The Moto X was the first smartphone from the company fully developed under Google -[3] which acquired Motorola Mobility in 2012 – introduced with a brand refresh,[4] and a new flagship design language replacing the "sharp" metallic and Kevlar coating used since the original Droid.

[5] It was primarily aimed at "mainstream" consumers,[6] distinguished by features taking advantage of voice recognition (through Google Now)[7] and contextual awareness, the ability for users to custom-order the device in their own choice of color options, and emphasizing the fact that the phone had final assembly completed in the United States.

Moto X was met with mostly positive reviews, with particular praise towards its hardware design, Motorola's new approach to customizing Android, along with its suite of contextual features, and the influence of its "mainstream" targeting on its overall performance, user experience, and battery life.

Its camera, while praised for its user interface, was criticised for inconsistent image quality (later updated with an OTA software patch), and the lack of certain advanced features for the sake of simplicity.

Reports indicated that the device was to have a focus on unique functionality in an effort to compete against Apple and fellow Android vendor Samsung, and that the company had experimented with curved screens and ceramics as possible hardware aspects.

Although Woodside did not present the device (which he claimed was in his pocket), he did reveal that Moto X would be "contextually aware", and had two special processors which would allow it to do so while maintaining sufficient battery life.

[18] Later details revealed that the phone would be available across all four national carriers in the United States, and that Motorola planned to spend $500 million on marketing Moto X.

[28] In May 2014, Motorola ultimately announced that it would wind down operations at the Fort Worth plant due to the high costs of domestically producing high-end smartphones like the Moto X at it in relation to the device's overall sales.

The device also includes a 10 megapixel camera with "Clear Pixel" technology that the company claimed could take in 75% more light, improving performance in low-light conditions.

Once configured, the phone will automatically respond to a user-set phrase, such as "Ok Moto X" (even when in sleep mode) to launch a voice assistant able to perform various tasks.

The Assist feature can automatically enable or disable certain modes, such as silencing the ringer, auto replying to text messages, or activating voice controls, depending on certain scenarios—such as when a user is in a meeting as determined by their calendar, or driving.

Its design was generally praised for appearing well-built; Joshua Topolsky, editor-in-chief of The Verge described the Moto X's exterior as "a solid—if somewhat anonymous—slab of space-age plastics, soft-touch surfaces, and crystal clear Corning glass.

[42][43] The Moto X was praised for its emphasis on seamlessly enhancing the stock Android experience as opposed to heavily modifying it (as the company had done in the past with its Motoblur software).

'"[43] The Assist feature was praised for being the best demonstration of the device's contextual awareness capabilities, with Topolsky stating that "I’m not sure what impressed me more: the ease of this function, or the fact that I didn't have to think about where I was and what mode I was in.

Alex Roth of TechRadar gave the device a 4 out of 5, noting that "if only the camera were better and Motorola's apps were a little sharper, I'd give it a no holds barred recommendation.