Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
If you're not a fan of the Moto X Force, it may be a good choice to go for one of these competing handsets?
Samsung Galaxy S7 Active
As noted, the Moto X Force isn't a rugged smartphone. Still, its closest mainstream competitor with a similar mixture of high-end performance and physical robustness is the decidedly rugged Samsung Galaxy S7 Active.
The Samsung is at another level of toughness, though, with a reinforced plastic shell that has reportedly passed 'military specification testing'.
But you pay a price for that ruggedness. The Galaxy S7 Active is ugly and bulky, and simply isn't the everyday pleasure to use that the Moto X Force is.
LG G Flex 2
Another high-end phone that's tougher than it looks is the LG G Flex 2. Among this banana-shaped smartphone's quirks is a self-healing skin that covers over nicks and scrapes.
The Flex 2's flexible nature also makes it more resistant to drops than most phones.
However, its screen isn't as downright unbreakable as the Moto X Force's, and its display isn't as pixel-packed. You also have to put up with LG's overbearing UI, which is the polar opposite of what's on offer with the Motorola.
Sony Xperia Z5 Premium
Sony pays more attention than most to the robustness of its smartphones, but in a different way to the Moto X Force. The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium sports a waterproof and dust-tight design, earning it an impressive IP68 rating.
While you'd back the Sony over the Motorola if dropped into a pool, however, the Force would stand up way better away from the wet stuff – while Sony has reinforced the corners, it continues to go with a brittle dual-sided glass design.
The Sony out-specs the Moto X Force in a couple of ways though, with a full 4K display and a fingerprint sensor. However, that display is also the phone's Achilles heel, routinely bringing the phone's battery to its knees within a day.
Moto X Style
If you like the look of Motorola handsets but don't want a rugged handset, the Moto X Style may be the best choice for you.
SIM-free prices for the Moto X Style currently start at US$399.99 (around AU$545) for the 16GB Moto X Pure Edition or £360 for the 32GB phone, which is the cheapest available in the UK.
The Moto X Style has a bright, vibrant screen as well as stock Android software. It's thinner and nicer looking than the Moto X Force, and coming in that bit cheaper may make it a better choice for you.
