Moto E4 Plus review

OUR VERDICT

The Moto E4 Plus comes with much better battery life than both its cheaper sibling, the Moto E4, and the more expensive Moto G5, but if you’re after for a more powerful phone with a Full HD screen you may be better off going for the G5 despite its higher price. However, if battery life is your main concern the Moto E4 Plus is built just for you.

Motorola's E4 Plus is the latest phone from the company, packing a huge battery and trying to up the spec despite a low-end price.

Battery life is a big concern of almost everyone who wants to buy a new phone, and Motorola has packed this phone with a massive cell that should be able to last at least two days.

See all Motorola Moto E4 Plus deals

The Lenovo P2 – made by Motorola’s parent company – impressed us earlier this year with its two-day battery life, so we expect some big things from the new E4 Plus, which in some respects replaces that phone.

Given that its specs are limited in other areas, leaving the phone with less heavy lifting to do, we expect the Moto E4 Plus to do some fantastic things in the battery department, but do the rest of the components add up to make this a worthwhile phone?

Moto E4 Plus release date and price

• Out now in the US and UK, no word on Australian release
• Costs $179.99 or £159, making it a touch more expensive than the Moto E4 

All the color options for the Moto E4 Plus.

The Moto E4 Plus is out now in the US and UK, so you can buy this phone for $179.99/£159 (around AU$240).

In the US the phone is available through Verizon or selected retailers SIM-free. In the UK you can buy it from Argos and a selection of other stores.

That price is a touch more expensive than the Moto E4, a phone which we liked enough to give four and a half stars and which is priced at $129/£129, but the E4 Plus is not that much more money considering the slightly improved spec.

There’s no currently no scheduled Australian release date and considering the Moto E4 wasn’t released there we wouldn’t an E4 Plus release either.

Design

• Premium feel metal design, unlike the Moto E3
• Thicker and heavier than your average phone
• Curved and smooth back means it sits comfortably in the hand 

The rear of the Moto E4 Plus.

The Moto E4 Plus is encased in a full metal shell that gives it a premium feel many other affordable phones aren't able to replicate. It has a curved back, helping it sit in your hand comfortably too.

On the bottom of the phone there's a speaker and a micro USB port. On the top there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack if you want to use wired headsets for listening to music.

The speaker is on the left with the microUSB port in the middle.

It may sit comfortably in your hand, but the Moto E4 Plus isn't very light – it weighs 198g – and it’s also quite thick at 9.6mm. That makes it chunkier than the 9.3mm-thick Moto E4, and it’s down to the much bigger battery that's been packed in.

You’ll likely notice this in your pocket more than the Moto E4 or Moto G5, which come in at 151g and 145g respectively.

The Moto E4 Plus is heavy, but it sits comfortably in the hand.

That said, it doesn't make the E4 Plus ugly. Its metal shell leaves it looking good, and overall Motorola has managed to build in a bigger battery without compromising the design too much.

There’s no SIM slot on the metal outside of the phone – you pull off the back cover to insert your microSD card and SIM (you can’t remove the battery though). We found it to be particularly difficult to pull off, so swapping your SIM card or microSD may not be as easy as you’d hope for, although it’s unlikely you’d be doing so regularly.

There's also a fingerprint scanner below the screen, which we found to work well. You may find the sensor a little small  compared to those on some other devices, but it always picked up our fingerprint for a simple unlock.

The fingerprint scanner on the E4 Plus is small, but works well.

Having a fingerprint sensor on a phone this cheap is a major plus, and you’ll likely appreciate it as a fast and simple way of unlocking your phone.

The design of the Moto E4 Plus certainly isn’t perfect, but considering the price point of this phone, and the fact that the earlier Moto E3 line came with a much uglier plastic shell design, this is a big improvement.

Display

• Large display with a HD resolution, but only 720p
• May prove too large for some, but it’s a bright and clear screen 

The 5.5-inch 720p screen on the E4 Plus is bright and clear.

The Moto E4 Plus has a 5.5-inch HD (720p) display, which you may see as a low-resolution option. 

It does offer 267 pixels per inch though, which means you'll struggle to spot any pixelation in images unless you're looking closely.

It’s not, however, as high a resolution as previous Lenovo-built devices like the P2, Moto G5 or the Moto G5 Plus. If you’re looking for a higher resolution you may be able to get the Moto G4 or G4 Plus, which features a Full HD display, for a similar price.

During our usage though we found the Moto E4 Plus to have a bright and clear display that looks good for watching video, despite the lower resolution. If you’re not fussed about the higher resolution screen, this display will still allow you to comfortably use your apps and watch video.

Plus the lower resolution puts less of a strain on the battery, contributing to the excellent battery life of the Moto E4 Plus.

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Nexus 5X review

OUR VERDICT

Google's compact Nexus 5X has aged rather well and it's still among the first devices around to be stocked with new software. Now, it comes cheaper than before and if you can stand the plastic build, it's a great choice.

Update: Our Nexus 5X review has been updated with everything that recent Android Nougat updates have brought to the table. Additionally, we've included info to get started with Android O, which is set to officially release momentarily for Google suite of Nexus and Pixel products.

If you want to give it a try, head the link below. It's easier than ever to get your device logged into the Android beta program.

• Here's how to download Android O

Looking for Google's latest smartphones? Check out our Pixel and Pixel XLreviews.

See all LG Nexus 5X deals

If you're looking to get your hands on a Nexus 5X, you'll need to explore around, as Google no longer officially sells its on its store. However, if you sign up for Project Fi, Google's US-only MVNO carrier service, you can snag it at a discounted rate.

Original review follows below.

Google's final batch of Nexus handsets comes in two sizes, and the 5.2-inch Nexus 5X is for those non-giants out there who literally can't handle a 5.7-inch Nexus 6P or its 6-inch Nexus 6 predecessor.

The Nexus 5X is more than just a compact phone at a smaller price, though. Its 12.3MP camera is able to capture low-light photos, and the specs are still fast enough for the average user.

Its reversible USB Type-C port provides quick charging, the fingerprint sensor is yet another way to effortless unlock your phone and swipe to pull down your notification panel. And possibly best of all, it's pre-loaded with the latest stock Android software, Android Nougat, and is set to receive the next iteration, Android O.

NEXUS 5X SPECS

Weight: 136g
Dimensions: 147 x 72.6 x 7.9mm
OS: Android 7 (upgradeable to Android O)
Screen size: 5.2-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 1920
CPU: Snapdragon 808
RAM: 2GB
Storage: 16GB/32GB
Battery: 2,700mAh
Rear camera: 12MP
Front camera: 5MP

Compromises and tough competition mean that the Nexus 5X isn't for everyone. The Nexus 6P requires two hands to operate, but it isn't a stretch to hold in one, making its size difference tighter and all-metal design and more powerful specs tempting. 

The Nexus 5X, made of plastic, faces far stiffer competition than the Nexus 5 did back in 2013.

It's also not quite as fast as many rivals when under pressure. Multitasking with the GPS and playing music, for example, is going to see a bit of slowdown. The same happens when the camera app loads while you're switching from other heavy-duty applications. It's noticeable, but occasional and by no means a deal breaker.

Easy-to-hold, priced right and feature-packed, this is the Nexus 5 reborn as the Nexus 5X, but over two years have passed since it broke cover. Is it still a worthy stock Android phone at an unbeatable value? Let's break it down.

Nexus 5X price

The Nexus 5X is no longer available through the Google Store, though it's easy enough to find brand new on Amazon for about $300 - far less if you go the pre-owned or refurbished route.

It isn't the best value in today's standards, but it's as cheap as you'll find a modern Google-branded smartphone. The Pixel will cost your around twice as much.

Design

• Easy to use one-handed
• Plastic body lacks premium appeal

The Nexus 5X looks and feels like the Nexus 5 adapted for modern times. It's lightweight and with a 5.2-inch display, my fingers can barely reach all the way across the screen. That's what I want.

It pushes the limit of a one-handed phone with dimensions of 147 x 72.6 x 7.9mm, making it taller and broader, but ultimately skinnier than the idolized phone from 2013.

Nexus 5X strikes the right balance: a screen size that's maximized, but still operable in one hand.

I didn't exactly want a camera bulge around back, which is what happened to the center-located rear snapper, but I'd rather have what's there than a weak camera.

Thankfully, the camera protrusion isn't as significant as we saw in leaked prototypes, and it at least gives me a landmark when trying to find the new, oddly-placed fingerprint sensor on back.

The 5X owes its lightweight design to LG sticking to a polycarbonate back and thin metal frame. This bucks the trend of moving away from plastic and going with all glass or strictly aluminum.

For this reason, it doesn't feel different from the hard plastic of the Nexus 5. It even has a similar soft-touch coating on the back.

There are three Nexus 5X colors again, but this time it's Carbon Black, Quartz White and Ice Blue, doing away with red. All three come with a black front, however. You won't find an all-white Nexus 5X.

The black-and-white combination makes my white Nexus 5X review unit look like a delicious ice cream sandwich more than a phone. While not as stylish as Motorola's curved Moto X design, it's mostly flat yet functional.

In fact, the only glaringly impractical design choices here are the power button and volume rocker located on the right side. They're small, feel cheap and the power button isn't riveted or pronounced in any way really.

That's a design choice I appreciate in recent phones like the Moto X Style and Nexus 6P. At night, it's easier to tell a power button accent with accents from a smooth volume rocker.

There is a pulse notification light here. It hasn't been omitted, it's just tucked inside the speaker grill located at the bottom front of the phone and, rudely, turned off by default.

Whether you're ready or not, the Nexus 5X includes the USB-C port on the bottom of the frame instead of micro USB, and it's joined by a 3.5mm headphone jack.

As future-proof as this Android phone tries to be, it doesn't take advantage of Gorilla Glass 4 like the Nexus 6P does. Instead, it sticks to Gorilla Glass 3 like the curved LG G4.

The LG G4 gets away with this in my book because of its protective, curved design. The Nexus 5X has only a small lip around its display bezel, so you may want to opt for a case.

While the Google Store used to be flush with options, you'll definitely want to consult Amazon for your accessory needs. Thankfully, prices have dropped since the phone's launch, but they used to be quite expensive.

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Sony Xperia X Performance review

OUR VERDICT

It's as if Sony doesn't realize how cutthroat this market is. Snapdragon 820 performance, waterproofing and microSD support aside, there's not enough here to recommend this overly expensive Android phone.

Update: Barring a few differences, the Sony Xperia X Performance brings most of the same goods as the Sony Xperia XZ, but for a cheaper price.

Not only has this device become cheaper to purchase since it launched, it has also received a welcome upgrade to Android Nougat. This means that it's secure and stocked with enhanced battery-saving features and multitasking is even easier thanks to the multi-window mode.

See all Sony Xperia X Performance deals

Looking forward, we've heard that Android O will be heading to this device. So even though you won't have the latest specs, you'll have the latest software.

Original review follows below.

The Sony Xperia X Performance is a phone that makes a statement. It's just not a very consistent one.

Like the others in the new X series, the Sony Xperia X Performance is really good at waving all the signs of a flagship phone. The eye-grabbing glass and brushed metal design make it enjoyable to look at and its 5.6-inch body fits nicely in one hand.

Underneath the hood, though, there's a mix of what you'd expect to find in a top-tier smartphone, but with a few unpleasant surprises tossed in.

It contains the high-end Snapdragon 820 processor, but backs it with only 3GB of memory. The waterproof phone comes with the latest build of Android Nougat, offers PS4 Remote Play, and expandable storage. But the screen is limited to 1080p, and the battery capacity is a rather meager 2,700mAh.

These shortcomings would be excusable if the Xperia X Performance were the least bit competitive in price with some of recent unlocked movers-and-shakers, like the OnePlus 3 or ZTE Axon 7. But it's not even close.

At US$699 (about £541, AU$913), this phone just about doubles the price of some more capable options, even costing slightly more than the Samsung Galaxy S7. It's puzzling.

For a phone positioned near the top of Sony's offering, the Xperia X Performance is either woefully under-specced, or just too expensive for what you're getting. How about both?

If you're hoping for a flagship smartphone that balances power, design and value in equal measure, you'll be better served by another phone on our best phones list.

Design

• The glass front's slightly curved edges give off an elegant look
• A 1080p screen that is vibrant, but too low-res for the price
• Its brushed metal chassis fits perfectly in the hand and pocket

If you're seen one Xperia device within the past few years, you've seen them all. The Xperia X Performance falls neatly into that group, but it's not a bad thing at all.

Minimalists will love the Xperia X Performance for its subtle design touches. In the rose gold review unit provided to TechRadar by Sony, the brushed metal back and edges nicely play off the ever-so-slightly curved front panel.

The port layout is thoughtfully placed around the phone, and at first glance, it seems that so too are the buttons. While the power and dedicated camera capture buttons are easy to use and access during everyday use, the volume rocker is a bit of a nightmare.

Located on the bottom right side of the trim, it makes a simple task needlessly difficult. The odd reach even caused the phone to slip out of our hands on occasion.

If you're looking to get this phone in the US, here's one more knock against the X Performance: it doesn't have a fingerprint sensor built-in like its UK counterpart. For whatever reason, it has been omitted, though Sony's website states otherwise.

Given the fashion-forward look of the Xperia X Performance, it's a delightful surprise that it's dust and waterproof with a rating of IP68, which means that it can be plunged under water no deeper than a meter (under five feet) for up to a half hour. So a drop into the sink, a puddle, or even the toilet will be fine (just wash it reeeeally well afterward.)

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Moto G5 Plus review

OUR VERDICT

Refreshed from top to bottom, the Moto G5 Plus has redefined itself and it didn't even have to. The premium build, competent specs and low price will suit deal-seekers and phone enthusiasts alike.

Update: The Moto G5 Plus is now globally available, though it isn't the only budget offering from Moto this year.

In addition to the Moto G5, it has also brought the Moto E4 and Moto E4 Plus to market. Compared to the G5 Plus, they don't feature the same power or design pizazz, though if you're on a serious budget, they may fit the bill for you.

See all Motorola Moto G5 Plus deals

Original review follows below.

While flagship makers battle for the top spot with small bezels and pixel-perfect cameras, Motorola has been winning a more quiet, but equally important fight: to offer desired features in a phone without costing too much.

Speaking of features, the new Moto G5 Plus has them in spades. A fingerprint sensor, generous heaps of internal storage with microSD support, Google Assistant, fast charging, GSM and CDMA compatibility. The list goes on.

In that regard, it isn’t a far cry of last year's value-packed Moto G4 Plus - not that you’d even know the two were related by looking at them.

Refreshed from top to bottom (and on the inside, too), the Moto G5 Plus has redefined itself and it didn't even have to.

If you’re strapped for cash, but still want the latest Android Nougat software, this year’s model is on sale for $229 (£249, AU pricing not disclosed at time of review), which is actually a little bit cheaper than the G4 Plus. How often do you see phone prices going down instead of up?

Previous owners and newcomers alike will find a lot to enjoy here for the price. So much so that minor exclusions like NFC (this feature is available outside of the US), the non-removable back and the so-so camera performance don’t detract much from the experience or the value. Though, if those features are absolutely key, you’ll want to spend a little more on some of the other best cheap phones. 

Moto G5 Plus release date and price

• Starts at $229 (£249, AU$399) – cheaper than the Moto G4 Plus
• Supports GSM and CDMA networks out of the box
• Available now globally
• Even cheaper with Amazon lockscreen ads in the US

Though most will have the luxury to decide between this and the Moto G5, the plus-sized phone is the only option available to those in the US. The lack of choice is a downer, but thankfully, this phone leaves almost nothing to be desired for the cost.

In the US, it has launched at $229 for the 2GB RAM model with 32GB of internal storage. At that price, it’s slightly cheaper than the Moto G4 Plus, which offered us less for the money in the way of internal storage and a weaker Snapdragon 617 system on chip (SoC).

For $299, you can pick up the US-exclusive model that comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of flash storage.

If you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber, you’ll snag a discount on each model: $184 and $239, respectively. The only caveats worth mentioning here is that you’ll be fed ads on the lockscreen and each phone will have some non-removable apps. However, this significant discount will certainly be worth it for some.

Depending on where you are in the world, the configurations available differ a bit.

In the Asia-Pacific region? You have two models to choose from: one with 16GB of storage/3GB RAM and one with 32GB/4GB RAM. In Latin America, there is but one model available with 32GB of storage and 2GB of RAM. To those in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East region, the only G5 Plus available has 32GB of storage with 3GB of RAM. Confusing, we know.

In the UK, you’ll be able to snag Moto G5 Plus for £249. Last, but not least, the model is available in Australia starting at AU$399.

Thankfully, any version that you pick up is compatible on both CDMA and GSM networks. On Verizon and planning a switch to AT&T, or vice versa? You’re all set with this single phone. Feel free to swap between networks on the fly, or if you’re like me, toss in a Project Fi SIM card that works with both CDMA and GSM and get the best of both worlds.

The fact that Moto can add this broad compatibility across networks in its budget phone lineup is impressive and frankly, all other manufacturers should be taking notes. 

Design

• Revamped design makes it no longer feel like a budget device
• Borrows from the Moto Z, but carves out a confident look on its own
• Concave, multi-purpose fingerprint sensor is Moto’s best yet

The Moto G5 Plus takes affordable smartphone design to the next level with a build quality that more closely mimics that of an expensive flagship phone.

Sure, the Moto G4 Plus could be considered good looking in its own right. It was on cue with what we’d expect out of a mid-range phone rolled into a budget handset. But not everyone liked the rubberized back when they equate aluminum or glass with top-tier quality.

This phone is completely made-over and almost unrecognizable next to its previous iteration, which in just about every way is a good thing.

At 150.2 x 74 x 7.7 - 9.7mm, this new phone from Moto trims but a few millimeters from the length and width and has a similar thickness to that of the G4 Plus. Factoring in the reduction from the 5.5-inch screen down to 5.2 inches and the end result is a device that’s easier to hold in the palm.

The slim earpiece cutout and fingerprint sensor on the front borrows from the Moto Z’s styling. If anything, we prefer the feel of the sensor on the G5 Plus more because of its concave design, which makes it easier to find when you’re not looking at the phone.

Set to release in lunar grey and fine gold color options (Moto provided us with the latter for review), the bezels give off a glossy look and are complemented nicely by the metallic effect on the trim that surrounds the phone. We usually see manufacturers opting for a chamfered edge here, so it’s cool to see Moto bucking convention.

From there, the G5 Plus transitions on its back into soft, brushed metal that provides a good amount of grip while avoiding common smartphone plagues, like carrier-specific branding and attracting fingerprints.  As far as buttons and ports go, the G5 Plus plays host to the usual suspects.

On the right side, you’ll find a volume rocker placed above the notched power button. The nanoSIM and microSD card slot sits atop of the device, while the micro USB port and 3.5mm jack occupy its bottom.  

Display

Sitting front and center of the G5 Plus is its 5.2-inch Full HD (1080p) screen. A phone is usually only as good as its display and thankfully, this one doesn’t disappoint.

While we take every opportunity to bash manufacturers for not taking the leap to QHD (1440p) in more expensive devices -hrm, Sony -, FHD resolution suits Moto’s latest just fine. Games with a lot of detailed art look fantastic and VR experiences with the best Google Cardboard games will look just fine with its 424 pixel-per-inch (PPI) screen.

Though, due to Google Daydream’s tough guidelines that only let in phones that have OLED screen tech running at 2K, the G5 Plus will have to keep dreaming.

Indoor and out, the IPS display was clearly readable and multimedia is more vibrant than in Moto’s previous budget entries. This is in part thanks to the new settings menu that tweaks the colors of the screen, a welcome feature for those who like to have options. 

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