Exclusive: Moto X (2017) leaked renders and video

The Moto X (2017) has been revealed in a number of new renders and a 360-degree video based on factory CADs. Our man @OnLeaks has uncovered the details, which have historically proven very accurate and the renders based on the CAD information match up very nicely with the in-the-wild shots we saw earlier this month.

While we can’t confirm the Moto X (2017) name just yet, the first thing you’ll notice is just how much the renders look like the current Moto Z. Whether this means the Moto Z represents the new design language for all of Motorola’s Lenovo-branded devices going forward or is just a trickling down of flagship design to other device ranges we can’t say.

The next thing you’ll notice is the absence of pogo pins and the slight curvature to the back panel, indicating Moto Mods will not be compatible with the Moto X (2017). Oddly, the information obtained by @OnLeaks indicates the Moto X (2017) opts for two “dated” features the Moto Z discarded: microUSB and a headphone port. Keeping the headphone jack makes sense but no USB Type-C, really?

The weird square fingerprint scanner has morphed into a more familiar pill shape and the microSD card slot has migrated to the other side of the top edge. There’s a slight chamfer to the edges of the device but there’s no 2.5D glass to be found, showing Lenovo isn’t afraid to buck more than just one trend. Side bezels are unfortunately on the spacious side, with all these details combined indicating the Moto X (2107) will be a mid-ranger with the Moto Z remaining the flagship.

The large camera bump on the back remains in place, but the Moto X (2017) specs show the device is much thicker than both the Moto Z and Moto Z Force. With dimensions measuring roughly 150 x 73.8 x 8.4 mm (9.5 mm with camera bump), the Moto X (2017) looks like it will have plenty of space inside for a large battery. The Moto Z is just 5.2 mm thick and the Moto Z Force is still only 7 mm.

The Moto X (2017) will also have a slightly smaller footprint than either Moto Z variant, but will shrink the display diagonal to 5.2 inches rather than the 5.5 inches shared by both Moto Z models. Fans of fancy dual camera setups or stereo front-facing speakers won’t get any love from the Moto X (2017), but with any luck Lenovo will have beefed up the sound a little. If we’re lucky we’ll see the Moto X (2017) at CES 2017 next week, but a MWC 2017 reveal feels more likely.

Are you happy to see the return of the Moto X? Even if it looks like a mid-range Moto Z?