Moto X Play review

Here's a quick look at the phones the Moto X Play is up against…

Moto X Style

It's been mentioned already in this review, and the Moto X Style was briefly the true flagship of this generation of Motorola phones, though it's already been one-upped by the pricier Moto X Force. It's got a higher-resolution display and a better processor than the Moto X Play, and comes with more options for customising the look of your phone.

But there are quite a few similarities between the X Style and the X Play – they have the same camera sensor as well as a similar look, and they run the same software setup.

The big difference is in the price, with the Moto X Play costing considerably less, but even if price didn't come into it the Moto X Style would be our choice of the two, thanks in large part to that incredible 2K display.

• Read our review of the Moto X Style

OnePlus 2

2014's underdog is back. The second release from OnePlus hasn't got the blood pumping as rapidly as the OnePlus One, but it's still offering some premium specs at a cutthroat price.

There's a 5.5-inch 1080p screen, similar to the Moto X Play's, but it's also boasting a more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset, 3GB or 4GB of RAM, and a more premium design and feel than its rivals.

It's going to cost about the same as the Moto X Play as well, but the issue is whether you can actually get one – the odd 'invitation' system that OnePlus employs makes it a pain trying to get your hands on one of its phones, so it depends on whether you want to wait, or just dive into the Moto Maker right now.

• Read our full review of the OnePlus 2

Nexus 6P

Want stock Android but don't fancy a Motorola? Then you're pretty much limited to a Nexus and the Nexus 6P is among the biggest and best Google offerings yet.

It's shrunk a little since 2014's Nexus 6, but with a massive 5.7-inch 1440 x 2560 display it's still larger and higher resolution than the Moto X Play.

It also packs in higher-end specs, including an octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB of RAM and a fingerprint scanner, though it only has a 13MP snapper.

The real reason you might still opt for Motorola's phone is that it's a whole lot cheaper, as the Nexus 6P starts at £449/$499. But if you've got the money in your wallet and big enough pockets for this beast it's the better handset.

• Read our full review of the Nexus 6P

Nexus 5X

Google released not one but two Nexus handsets in 2015, with the Nexus 5X being a more affordable and smaller offering than the Nexus 6P. Its 5.2-inch screen also leaves it smaller than the Moto X Play, but it's the same resolution and actually a little more expensive at £339/$379.

It arguably justifies that price with its faster hexa-core Snapdragon 808 processor and fingerprint scanner, but like the Moto X Play it only has 2GB of RAM and its battery life isn't a match for Motorola's phone.

If you want something more compact and powerful the Nexus 5X is a good choice, but if you want a phone that can keep on going all day you're best off sticking with the Moto X Play.

• Read our full review of the Nexus 5X

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact

Other than Apple, Sony is the only company making remotely small flagship phones and the Xperia Z5 Compact is the pinnacle of its small-screen achievements, making it a great option if the Moto X Play is too big for your tastes.

Its 4.6-inch screen is comfortable to use one-handed and with a Snapdragon 810 processor it's significantly more powerful than Motorola's offering. It also has a top flight 23MP camera, a fingerprint scanner, a stylish design and a long-lasting battery.

The screen size makes it quite a different prospect to the Moto X Play, but it's similarly appealing for anyone who hates reaching for a charger mid-way through the afternoon.

All the power it's packing does make the Xperia Z5 Compact a lot more expensive though, at £429 (around $664), so it's not as appealing if you're on a tight budget. However for the budget conscious and small of pocket there's always the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, which is still a great phone in its own right.

• Read our full review of the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact