Database Users

Wood Back Discussion

A lot of people have got their new wood back Moto X's now so I thought I'd start a thread for discussion specific to that. I've seen both love and hate for them.
Personally, I was very disappointed by my Walnut back. I knew the backs were finished to look like their specific wood choice, but I was still expecting real wood with real grains. Unfortunately, it appears the real wood is just covered by a fake printed wood grain design much like the wood paneling and finishes of furniture and other electronics. It has a very unnatural, papery feel as well. Overall very disappointing, especially when a cheap skin can accomplish the same thing.
Quality control also seems to be lacking. My back was perfectly smooth but there are a number or reports of people with bumps, dents, and scratches. Great example here which looks like a bad application of the wood laminate (or whatever it is they're using for the surface grain).
I'm not trying to turn people away from getting the wood backs (it's still a great look) but I do want people to know what they're actually getting. I've exchanged mine for bamboo back, which is true bamboo and not a finish, but also ordered a DE with a second code I had just in case (will return one of them).

I had bamboo but due to some charging issue returned mine for walnut, I much prefer the black trim than white. I plan to get a real wood back by Toast and stick it on, but it depends on how much I like the pattern of mine walnut back when I received it, if it look nice enough I can just stick a wet apply screen protector on it and be done with.
Bamboo is the nicest I think and I would have stuck with it if isn't for the white trim. Also with bamboo if you pay attention to the edges, they are darker because it's where the cover is being glued to the phone, so it take away the look a little. I also feel the bamboo back being quit thin so I'm not sure how the walnut/ebony back will be.
Overall I much prefer fully black phone. I have a strong dislike of iPhones, so that may be one reason why I can't stand white phones.
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My ebony back had me bummed as soon as I opened the box. First, it had a white or greyish speck right in the middle of the back. It was not a scratch or dent. It had no depression of any kind; it was just not wood color. Second there was some marring around the flash and in the upper corners.
I knew it wasn't real ebony, but I at least expected something along the lines of laminate flooring or a cheap guitar. I agree with your assessment that it looks and feels like paper. Even without my unit's specific flaws, I am surprised that anyone would find this to be a good thing. Perhaps it is my experience of years ago working with veneer and cabinetry, but after seeing it I didn't even bother to turn it on.

I have to agree with this post honestly. I had ordered a "regular" back Moto X right before Christmas eve and was very happy with it! Then, when the rest of the wood backs came out on January 21, I was within my "return period" so I opted to order a Moto X with ebony back and then was going to return my original Moto X.
I got the ebony one like 3 days after placing the order and was seriously not too impressed. I think, I too, was expecting something different from what I received. I think the OP explained it best that it has a very paper feeling. It honestly felt like an "insert" and just didn't feel as nice as the regular back. Plus, I am VERY anal about keeping my things looking nice for the long-haul. I felt like the wood back just wouldn't old up over time, mostly with like palm sweat I was worried would eventually distort the look of the wood. Thankfully there were no dents or other oddities like the image I posted, it just wasn't what I was expecting it to be. I think I would've preferred it better if it was like a laminate or something like that. I ended up returning it in favor of keeping the original Moto X I bought.

eksasol said:
Bamboo is the nicest I think and I would have stuck with it if isn't for the white trim. Also with bamboo if you pay attention to the edges, they are darker because it's where the cover is being glued to the phone, so it take away the look a little. I also feel the bamboo back being quit thin so I'm not sure how the walnut/ebony back will be.
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I like my bamboo back but I do agree that being forced to have the white trim is a let down. Also I noticed the darkening around the edges and glue makes sense. I have a black front and I'm getting a black bumper case to cover the white trim and have a slight level of protection.

I absolutely love my walnut back. It's smooth and feels perfect.

I ordered walnut and dont know if im going to like it or not.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I got the ebony and it's a beauty. Definitely scratch prone though. In fact there were scruffs right out of the box. Gonna get a full body protector for it instead of a case so I can see the beauty
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Hate how smooth the wood back is. Got the ebony and it looks gorgeous, but the feel just isn't there for me. I also don't really care for the edges that are made of metal and are sharp. The plastic backs are much more comfortable and don't make me nervous about dropping it.
Maybe I am just picky.

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chrisomnia1 said:
Hate how smooth the wood back is. Got the ebony and it looks gorgeous, but the feel just isn't there for me. I also don't really care for the edges that are made of metal and are sharp. The plastic backs are much more comfortable and don't make me nervous about dropping it.
Maybe I am just picky.
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Are you sure that edges are made of metal?

nm.

do the toast covers add much thickness? I've never seen one live.

eksasol said:
I think it depend on which wood color you get, the walnut and ebony ones supposed to come with metal.
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I have a walnut back and the edges are plastic.

I've returned 1 Ebony backed Moto X because of an imperfection in the finish that was applied. It looks like the back was smudged or something before the finish was dry. I've ordered another one because aside from that, I didn't have any problems with the look and feel. It's an actual wood back so I feel like scratches and things of those nature will give it character! I could be fooling myself though.
Related to the Toast models, I just applied one to my gf's Moto X (bamboo) on Friday night and she really likes it. The white backing was definitely picking up a ton of dirt and scratches so it was very much needed. It actually surprised me that the backing doesn't add much to the dimensions of the phone. From what I can tell, it's actually pretty transparent feel wise with the edges.

I just received my Ebony today, and I'm in love with it. (Admittedly, it's the first new phone I've had since my HTC Inspire 3 years ago!) So anything at this point will feel amazing lol. I also haven't handled the regular version moto x. The ebony back is kind of papery as some have said, but I like the way it feels compared to my old aluminum/metal HTC Inspire. No imperfections in the finish at all. Very happy with it. My one and only gripe, is with sweaty hands, it can get a little slippery, but the device is so small i can almost wrap my one hand around the entire thing lol

I got my bamboo moto yesterday. Overall it feels simply amazing in the hand,it's just as ergonomic as the plastic and woven backs. The only worries I had were that it had some weird like damage to it, but after seeing others' bamboo moto,it's apparently a feature or unique look to the bamboo back. As others are saying, there is a dark border around the edges but you'll grow on it or learn to ignore it it isn't that big a deal. The only worries I have with the wood back are my very, very oily and sometimes sweaty hands as I'm at afraid I'll ruin the back. Overall, the bamboo is my favorite aesthetically and ergonomically. I recommend it over the sandy feeling Ebony or Walnut.
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The teak backs look awesome in person

i just received my bamboo today. i like it a lot but im a little disappointed that the wood doesnt come up flush with the white around it. theres a lip aroound it instead. its definitely real wood. i think they applied some kind of layer to protect it. remember the moto x does come with a nano coating to make it water resistant. so this might be whats applied to the wood also. overall im pleased since bamboo is really a plant rather than a tree so the layers are naturally thin.

My Walnut is perfect.

Got my bamboo on Friday and might send it back. It too has about 10-12 bumps on it also. Most are towards the bottom half of the device.
Its going to go back, I'm not happy with it. Will see if they can work out getting the extra $30 off again this time round...I still have a mesh black one that was also going to go back, but will have to hold onto it until the new one arrives.

Going "caseless"

And ditching the pocket protector thing. I had it wrapped in protector before I could use it. just took it off now, got a raw moto x feels nice.I take care of phones regardless of my work field and my recreational habits. If you're on the fence about it just go naked. This phones ergonomics are way too good plus its got rubber back yeaa:thumbup:

I can't do it. I have a DE and I would hate to ruin that logo. That said: I don't see what's stopping me from just putting tape over it and rolling through asphalt.

True. what's a DE?

The bezel on this phone is ultra prone to scratches. Look at it u dear light with good vision and I'm sure you will find fine marks all over the bezel. The back as well is very easily marred. I'm on moto x no 4 and while I like the overall quality, it may be hard to truly break, but it's not hard to mar/scratch.
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Anthony445 said:
True. what's a DE?
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Developer Edition. As for me, I have a bumper case and a MIME screen protector for now. I didn't want a lot of bulk and to show off my Moto X's bamboo back.

Ye I getcha I love this phone e so much I'll just get another one next year if it runs down. scratches are normal whatever, even a occasional nic or scrape. only thing I have been noticing is that the sides of it get fine hairline cracks in it. I know I'm not alone there is a thread going on about it. Dingy care for that but just don't want the back to fall off:thumbdown:
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Anthony445 said:
And ditching the pocket protector thing. I had it wrapped in protector before I could use it. just took it off now, got a raw moto x feels nice.I take care of phones regardless of my work field and my recreational habits. If you're on the fence about it just go naked. This phones ergonomics are way too good plus its got rubber back yeaa:thumbup:
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I agree with caseless for asthetics BUT....... gotta protect the phone. I usually own a case and just use it when I feel like I need to be careful.

I will get a real wood back and tempered glass screen protector, that'll be as close to going bare as I'm willing too. I'm very picky about scratches.
sent via my Le Motonovo X

I have never really seen the point of a case. Sure I want to protect my phone and sure I want it to look nice, but I am going to replace it in 12-18 months anyway. Its not a long term investment or anything...and as for resale, if I lose $30 at the time of resale because of the condition, I can know that I did not spend a penny on a case and enjoyed my phone while I had it.
People are casing phones up like they are an expensive watch or something...its a replaceable item. IMO.

Jayrod1980 said:
The bezel on this phone is ultra prone to scratches. Look at it u dear light with good vision and I'm sure you will find fine marks all over the bezel. The back as well is very easily marred. I'm on moto x no 4 and while I like the overall quality, it may be hard to truly break, but it's not hard to mar/scratch.
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I have to second this. As much as I love my Moto X, it has picked up several nicks around the edge from slight bumps that never should have left a dent. I'm truly surprised the bezel is so soft and scratch-prone compared to other phones I've owned.

The Moto X is truly awesome without a case. Probably the only phone out there that was actually designed to be nice to hold.
And of course, a week after I stopped using a case, I dropped the phone and now have a big gouge in the bezel. The front bezel is soft as butter FYI.

Hey $30 bucks is $30 bucks
I've found that having used cases and screen savers on my phones i do get a better price for my devices. So the $30 bucks i spend on a case and screen saver pays for itself each time.
my phone spends a lot of time in a backpack pocket along with keys, change that have reeked havoc on previous phone screens. I also like the anonymity of having a case and screen saver on it. My phone never gets a 2nd look...

been going without a case since I got the phone 3.5 months ago. seems to hold up pretty well except for the front bezel. I am really careful about keeping the phone in a pocket thats clean (sand-less) and I have never dropped it. Still the plastic part of the front bezel is really soft and has several scratches in it even after being so careful.

I ha e a nic in the bezel as well dropped it onto tile from the vanity. As well as a little scrape from the asphalt when I was skating with it in my hand.
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JustROLLIN said:
I have never really seen the point of a case. Sure I want to protect my phone and sure I want it to look nice, but I am going to replace it in 12-18 months anyway. Its not a long term investment or anything...and as for resale, if I lose $30 at the time of resale because of the condition, I can know that I did not spend a penny on a case and enjoyed my phone while I had it.
People are casing phones up like they are an expensive watch or something...its a replaceable item. IMO.
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I get what you mean and I would like to agree except my nexus 4 took a nasty drop 2 days after i got it and the screen cracked and broke the digitizer, cost me $140 to repair. With a TPU case the chances of that happening are significantly lessened, after that I always use a case( even though I LOVE the moto x without the case) Maybe if you're very careful you'll be fine.
But whether the added bulk is worth the protection or the naked feeling is worth the risk is up to you.

Until phones have steel frame and sapphire glass, I will continue to use some form of protection. If not case then screen protector. I am not risking cracking my screen.
sent via my Le Motonovo X

john.r.m said:
I've found that having used cases and screen savers on my phones i do get a better price for my devices. So the $30 bucks i spend on a case and screen saver pays for itself each time.
my phone spends a lot of time in a backpack pocket along with keys, change that have reeked havoc on previous phone screens. I also like the anonymity of having a case and screen saver on it. My phone never gets a 2nd look...
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Depends on how much the resale value increases based on condition. If it's just that difference of $30, then I'd rather go without a case and enjoy the feel of the device since you'd come out with the same net gain.
I used to be OCD and try to keep my devices in mint condition, but I realized the cost and stress of that wasn't really worth the extra resale value. Plus, a mint phone is actually sometimes harder to sell, since many people are ok with spending a little less and getting one in good used condition. The phones I've sold with misc scratches and dents that were listed under the average going rate have always sold faster than mint ones I was asking top dollar for.

This thread made me do a thorough check of my phone and not a single scratch on it anywhere. I have gone naked since the day I got it in September.

Bare back.
All wood, no rubber.
Get your mind out of the gutter. I am saying my preference is a walnut back and no rubber case for the Moto X

aptalca said:
Bare back.
All wood, no rubber.
Get your mind out of the gutter. I am saying my preference is a walnut back and no rubber case for the Moto X
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Wood back wtf?
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Ragequit

.
I've been waiting to have a Moto X phone since long, doing a lot of things to try to have enough money. Finally I had enough to buy the Moto X 2014 in February.
I was always of those caring darn much for their phones, because we didn't want to buy a case or a bumper that would hide away all the careful design.
But today because of a silly accident, me taking my phone to check a notification, my friend raising his hand to grab out a handle, and there goes my Moto to the floor. I had never ever scratched a phone, and now this freaking Moto X 2014 is completely shattered, the Oled screen utterly corrupted, the touch layer totally outed.
Frak this thing, Frak Motorola, useless piece of design, I don't have enough money to live without the fear that I may break it again, because the designers can't make a phone that lasts without having a case.

Really? If you have a wreck is it the car manufactures fault?

Darius_bd said:
.
I've been waiting to have a Moto X phone since long, doing a lot of things to try to have enough money. Finally I had enough to buy the Moto X 2014 in February.
I was always of those caring darn much for their phones, because we didn't want to buy a case or a bumper that would hide away all the careful design.
But today because of a silly accident, me taking my phone to check a notification, my friend raising his hand to grab out a handle, and there goes my Moto to the floor. I had never ever scratched a phone, and now this freaking Moto X 2014 is completely shattered, the Oled screen utterly corrupted, the touch layer totally outed.
Frak this thing, Frak Motorola, useless piece of design, I don't have enough money to live without the fear that I may break it again, because the designers can't make a phone that lasts without having a case.
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Why didn't you buy the insurance

Frak frak frak! Its not my fault!!!

thats why i kept my nexus 5 as my back up phone

The best choice for you - Nokia 6600..
Do what ever you want to do.. & it's cheap..
Sent from my XT1092 using XDA Free mobile app

Was this really even necessary? This is what happens when you drop phones that are almost all glass in the front. It doesn't mean Moto phones are garbage. I've seen more than enough of those terrible iPhone screens shattered but everyone praises their quality. That is just a risk you take when you don't keep your phone in a case.
Sent from my XT1095 using Tapatalk

One of the dumber posts on xda...

Try dropping that glass S6 or an iP6+ without a case on and see what happens to those.

Get a supcase bumper case. Dropped my 2nd moto x several times and also at like head height and still no cracked screen.
Sent from my XT1097 using XDA Free mobile app

Does XDA have a button for the opposite of a thanks? Why is this post even here?

cool story bro.....

Next to time buy a phone with titanium screen
Although it wont display anything
But hey it will survive the drop

My 1st gen Moto X's screen cracked without being dropped, so I consider this one a major improvement. Don't drop your phone-->screen won't crack (unless it's 1st gen Moto X).

I don't ever use cases on my phones, so I'm always super careful. A couple of months ago I took my phone out of my pocket with wet hands (dumb, I know...) and my Moto X went FLYING. It ended up 10 feet away on a hard tile floor. Not a scratch on the screen or the back. Some fellas are lucky, and some ain't.

Why isn't this locked?

Concerns about the new Leather style

I skipped the 2014 Moto X, planning on upgrading this year to the 2015 Moto X Pure. I've been looking forward to purchasing a leather back option, but I'm just noticing this year's version has different leather. It's textured "saffiano leather" from what I've seen on Android Police and other sites. I'm concerned this leather looks fake and plastic-y. I'd love to hear what other XDA users think, still decent looking leather, soft and not face looking? Thanks!

Well, I ended up ordering Bamboo. I couldn't get over the fact that every time I did a Google search for saffiano leather, women's handbags came up.... That, and it looks like plastic.

Not only do I not like the texture, but it cannot be very thick leather and I worry about cuts, scrapes, and general wear-and-tear. I just picture in my mind what worn out leather seats in a car look like and think what this might look like after going in and out of your pocket for a few months.
So I went with the Ash wood. Hope it holds up! I'm sure it's a thin veneer also.

Even though it's a slightly different leather than the previous gen I went with the red leather.
After reading this article today, I'm gonna give Moto the benefit of the doubt.
http://www.droid-life.com/2015/09/04/moto-x-leather-1-year-in/
Plus, several high end fashion houses like Hermes, Prada, Gucci and LV use saffiano leather for some of their purses and wallets, so I'm not worried about it being "cheap," and I've read that this leather is actually very scratch resistant and easy to clean, which is a big plus

Agreed, I also liked that article from DL. My concerns aren't about durability and longevity... more about aesthetic and appearance and feel.

Dan76 said:
Agreed, I also liked that article from DL. My concerns aren't about durability and longevity... more about aesthetic and appearance and feel.
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That definitely comes down to a matter of personal preference, but personally my wife has a few wallets and purses made of the material and I like it a lot. It has a bit of a texture and is very durable. However, we'll see how it looks on a phone...

Wooden Backs Durability

For those with the current gen Moto X Pure with wooden backs, how has your back held up? Has the wood gotten scuffed or scratched? Or have you used it without worries and it's remained undamaged?

I own a Moto X 2013 since over 1 year with walnut finish. It looks like new... I also had two Moto X Style with Bamboo and Charcoal Ash... Bamboo is doing absolutly amazing. It feels much better than the walnut (2013) or ash - which both have the same feeling.
Ash seems to be very vulnerable for scratches and fingerprints to.. It looks absolutly awesome - as long as you dont touch it
So if you cannot decide: Go for Bamboo - Really great

Stryder5 said:
For those with the current gen Moto X Pure with wooden backs, how has your back held up? Has the wood gotten scuffed or scratched? Or have you used it without worries and it's remained undamaged?
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I had the bamboo on last year's model, and gave the charcoal ash on the MXPE. While the newer model doesn't have as much wear and tear, I haven't had any issues with either.

TheShortOfIt said:
Ash seems to be very vulnerable for scratches and fingerprints to.. It looks absolutly awesome - as long as you dont touch it
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ag100 said:
I had the bamboo on last year's model, and gave the charcoal ash on the MXPE. While the newer model doesn't have as much wear and tear, I haven't had any issues with either.
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I got the charcoal ash and it came with a few scuff marks on it that aren't coming off so I think they're small scratches. I feel like the charcoal ash is cheaper and seems to damage easily. Considering exchanging for bamboo.

Hi, You do realize that this is the X Play forum not the Style /Pure. X Play doesn't come with wooden backs.

Tim3tripp3r said:
Hi, You do realize that this is the X Play forum not the Style /Pure. X Play doesn't come with wooden backs.
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I actually did not realize it. My thread got moved by a mod. Guess they moved it to the wrong boards haha. I'll PM them to move it. Thanks for pointing it out!

Mine has held up really well, I end up setting it down on the back fairly often and have not noticed any scratches.
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Glad to hear. I originally thought it would get scratched easily so put a shield on it. Then I realized that defeated the purpose of having wood so I took the shield off. Doing well so far for the past few days.
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One month, charcoal Ash unprotected. Still looks mint, but I am rather careful.
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I have the darkest back, I forget what it's called. I'm a carpenter and use the phone without a case. I am rough, but not careless with my phones and I can't believe how good it looks. It's basically mint. I put it in my pocket with change and toss it onto tools and tables all the time. I'm very impressed.
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