More Motorola X Phone Rumors; Coming to Multiple Carriers, Sold on Google Play, Unlockable Bootloader for Verizon [Updated]

| January 21, 2013 | 8 Replies

    google-x-phone

    Lately, we’ve heard some really crazy rumors about this Motorola X Phone that both Google and Motorola are working on. We’ve already heard that Google and Motorola will announce it at Google I/O in May, and that it would be available cross carrier. But now we have even more, in-depth information. Let’s run through it real quick:

    • Motorola X Phone will be announced at Google I/O in May.
    • Current target for release is July 8 (definitely subject to change).
    • All carriers will sell the X Phone.
    • All versions will also be sold through the Google Play store at similar off-contract price to Nexus line.
    • Verizon will sell it for $299 on contract.
    • If you want to unlock the bootloader through Verizon, they will charge a $15/month fee.
    • If you buy it through Google Play, it comes unlocked with no fee.
    • Not a “Nexus” but will come running stock Android and with some bloatware.
    • Bloatware can apparently be removed once unlocked.

    So where do we begin? Well isn’t this everyone’s dream? A stock Android device being sold on all carriers unlocked. Although Verizon will sell it for $299 on contract, that I think would be true. Then to have the bootloader unlocked, Verizon will charge a $15/month fee? Is it just me, or does that sound like something Verizon would do? But being able to buy an X phone for your favorite through the Play Store may not be the best idea. Anybody remember the Nexus 7, and the Nexus 4/10 launches? Yeah I don’t think we want to go through that again.

    Now that Motorola is under Google’s ownership and guidance, it looks like Motorola is trying to do something big and get their customers back. Now if they release this X phone with stock Android and top of the line specs along with the Droid Razr Maxx battery, I’ll buy it in a heartbeat. And I know I’m not alone there.

    Update: We’ve got some specs you might like to go along with this:

    • 5-inch 1080p display
    • quad-core processor (likely the Snapdragon S4 pro)
    • 2GB of RAM
    • 12MP camera
    • Key Lime Pie (Android 5.0?)
    • 3300mAh battery, similar to the Droid Razr Maxx HD
    • Small bezels similar to the Razr M on Verizon

    What are your thoughts on this X phone? Are you excited about it? If not, why not? Let us know in the comments, we love to hear your opinions.

    Via: Droid-Life

      Category: Android News, Android Phone News, Google IO News

      About the Author ()

      I've been a huge fan of Android since the OG Motorola Droid hit back in 2009 on Verizon, since then I have gone on to own some of the best devices we've seen including the HTC EVO 4G, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 7, Nexus 4 and the Samsung Galaxy S3. I also have a passion for writing about anything having to do with Android.
      • http://twitter.com/thanzm Thanseem A Hameed

        It makes little sense if it isn’t a Nexus even if it runs stock Android. The software will refresh itself with the next iteration of Android and any device that is not a Nexus is usually left in the dust. Plus with Moto’s reputation,… No way. It has to be a Nexus.

      • http://www.facebook.com/J03.4ND3R80N Joe Anderson

        I’m planning to upgrade this year. So far, this is the top contender! I’m assuming the main reason to have an unlocked bootloader is for development purposes, in order to test software on different OS’s?

        • someone31988

          Nah, it’s so that you can install custom, community driven versions of Android with added features.

      • http://stevenroose.be Steven Roose

        Anything on a Europe launch??

      • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.yang Stephen Yang

        Specs of the Samsung Galaxy S4 were just released (rumored) with an 8 core processor. I wish the X would be on par.

        • Tom Carrio

          The Octa is cool, but I can’t imagine how big of a difference it’ll make for a phone between it and the S4. Samsung is the leading Android manufacturer, what else do you expect?

      • http://twitter.com/ntsiotinos Nick Tsiotinos

        Definitely interesting! Google is leading the charge with Android on multiple fronts! Can’t wait to see this, the new nexus range (hopefully you can actually buy the thing this time), Galaxy S4 with bendable screen? We are in for an interesting year. What has Apple and Microsoft got in store for 2013? Apple bigger screens? Wow! Microsoft Phone Windows 9? Same old same old….. The only interesting and exciting developments are happening on Android!!

      • David Timothy

        If course it’s not a NEXUS. Not on Verizon. It’ll still be a long time before there is a Nexus on Verizon and if you want to know why ask any Verizon Galaxy Nexus or Xoom owner. I just wish Google would take a stand in the matter and stop giving Verizon new hardware until they stop treating Android like a second-class citizen to the iPhone and let Google push timely updates like they allow Apple to. I just hope Google doesn’t hold up AOSP updates for the sake of the owners of this phone, although they haven’t in the past for the VZW GNex or Xoom.

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