Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more.
ZTE Axon vs OnePlus 2 vs Moto X Style: value for money, redefined
June 15, 2025
As carriers like T-Mobile and a number of growing prepaid providers chip away at the conventional contract model, many U.S. Consumers are now turning to unlocked, off-contract devices. The downside to going off-contract is that you swallow the entire price of the phone at once, in exchange for long-term savings versus a contract plan.
For those that want to have their cake and eat it too, 2015 has been an exciting year. Unlocked phone buyers have seen a number of powerful yet affordable devices debut over the last few months including theASUS ZenFone 2,Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3,and most recently, theMotorola Moto G (3rd gen).
It’s not just the budget and mid-range ends of the market that have seen a bevy of affordable options, however. A similar phenomenon has struck the flagship domain, with ZTE, OnePlus, and Motorola all offering high-end handsets at sub-$450 pricing.e
So how do the ZTE Axon, OnePlus 2, and Motorola Moto X Style compare? To help answer this question, we’ll start by looking at how they stack up on paper.
As you may see, all three devices are very similar when it comes to many of the key specs. All three are priced more competitively than traditional handsets from the likes of HTC, Samsung, Sony and others. All three also have very light, non-bloated UIs that are nearly stock Android in nature. Of course, there are also a number of differences that set these devices apart.
With that in mind, we’ll look a bit deeper at the pros and cons of each device, in comparison to one another.
Seemingly out of nowhere, the ZTE Axon was announced towards the beginning of this month after a slight bit of teasing. Without traditional marketing or even the type of viral online marketing the OPO and OP2 saw, the Axon didn’t necessarily get the same level of attention upon its debut that the other two phones on this list did.
Nonetheless, the ZTE Axon is a hell of a device. With all the latest specs and a design that is very premium and unique in nature, there are many reasons to consider the ZTE Axon.
[related_videos align=”center” type=”custom” videos=”628891,625832,625608,625499″]
Read more:
OnePlus Two
Announced just one day ahead of the Moto X Style, the OnePlus 2 was a much-teased product from a company that knows all about viral marketing. To no surprise, it has been generating a lot of attention both on Android Authority’s site and across the web. While OnePlus has had its ups and downs when it comes to reputation, the OP2 is a solid choice with quite a few positives, though it isn’t without its downsides either.
[related_videos align=”center” type=”custom” videos=”629200,629182,629181,629179″]
Motorola Moto X Style (aka Moto X Pure Edition)
Motorola didn’t even wait a full day after the OP2 announcement before springing its own next-gen flagship on the world. It’s hard not to be impressed by the Style, from its exceptional looks and improved customization aspects, to its killer specs and rock-bottom price tag. I have personally already admitted that I feel that the Styleis more of a flagship killer than the OP2,even if they come close in several ways.
So what are the biggest pros and cons for the Moto X Style?
[related_videos align=”center” type=”custom” videos=”629693,545585,629713,595193″]
The big story with all three is how much they offer for the price tag. Regardless of which you choice, you’re getting a hell of a device that is much more affordable than the Samsung Galaxy S6, LG G4, other flagships that arguably offer few advantages over these more budget-friendly options.
Now for the big question, which do you prefer? Did we miss any potential pros or cons for any of the three? Let us know in the comments!
Thank you for being part of our community. Read ourComment Policybefore posting.
