
The Moto X Play is a solid choice for those who want a reliable and feature-packed smartphone without breaking the bank. It's powered by a 1.7 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 octa-core processor.
One of the standout features of the Moto X Play is its massive 3630mAh battery, which provides up to 2 days of battery life. This is perfect for those who are always on the go and can't afford to run out of juice in the middle of the day.
The Moto X Play also features a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, which is more than enough for watching videos and browsing the web. Its display is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for added durability.
Design and Hardware
The Moto X Play has a rugged design that's perfect for daily use. It features a faux metallic bezel and a textured rear cover, making it splash-resistant.
The phone measures 148mm long and 75mm wide, but it's not too chunky to use. It weighs 169 grams, which is comfortable to carry around.
The Moto X Play is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 system-on-chip, which provides a smooth performance. It has a 1.7 GHz octa-core CPU and an Adreno 405 GPU.
The phone features a 5.5-inch 1080pIPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels. It has a pixel density of 424 ppi and a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Here are the key design and hardware specs of the Moto X Play:
- 148 by 75 by 10mm (5.8 by 2.9 by 0.4 inches)
- 169 grams (6 ounces)
- Customisable colours
- Water-resistant
Design
The Moto X Play's design is a great blend of functionality and style. It features a faux metallic bezel and a textured rear cover, which gives it a premium look and feel.
The phone has a 5.5 inch display with sizable bezels, but it's not the most compact phone out there, measuring 148mm long and 75mm wide. It's not so chunky as to be cumbersome to use, though, and it slides neatly into your pocket.
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One of the standout features of the Moto X Play's design is its water-resistant capabilities. It's not fully submersible, but it can withstand spills and accidental falls in the toilet. I've even tested this by knocking cups of water over the phone, and it still works perfectly.
The phone's dimensions and weight are: 148 by 75 by 10mm (5.8 by 2.9 by 0.4 inches) and 169 grams (6 ounces) respectively. This makes it easy to carry around without it feeling too bulky.
You can customize the phone's look with a range of colours and finishes for the rear cover, and even choose the colour of the microphone and speaker inserts. This is made possible through Motorola's Moto Maker online tool, which offers 14 different colours for the back panel and seven colours for the metal accents.
Here are some key design features of the Moto X Play:
- 148 by 75 by 10mm (5.8 by 2.9 by 0.4 inches)
- 169 grams (6 ounces)
- Customisable colours
- Water-resistant
Hardware
The Moto X Play is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 system-on-chip with a 1.7 GHz octa-core ARM Cortex-A53 64-bit CPU and an Adreno 405 GPU.

This powerhouse of a processor is paired with 2 GB of RAM, which is a decent amount for general use, but might not be enough for heavy gaming or multitasking.
The phone features a 5.5-inch 1080p IPS LCD display with 1080x1920 pixels resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio, and 424 ppi pixel density, making it a great choice for watching videos or browsing the web.
The Moto X Play also boasts a non-removable 3630 mAh battery, which Motorola claims can provide up to 48 hours of mixed usage on a single charge, which is impressive for a smartphone.
The phone's internal storage is expandable via microSD card, and it's available with either 16 or 32 GB of storage, giving you some flexibility to store your apps, photos, and files.
A 21-megapixel rear-facing camera and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera with a wide-angle lens are also on board, making it a great choice for photography enthusiasts.
Specifications
The Moto X Play is a solid device with some impressive specs. It has a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels.
The processor is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615, which is an octa-core processor clocked at 1.7GHz. This should provide smooth performance for most users.
The Moto X Play comes with 2GB of RAM, which is a decent amount for general use, but may not be enough for heavy multitasking or gaming.
The device has 16GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via microSD card for more storage space.
The Moto X Play has a 5MP front camera and a 21MP rear camera with Dual LED flash, making it a great device for photography enthusiasts.
Here are the key specifications of the Moto X Play:
- Display: 5.5-inch (1080x1920)
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 615, 1.7GHz octa-core
- RAM: 2 GB
- Storage: 16 GB, expandable via microSD
- Front camera: 5MP
- Rear camera: 21MP, Dual LED flash
- Battery Capacity: 3630 mAh
- OS: Android 5.1.1
- Dimensions: 148.00 x 75.00 x 10.90
- Weight: 169 g
- Models: XT1561 (China), XT1662 (Europe, Australia, India), XT1563 (Canada, Brazil, and most Latin American carriers)
Display and Performance
The display on the Moto X Play is a 5.5-inch affair with a full HD (1,920x1,080-pixel) resolution. This results in a pixel density of 400 pixels per inch, making icons and text look crisp and high-resolution photos look good too.
The display is bright, making it easy to read under cloudy skies, and colours are vibrant without being overpowering. It's a great screen for basically anything you'll want to put on it.
The Moto X Play's display is not a quad-HD display, but for this price, you can't really expect anything more.
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Display

The display on this phone is a 5.5-inch beauty with a full HD (1,920x1,080-pixel) resolution, resulting in a pixel density of 400 pixels per inch.
It's a bright display, making it easy to read under cloudy skies, and colours are vibrant without being overpowering.
You can expect crisp and high-resolution photos and icons, and for this price, it's more than sufficient.
Android Performance
The Moto X Play's Android performance is a major highlight of this device. It runs on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, a near-stock version with minimal Motorola additions, giving you a pure vanilla Android experience.
One of the key benefits of this setup is that it's free from manufacturer-made nonsense that can slow down your phone. You're left with a clean and efficient operating system that's easy to navigate.
In terms of processor performance, the Moto X Play packs a 1.7GHz octa-core processor, which is more than capable of handling demanding tasks. You can expect smooth performance and fast app loading times.
Consider reading: Sony Xperia X Performance
But don't just take my word for it - the numbers speak for themselves. Here are some benchmark results:
Unfortunately, the article doesn't provide specific results for these benchmarks. However, it's clear that the Moto X Play's processor is designed to deliver high performance and efficiency.
Camera and Battery
The Moto X Play has a fantastic camera, especially considering its price. It boasts a 21-megapixel rear camera, which is a huge improvement from the 13-megapixel camera on the previous Moto X.
In good lighting conditions, the camera takes great shots with excellent exposure and vibrant colours. The high resolution of the sensor also captures a lot of detail, making the images look great even when viewed at full screen.
The camera app is simple and clean, making it easy to switch between shooting modes or select video. You'll also find features like burst mode, panorama mode, HDR mode, and slow-motion video function.
The front-facing camera is also 5-megapixels and takes great shots, even if the subject is a bit self-conscious about being in front of the camera.
Camera

The camera on this phone is a real standout feature. It's a 21-megapixel rear camera, which is a huge number of megapixels for a phone of this price.
The camera is capable of taking some great shots, with excellent exposure and vibrant colours. The high resolution of the sensor also means there's a ton of detail on the leaves when viewed at full screen.
In low light, the camera still does a fair job of getting the shot. The colours are a bit more muted than I'd like to see, but it's still a great effort.
The flash on the camera is not too powerful, so it doesn't wash everything out. It's actually quite good at capturing crisp focus on the scene.
The 5-megapixel front-facing camera is also well-equipped to capture great shots. Even if the person in the shot would rather be behind the camera than in front of it!

The camera app itself is simple and clean, hiding the settings on a wheel that you swipe in on the screen to view. It's quick and easy to switch between shooting modes or to select video.
You'll find features like a burst mode, panorama mode, HDR mode, and a slow-motion video function too.
Battery
The battery on this phone is a real standout feature. It's a 3,630mAh non-removable battery, which is quite generous.
Motorola claims you can get up to two days of use from it, and I'd say that's about accurate. During our tests, it lasted an impressive 15 hours and 45 minutes on average.
To get the most out of the battery, keeping the screen brightness down will be a big help. This will help you extend battery life and make it last longer.
If you're careful with your use, you'll easily get a whole day of use from it. And if you're cautious, you'll be able to whizz past the first day and get through much of the second day too.
It's worth noting that the battery isn't removable, so you can't swap it out for a fresh one when it finally does conk out.
Software and Customization
The Moto X Play shipped with Android 5.1.1 "Lollipop", customized with Motorola's suite of apps including Moto Display, Moto Voice, and Moto Assist. This was a solid foundation for the device, but it didn't stop there.
In January 2016, Motorola began to release an update to Android 6.0 "Marshmallow", which enabled new features such as "Google Now on Tap" and "Doze". This update was a significant improvement, allowing users to perform searches within the context of information currently being displayed on-screen and optimizing battery usage when the device is not being physically handled.
You can customize the phone's design via the Moto Maker website, where you can choose from 14 color backs and seven accent colors along the camera module section on the back and the speaker grills on the front.
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Software
The Moto X Play initially shipped with Android 5.1.1 "Lollipop", customized with Motorola's suite of apps including Moto Display, Moto Voice, and Moto Assist.

Motorola's customization suite offers some really useful features, like Moto Display, which can be handy for notifications.
In January 2016, an update to Android 6.0 "Marshmallow" was released, enabling new features such as "Google Now on Tap", which allows users to perform searches within the context of information currently being displayed on-screen.
"Google Now on Tap" is a game-changer for search functionality, making it easier to find what you need.
An update to Android 7.1.1 "Nougat" was released in June 2017 for international models, and February 2018 for U.S. Droid Maxx 2 models.
This update brought further improvements to battery life, thanks to features like "Doze", which optimizes battery usage when the device is not being physically handled.
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Customization
The Moto X Play offers a decent level of customization through the Moto Maker website.
You can choose from 14 colour backs and seven accent colours for the camera module section on the back and the speaker grills on the front. I wish I could've tried out more vibrant colour options, but unfortunately, I didn't get to experiment with them.
There's only a choice of white or black front colours, which is a bit limiting. It feels like Motorola has missed an opportunity to let users really personalize their phone.
You can, however, customize the look of your phone by choosing from 14 colour backs and seven accent colours.
User Reviews and Verdict
The Moto X Play has received user opinions and reviews that are generally positive, with one user stating it still works just fine despite being a bit slow.
Many users have praised the phone's camera, which is considered impressive.
Some users have reported no problems with the phone, but others may experience frustration with the limited features and options available.
The phone's battery life is also a highlight, with users able to enjoy long-lasting power.
However, the phone's performance can be a bit slow, which may be a concern for some users.
Despite its limitations, the Moto X Play is still an attractive option for those on a budget, thanks to its competitive price.
Pros and Cons
The Moto X Play has its strengths and weaknesses. One of the biggest advantages is its great camera, which is a major selling point for many users.
The phone also features a good screen, great battery life, and comes with stock Android, which is always a plus. Plus, it's available at a decent price, making it a great value for the money.
However, there are some drawbacks to consider. For one, the phone has limited customization options, which might be a disappointment for some users. Additionally, it's not fully waterproof, so you'll need to be careful around water.
Pros

The device has a great camera, which is perfect for capturing life's precious moments. With its good screen, you'll enjoy a clear and vibrant viewing experience.
The battery life is truly impressive, lasting for a long time on a single charge. This means you can use your device without worrying about running out of power.
Here are some of the device's notable features:
- Great camera
- Good screen
- Great battery life
- Stock Android
- Decent price
Having stock Android means you'll get a clean and intuitive interface, without any bloatware getting in the way.
Cons
The Moto X Play isn't perfect, and there are a few things to consider before making a decision. One of the main downsides is that it has limited customization options.
The phone's design is sleek, but it's not fully waterproof, so you'll need to be careful around water. This could be a deal-breaker for some users, especially those who enjoy water activities.
Another drawback is that it lacks wireless charging capabilities, which might be a disappointment for some. However, it's worth noting that many phones still don't have this feature.

If you're looking for a phone with a TurboPower charger, you'll be out of luck with the Moto X Play. It doesn't come with one in the box, which might be a minor inconvenience.
Here are the cons of the Moto X Play at a glance:
- Limited customization options
- Not fully waterproof
- No wireless charging
- No TurboPower charger in the box
Variants and Identification
The Moto X Play comes in several variants to support different carriers and regions. One of these variants, the XT1561, is specifically designed for Chinese carriers and is unlocked for use with these carriers.
The Moto X Play also has variants for Europe, Australia, and India, which support 4G networks and have a quad-band GSM capability. In Canada, Brazil, and most Latin American carriers, the Moto X Play variant XT1563 is used, which supports 4G networks and has a different set of CDMA and UMTS bands.
Here are the details of the different variants of the Moto X Play:
Variants
The Moto X Play has several variants, each designed to support different carriers and networks. These variants include the XT1561, XT1562, and XT1563 models.

The XT1561 model is specific to China and is unlocked for Chinese carriers. It's worth noting that the CDMA bands for this model are unknown.
The XT1562 model is available in Europe, Australia, and India, and is SIM unlocked. This model supports multiple UMTS and LTE bands, including 850/900/1800/1900/2100 and 1/3/5/7/8/19/20/28/38/40/41 respectively.
The XT1563 model is available in Canada, Brazil, and most Latin American carriers. It supports multiple UMTS and LTE bands, including 850/900/1700(AWS)/1800/1900/2100 and 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/17/28 respectively.
All variants of the Moto X Play support the four 2G GSM bands 850/900/1800/1900.
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Background and Identification
The Moto X Play is a mid-range Android smartphone produced by Motorola Mobility, unveiled on July 28, 2015.
It's worth noting that the Moto X Play is not the same as the Moto X Style, which is a more premium device.
The Moto X Play was released in Canada, Europe, and Latin America in August 2015, but in the United States, it was released in October 2015 as the Droid Maxx 2.

This phone has a unique design feature - a faux metallic bezel and a textured rear cover that can be removed and replaced with variously colored versions.
The Moto X Play is splash resistant, making it a great option for those who want a phone that can withstand accidental splashes of water.
Its internal specs include a 1.7 GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 chipset with 2GB of RAM, providing a smooth user experience.
The Moto X Play also comes with either 16 GB or 32 GB of storage, which can be expanded further with a microSD card.
One of the standout features of the Moto X Play is its massive 3630 mAh battery, which claims to provide 48 hours of mixed usage on a single charge.
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