Report: Moto X “Vertex” and Moto X “Vector Thin” will have modular back panels

2016 is quickly shaping up to be the year of the modular mobile. Back in February, , with a promise to reveal more the following day. As tomorrow has become today, let’s see what he has to say.

…but a new report states this is the Moto X Vertex (left) and Moto X Vector Thin (right).

According to the report, Motorola is planning to launch two separate Moto X devices in 2016 – much as it initially had the Moto X Style and Moto X Play last year. Details are also becoming more clear, with Venture Beat including preliminary spec suggestions for each:

Moto X Vector Thin:

Essentially the follow-up to the Moto X Style, the product is said to have a 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED display, a 2.0GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 Quad Core SoC, 3GB or 4GB of RAM, 32GB of on-board storage, and a 13-megapixel rear camera with laser auto focus and optical image stabilization. It will be the thinner of the two devices at just 5.2mm thick, but that lithe build will restrict its battery size to just 2,600mAh.

Moto X Vertex:

Essentially the follow-up to the Moto X Play, the device is said to feature a 5.5-inch FHD AMOLED display, a 2.4Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 Octa Core SoC, a choice of either 2GB RAM and 16GB of on-board storage or 3GB RAM and 32GB of on-board storage combinations, and a 16-megapixel rear camera with laser auto focus and phase detection auto focus. Due to it’s relatively thicker nature (7mm) it will include a 3,500mAh battery.

Modular Make

Much as LG has its “Friends” so to is Motorola said to have “Amps”. By making use of the 16 small gold-colored circles on the back of the device, which are reportedly connection pins that facilitate the modular backplates. According to Venture Beat:

Motorola has at least six modules, called “Amps,” planned for launch, including a simple colored backplate that ships free with both handsets. The more interesting ones will be, of course, sold separately, both from Moto as well as third-party manufacturers. The first-party modules available at launch allegedly include stereo speakers; a battery pack; a camera grip with flash and optical zoom; a pico projector; and a rugged cover with wide angle lens attachment.

Those concerned with the clear camera bulge on the back will be relieved to hear that the report mentions they “will actually sit flush when there are Amps attached.”

LG already has Friends (prototypes pictured) and now Moto may have Amps.

A Release Date?

Currently, it is unknown as to when these mysterious Motos will be released. It had been suggested that August 24th was likely to be the candidate given the fact the simulated screens in the leaked press renders are depicting the date. However, a new report by Droid-Life is claiming that they will debut on June 9th at Lenovo Tech World. Given that the Moto G (4th Edition) is expected to make its official debut in India later this month, it would make sense to follow-up on that initial Moto-mentum with – Source

Report: Moto X “Vertex” and Moto X “Vector Thin” will have modular back panels