Intro
As the Chinese New Year approaches, several mobile brands have launched their budget phones with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, including Motorola with the X40. Although it hasn't received as much acclaim as some others, the X40 is just as visually appealing and more affordable.
Specifications
- Release date: 2022, December 22
- Colors: Black, Blue
- Dimensions: 161.2 x 74 x 8.6 mm.
- Weight: 199 g.
- Screen: 6.7" inc, 1080 x 2400, OLED
- Camera : Triple, 50MP
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
- Memory: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
- Battery: 4600, Li-Po, non-removable
- Network: GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
- Operating system: Android 13, MYUI 5.0
- Sensors: Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
If you are curious to find out all the details before reading the full review, visit the page for Motorola Moto X40 Specs, where you will find even the smallest detail about the phone.
Design
The X40 boasts a sleek black matte exterior that feels smooth to the touch. Its front has a curved screen. Although it is comfortable to hold, the phone case is recommended so that you don't drop it.
The camera module is protected by a curved glass that enhances its appearance without sacrificing functionality. The X40 is equipped with many features such as dual stereo speakers, NFC and IP68 water resistance.
Additionally, its full-featured Type-C port not only supports USB 3.2 Gen 1, but also offers video output capabilities, surpassing much more expensive phones.
Display
The X40's screen is protected by quad-curved glass, although it differs from that of the Mi 11 Ultra. Unlike the narrow top panel of the Mi 11 Ultra, the curves on the top and bottom panels of the X40 are smaller and almost imperceptible. This makes it a standard curved screen for most users.
Its display specs are average for its price range, and its only standout feature is a relatively high refresh rate. Users with demanding screen requirements may prefer the iQOO 11 or the Redmi K60.
Benchmark and games
Motorola has consistently delivered strong results in the past. Its score is comparable to other Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 phones.
However, the CPU Throttling Test reveals that it is not as stable as other smartphones with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. This instability is also evident in more powerful games such as Genshin Impact, where the frame rate fluctuates during the second half of the game.
Average frame rate which is not low and minimal lag, overall gaming performance is just good compared to other Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 phones.
Camera
While all Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 budget phones share a similar camera system, the X40 doesn't necessarily perform on the same level as its competitors. Its main and ultra-wide cameras are decent, with no major flaws.
The color style resembles vivo. However, the problem is with the telephoto camera, which lacks clarity and creates an over-sharpening effect that makes the photos look fake. This is especially evident when shooting subjects with intricate details, such as the leaves of a tree.
On the other hand, night mode does not have this problem. Note that there's no OIS, so you'll need a steady hand to avoid blurry photos.
The ultra-wide camera is capable of acting as a macro camera with its autofocus function and produces better photos than the 2MP standalone macro camera, even capturing individual hairs. However, the closest focus distance is only about 4CM, which makes it a challenge to take great macro shots.
The X40's front-facing camera excels at creating detailed selfies, even in low-light conditions. It supports 4k 60fps video recording, beating the more expensive Xiaomi 13 and iQOO 11 in this aspect.
The X40's video recording capabilities are also noteworthy, with the main camera supporting 8k 30fps, the ultrawide camera 4k 60fps and the telephoto 1080P 60fps. Clarity and stability are impressive, making the X40 a great choice for video recording.
Battery
The X40 boasts impressive capabilities with 125W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, making it the best choice for travelers who frequently use wireless charging. A full charge can be achieved in just half an hour with the power cable.
The 4600 mAh battery may not look big, but it still offers enough endurance. The technology in the 8 Gen 2 chip has finally solved the problem of poor battery life in phones.
Conclusion
For a sub-$500 phone, the X40 has some notable features like IP68 and wireless charging, but it also has its limitations like average screen quality, weaker performance compared to other 8 Gen 2 phones, and an unimpressive telephoto camera. If you're in the market for a phone, check out the Redmi K60 and Nubia Z50 series as they are strong competitors to the X40.
Motorola Moto X40 video review
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on our team's personal experience with the Motorola Moto X40 and third-party sources. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and reliable information, readers should keep in mind that this is a subjective assessment. The writing of this article was not paid for or sponsored by Motorola.
