Design
In terms of size, Moto X Gen 2 appears slightly thicker than Samsung Galaxy Note 4, which is actually a Phablet, and it should actually be the other way round. However, to give you the statistics, Galaxy Note 4 appears to be 9% longer, 10% wider and 14% thinner than Moto X Gen 2. Moto X Gen 2 is lighter than Galaxy Note 4, weighing 144 g. HTC One M8 and Moto X Gen 2 looks more or less similar in case of size. Only thing is HTC weighing 160g is slightly heavier that Moto XGen 2. As for design HTC One M8 has an all metal frame whereas Moto X Gen 2 has a unique customization option for back covers while the rest is done in metal frame itself. While Samsung Note 4 and Moto X won't survive a fully water submerged situation, Moto X Gen 2 will hold up to a certain level on splash. However, water resistance feature is not available in HTC One M8. Customizable finishes available with Moto maker makes Moto XGen 2 unique with choices over wood, plastic, leather and metal finish along with laser etching and available in a wide range of colors.
Display
Moto X Gen 2 being a smartphone, obviously has smaller screen size compared to Samsung's phablet (Galaxy Note 4). We will have to say that both these models stand head to head when it comes to display as both seem to be having a good number of pixels within the given measures, Note 4 will obviously have larger number of pixels (515ppi) given the larger screen size. But that doesn't really count as Moto X Gen 2 comes with an HD AMOLED classy display within its range. Plus Moto X Gen 2 has an active display which will show you the notifications without having to turn on the device every single time which Note 4 doesn't have. HTC One M8 and Moto X Gen 2 has the same 1920×1080 display. The other difference being LCD3 display with 441ppi in HTC One M8 as opposed to the Super AMOLED display in MOTO X Gen 2 with 423ppi.
Storage
Moto X Gen 2 takes the highest hit in storage where it has only 16 GB and 32 GB models with no micro SD card whereas Note 4 has 32 GB and 64 GB versions with micro SD card. HTC One M8 also comes with micro SD card option expandable up to 128 GB in both 16 GB and 32 GB versions. Being a flagship phone, Moto X Gen 2 was expected to get an upgrade along the storage lines, given the criticism faced by Moto X Gen 1 over the same issue.
Processor and performance
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 seems to have a slightly better Snapdragon 805 quad core 2.7 GHz processor compared to Moto X Gen 2 and HTC One M8. Moto X Gen 2 has Snapdragon 801 quad core 2.5 Ghz processor almost similar to that of HTC One M8 with Qualcomm quad core Snapdragon 800/801 2.3 GHz. An extra GB on RAM is there for Note 4 compared to Moto X Gen 2 and HTC One M8 which has 2GB RAM. Given the time gap between HTC One and Moto X Gen 2, there is not much of an upgrade with Moto X Gen 2 at the processor front.
Camera
Camera part is tricky. On rear camera, HTC One has a 4MP Ultra Pixel Duo camera while Moto X Gen 2 has a 13 MP camera. At same time, HTC One has 5 MP front camera while Moto X Gen 2 has 2 MP. Pixel games are hard indeed. However Moto X Gen 2 is yet to prove its camera quality to us. Galaxy Note 4, of course has the highest pixel camera with 16 MP at the rear and 3.7 MP at the front. Hence, HTC One M8 wins the selfie game. The second DUO camera feature, which adds depth and quality to the primary camera pictures is only available in HTC One M8.
Battery
Both HTC One and Moto X Gen 2 has non removable batteries with the former playing a slightly higher game of 2600 mAh while the latter has 2300 mAh. Samsung Note 4 beats both of them at 3200 mAh. Being a Galaxy Note, Note 4 cant afford to bring it down with all the new features.
OS
There is a pronounced upper hand for Moto X Gen 2 in terms of OS as it uses Android 4.4.4 KitKat while HTC One M8 runs on Android 4.4.2 with HTC sense. Galaxy Note 4 also uses v4.4.4 but it runs on a much altered version, to fit the new features.
Additional features
Moto XGen 2 doesn't really require a stylus (S pen) like Note 4, we have got plenty of style here already. Gesture based function to snooze alarms and silence calls, voice commands to send messages are some of the new features in Moto X. Hands free voice function and twist 'n' launch camera is a definite NO on Samsung Note 4 while finger print sensor and heart rate monitor are absent in Moto XGen 2. Ultra power saving mode feature of Note 4 is absent on Moto X Gen 2.
As for extras, Moto X Gen 2 seems to be having an upper hand with Dynamic tuning and Turbo charging which takes only 15 minutes to get charged up for a round of continuous eight hours. HTC One doesn't have much to boast around here as it is a much older model compared to these two. The TV-out function provided by HTC One is available in Note 4 but absent in Moto X
Price
Price definitely has HTC One M8 at RS.45,000 range, Samsung Galaxy Note 4 at Rs.55,000 range and Moto X Gen 2 at Rs.31,999. So Moto X Gen 2 could be a smart choice for the given price, if you don't care much about the expandable memory.
Verdict
The one unique point where Moto X Gen 2 stands invariably defeated is when it comes to expandable memory. Whether this flagship phone wants us to use cloud or not, at the end of the day, it is a weak point. For a final verdict, it has several drawbacks when compared to Note 4, which is ultimately a Phablet. Comparison with HTC One M8 definitely proves Moto X to be a worthy opponent. Even better, I would say.
The table below will help you take a better look at the specifications and comparison between Moto X , HTC One M8 and Samsung Galaxy Note 4.
| Features | Moto X (2nd Gen) | HTC One M8 | Galaxy Note 4 |
| Dimensions | 140.8 x 72.4 x 3.8-9.9 mm mm, 144 g | 146.4 x 70.6 x 9.4 mm, 160 g | 154 x 79 x 8.5 mm, 176 g |
| Display | 5.2 inches 1080x1920,HD AMOLED 424 ppi | 5.0 inches 1080x1920, LCD3 441 ppi | 5.7 inches 2560X1440, 515 ppi |
| Processor | Quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400, Qualcomm MSM8974AC Snapdragon 805 Processor | Quad-core 2.3 GHz (US/EMEA)/ 2.5 GHz (Asia, China) Krait 400 | Quad-core 2.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 (SM-N910S) / Octa-core 1.3 GHz Exynos 5433 (SM-N910C) |
| OS | Android OS, v4.4.4 (KitKat) | Android OS, v4.4.2 (KitKat) | Android OS, v4.4.4 (KitKat) |
| Primary Camera | 13 MP, 2160p @ 30fps, Autofocus, LED flash | 4 MP Duo Camera, 1080p @ 30fps, Autofocus, LED flash | 16 MP, 2160p @ 30fps, Autofocus, LED flash |
| Storage | 16 / 32 GB, 2GB RAM, no SD card | 16 GB/32 GB, 2GB RAM, microSD, up to 128 GB | 16 GB/32 GB/64 GB, 3GB RAM, microSD, up to 128 GB |
| Battery | Li-Ion 2300 mAh battery | Non-removable Li-Po 2600 mAh battery | Li-Ion 3220 mAh battery |
| Price[Approx] | 31,999/- | 44,980/- | 55,000/- |
