Nexus 5 or Moto X?

[xraydoc]

I'm interested in getting a "stock" Android phone to go along with my Nexus 7.

I will not be rooting the device or installing custom ROMs. While I'm capable of doing so (and have on my previous Android devices), the IT people at my workplace do not permit rooted devices to access our Exchange servers. They use the Mobile Iron management app which has a root checker and also check for apps like SU, Titanium and many other apps that require root to run. Any whiff and the device is blocked. Sucks, I know.

I'm also not really interested in the GPE edition of the S4 or HTC One. I prefer the on-screen buttons of stock Android.

Nexus 5 will certainly get the fastest updates. Moto X seems to have better voice command support (á la Siri).

So - which would you choose (carriers and price aside): Nexus 5 or Moto X?

 

[vomhorizon]

I'm interested in getting a "stock" Android phone to go along with my Nexus 7.

I will not be rooting the device or installing custom ROMs. While I'm capable of doing so (and have on my previous Android devices), the IT people at my workplace do not permit rooted devices to access our Exchange servers. They use the Mobile Iron management app which has a root checker and also check for apps like SU, Titanium and many other apps that require root to run. Any whiff and the device is blocked. Sucks, I know.

I'm also not really interested in the GPE edition of the S4 or HTC One. I prefer the on-screen buttons of stock Android.

Nexus 5 will certainly get the fastest updates. Moto X seems to have better voice command support (á la Siri).

So - which would you choose (carriers and price aside): Nexus 5 or Moto X?

I'd go for the N5..Am very happy with mine (just received it a few days ago)..Get timely software updates means a lot to me as i hate waiting for new features to come to my device (spoiled by ios i suppose)..

 

[JH-]

There's some other relevant information here.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1714113/

 

[MRU]

faced similar decision right now - was going to bite the bullet and get the Moto X but have just been offered a sweet deal on a GPE of the S4 for much less that I'd pay for either a nexus 5 or moto x - so I'm going to get that instead.

 

[xraydoc]

There's some other relevant information here.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1714113/

Didn't see that thread. Thanks.

Looks like people are split 50/50. That's good I suppose - can't go too wrong either way, but doesn't help me make a decision, lol.

 

[JH-]

Didn't see that thread. Thanks.

Looks like people are split 50/50. That's good I suppose - can't go too wrong either way, but doesn't help me make a decision, lol.

I've had both and I would go with the Moto X. It does all the little things right. The biggest difference I noticed was speaker volume of both the earpiece and the actual loudspeaker and vibration quality. The vibration for the Nexus is just too weak.

 

[xraydoc]

I've had both and I would go with the Moto X. It does all the little things right. The biggest difference I noticed was speaker volume of both the earpiece and the actual loudspeaker and vibration quality. The vibration for the Nexus is just too weak.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm leaning that way.

 

[hallux]

The one thing that should sell you on the X over the N5 is the touchless control. Here's a few examples:

"OK Google now find my phone" with the screen locked and volume down results in full volume ping and a white screen saying 'here I am'. Of course, the device has to be able to hear you for this to work.

"OK Google now, what's up" results in a verbal preview of your notifications, including subject lines of emails (in some cases).

"OK Google now, navigate to xxx address or business" results in a PIN prompt (which can be vocalized) and navigation opened set to navigate you to the location requested

"OK Google now, call Bob Smith at work" If Bob Smith is in your contacts and has a work number, it prompts you to say 'call' to make the call.

All can be done without ever touching the device.

"OK Google now, remind me to run the dishwasher when I get home" will set a reminder to prompt you to perform that task when you get to the location marked as home (if you've done so). There is SOME screen interaction required with this one.

Here's a few videos of this in action http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=motorola touchless control&sm=3

I showed this to an iPhone person, her only response was "maybe iPhone will catch up some day", after she said it was really cool...

On top of all that, Active Display is pretty cool too. You can select what apps will show on the Active Display, if it's selected to do so, you touch and hold the center of the screen to preview the notification then you can swipe up to go directly to that app, down for a normal unlock or the side to dismiss the Active Display notification. There's a video covering Active Display in the YouTube search.

 

[appledes7]

I had both. Unrooted, the Moto X had better battery life. Rooted and with Franco Kernel, the Nexus 5 had better battery life. And ultimately battery was my number 1 concern so that is why I kept the Nexus 5. Ergonomically though, I think the Moto X blows the Nexus 5 out of the water. And active display was awesome.

 

[Sensamic]

Today I saw the Moto X for the first time and I must say I felt disappointed, mainly due to the build quality. I read so many good things about this that I was really intrigued to see it for myself.

Build quality is worst than that of the Nexus 5.

 

[TacticalDesire]

Today I saw the Moto X for the first time and I must say I felt disappointed, mainly due to the build quality. I read so many good things about this that I was really intrigued to see it for myself.

Build quality is worst than that of the Nexus 5.

What's you definition of build quality?

 

[appledes7]

Today I saw the Moto X for the first time and I must say I felt disappointed, mainly due to the build quality. I read so many good things about this that I was really intrigued to see it for myself.

Build quality is worst than that of the Nexus 5.

I would disagree with that. I have had speaker problems with my Nexus 5. And there is major backlighting bleeding on my Nexus 5 and it is my second one.

My Moto X felt very solid and comfortable in the hand.

 

[JH-]

I would disagree with that. I have had speaker problems with my Nexus 5. And there is major backlighting bleeding on my Nexus 5 and it is my second one.

My Moto X felt very solid and comfortable in the hand.

I really wish that you could somehow put the the Nexus 5's wireless charging into the Moto X.

 

[KeegM480]

I have a Moto X, but I would recommend the Nexus 5, Im actually wanting to trade my Moto X for the Nexus, the Moto X is a great phone, but (in my opinion) the Nexus is superior.

 

[xraydoc]

I have a Moto X, but I would recommend the Nexus 5, Im actually wanting to trade my Moto X for the Nexus, the Moto X is a great phone, but (in my opinion) the Nexus is superior.

For what reasons if I may ask?

 

[Savor]

Tough dilemma for me as well.

I was never into the Nexus 5 when it was first revealed but I've been warming up to it more and more as of late. I like the soft touch back similar to what the Asus Nexus 7 (2013) model has. And have been craving to get a taste of KitKat. It also has a good size for a FULL HD display with a Snapdragon 800 unlike the Sony Xperia Z1 and many others that I find too tall and too wide.

I'm leaning toward Moto X mainly for battery life, Active Display, Motorola Assist, and better ergonomics. Read the Moto X's cam is a tad better but it seems like a wash for both. X wins in the "extras" department. Has a little more personality and soul as well unlike stock Android which can be a bore after awhile. Plus, all my HD videos are in 720p anyway. No need to burden the memory capacity and battery life with 1080p vids.

But I say you really can't go wrong with either one. These are two smartphones with Google's DNA all over it. I like Nexus 5 as well because it is similarly sized to my HTC One and can easily fit in my holster case. Plus it has micro-sim. No need for adapters. But the Moto X wins it out narrowly for the reasons stated above and the fact I find Motorola phones to better than LG phones when it comes to reception and battery life. And nano-sim will help future proof the purchase in case I want to get an iPhone again by next year. I like that both Moto X and Nexus 5 have Wi-Fi ac already.

 

[p3ntyne]

I recently purchased the Nexus 5 and could not be happier. Even without rooting, it is an almost perfect devise (IMO, the camera could be a little better although I rarely use it.)

 

[KeegM480]

For what reasons if I may ask?

Well, one of my big ones was not being able to use the Google Now launcher, but I was able to install it on the Moto X last night.

1. I feel like the Nexus has a better feeling (more sturdy than the Moto X)
2. Gets updates quicker than any other Android phone
3. Camera is a bit better in low light

So basically, I like the build quality and camera better. The Moto X is an awesome phone, but for me I feel like the Nexus is a bit nicer.

Really, neither phone has a very good camera though

 

[mattopotamus]

I had both and liked everything on the moto x better, minus the screen. I just could not get use to the amoled they chose. I have used the s4 before and it did not bother me, but I felt the screen on the moto x was really really poor.

 

[sixrom]

I recently purchased the Nexus 5 and could not be happier. Even without rooting, it is an almost perfect devise (IMO, the camera could be a little better although I rarely use it.)

I agree. I've had my Nexus 5 for a couple of months of very heavy usage and I continue to really enjoy it. Google has done a fine job creating a very fast and highly useful smartphone.

 

[TacticalDesire]

So I enabled ART to see what all the fuss is about. What's different exactly? Aside from not using the Dalvik VM?

 

[Fernandez21]

It improves performance and extends battery life. The phone on the right is using art and left is dalvik. Both nexus 5s.

Downside is some apps aren't compatible.

 

[TacticalDesire]

I have noticed a very slight performance increase. So far no issues with apps but battery seems to be about the same to me.

 

[MRU]

Battery seems to drain more in standby for me with Art than Dakvik.

Also we must remember Qualcomm have optimised the snapdragon with Dalvik but have not done so yet with Art. (Or so I have read at least)..

 

[El3ctronics]

I had both and the performance of the Moto X was simply inferior to the Nexus 5 (which is my daily driver). That plus the inferior screen led me to return it to Motorola. I'm very curious to see what the Moto X 2 brings.