Moto X4 is finally here: a mid-range handset with one killer audio feature

The Moto X4, the latest handset from Motorola, has just been announced at IFA 2017.The new device had been the subject of a truck load of leaks over the past few weeks, though surprisingly the device’s standout feature didn’t break cover. Here’s what you need to know about the Moto X4.

Don’t miss: Moto X4 hands-on – the center of your mobile disco

The Moto X line goes mid-range

The device sports a glass and metal design with a flat face and curved rear, measuring 148.35 x 73.4 x 7.99 mm and weighing 163 grams. It packs a 5.2-inch, Full HD LCD display, and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor with Adreno 508 GPU.

As for memory, the X4 will comes with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage or with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. A 3,000 mAh non-removable battery will keep the X4 chugging along, and it utilizes Motorola’s TurboCharging tech for short charging times. It also comes with a front-mounted fingerprint scanner and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

The Wireless Sound System lets you play music simultaneously on up to four Bluetooth devices

Powered by French startup Tempow, the Moto X4’s new Wireless Sound System software allows you to play music simultaneously on up to four Bluetooth-powered devices. The software is baked into the OS on the Moto X4, which means it connects and streams to any Bluetooth device, new or old, as long as it has the A2DP music profile or equivalent. We have much more information on this feature in our hands-on post, which you can find right here.

Motorola finally makes a water-resistant smartphone

There are a few companies out there that have been pretty far behind the trend when it comes to waterproofing, and one of them is Motorola. Even the company’s shatter-proof Moto Z2 Force handset only features a “water-repellent nano-coating”, which only protects against accidental spills, splashes, or light rain.

Finally, finally, Motorola has made a water-resistant smartphone. That’s right — the Moto X4 comes with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance!

Dual cameras that sound very promising

The back of the X4 is home to a 12 and 8 MP dual-camera setup, featuring a main camera with dual autofocus, f/2.0 aperture, and 1.4 µm pixel size, while the 8 MP snapper comes with a wide-angle lens (for a 120-degree field of view), f/2.2 aperture and 1.12 µm pixel size. This setup includes a dual-LED flash, Phase Detection Autofocus and additional depth of field effects (similar to what the Moto Z2 Force offers).

On the front is a 16 MP camera with f/2.0 aperture and 1.0 µm pixel size which, according to Motorola, should provide for superior selfies in low-light selfies, and arrives with an Adaptive Low Light mode specifically for this. The front camera can also shoot 4K video at 30 frames per second or 1080p video at 60 frames per second.

Motorola’s software is hard to beat, even if it’s not Oreo.

It will run Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box (an update to Android 8.0 Oreo somewhere down the line is almost guaranteed, though). Like the other handsets in the Moto series, the X4 will also come with Moto Actions, Moto Display, and Moto Voice software features. In addition, the phone will offer a “quick screenshot” mode that’s enabled by placing three fingers on the screen at once.

What’s more, the X4 will also come with Amazon’s Alexa built in.

The first Moto X phone without Moto Maker

We’ve already talked at length about how Motorola ditching Moto Maker is upsetting, but it still needs to be brought up here. When Lenovo bought Motorola, the new parent company axed the Moto Maker program as we knew it and temporarily retired the Moto X line. Now the Moto X is back, but without the wonderful customization options we once got with other X-line devices.

However, the device will be available in Super Black and Sterling Blue color options.

Arriving in Europe this September for just €399

All of the above was pretty much in line with previous leaks, but what we hadn’t yet gotten our hands on was the Moto X4 price and release date information. Motorola said that the Moto X4 will go on sale in Europe this September for €399, with a global launch set for later this fall. We don’t have any other pricing or availability details yet, but we’ll of course let you know when we learn more.

Until then, what are your thoughts on the new Moto handset? Let us know in the comments.