Motorola didn't hold anything back for this year's Moto X (MSRP $499.99). The new model retains all the best features from the 2013 Moto X and enhances their usability, while liberally applying key hardware upgrades like a gorgeous full-HD screen.

Apart from a notable increase in size, the 2014 Moto X is quite similar in appearance to its predecessor. The back can still be personalized—along with several other components—through Motorola's unique Motomaker program. You can choose the front color, back color and material (including leather and wood options), and trim color. It's a killer feature, and one Motorola has capitalized on by offering college sports–themed cases with team colors.

The phone's gentle curve may actually be one of its biggest selling points — the Moto X seems like it's been designed to fit the hand. The screen is bigger than ever, and thanks to its OLED display, you'll be treated to an unparalleled image as well, with extremely accurate colors and virtually infinite contrast.

Under the hood, the smartphone isn't packing the latest and greatest tech, but it's more than enough to power through all but the most demanding games and apps. The battery may seem a bit small, but in our experience, the Android software and battery-preserving OLED screen did a great job of stretching it out.

But beyond the raw specs, it's the unseen hardware and innovative software features that make the Moto X such a refined smartphone.

The most immediately noticeable one is Motorola's unique Active Notifications. Instead of waking the entire screen to let you know when you've received a notification, the Moto X presents you with a simple black-and-white icon. Pressing the icon brings up a short summary, and you can either slide up to go directly to the associated app or slide down to unlock the phone. If the notification isn't important, you can also just swipe it to the right or left to dismiss it.

Notifications also cleverly take advantage of four proximity sensors positioned at the corners of the front face. If you wave your hand over the phone or pull it out of your pocket, the notifications will light up.

As another example, Motorola's Moto Voice (formerly Touchless Control) lets you summon up Google Now from any screen using only your voice, even when the phone is asleep. You can even program in your own custom launch phrase, if you don't feel like saying "Ok, Google Now!"

To Motorola's credit, it has shown admirable restraint in its customizations — there's no bloatware bogging down your system. All of the Motorola apps included in the Moto X are legitimately useful, including Moto Assist (which turns off the ringer when you're in meetings and reads texts to you while you're driving) and Moto Connect (which lets you text from your PC browser).

One of the only serious points of concern with the hardware is a relative lack of peak brightness versus reflectivity. It's more than bright enough to stand up to a brightly lit room or even a stroll in the park, but this probably isn't a phone for the beach.

The Moto X's camera features the same 13-megapixel Sony-made sensor found in many smartphones these days, but its performance can still vary wildly thanks to its image processing.

Still images are solid in bright light, but in low light the wheels come off the wagon. Thanks to overzealous noise reduction, you're going to notice some degree of detail loss anytime you shoot after dark.

On the other hand, the 2014 Moto X's 4K 30 fps shooting capabilities are among the best we've seen so far.

Few Android phones can match the iPhone's dead-simple user experience, but the 2014 Moto X is one of them. From its wonderfully ergonomic shape to its thoughtful software customizations, it's clear at every turn that it was designed to fit into your life.

Ultimately, the Moto X epitomizes the idea that clever software enhancements matter more than cutting-edge hardware in modern smartphones. This is a phone that just works, striving at every turn to create an enjoyable user experience. Whether it's Active Notifications saving battery life, eye detection dimming the screen as you look away, or even the subtle contours of the chassis, it's clear this phone's goal is to win over the user, not the spec war.

The Moto X 2014 Edition is currently available from three of the big four carriers, with only Sprint missing out. If you want to buy the phone outright (and don't mind being locked into a proprietary ecosystem) you can also get one from low-cost MVNO Republic Wireless for $399.