Moto X4 could make Google wish it still made cheaper phones

It’s been over two years since Motorola last brought life to its Moto X line of smartphones, but recent rumors have all but confirmed that it’s about to make a comeback.

Moto X4, the name donned by the rumored device, is said to be the next of Moto’s many 2017 devices to be released.

We’ve previously seen many fuzzy leaks showcasing its all-glass design, complete with curved edges and a dual-lens camera. But until today, we’ve yet to see the upcoming smartphone leak in such great detail, as picked up by Android Authority.

Credit: Android Authority

The images leave almost nothing to be desired – well, almost nothing. Above, we can see the X4’s front and back appearing in black and blue color options. Like other Moto options available this year, like the Moto E4, Moto G5 and Moto Z2 Force, the front of this new smartphone has a widened fingerprint sensor that will likely aid in navigation like the others. Additionally, its rear rocks the circular camera module that we’ve seen infiltrate each of Moto’s devices.

Compared to Motorola’s budget and flagship offerings, the Moto X4 is said to sit comfortably in the middle with its 5.2-inch 1080p display, Snapdragon 630 processor and 3GB of RAM. This puts it higher up on the food chain than the Moto G5 Plus, but barely. The main differences that might actually sell you are its high-end build quality, camera quality and one other neat trick that we’ve heard murmurs about...

Might as well be a Nexus

One of the earlier rumors that we heard about the Moto X4 was that it will be the first non-Google phone to be supported on the company’s Project Fi network service. If so, the phone will join the ranks in compatibility alongside the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL. And given that the Nexus 5X is nearing obsolescence (at least in terms of receiving major software updates), the Moto X4 could be a wonderful addition for those after an affordable Fi-ready phone. 

The Google carrier is currently available in the US only, though it’s an internationally-friendly option as it partners with local carriers in many countries to seamlessly provide Fi customers LTE without the need to switch SIM cards. Given the carrier’s flexibility, letting a third-party phone into the carrier’s loop would seem to be a good move for all parties involved.

Given Google’s move away from its Nexus devices and toward Pixel for the foreseeable future, it seems steadfast on making high-end (read: costly) smartphones. Its current phone is the cheapest it has ever been, though still quite expensive. And our guess is that the Google Pixel 2 won’t be cheap, too.

Even if the Moto X4 doesn’t come to Project Fi, it still seems to be a phone that’s well worth your consideration. As the phone is still unannounced, we haven’t had a chance to handle it or test the dual-lens camera. So long as Moto keeps the price as midrange as its purported specs, Moto’s next phone could be one of its best yet.

Cameron Faulkner

Cameron is a writer at The Verge, focused on reviews, deals coverage, and news. He wrote for magazines and websites such as The Verge, TechRadar, Practical Photoshop, Polygon, Eater and Al Bawaba.

Latest in Motorola Phones
Motorola Edge 50 Pro lavender
Your next Android bargain? Major Motorola leak teases details of multiple 2025 phones – including the Edge 60 series
The Motorola Moto G Power in grey and green on a desk
Motorola's new cheap phones offer flagship features for a quarter of the price of an iPhone 16
Motorola Razr 2024 orange folding phone on pink background with lowest price sign
The brand-new Motorola Razr 2024 has dropped to just $500 at Amazon
Motorola Razr Plus 2024 in green
The next Motorola Razr foldable might be able to close on its own with a motorized hinge
Motorola Razr Plus 2024 in green standing like a tent with a clock on its face
It looks as though another Motorola Razr flip foldable is about to launch
Motorola Razr Plus 2024 in green standing like a tent with a clock on its face
Motorola's next Galaxy Z Flip 6 rival just took another step towards launching
Latest in News
Lenovo | Thinkpad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon
Windows 11’s latest patch declares war on BIOS updates for some Lenovo laptops, blocking them as a security risk in a bizarre turn of events
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream screenshot showing a Mii smelling some fresh flowers.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is a sequel to my favorite 3DS game, and I think it's already packing the charm that inZOI lacks
Google Pixel Watch 3 side dial and button
Google Gemini reportedly spotted on Wear OS – could a rollout be close at hand?
Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con up-close from app store
Nintendo's new app gave us another look at the Switch 2, and there's something different with the Joy-Con
cheap Nintendo Switch game deals sales
Nintendo didn't anticipate that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was 'going to be the juggernaut' for the Nintendo Switch when it was ported to the console, according to former employees
Toni Collette in Hereditary
Everything leaving Netflix in April 2025 – from the scariest movie ever made to a beloved DreamWorks animation with 99% on Rotten Tomatoes