Moto X vs. Moto G

Motorola's successful Moto X and Moto G Android phones share their Google parentage. The main differences between the two phone series lie in their looks and capabilities.

Moto X Versus Moto G: A Tale of Two Phones 

Google purchased Motorola in 2012 only to sell it off again in 2014. Still, the phone company continued offering the Moto X and Moto G models. The Moto X was initially considered the fancy flagship phone, and the Moto G was the cheaper, practical alternative. The Moto X was slowly replaced by the Moto Z.

Moto X Pros and Cons

Motorola marketed the Moto X under different names in different parts of the world. For example, the 2015 Moto X Force is also known as the Droid Turbo 2; the Moto X Play was sometimes called the Droid Maxx 2.

The Moto X family was thought to be discontinued until the Moto X4 was unveiled in 2017. The Moto X4 holds the distinction of being the first U.S. device to be part of the Android One program.

Moto G Pros and Cons

The Moto G remains Motorola's most successful line of phones. The Moto G7 joined the lineup in 2019.

Moto X Versus Moto G: How Are They Alike?

The Moto X and Moto G models have more similarities than differences. For example, both:

• Are compatible with the Moto 360 smartwatch line and other Android watches. 
• Offer LTE compatibility.
• Have front-facing cameras that support gesture control.
• Feature Google Assistant integration. 
• Have a nano-coating for water and dust resistance. The coating does not make the phone waterproof, but it keeps the phone safe in a rainstorm or from a splash from the sink.

A couple of differences to note:

• The Moto X Pure is sold unlocked and available for use with all major U. S. carriers. All but one of the Moto G models is sold unlocked. 
• The Moto X has a 5.7-inch screen. The Moto G has a 5.5-inch screen.

Operating Systems

Both phones run on Android and will likely be eligible for updates for a few years. Both models support Lollipop (Android 5.0) and later Android versions, but they tend to be at least one version behind. Newer phones support Android 9 Pie; however, older phones may be limited to older versions of the Android OS.

Bottom Line

The decision comes down to which is more important to you: price or speed. Some phone users want a functional phone, and the Moto G is a suitable option. There are some variations of the Moto G for those who want more features. The Moto X isn't the latest and greatest line of phones anymore, but it's still a great value and has a better camera than the Moto G family.