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Motorola Moto X 2014 vs Samsung Galaxy S5

Motorola Moto X 2014 vs Samsung Galaxy S5

Posted: 29 Sep 2014, 07:21, by John V.

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Tags: T-Mobile -T-Mobile + AT&T -AT&T + Verizon -Verizon + Sprint -Sprint + Motorola -Motorola + Samsung -Samsung + Android -Android +

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Motorola Moto X 2014 vs Samsung Galaxy S5

Introduction

Now that Motorola’s flagship phone for 2014 is finally out, it’s time to pit it against the handset that’s arguably the reigning champion in the Android smartphone space – the Samsung Galaxy S5. Always a formidable contender, the Galaxy S5 somehow manages to continue beating its rivals in several departments. Motorola has surely tweaked its Moto X to become a device indicative of a flagship, whereas last year’s model felt more like a mid-ranger in some aspects, so we’re anxious to see if all of its hard work pays off in knocking out the Samsung Galaxy S5 from its pedestal.

Design

When it comes to style and construction, the Moto X undoubtedly exhibits all of those qualities to make it the more appealing handset – plus, it helps when its design can be customized to the teeth. Indeed, the two are comprised out of plastic, but the kind used by the Moto X, combined with its aluminum frame, gives it a lovable premium quality to overpower the subdued look of the Galaxy S5. Let's not forget that we can customize the Moto X with leather or wood back, giving it that unique premium feel. Despite that, we’ll applaud Sammy for giving its smartphone a water-resistant casing capable of being submerged under water for a short period of time, which definitely comes in handy with certain situations.

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+ 3 images

Front view | Side view

5.54 x 2.85 x 0.39 inches
140.8 x 72.4 x 9.9 mm
5.08 oz (144 g)

Motorola Moto X (2014)

5.59 x 2.85 x 0.32 inches
142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm
5.11 oz (145 g)

Samsung Galaxy S5

To see the phones in real size or compare them with other models, visit our Visual Phone Size Comparison page.

Display

Checking out their displays, there’s not one in particular we’re fonder of over the other. The Moto X uses a 5.2-inch 1080 x 1920 AMOLED display – while the Galaxy S5 is outfitted with a 5.1-inch 1080 x 1920 Super AMOLED screen. In the details department, they both have rich and crisp details to allow us to distinguish miniscule sized text.Max brightness isn’t great with either of them, as the Moto X and Galaxy S5 respectively deliver maximum outputs of 385 and 442 nits. Since they’re based on AMOLED technology, they offer the same superb viewing angles and over-saturated color production. Neither is actually great in accurately reproducing true colors, but at least with the Galaxy S5, we can modify its color output to give it a more natural quality.

Display measurements and quality

	Maximum brightness (nits)Higher is better	Minimum brightness (nits)Lower is better	Contrast Higher is better	Color temperature (Kelvins)	Gamma	Delta E rgbcmy Lower is better	Delta E grayscale Lower is better
Motorola Moto X (2014)	385 (Average)	23 (Poor)	unmeasurable (Excellent)	7056 (Good)	1.93	6.83 (Average)	4.27 (Average)
Samsung Galaxy S5	442 (Good)	2 (Excellent)	unmeasurable (Excellent)	8183 (Poor)	2.25	5.08 (Average)	7.38 (Average)

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The numbers below represent the amount of deviation in the respective property, observed when a display is viewed from a 45-degree angle as opposed to direct viewing.

	Maximum brightness Lower is better	Minimum brightness Lower is better	Contrast Lower is better	Color temperature Lower is better	Gamma Lower is better	Delta E rgbcmy Lower is better	Delta E grayscale Lower is better
Motorola Moto X (2014)	54%	52.2%	unmeasurable	3.9%	4.7%	16.4%	47.8%
Samsung Galaxy S5	62.7%	50%	unmeasurable	4.7%	1.8%	23.2%	9.9%

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The CIE 1931 xy color gamut chart represents the set (area) of colors that a display can reproduce, with the sRGB colorspace (the highlighted triangle) serving as reference. The chart also provides a visual representation of a display's color accuracy. The small squares across the boundaries of the triangle are the reference points for the various colors, while the small dots are the actual measurements. Ideally, each dot should be positioned on top of its respective square. The 'x: CIE31' and 'y: CIE31' values in the table below the chart indicate the position of each measurement on the chart. 'Y' shows the luminance (in nits) of each measured color, while 'Target Y' is the desired luminance level for that color. Finally, 'ΔE 2000' is the Delta E value of the measured color. Delta E values of below 2 are ideal.

These measurements are made using SpectraCal's CalMAN calibration software.

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Interface and Functionality

Related phones

PhoneArena rating:

8.8 Very good

User rating:

9.2 Excellent

Motorola Moto X (2014)

Specifications News^[87] Rivals Size it Videos

PhoneArena rating:

9.1 Excellent

User rating:

9.3 Excellent

Samsung Galaxy S5

Specifications News^[579] Rivals Size it Videos

20 Comments

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posted on 29 Sep 2014, 07:24 2

1. RuiBacelar (Posts: 153; Member since: 25 Feb 2014)

Meah....and....meah!

I'd love to get a custom Moto X but the battery life kills it for me. Once you get 2 full days out of your Xperia Z2 you can't go back...ever!

posted on 29 Sep 2014, 07:28 2

2. irbaaz (Posts: 169; Member since: 27 Mar 2014)

Why motorola screen is looking much good than s5..

posted on 01 Oct 2014, 22:47

19. Noonting (Posts: 133; Member since: 19 Sep 2014)

Because GS5 default homescreen looks bad

posted on 29 Sep 2014, 07:30 1

3. DogeShibe (Posts: 1116; Member since: 10 Jan 2014)

Samsung GS5 for more functionality.
Moto X for Simplicity

posted on 29 Sep 2014, 08:05 1

4. ihavenoname (Posts: 1693; Member since: 18 Aug 2013)

GS5 is better device, but Moto X has more simple, polished software experience and it looks much better. And you can order a wood back, which is cool.

posted on 29 Sep 2014, 08:28

5. medtxa (Posts: 1330; Member since: 02 Jun 2014)

people buy moto x only for design I guess.

posted on 29 Sep 2014, 08:39

6. Scott93274 (Posts: 5352; Member since: 06 Aug 2013)

Could not be further from the truth.

posted on 29 Sep 2014, 18:41

16. rkoforever90 (Posts: 284; Member since: 03 Dec 2011)

its significantly cheaper

posted on 29 Sep 2014, 09:06

7. JakeH (Posts: 87; Member since: 01 May 2014)

Do Moto X vs Xperia z3/z3 compact next

posted on 29 Sep 2014, 09:24 2

8. Commentator (Posts: 3722; Member since: 16 Aug 2011)

A thought occurs:

Why not turn "vs" articles into an actual debate? Have one editor take the side of the GS5, and one take the side of the Moto X, and see where that goes.

As for myself, I'd love to see Ray and Michael duke this one out (no offense to Mr. John V, of course.)

posted on 29 Sep 2014, 20:56

18. trustory (Posts: 132; Member since: 23 Jan 2013)

yaaaaaasssss

posted on 29 Sep 2014, 09:39

9. JunitoNH (Posts: 1934; Member since: 15 Feb 2012)

Moto X ( 1st gen.) horrible battery life. Stay away, unless you don't mind charging every five hours.

posted on 29 Sep 2014, 09:41 1

10. Commentator (Posts: 3722; Member since: 16 Aug 2011)

Um, so that has something to do with this article then, or did you just feel the need to get that off your chest now?

posted on 29 Sep 2014, 10:27 2

11. Scott93274 (Posts: 5352; Member since: 06 Aug 2013)

Lies! Take it from an actual Moto X 2013 user, this phone lasts all day.

posted on 29 Sep 2014, 10:38 2

12. Flippyphone (Posts: 67; Member since: 15 Jul 2014)

So, your usage is representative of everyone else's?

posted on 29 Sep 2014, 10:58

13. Awalker (Posts: 1681; Member since: 15 Aug 2013)

I can get more than a day out of my Moto X 2013 but as you said everyone's usage is different.

posted on 29 Sep 2014, 13:00 1

15. StraightEdgeNexus (Posts: 3689; Member since: 14 Feb 2014)

Lol take it easy buddies, everyone's usage differs. Some use a phone for just calling, texting and mailing and occasional web browsing, while power users never give rest to their phones. No need to freak out at each other. Also he's not wrong either.

posted on 29 Sep 2014, 12:56

14. StraightEdgeNexus (Posts: 3689; Member since: 14 Feb 2014)

Well tough one:
S5 has arguably the better display and battery life, and has a clear edge in camera too. But the Moto X wins in design and ergonomics, software (sorry touchwiz) and pricing.

posted on 29 Sep 2014, 20:20

17. SupermanayrB (Posts: 902; Member since: 20 Mar 2012)

DROID Turbo > _____.

posted on 06 Oct 2014, 00:27

20. onthecouchagain (Posts: 49; Member since: 28 Nov 2011)

Those camera samples, goodness, the Moto X does poorly. What's with all the noise and yellow hazy tint?

Such a shame about TouchWiz, though. :T