Once owned by Google, Motorola has a fairly reputable history of distributing new Android OS shortly after the search giant makes the software's source code available. This is possible because of Motorola's strategy of not including too many additions to the stock Android version, unlike what many other device makers are doing.
This year, the Lenovo-owned company has updated its smartphone lineup with the new Moto X Style and Moto X Play models. The former is known as Moto X Pure Edition in the US. Since they are among the manufacturers' newest devices, both of them are expected to be included in Google's Android 6.0 Marshmallow update roster.
The Moto X Pure Edition is already available right from Motorola's official website. As its name suggest, it is an off-contract model that currently sell for $400. It packs a powerful six-core Snapdragon 808 processor from Qualcomm, 3GB RAM, and large 5.7-inch Quad HD display. A 21-megapixel primary camera is furnished at the back along with 3,000mAh battery and 64GB of built-in memory.
The Moto X Play is the smaller and more affordable handset with 5.5-inch Full HD screen, 1.6GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 chipset, 2GB RAM, and a similar 21MP rear camera. It comes with a larger 3630mAh battery.
The model is only available outside the United States, mainly in Canada, Europe, and Latin America. However, Phandroid reported that it will come to the US later this year via Verizon and arrive as the "Motorola Droid Maxx 2." The device is said to be offered contract-free for $300.
Both Moto X Play and Moto X Pure Edition run Android 5.1.1 Lollipop out of the box. Meanwhile, the successor of the current Moto X Style or Pure Edition, the Moto X 2016, is not expected to arrive until next year's third quarter. While the latest Moto X flagship runs version 5.1.1, the 2016 edition will apparently run Android 6.0 or newer.
Similar to past Moto X handsets, buyers will be able to customize both 2015 Moto X models using the company's Moto Maker feature. It gives users that ability from a wide variety of options for colors, rear casing materials and even engravings.
If Motorola's previous Android release trends are to be consulted, users can expect that the new models will be treated with the upcoming Marshmallow update before the year ends. Moreover, there are reports suggesting that a Motorola executive is already talking to major US carriers such as AT&T and Verizon Wireless to prepare for the impending release of the Android 6.0 OS.
At present, Google's co-branded Nexus 5, 6, and 9 models are being used to test Android M's third and final preview in preparation to the launch of its consumer version. The first handsets to come with it are the upcoming 2015 editions of the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 made by LG and Huawei, respectively.
