long since been dictated by display technology—the display current could be as high as 700mA under bright conditions just a few years ago. LCD based displays have been evolving too but not quite matching the AMOLED displays performance.”

It's amazing to realize just how innovative Motorola has been with this device. It's easy to get caught up in the typical marketing fantasy of high-end devices requiring ultra-processors and tons of RAM. Sometimes the subtle innovations which happen behind the scenes are under-appreciated. What do you guys think?

Source: ABI Research

 

[Sydman]

I bought one of these for my wife and I can't keep my hands off it. Don't get me wrong, I love my Note 3, but the Moto X is a fantastic device.

 

[TatDroid]

Mine was delivered to the house today. Can't wait to get home and get my hands on it!

 

[djspy]

I guess this also applies to the new DROIDs?

 

[jamjr74]

Had one and liked it but camera was not to my liking so I sold it. It is a nice device though!

 

[tgyberg]

I'm a phablet guy through and through now, but I can tell even in the vids how nice the new Moto's are!

 

[xxwabbit]

Just wish display was at least 5inches. So smooth. Feels great in the hand.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk 2

 

[jackiescivic]

I can't even explain just how much I am loving my new Maxx. The screen is just gorgeous and the response time is awesome. I think Moto did something right with these phones for sure!

Sent from my Droid Maxx

 

[gadgetrants]

OK, I've already eaten enough humble pie about how disappointed I was by the X, so I won't labor the point. I was wrong (mostly).

So smooth. Feels great in the hand.

This ^^

I bought one of these for my wife and I can't keep my hands off it. Don't get me wrong, I love my Note 3, but the Moto X is a fantastic device.

Almost the same for me (swap out Note 3 and insert HTC One). But it's awesome that I get to play with two phones at the same time! I have to agree with xxwabbit that the X feels better in the hand, but I'm definitely happy with the custody arrangement my wife and I have. Either way, I'm particularly impressed about the voice always-on feature (and dedicated processor).

My original rant against the X is that it fell so far short of the real potential that Google has (primarily data-mining and usability). Plus I think it was over-hyped. But in hindsight I'll definitely admit that it's a very positive step in the right direction. I'm sorry that we'll have to wait another 3-5 years before we see the REAL Google phone, but at least things are moving forward.

-Matt

 

[xsylus]

I still don't understand their decision to embed the battery nor the lack of microSD slot. Just makes it feel more like a downgrade than an upgrade.

 

[FoxKat]

I still don't understand their decision to embed the battery nor the lack of microSD slot. Just makes it feel more like a downgrade than an upgrade.

Have to agree with him ^ on lack of an SD card slot. As much as cloud storage is the wave of the future, it's problematic, requires constant connection and use of bandwidth to keep photos and other data backed up, and the risk of a phone crash requiring a full FDR and wipe causing loss of irreplaceable data is scary. I put ALL my important data out onto the removable SD card, and even do backups of SMS, Phone Log and APKs to the card, just in case I do have to wipe or a system update goes awry.

As for the lack of removable battery I personally prefer the case and battery to be fused together as my RAZR and RAZR MAXX were. There's less to worry about and it simply feels more solid. I don't like carrying around an extra battery in my pocket everywhere (like I now have to do with my new SGS4 - usually dead by this time at night), and who wants to deal with all that? Personally if I'm going to carry around a spare battery I'd rather (and do), keep an external battery pack (RavPower 10,000 mAh), in the car so it's with me all the time and ready for a boost charging session. I also have a car-mount that charges the phone when it's in the mount, and if I'm out on a long excursion I take the backup and put it into the backpack or computer bag.

 

[Vepaot]

...and who wants to deal with all that? Personally if I'm going to carry around a spare battery I'd rather (and do), keep an external battery pack (RavPower 10,000 mAh), in the car so it's with me all the time and ready for a boost charging session...

I don't see why you'd want to limit yourself by carrying a spare battery pack that has to be plugged into your phone VS carrying around a spare battery that can just be popped into the device itself, making it less clunky and intrusive.

The same logic applies to the microSD card slot issue. If you need the extra storage space, you can buy a USB OTG cable and mount a flash drive. But like a portable USB battery, it's one of those things where it's sticking out of the device by a wire whenever you want to use it.

 

[akhenax]

I don't see why you'd want to limit yourself by carrying a spare battery pack that has to be plugged into your phone VS carrying around a spare battery that can just be popped into the device itself, making it less clunky and intrusive.

The same logic applies to the microSD card slot issue. If you need the extra storage space, you can buy a USB OTG cable and mount a flash drive. But like a portable USB battery, it's one of those things where it's sticking out of the device by a wire whenever you want to use it.

I think USBOTG will be the future for backing up large files or copying them to mobile devices, given that sdcard slots are becoming a thing of the past. But if you buy a phone with 8 Gigs of storage, on the cheap, you want to have the option of adding your own storage to the device, for video, pics, etc. 8 Gig is enough for apps, but not for media. The fact that most devices are omitting this technology is frustrating at best.

I wish device manufacturers would employ this method for SIM slots: MicroSD/SIM combo connector

 

[liftedplane]

I think USBOTG will be the future for backing up large files or copying them to mobile devices, given that sdcard slots are becoming a thing of the past. But if you buy a phone with 8 Gigs of storage, on the cheap, you want to have the option of adding your own storage to the device, for video, pics, etc. 8 Gig is enough for apps, but not for media. The fact that most devices are omitting this technology is frustrating at best.

I wish device manufacturers would employ this method for SIM slots: MicroSD/SIM combo connector

SD card slots are not becoming a thing of the past, some manufacturers are trying it out but there are enough people who don't want to let go. I have a 64gb sd card AND I want the 64gb note 3 I'm going to use all that space... using usb OTG is obtuse and annoying. it's a completely different monster than plugging in your phone to a battery pack.

 

[NOVICE]

Moto X is apparently a superior and innovative device. But for reasons I cannot comprehend sales are clearly disappointing. In retrospect a removable battery and SD slot might have improved adoption. Or maybe not.

I'm sticking with the Samsung Note series as long as they give me the freedom to carry an extra battery and inexpensive supplemental storage (w/USB 3)