Motorola Releasing New Smartphone at the End of the Year

Motorola has a new smartphone planned for the end of the year, and according to Moto X leakster Taylor Wimberly of Android and Me fame on Google Plus, the device is different than the current Moto X flagship. Wimberly didn’t give any details about the phone, and his information matches what Motorola’s and Google’s executives have been stating recently.

According to Motorola’s Dennis Woodside in a recent interview, Motorola will also create a low-cost version of the Moto X that may be perfect for emerging markets and even for prepaid customers in the United States. That device is said to be landing in the coming months, which could match up with the fourth quarter launch that Wimberly is saying.

A low-cost version of the Moto X would be competitive with Apple’s rumored iPhone 5C, which is said to be a low-cost version of the iPhone constructed with a 4-inch Retina Display screen and a unibody plastic shell rather than the aluminum casing of the flagship iPhone 5 currently and the iPhone 5S that will debut this fall.

Motorola had recently announced the Moto X that will be coming to all major U.S. carriers. In addition to the Moto X, the company also announced the Droid series for Verizon Wireless in the U.S. that consists of the Droid Ultra, Droid Maxx, and the Droid Mini.

The appeal of the Moto X physically may be the customizable hardware features. Users can even choose wood as an option for the casing, which may appeal to the fashion-conscious users. It’s unclear if Motorola would offer its heralded customization and personalization options on a low-cost device, but such a move could help set the Moto X Lite apart from competitors.

It’s also unclear if this new device will come to international markets as well as Google had stated that the Moto X won’t be available outside the U.S. anytime soon.