Motorola X40 review
The Motorola X40 is one of the many budget smartphones released ahead of Chinese New Year, aiming to take on the likes of Xiaomi's Redmi K60 and others in its price range. Priced lower than some competitors, this device boasts a sleek design with a quad-curved screen and impressive specs like IP68 water resistance and wireless charging capabilities. But does it live up to expectations? Our review delves into performance, camera quality, battery life, and more, helping you decide if the X40 is worth considering in its crowded market.
Build Quality and Design
The Motorola X40 is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers an impressive array of features at an affordable price point. From a build quality and design standpoint, the phone holds its own against more expensive devices. The first thing you notice about the X40 is its sleek and premium feel. The black frosted material used in its construction gives it a smooth texture to the touch, making it a joy to hold and use. The quad-curved screen on the front adds a level of sophistication, giving it a stylish appearance that's hard to ignore. While some may criticize the camera module for using a curved protective glass design solely for aesthetic purposes, I think it's a great way to add visual interest to an otherwise standard-looking phone. Stereo dual speakers and NFC are also present, further enhancing the user experience. One feature that really stands out is the full-function Type-C board, which supports USB 3.2 Gen 1 speeds and video output – a rare sight in phones at this price point. The protective glass on the screen is also quad-curved, giving it a seamless look and feel that's reminiscent of higher-end devices. In terms of design, the X40 has an understated elegance to it. While the upper bezel is not excessively narrow, the upper and lower bezel curves are smaller and almost invisible, creating a clean and minimalist look that's hard to fault.
Battery Life
The Motorola X40 is one of the many budget phones released before the Chinese New Year. While it may not have received as much attention as some of its counterparts, it's a solid option for those looking for a affordable device with decent features. One area where the X40 shines is in battery life. With a 4,600mAh battery, it may not sound like much, but it's still quite durable and can easily last through a day of heavy use. In fact, I found it to be comparable to some other phones in its price range, including the Xiaomi Mi 5000. The X40 also comes with fast charging capabilities, with a whopping 125W wired charging speed that will get your battery back up to 100% in no time. Wireless charging is also supported, making it easy to keep your phone powered on the go. While I wouldn't say the X40's battery life is exceptional, it's certainly good enough for most users. With moderate use, you can easily expect a day and a half of use without needing to recharge. However, if you're a heavy user who plays games or watches videos all day, you may need to top up your phone mid-day. Overall, the Motorola X40's battery life is a definite plus, making it a solid choice for those looking for an affordable device with decent power management. Just be aware that there are other options available in this price range that might offer even better battery life.
Display
The display on the Motorola X40 is a quad-curved screen with a frosted black material that feels smooth to the touch. The screen itself is protected by a curved glass design, which adds to its premium feel. However, it's worth noting that this design doesn't offer any tangible benefits for everyday use. In terms of display quality, the X40's specs are not particularly impressive, but they're also not bad considering the price range. The refresh rate is relatively high, which could be beneficial for users who require a higher screen quality. However, those with more demanding requirements may want to consider other options like the Redmi K60 or IQ 11. The upper bezel of the display is not extremely narrow, and the upper and lower bezel curves are smaller and almost invisible. This makes it easy to use the phone as you would a standard curved screen device. Overall, while the X40's display may not be the most impressive feature, it's still a solid offering for its price range. The frosted black material and curved glass design give it a premium feel, and the relatively high refresh rate is a plus. However, those with more demanding requirements may want to look elsewhere.
Camera
The camera system on the Motorola X40 is similar to other budget smartphones in its price range, but that doesn't mean it's on par with the rest. While the main camera and ultra-wide camera are not bad, they lack a certain clarity and precision. One major issue with the X40's camera is the excessive sharpening effect on photos taken with the telephoto lens. This can lead to an unnatural look, making details appear fake or over-enhanced. In particular, when shooting objects with intricate details like tree branches, the photo will be marred by this issue. The night mode, however, seems to be immune to this problem. The ultra-wide camera is another story altogether. With autofocus support, it can double as a macro camera and take surprisingly good photos. Even small details like hairs on a keyboard are visible in the exported image. The front camera also performs well, taking detailed selfies even in low-light conditions. It's capable of recording 4K at 60fps video. The telephoto camera is where things start to go awry. Not only does it lack clarity, but it also has an excessive sharpening effect that makes photos look fake. In particular, when trying to capture detailed subjects, the photo will be ruined by this issue. While the X40's camera may not be the worst in its price range, it certainly doesn't excel either. If you're looking for a budget smartphone with great cameras, you may want to consider other options like the Xiaomi 13 or Redmi K60 series. The Motorola X40's camera system is a mixed bag. While the main camera and ultra-wide camera are decent, the telephoto lens has some major issues that hold it back from being truly impressive. If you're looking for a budget smartphone with great cameras, this might not be the best choice. However, if you're willing to compromise on camera quality in exchange for other features like IP68 water resistance and wireless charging, the X40 might still be worth considering.
Price and Value
The Motorola X40 is one of the many budget-friendly smartphones released before Chinese New Year. Priced lower than its competitors, it's an attractive option for those looking for a reliable device without breaking the bank. At under $500, the X40 offers impressive features such as IP68 water resistance, wireless charging, and a quad-curved screen. The phone's build quality is also noteworthy, with a smooth black frosted material that feels great in the hand. While the X40's performance is decent, it may not match up to other Agent 2 phones in terms of stability and CPU throttling tests. Gaming performance is good but not exceptional, making it more suitable for light gaming enthusiasts. The camera system is also noteworthy, with a quad-camera setup that includes an ultra-wide camera capable of taking detailed macro shots. However, the telephoto camera lacks clarity and has an excessive sharpening effect, which may disappoint some users. Given its price point, the X40 offers good value for money. The 125W fast charger and wireless charging capabilities are particularly impressive, making it a great option for those who want a reliable phone without breaking the bank. Overall, the Motorola X40 is a solid choice for budget-conscious consumers. While it may not excel in every department, its affordability and impressive features make it a worthwhile consideration. If you're not in a hurry to buy a phone, I'd recommend checking out competing options like the Redmi K60 series or Nubia Z50, but for under $500, the X40 is a great option that won't disappoint.
Performance
The Motorola X40 is one of several budget smartphones to be released ahead of Chinese New Year. While it may not have received as much attention as some of its counterparts, the X40 is an affordable option that doesn't skimp on features. However, when it comes to performance, the phone falls short in comparison to other Agent 2 phones. In terms of CPU throttling tests, the X40's performance was not as stable as other Agent 2 phones I've tested. This issue was also noticeable during more demanding games like Gadget Impact. While the average frame rate is still respectable and lag is minimal, it's clear that the phone isn't performing at its best. Motorola's performance has always been a highlight of their devices, but in this case, the X40 doesn't quite live up to expectations. Light gaming is not an issue, but heavy gamers may find themselves accepting some level of frame rate fluctuation. On the bright side, the phone's processor still manages to deliver good overall performance, making it suitable for everyday tasks and general use. However, when compared to other Agent 2 phones on the market, the X40's performance is not particularly impressive. In conclusion, while the Motorola X40 has its strengths, its performance is a bit of a letdown. If you're in the market for an affordable smartphone with solid specs, I'd recommend considering other options like the Redmi K60 or Nubia Z50, which may offer better value for your money.
Pros
1. The phone's design is sleek and smooth to the touch, with a quad curved screen that looks great in your hand.
2. It has stereo dual speakers, NFC, and IP68 water resistance, making it a feature-packed device.
3. The USB-C port supports both USB 3.2 Gen1 and video output, which is impressive at this price point.
4. The phone's performance is not bad, with a relatively high refresh rate that should satisfy users who want a smooth screen experience.
5. The camera system is decent, with a good telephoto camera that can take detailed selfies and record 4K 60fps video.
6. The wireless charging feature is top-of-the-line, with 15W of power and fast charging capabilities.
7. The battery life is decent for its price, with a capacity that's on par with other phones in this range.
8. The phone has a great front camera, which can take detailed selfies even in backlit situations.
Cons
1. The screen quality is not the best at this price point, and may not be sufficient for users who want a high-end display.
2. The performance of the X40 is weaker compared to other Agent 2 phones, particularly in stressful games like Gadget Impact.
3. The camera system's telephoto lens has an excessive sharpening effect that can make photos look fake or overly processed.
4. The phone's processor throttling tests show that it's not as stable as other Agent 2 phones, which may be a concern for heavy gamers.
5. Light gaming is not a problem, but the X40 doesn't seem to be on par with its competitors in terms of performance.
6. The night mode camera feature works well, but the ultra-wide camera can produce blurry photos if not held steady.
7. The phone's battery capacity may seem small at 125W, but it still gets the job done for a daily driver phone.
8. While it has some great features, the X40 may not be the best option compared to other Agent 2 phones in terms of performance and overall value.