Motorola Moto E (XT1021) vs Motorola Moto E3 (XT1700)

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Side by side comparison between Motorola Moto E vs Motorola Moto E3 phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?

12/3/2016 7:52 PM, updated: 6/4/2025 11:31 AM

Compare Motorola Moto E3 X Motorola Moto E (XT1021) 01Point

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

4.3"
TFT

540x960

5
MP

1GB
RAM

Dual-core

1980
mAh

(Non removable)

21Points Motorola Moto E3 (XT1700) Compare Motorola Moto E X

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

5"
IPS

720x1280

8
MP

5mp

1GB
RAM

Quad-core

2800
mAh

(Removable)

What's the better phone? Motorola Moto E3 (XT1700)

The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!

1 Advantage Motorola Moto E (XT1021)	vs	21 Advantages Motorola Moto E3 (XT1700)
+Gorilla Glass 3Advantage Protection against scratches on the screen lets you carry your phone with your keys	vs	Not supported
1.2GHz 32bit Dual-core (28nm)	vs	+1GHz 64bit Quad-core (28nm)12% More powerful processor, you can open your applications faster
1GB LPDDR2	vs	+1GB LPDDR3Advantage This RAM type is better and more efficient.
4GB (2.2GB available)	vs	+8GB (4GB available)82% More internal storage for applications and files
142 grams (4.97 ounces)	vs	+141 grams (4.94 ounces)1% Lighter
12.3 millimeters (0.48 inches)	vs	+8.55 millimeters (0.34 inches)44% Thinner
TFT LCD	vs	+TFT IPS LCDAdvantage TFT IPS LCD display is brighter and more vivid
540x960 pixels	vs	+720x1280 pixels78% Higher resolution screen
256 PPI	vs	+294 PPI15% Crisper display of text, images and videos because it has more pixels per inch (ppi)
4.3"	vs	+5"16% Larger screen
(back) 5MP	vs	+(back) 8MP59% Higher resolution main camera
Not supported	vs	+LED flashAdvantage The LED flash helps in dark places or in low light
Not supported	vs	+AutofocusAdvantage Best autofocus type for taking pictures
Not supported	vs	+(front) 5MPAdvantage A front-camera is best for taking selfies
FWVGA (854x480)	vs	+HD (1280x720)125% More image quality for recording videos with the primary camera
Android 5.1.1 Lollipop	vs	+Android 6.0.1 MarshmallowAdvantage Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow is newer and safer
3G+ HSPA+	vs	+4G LTEAdvantage The 4G LTE network is newer and faster
(3G+ HSPA+) 21 Mbps	vs	+(4G LTE) 150 Mbps6 times Faster for surfing the internet and download files
1980 mAh	vs	+2800 mAh41% Battery - higher amperage (mAh) allows more device usage time, but it also depends on the hardware and use
Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable)	vs	+LiPo: li-ion polymer (Removable)Advantage Removable battery can be replaced easily
Not supported	vs	+Video callingAdvantage The video calling allows to make calls with voice and video
1 microphone	vs	+2 microphones100% More noise-canceling microphones allow for better quality in calls and audio for recorded videos

20 Common items in both devices

Until 32GB microSD, microSDHC

60Hz

16 million

Only digital zoom

HDR photo only main camera

Capacitive

Multitouch

+13 specs and more in the table below

Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.

Highlight differences

📱 Model features
	Moto E (XT1021)	Moto E3 (XT1700)
Change model		Choose the model
Model	Moto E (XT1021)	Moto E3 (XT1700)
Other model names	Motorola Moto E 2014, Moto E1, Motorola XT1021	Lenovo Moto E 2016, Moto E 3rd generation
Country or region available	(Latin America), (Global, International), USA	(Europe), (Global, International), China, Hong Kong
Brand	Motorola	Motorola
Release date	5/13/2014	8/1/2016
Depth	12.3 millimeters (0.48 inches)	8.55 millimeters (0.34 inches)
Size (width x height)	64.8 x 124.8 millimeters (2.55 x 4.91 in)	71.6 x 143.8 millimeters (2.82 x 5.66 in)
Weight	142 grams (4.97 ounces)	141 grams (4.94 ounces)
Build, materials	feature not registered	Plastic body, glass front
Protection against water and others	Water splash resistant (don't immerse)	Water splash resistant (don't immerse)
📲 Display
	Moto E (XT1021)	Moto E3 (XT1700)
Display type	TFT LCD	TFT IPS LCD
Screen size	4.3" inches	5" inches
Screen-to-body ratio	~63% (screen-to-body ratio)	~66.9% (screen-to-body ratio)
Display resolution	540x960 pixels	720x1280 pixels
Touchscreen	Capacitive Multitouch	Capacitive Multitouch
Pixel density (dot pitch)	256 PPI	294 PPI
Colors	16 million	16 million
Scratch-resistant glass	Gorilla Glass 3	Not supported
Refresh rate	60Hz	60Hz
Display features	Not supported	Not supported
🤖 Operating System
	Moto E (XT1021)	Moto E3 (XT1700)
System version	Android 4.4.2 KitKat	Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
Firmware update	Android 5.1.1 Lollipop	feature not registered
User Interface	feature not registered	feature not registered
⚙️ Processor
	Moto E (XT1021)	Moto E3 (XT1700)
Chipset	32bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 (MSM8210) (28nm)	64bit: MediaTek MT6735P (28nm)
CPU	Dual-core, 1 processor: 2x 1.2GHz ARM Cortex-A7 (Dual-core)	Quad-core, 1 processor: 4x 1GHz ARM Cortex-A53 (Quad-core)
GPU graphical controller	Qualcomm Adreno 302 (400MHz)	ARM Mali-T720 MP1 (450MHz)
Performance (benchmark)	feature not registered	feature not registered
💽 Memory and storage
	Moto E (XT1021)	Moto E3 (XT1700)
RAM memory	1GB LPDDR2	1GB LPDDR3
Internal storage	4GB (2.2GB available)	8GB (4GB available)
External storage	Until 32GB microSD, microSDHC (dedicated slot)	Until 32GB microSD, microSDHC (dedicated slot)
📶 Mobile networks
	Moto E (XT1021)	Moto E3 (XT1700)
Dual-SIM	Not supported	Not supported
SIM card	1 slot (Single-SIM) micro-SIM (3FF)	1 slot (Single-SIM) micro-SIM (3FF)
Maximum Download / Upload	21/5.76 Mbps	150/50 Mbps
Network technology	2G, 3G	2G, 3G, 4G
Frequency, bands	Expand band details Collapse details
GSM MHz band	Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900	Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 2G network	GSM 850/900/1800/1900	GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 3G network	UMTS 850/900/1900/2100	UMTS 850/900/1900/2100
Primary 4G network	Not supported	LTE Cat4 (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20) TD-LTE (38, 40, 41)
Primary 5G network	Not supported	Not supported
Primary data network	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE
Secondary 2G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary 3G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary 4G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary data network	Not supported	Not supported
📷 Camera
	Moto E (XT1021)	Moto E3 (XT1700)
Back camera (main camera)	5 megapixels	8 megapixels
Main camera resolution	2592x1944 pixels	3264x2448 pixels
Video recording (primary)	FWVGA (854x480) 30 fps	HD (1280x720) 30 fps
Flash	Not supported	LED flash
Focal aperture	feature not registered	feature not registered
Focal length	feature not registered	feature not registered
Sensor size	feature not registered	feature not registered
Pixel size	feature not registered	feature not registered
Autofocus	Not supported	Autofocus
Touch focus	Not supported	Supported
Image stabilization	feature not registered	EIS: Digital stabilization
Zoom	Only digital zoom	Only digital zoom
Face/smile detection	Face detection, Smile detection	Face detection, Smile detection
BSI sensor	Not supported	Not supported
HDR	HDR photo only main camera	HDR photo only main camera
Camera extras	feature not registered	feature not registered
📸 Front camera
	Moto E (XT1021)	Moto E3 (XT1700)
Front camera (secondary)	Not supported	5 megapixels
Front camera resolution	Not supported	2592x1944 pixels
Video recording (secondary)	Not supported	HD (1280x720)
Front flash	Not supported	Not supported
Focal aperture	feature not registered	feature not registered
Focal length	feature not registered	feature not registered
Sensor size	feature not registered	feature not registered
Pixel size	feature not registered	feature not registered
🔉 Sound and multimedia
	Moto E (XT1021)	Moto E3 (XT1700)
Loudspeaker	Mono sound (not stereo)	Supported
Active noise cancellation	1 microphone	2 microphones
Radio	FM	FM (RDS)
TV	Not supported	Not supported
Video formats	MP4, DivX, XviD, H.263, H.264, WMV	MP4, H.264, H.263
Audio formats	MP3, WAV, eAAC+	MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC
🔌 Connectivity
	Moto E (XT1021)	Moto E3 (XT1700)
USB	MicroUSB 2.0	MicroUSB 2.0, USB OTG On-The-Go
Audio output	3.5mm jack	3.5mm jack
TV output	Not supported	Not supported
Bluetooth	4.0 + A2DP	4.0 + A2DP
WiFi	802.11 b/g/n [wifi4] (2.4GHz) WiFi hotspot	802.11 b/g/n [wifi4] (2.4GHz) WiFi hotspot
DLNA	Not supported	Not supported
GPS	A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS	A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS
NFC	Not supported	Not supported
Infrared port	Not supported	Not supported
🧭 Sensors
	Moto E (XT1021)	Moto E3 (XT1700)
Sensors	Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Proximity sensor	Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Proximity sensor
Vibrating alert	Supported	Supported
🔋 Battery
	Moto E (XT1021)	Moto E3 (XT1700)
Battery type	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable)	LiPo: li-ion polymer (Removable) GK40
Battery capacity	1980 mAh	2800 mAh
Charger, watts	Wired charging	Wired charging
Inductive / wireless charging	Not supported	Not supported
Talk time autonomy	22 hours	feature not registered
Standby	feature not registered	feature not registered
➕ Other features
	Moto E (XT1021)	Moto E3 (XT1700)
Call control	Voice dialing, Voice recorder	Voice dialing, Voice recorder
Messaging	SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail	SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail
Hands-free calling	Supported	Supported
Video calling	Not supported	Supported
Ringtones	Polyphonic and customized	Polyphonic and customized
Web browser	HTML, XHTML, HTML5	HTML, XHTML, HTML5
Antenna	Internal antenna	Internal antenna
Qwerty physical keyboard	Not supported	Not supported
Miscellaneous	• Colors: Black, White • Oleophobic coating screen • Picture-taking during video recording • WiFi hotspot • Java framework	• Colors: Black, White • LED notification
☢️ Radiation rate
	Moto E (XT1021)	Moto E3 (XT1700)
SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.)	feature not registered	feature not registered
SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.)	feature not registered	feature not registered