Half-billion dollars will make the Moto X a commercial success, Google seems to believe, with the flood of cash enough to convince consumers that the upcoming iPhone 5S and Galaxy Note 3 are no match.

The Moto X war plan cooked up by Google and Motorola seems to suggest that hype, more than specs and feature, is the key to win the global smartphone race, nullifying the innovative efforts by Apple in making the revenue-generating iPhone.

Also, Samsung's leading status is credited largely on its marketing techniques, anchored too on deep pockets by the South Korean tech giant, and not on the power and smart features that come with the Galaxy devices, particularly the high-end models.

The contest all boils down to who is the biggest advertising spender and Google wishes to prove that Moto X will zoom to the top post not on merits but on image and illusion. Gadget users, however, know better and they have three reasons to look beyond the Moto X propaganda that Google and Motorola are set to unleash.

Glitzy ads cannot deny the fact that Moto X is mid-range

Likely specs of the 2013 Motorola flagship are the following: a 720p display resolution, a dual-core Snapdragon S4 Pro chip, a 10MP camera and Jelly Bean 4.2.2. These features deviate from earlier reports that Google and Motorola will deploy top-notch components with the handset plus the latest Android build.

Instead, shoppers will be getting capabilities that undoubtedly are far from being upscale - Jelly Bean 4.3 or Key Lime Pie and quad-core CPU for Android and iOS 7 and A7 processing chips for the iPhone 5S.

There is no way serious and forward-looking buyers will cave in to the planned Google-Motorola hardsell even if the Moto X will retail for a pittance. The likelihood is, shoppers will look for other prospects, be they Android or iOS.

Nexus 5 is hands-down sexier

Plus the fact that it is a monster in a small package. This Google flagship counts quite a fanbase that is loyal while the Moto X has to win over the increasingly maturing Android crowd. It is hard to imagine that those waiting for the Nexus 5, likely millions of them, will brush aside the stock Android device in favour of the Moto X, considering that the latter carries anaemic attributes while the former is stuffed with the so-called killer features.

Of course, the Moto X can still edge out the Nexus 5, that is if Google would cancel the supposed release date of the native Android smartphone, which reports said will happen on first week of October with Key Lime Pie in tow.

iPhone 5S and Galaxy Note 3 will simply outclass the Moto X

No official words from Apple and Samsung about the particular specs and features of the 5S and the Note 3 but logic dictates whatever are wrapped under those upcoming handsets, the Moto X will be overwhelmed.

The previous versions alone, the iPhone 5 and the Galaxy Note 2, of the same devices will easily defeat the Moto X so what more with the 2013 models, which should be considerable step ups - quad-core chips and Full HD AMOLED or Retina display screen - and not downgrades.

Equipping the Moto X with less then stellar hardwares on its supposed August release date is a big Google gambit plus the $500 million marketing campaign fund, which should be a steep price to pay for the tech giant to realise that reality in the mobile market competition bites.