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Moto X Style vs OnePlus 2: which is the true flagship killer?
Today Motorola unveiled the Moto X Style, the company’s new high-end offering designed to compete against both mainstream rivals like Samsung and LG, as well as the number of growing Chinese OEMs that are pushing down pricing while offering premium experiences. In many ways, the Moto X Style hits all the right boxes. One of the latest Qualcomm processing packages? QHD? Compelling extras like waterproofing and quick charging? Check, check, and check. Even better, it is said to cost just $399 in the US, rebranded under the name Moto X Pure Edition.
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This leads us to wonder, has Motorola just created a flagship killer killer? Last night OnePlus unveiled its next-gen follow-up to the OPO, the aptly named OnePlus 2. While it got a lot right, including pricing, the OP2 also made sacrifices such as the lack of QHD and lack of quick charging support.
In many ways the two phones are very comparably spec’d, but there are some very real differences. To better illustrate how the two differ, let’s take an on-paper look at their spec sheets:
| Moto X Style (aka Moto X Pure) | OnePlus Two | |
|---|---|---|
Display | Moto X Style (aka Moto X Pure) 5.7-inch display Quad HD (2560x1440) resolution, 515 ppi | OnePlus Two 5.5-inch LCD, Full HD |
Processor | Moto X Style (aka Moto X Pure) 1.8 GHz hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor Adreno 418 GPU | OnePlus Two 1.8GHz Snapdragon 810 |
RAM | Moto X Style (aka Moto X Pure) 3GB | OnePlus Two 3 or 4 GB (depending on storage option) |
Storage | Moto X Style (aka Moto X Pure) 32/64 GB expandable via microSD up to 128 GB | OnePlus Two 16 or 64GB storage |
Camera | Moto X Style (aka Moto X Pure) 21 MP rear-facing camera with dual LED flash 5 MP front-facing camera | OnePlus Two 13MP rear 5MP front |
Battery | Moto X Style (aka Moto X Pure) 3,000mAh | OnePlus Two 3,300mAh |
MicroSD | Moto X Style (aka Moto X Pure) Yes | OnePlus Two No |
NFC | Moto X Style (aka Moto X Pure) Yes | OnePlus Two No |
Fingerprint scanner | Moto X Style (aka Moto X Pure) No | OnePlus Two Yes |
Quick charging | Moto X Style (aka Moto X Pure) Yes | OnePlus Two No |
Waterproofing | Moto X Style (aka Moto X Pure) Yes, IP52 certified | OnePlus Two No |
Software | Moto X Style (aka Moto X Pure) Android 5.1.1 Lollipop | OnePlus Two OxygenOS based on Android 5.1 |
Dimensions | Moto X Style (aka Moto X Pure) 153.9 x 76.2 x 11.1 mm, 179g | OnePlus Two 151.8 x 74.9 x 9.85 mm, 175g |
Price | Moto X Style (aka Moto X Pure) $399 | OnePlus Two $339 (16GB), $389 (64GB) |
Probably the biggest advantages the OP2 holds over the Moto X Style are the processing package (810 vs 808), the fingerprint scanner, a new type-C port, it weighs a little less, isn’t as thick, has a slightly bigger battery, has 1GB more RAM (at least with the 64GB OP2), and costs a little less. On the flipside, the Moto X Style has quick charging, NFC, is waterproof with IP52 certification, has a much more impressive cam, has a QHD display, and has a microSD slot.
For many, it comes down to which of these extras you put more value in. Personally, I think the Moto X Style holds the edge. Stuff like Type-C is nice, but not exactly necessary. Weight and thickness matters little to me. The Snapdragon 810 is technically better, but the real world differences are arguably quite minor. On the other hand, I love having the option of microSD, and while QHD and IP52 waterproofing aren’t essential, I find them more compelling than the OP2 ‘extras’.
It’s also important to note that the Moto X Style is about the same price as the OP2 and requires no invites. Furthermore, US consumers will be able to use the Pure Edition model on any major US carrier — something you won’t find with the GSM-only OP2.
Of course, opinions vary wildly and I completely respect that. For those on a super tight budget, the $10 – $60 savings could make the OP2 a clear winner. For others, fingerprint scanners might be considered a must have, or perhaps the 5.5-inch screen as big as they are willing to go, and the list goes on. What side of the coin do you land on? Which is the ‘true flagship killer’: Moto X Style or the OnePlus 2? Let us know what you think in the comments.
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