Moto X 2016 release date rumors: Motorola's upcoming device to be a mid-ranger?

The Moto X 2015Motorola web site

When Lenovo acquired Motorola Mobility, the company confirmed that it will be continuing the Moto X lineup. However, with the new Moto Z taking over the premium flagship spot, the Moto X 2016 may be downgraded as a mid-range lineup.

According to a listing sighted on the GFXBench benchmarking website, a new Moto handset with model number Motorola XT1662 is to be released soon. The specs sheet lists the device as a mid-range iteration. The alleged Moto X 2016 sports a 4.6-inch display with full HD resolution, 3GB RAM, and 32GB of onboard storage. While there is no chipset listed, it can be expected that it will come out as a lower version of the rumored Moto Z Play, which will reportedly launch with a Snapdragon 625 chipset.

Some of the features, however, list above-average specs, such as the 15MP main camera on the back, capable of Quad HD video recording. The selfie camera on the front is listed as having a 7MP setup, with 1080p full HD recording feature.

While Lenovo has yet to come out with the confirmed specs of the Moto X 2016, the company did say that it will offer a different experience than the Moto Z, and that "Moto X and Moto Z do share some great qualities, but they ultimately provide different experiences and make our portfolio more robust for consumers looking for the perfect smartphone to fit their needs."

Since Lenovo has already hinted that the Moto X will be different from the Moto Z, it can be expected that the MotoMod add-ons will not be compatible with the upcoming lineup. The MotoMod are module accessories for the new Moto Z lineup, which expands the hardware features of the flagship.