But on the other hand, if you are paranoid about security in Android, you should either go with a Google phone (quickest updates), or something like Copperhead.
But when I broke my Nexus 5 I needed a replacement. The Nexus 6 was a bit larger than I was interested in buying and at $650 it cost a bit more than I wanted to pay for a device I was not really too keen on.
Enter the Moto X (2014 version) which was essentially a smaller version of the Nexus 6 for around $450. OS was all-but-stock Android and updates seemed to be almost as fast as Nexus devices thanks to Moto Mobile's Google ownership. Picked one up and it was one of the better phones I've owned. A little while later, I picked up a Moto360 on sale for $125 because I had some "play money" and the itch for a new gadget to play with.
The phone was great but over time updates slowed as Google sold them off. Then my watch started crapping out due to a defect and I had to deal with the new Lenovo-owned support team.
Dealing with that support department was miserable. Google has a bad rep in this department but it's nothing compared to the "new" Moto. It took me months to set up an RMA and get the issue resolved as their website constantly crapped out or failed to work properly while setting up the RMA. Their support techs were either unavailable or unable to offer assistance.
After that phone, their later offerings got rid of the near-stock at a good price that made the Moto X so attractive and as things went on, they continued to move toward mediocrity.
This time around, I bit the bullet and paid "iphone money" for a Pixel. So far, other than the bland design it's been an excellent device. And while I would've loved a return to the almost-flagship-for-half-the-cost of the Nexus 4 and 5, in the end, I found that I'd rather pay an extra $200 for something I use daily for 2+ years rather than suffer the delayed updates and poor support.
Since they keep an almost pristine Android, and hardware is rock solid, I think the paranoia is not necessary. My Moto X force is really unbreakable.
Another interesting bit was that, instead Lenovo to "eat" the Motorola, it seems that it will move all its mobile handsets to the Moto name and leave quite some large space to develop, while supporting it with lots of money.
I was really really skeptical at the beginning and I also told myself not to buy anymore from Moto under Lenovo, but in the main time my opinion changed and seems they go, let's say, not in the wrong direction, especially the Moto Z and the mods.
I wouldn't trust any Chinese company product or service, especially after the recent "cybersecurity law" that allows the government to force companies to install backdoors in their products (both local and foreign).
Perhaps all of this will change in the future, but not anytime soon. People should boycott Chinese products until that happens. It would also set an example for the US and everyone else that it's not acceptable to put backdoors in your products.