T-Mobile Moto X Gets Big Camera-Improving Update, Probably Coming To Other Versions Later [Update: Full Changelog And More Improvements]

The Moto X is still rolling out to all corners of the (American) Android world, but the T-Mobile variant is getting an update that improves camera performance dramatically. The difference is noticeable in a variety of situations, most notably in backlit and low-light settings. Presumably the update will hit other Moto X variants once testing and certification is completed by the carriers.

^{Low light left: not updated, right: updated}

The Moto X uses a fairly large sensor with 1.4m pixels with an RGBC color array and F/2.4 aperture. It should take great snapshots, but the initial software seems to produce images with odd white levels and washed out colors with too much noise reduction. The update improves all that the exposure is more accurate, white balance is less touchy, and the noise reduction doesn't blot out details.

^{Outdoors left: not updated, right: updated}

It's telling the T-Mobile version of the Moto X is the first to get the update. The carrier isn't selling the device in stores, preferring to leave that up to Motorola. So it's a $600 unsubsidized purchase if you want in. The magenta carrier seems uninvolved in the software update process, but other carriers are likely taking a look at the update before it rolls out.

Update: Motorola just posted the changelog for the update to build 139.12.57, and it includes a number of improvements beyond the camera. The changelog only lists T-Mobile users for now, and says the update can be downloaded through the device update menu (I'll believe it when I see it). Here's the full feature list:

• Camera Improved Photo Quality: Improved capture of natural light (auto-white balance) and color accuracy for more precise exposure in outdoor and backlit scenes
• Camera Improved Focus: Faster touch to focus time and reduced unnecessary refocusing in low light conditions and scenes with continuous motion
• Camera Faster Switching: Shortened the time it takes to switch between rear and front-facing cameras, as well as transition between the viewfinder and the Gallery app
• Enhanced Touchless Control: Increased accuracy and responsiveness when using Touchless Control, and added easier training of the OK Google Now trigger
• Improved Motorola Migrate Experience: Improved transfer of content from an old Android phone to a new Motorola phone
• Google Drive 50GB Promotion: Added a promotion expiration date - customers have 30 days from phone activation or installation of this update to redeem the 50GB offer
• Calling Improved Voice Quality: Fixed an issue that could sometimes result in choppy audio being heard by the person youre talking with on your Moto X
• Moto Care Lost Device Finder: Fixed an issue that could sometimes prevent a lost phone from reporting its location to the Moto Care Lost Device Finder service
• Motorola Assist Driving Detection: Fixed an issue that could sometimes cause the phone to read out text messages and announce calls when not in Drive mode

[AnandTech, Motorola]