Project Fi by Google is no longer Pixel exclusive as the MVNO service will soon offer Lenovo's mid-range bet - the Moto X4 or Moto X 2017. If the plan will push through, the very capable Android handset will deliver nearly uninterrupted cellular connectivity with the cash damage at half the price of the upcoming Google Pixel 2 models.
Google has already indicated, per the report by WCCFTech, that a non-Pixel device will soon become part of Project Fi and interested buyers can get it starting at $300 or $400 at most. If true, would-be users will get to enjoy around 50 percent savings should they pick the handset over any of the Pixel 2 upgrades. The latter are expected to sell starting at $600+ but it availed via Project Fi there has to be considerable discount.
Presumably, the mid-range handset that Google has been teasing about is no stranger to the Pure Android crowd. In his latest report on Venture Beat, gadget tipster Evan Blass said Project Fi will soon unveil the Moto X4. Previously, the same device was hinted by Lenovo as the Moto X 2017.
The fourth instalment of the line, Blass said, will boast of a 5.2-inch display in 1080p screen resolution, indicating that the X4 while affordable will unpack with near-premium specifications. Under the hood, the phone will power up with the help of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 630 processor, which obviously is not a muscle car but a more than decent eight-core chip with top speed of 2.2GHHz. The RAM support is set at 4GB, certainly at flagship standard.
Basic storage, according to the same report, is 64GB but unlike the Pixel phones the Moto X4 will have a microSD slot and that translates to memory expansion capability. There was no mention of specific memory card support though it can be assumed that users can safely insert a 128GB card on the device.
The Moto X4 camera is on the premium side, if Blass is to be believed, having a dual combo of 12MP and 8MP lenses on the rear shooter. For the front facing, selfie capture is optimized thanks to the 16-megapixel camera.
The device will be juiced up by a 3000mAh battery pack though WCCFTech said the chance remains a higher rating battery will be provided, basing on rumors that the X4 will have a 3800mAh battery.
Of note too is the inclusion of flagship level specifications. The Moto X4 is a mix of glass and metal, specifically of aluminum for the rear plate. And Blass, also known as @evleaks, claimed that a number of standard flagship features are part of the deal - fingerprint sensor that is embedded on the home button and IP68 certification. The latter means the device has built-in water and dust resistance.
But the best part about the Moto X4 is the Project Fi service that essentially will bring the device in parity with the Google Pixel 2. As Fi will make use of the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) facility, the X4 is assured of maximum radio signal support at all times. Making the service possible is Google's partnership with T-Mobile, Sprint and U.S. Cellular.
And the good thing about Project Fi is the service starts at $20 per line with Google's assurance that unused data will be credited back to users.
Blass said Lenovo is likely to unveil the Moto X4 at the start of the 2017 holiday season, positioning the device to a November release date at the earliest. It's unclear if the X4 will debut on Google's Project Fi at around the same time.
