Lenovo-owned Motorola has launched an Android One edition of its Moto X4 smartphone in the US. Motorola’s new smartphone supports Google’s Project Fi under which users get voice calls, data services and messages both on Wi-Fi and cellular networks. The Moto X4 is also the first Android One smartphone in the US.
Motorola has also confirmed that it will be launching the Moto X4 in India on October 3. The company, however, has not clarified whether the India variant will be an Android One edition. The affiliation with Google’s Android One means the smartphone will receive timely and regular software updates. Also, the smartphone will come with pure Android.
“It comes optimized for the Google Assistant to help you get more done, and offers high-quality video calling with Google Duo. You’ll also get access to the latest updates from Android, such as Android Oreo before the end of the year. Android One moto x4 will be among the first to receive an upgrade to Android P,” Google said in a blog post.
The smartphone has been priced at $399, which is Rs 25,800 approximately. There’s also a trade-in scheme under which user can exchange their older Nexus smartphone and get the new Moto X4 for $165, which is Rs 10,000 approximately. For customers purchasing the smartphone before October 5, Google is offering a $50 Fi credit.
Prior to the Moto X4, Google had launched the Xiaomi Mi A1 Android One smartphone in India. Priced at Rs 14,999, the Xiaomi Mi A1 comes with 5.5-inch full HD display, Snapdragon 625 octa-core processor, dual 12-megapixel sensors and 3,080mAh battery.
Unveiled at the IFA last month, the Moto X4 borrows design elements from Motorola’s popular Moto G series of smartphones. It also has a front-facing fingerprint scanner that also doubles up as the home button. It has a 5.2-inch full HD display. The smartphone runs Android Nougat out-of-the-box and is promised to receive updates till Android P, which should ideally roll out in 2018.
The Moto X4 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor coupled with 3GB of RAM. It comes with 64GB of built-in storage. The smartphone also comes with dual rear cameras. The setup consists of a 12-megapixel sensor and an 8-megapixel sensor. There’s a 16-megapixel rear-facing camera. The Moto X4 is also IP68 certified for water and dust resistance.