Apart from the Google Pixel 2 phones and the resurrected Nokia smartphone line, another Pure Android treat that appears to be shaping up this year is the rumored Moto X 2017. And on release date, the handset will reportedly unpack as the Moto X4.
Picking up on the Twitter post of known gadget tipster Evan Blass, aka @evleaks, GSM Arena reported that the new Moto X will unbox as the Moto X4. The report provided no further details but the fresh information further fired up speculations of an imminent release.
In an earlier report, 9to5Google said the 2017 return of the Moto X was leaked thanks to a Reddit post with an accompanying short clip. The device is to be housed in a mix of metal and glass casing and will also feature fingerprint sensor and IP68 certification. The latter means the next Moto X will boast of resistance from dust and liquid intrusion.
The handset will reportedly have a 5.5-inch display with 3D glass but no all-screen profile as the fingerprint reader will be front-located and likely embedded with the home button. And firing up the device is Qualcomm's Snapdragon 660 chip that will tap 4GB of RAM support. Base storage is 64GB though memory expansion feature was not discussed in the report.
One notable specification listed in the report is the likely inclusion of a massive battery, which 9to5Google said will be a 3800mAh pack. This indicates that the next Moto X will benefit from extended battery life. Quick charging support is also part of the package, the report added.
Yet while the Moto X 2017 will include a dual camera setup and a high-end finish of glass and metal, reports said the handset will hit the market as a mid-ranger with premium specifications. Lenovo, which owns Motorola, seems bent to repackage the Moto X brand as competitor to the likes of Galaxy A9 Pro and C9 Pro from Samsung and the Xiaomi Mi Mix.
It is believed the Moto X 2017 release date is happening soon and will likely draw attention from the Android crowd with near-Stock Android OS, possibly version 8.0 if the rollout will happen months after the Google I/O 2017, and affordable sticker price of between $300 and $400.