It turns out that Motorola's Moto Z will not cause the demise of the Moto X line as a new report said that the smartphone brand - known for its premium specs, customization option, near Pure Android OS and affordable price tag - will definitely get a refresh treatment this 2016. However, the specific release date for the device remains a mystery.
Android Police reported that Lenovo-owned Motorola still intends to release the 2016 version of the Moto X. "Moto X is alive and well," the report quoted the device maker as saying in a statement, adding that the Moto X Force was recently made available in select market.
The statement clarified too that "Moto X and Moto Z do share some great qualities, but they ultimately provide different experiences." Specifically, the Moto Z's modular feature, dubbed as Moto Mods, is seen by Motorola to lure in "tech-hungry consumers who are looking to get a brand new set of experiences."
In a related report, The Verge said that Lenovo intends to continue on with the Moto X and plans are underway to rollout fresh handset models soon. "Motorola intends not just to keep selling existing Moto X phones, but to continue making new ones," the tech publication said following a confirmation from the company.
But what exact purpose will the Moto X serve as it appears that Motorola is going full blast on the Moto Z as the new flagship? It seems obvious that the X will be the lesser kind compared to its Z cousin, according to Android Police. But the device will continue to catch attention for providing better value for the dollar as the report pointed to the selling price of the Moto X 2015 Pure Edition, which hit the market starting at an affordable $400 but with specifications at par with the industry leaders such as Apple iPhone 6S and Samsung Galaxy S6.
The Verge said that the Moto X will still appeal to the Android crowd for specific reasons. "Perhaps it'll continue to offer more robust style customization. Or perhaps it'll just be a cheaper option," the report said.
And the likelihood is the Moto X 2016 on release date will continue on its path as a Pure Android alternative or the best Stock Android there is next to Google's Nexus 2016, boasting of native Android experience with premium hardware that is easy on the pocket.