Moto X+1 To Follow Up Motorola Moto X: Leather Backs To Join Wood Rear Covers For ‘Hands-Free’ Android Smartphone

Motorola has a follow-up to its flagship Moto X smartphone in the works, and it plans to release it sometime this summer. The name of the device -- the Moto X+1 -- was published on Saturday by noted gadget leaker Evleaks.

Initially rumored to be called the Moto X2, the Moto X+1 will face off against the HTC One (M8), the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the LG G3 -- and very likely the Nexus 6 from LG as well -- when it goes on sale later this year. Evleaks said the device will be “coming soon.” Motorola was lauded in reviews for giving the Moto X and its Droid line exclusive features like Touchless Control, including the ability to use Google Now completely hands-free, and with a notification wake screen that uses the phones’ OLED screens (Active Display).

Motorola’s Moto X and Droid lineup for Verizon are still the only “always listening” smartphones on the market that can use Google Now completely hands-free, whereas other Android 4.4.3 phones, like the LG Nexus 5, require the user to turn the display on and navigate to Google Now or the home screen. However, much of Motorola’s marketing for the Moto X highlights the phone’s color customizability through Moto Maker and options like real wood back covers.

According to Evleaks, Motorola's Moto Maker will offer Moto X+1 users a leather back cover option. Motorola has several leather options lined up for the upcoming “powered by Android Wear” Moto 360 watch, and it will likely offer rear covers on Moto Maker to match.

Samsung has several smartphones with a faux leather back cover option, like the Galaxy Note 3. Rather than taking a page directly from Samsung’s playbook, Motorola will offer real leather options for its Moto 360 watch and Moto X+1 smartphone.

Follow Reporter Thomas Halleck on Twitter @tommylikey