Moto X Phone Release Date, Specs, and Review Roundup: What Critics Think of Google's New Device

Motorola recently gave the press an extensive preview of their upcoming Moto X, the newest smartphone from the company and the first to be made with new parent company Google's involvement. The Moto X, whose release date is coming in late August, is a competent enough smartphone whose main feature is the wide variety of customization options available for the phone. Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint and U.S. Cellular will carry service plans for the device, but AT&T will be the first carrier to offer the device.  Those interested in the Moto X will have to sign up for a two year subscription plan and drop $200 for the actual device.  In addition, interested users will be able to customize their phone through Motorola's website. As the Financial Post points out in their preview:

"Motorola is assembling the Moto X in Texas, making it the first smartphone to be put together in the U.S. Motorola promises to ship custom designs within four days, faster than it would be able to if the company had chosen to make the Moto X halfway around the world in Asia, as other phones typically are. (Phones for overseas markets will be made overseas.)"

The device, while not having any features or hardware that will blow away users, is competent enough to handle most things thrown it's way. The screen takes up much of the display, and at 4.7 inches it may not be the biggest available, but Engadget notes that the screen and camera work well for the device:

"There's no 1080p panel, either. The Moto X employs a 720p AMOLED display, a choice primarily made to help the 2,200mAh battery live up to its promise of 24-hour battery life. Besides, most users won't notice any appreciable difference between this and a full HD panel; viewing angles are great and colors pop. As for imaging, there's a 10-megapixel Clear Pixel (RGBC) rear module capable of pulling in 75 percent more light for faster daytime exposure and low-light performance. It's also bolstered by the Quick Capture feature, enabled from sleep by a double twist of the wrist, which allows for a sub-two-second shot-to-shot speed. As for autofocus and exposure, those are handled automatically."

One of the best features about the smartphone is the design itself, as most reviews note that the device fits very well in the hand and Yahoo News in particular gushes about the device's structure:

"Speaking of comfort, the phone practically melts away in your hand. It's curved, with rounded edges all of the way around and feels very much like how the iPhone 3G did, except thinner and flatter - this is a good thing. Once you pick up the Moto X you don't want to put it down. You just want to tap, tap, tap on the display, which itself is gorgeous - as it should be - and it's refreshing to finally see a Motorola phone that doesn't look a pixelated PenTile mess."

Overall, the Moto X looks to be a worthy pickup for anybody looking for a phone they can customize as well as those looking for just a good, comfortable phone for everyday use. Look out for more Moto X news as the device begins to ship out later this year.