DPReview smartphone reviews are written with the needs of photographers in mind. We focus on camera features, performance, and image quality.

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The Moto X Style (known as the Moto X Pure Edition in the US) replaces the 2014 Moto X as Motorola's flagship smartphone and the new model has received a complete overhaul in the camera department. It comes with a Sony IMX 230 1/2.4-inch 21MP BSI CMOS sensor and a dual-LED flash. F2.0 aperture and 4K video recording remain unchanged from the predecessor. The 5MP wide-angle front camera is now assisted by a dedicated flash to improve self-portraits in dark conditions. On the software side of things there is a new user-activated night mode, which raises sensitivity to better expose for very dark scenes, freeze motion and reduce the risk of image blur in low light. It reduces image size to 5MP to average out noise and other artifacts.

The camera module, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor and the 5.7-inch Quad-HD display are all wrapped up in a shell with comprises a metal frame and a back that can be optionally customized via Motorola's Moto Maker website. In addition, 'nano-coating' technology is used to make the device water repellent.

As with previous Motorola high-end smartphones, one of the Moto X Style's main draws is its price point which makes it $200-$300 less than the latest top-end devices from brands like Apple and Samsung. We shot samples with and previewed the Moto X Style at launch, and now we've had a chance to spend more time with the handset. Read our full review to find out if the Moto X Style can beat the pricier competition as a mobile photography device.

Key Photographic / Video Specifications

  • Sony IMX 230 1/2.4-inch 21MP BSI CMOS sensor
  • F2.0 aperture
  • Dual-LED flash
  • 4K-video
  • 720p slow motion video
  • 5MP front camera with flash

Other Specifications

  • 5.7-inch Quad-HD display (1440p)
  • Android 5.1
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor with 1.8 GHz hexa-core CPUs
  • 3GB RAM
  • 16/32/64GB storage version
  • MicroSD support up to 128GB
  • Water protection
  • 3000 mAh battery
  • Quick charging mode

Our 9-page review

We've considered every aspect of the Motorola Moto X Style with the photographer in mind. We examined the user interface of the native camera app and its special features. We experimented with the camera's performance when taking stills and video, and had a play with the device's many special feature modes..