Today at Lenovo’s Tech World event, Lenovo and Motorola announced a plethora of new products, including two new smartphones, the Moto Z and Moto Z Force, which replace the Moto X Play and Moto X Style/Pure Edition at the upper end of its lineup. As the change in letter designation suggests, these new phones differ significantly from Motorola’s previous offerings in both design and function, in addition to the usual hardware upgrades.

Both Z models share much of the same hardware. They both use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 SoC, with four custom Kryo CPU cores running at up to 2.15GHz and an Adreno 530 GPU, paired with 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM—the same formula most current generation flagship phones are using. Both models offer two storage options based on UFS 2.0 NAND, 32GB and 64GB, and support storage expansion with a microSD card.

Motorola Moto Z Family
  Moto Z Moto Z Force
SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
(MSM8996)

2x Kryo @ 2.15GHz
2x Kryo @ 1.59GHz
Adreno 530
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
(MSM8996)

2x Kryo @ 2.15GHz
2x Kryo @ 1.59GHz
Adreno 530
RAM 4GB LPDDR4 4GB LPDDR4
NAND 32GB / 64GB (UFS 2.0)
+ microSD
32GB / 64GB (UFS 2.0)
+ microSD
Display 5.5-inch 2560x1440 AMOLED
Corning Gorilla Glass
5.5-inch 2560x1440 AMOLED
Moto ShatterShield
Dimensions 153.3 x 75.3 x 5.19 mm
136 grams
155.9 x 75.8 x 6.99 mm
163 grams
Modem Qualcomm X12 (Integrated)
2G / 3G / 4G LTE (Category 12/13)
Qualcomm X12 (Integrated)
2G / 3G / 4G LTE (Category 12/13)
SIM Size NanoSIM NanoSIM
Front Camera 5MP, 1.4µm pixels, f/2.2, LED flash 5MP, 1.4µm pixels, f/2.2, LED flash
Rear Camera 13MP, 1.12µm pixels, f/1.8, Laser AF, OIS, Auto HDR, dual-color LED flash 21MP, 1.12µm pixels, f/1.8, PDAF + Laser AF, OIS, Auto HDR, dual-color LED flash
Battery 2600 mAh
non-removable
3500 mAh
non-removable
Connectivity 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2x2 MIMO, BT 4.1 LE, NFC, GPS/GNSS, USB Type-C, Moto Mods connector 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2x2 MIMO, BT 4.1 LE, NFC, GPS/GNSS, USB Type-C, Moto Mods connector
Launch OS Android 6.0.1 Android 6.0.1

The Moto X family uses IPS LCD panels, but the Moto Z family switches to AMOLED. At 5.5-inches, they’re also slightly smaller than the Moto X’s 5.7-inch display but retain the same QHD (2560x1440) resolution, giving the new panels a pixel density of 535ppi. Motorola has not said if the new displays support a wide color gamut like most AMOLED displays or if there’s a proper sRGB mode. Motorola has been delivering some nice looking screens the past couple generations—the Moto X Pure Edition’s panel is particularly well calibrated—so hopefully this attention to detail is applied to the Moto Z.

Both Z models include a touch-based fingerprint scanner on the front and Motorola’s latest TurboPower fast-charging technology that supposedly provides up to 8 or 15 hours of battery life in just 15 minutes for the Moto Z and Moto Z Force, respectively. While neither phone is water and dust proof like Samsung’s IP68 rated Galaxy S7, they do include a water-repellant nano coating that helps protect them from accidental spills or light rain.

Like the Moto X Pure Edition, the Moto Z models have 5MP front-facing cameras with a dedicated flash. Around back, the Moto Z uses a 13MP sensor with laser assisted autofocus paired with an f/1.8 lens and optical image stabilization (OIS) to help improve low-light performance. The Moto Z Force also includes an f/1.8 lens and OIS, but increases resolution to 21MP and upgrades to a hybrid autofocus system that combines phase detect autofocus (PDAF), laser AF, and traditional contrast-based AF as a fallback to improve focus speed and accuracy. The Moto X Pure Edition also has a 21MP rear camera with PDAF, but it appears the Moto Z Force is not using the same Sony IMX230 Exmor RS sensor. Instead, Motorola is using a new sensor that adds Deep Trench Isolation (DTI) technology to improve color fidelity.

Motorola uses a similar design language and materials for both Moto Z models, fusing an all-aluminum chassis with edge-to-edge cover glass on the front. The antennas appear to be located behind plastic inserts on the top and bottom of the back panel, but we will not know for sure until we’ve had a chance to see the phones in person.

While Corning’s Gorilla Glass protects the Moto Z’s screen, the Moto Z Force uses second generation Moto ShatterShield technology to further protect the screen from cracking or shattering if dropped. A five-layer system, Moto ShatterShield uses an aluminum panel below the AMOLED screen to keep it from flexing. A dual touch layer provides redundancy in case one of the touch layers is damaged. Finally, two separate lenses, one of which is likely polycarbonate, provide resistance to cracking and scratching, which is backed by a four-year warranty.

The phone’s earpiece doubles as a mono front-facing speaker, which leaves only the USB Type-C port on the bottom edge. If you look closely, you’ll notice that there’s no 3.5mm headphone jack; the Moto Z uses the Type-C port for audio. This will surely be a divisive decision, but Motorola is at least including a 3.5mm to Type-C port headphone adapter. Of course, using the adapter means you cannot listen with headphones and charge the phone at the same time.


Moto Z Force

The relatively large lower bezel is also a concern, because it may further limit the ability to reach the upper portion of the screen and to comfortably use the onscreen keyboard. Motorola’s decision to use a square fingerprint sensor is partly to blame, but it also looks like the display’s control circuitry is sitting behind the “moto” logo below the screen. This less than advantageous placement is probably the result of the Moto Z’s razor-thin chassis.


Moto Z, Moto Z Force

The Moto Z is only 5.19mm thick, while the Moto Z Force is just under 7mm thick. There’s a reason why Motorola opted for such a thin design, which I’ll discuss in a minute, but first we need to consider the other side effects of the Z’s slim chassis. The most obvious is how far the rear camera module protrudes from the back. The more serious issue, however, is the impact on battery capacity. Motorola was able to squeeze a 3500 mAh battery into the Moto Z Force’s thicker body, but at 2600 mAh, the Moto Z has a relatively small battery for a phone with a 5.5-inch display and high-end SoC, leading to concerns about battery life.

So why did Motorola push for such thin designs? Because of its modular accessories it calls Moto Mods that snap into place on the back of the phone using strong magnets. These accessories all add additional thickness to the phone, so eliminating unnecessary bulk was a priority. Initially, there will be a range of real wood, leather, and fabric patterned decorative backplates that sit flush with the rear camera when snapped into place. There’s also the JBL SoundBoost speaker that adds two 27mm diameter, 3W speakers; a built-in kickstand for propping up the phone; and an additional 1000 mAh battery, along with the Moto Insta-Share Projector, which outputs a 854x480 WVGA image at 50 lumens nominal using DLP technology. Incipio’s Offgrid Power Pack adds a 2220 mAh battery and the option to add wireless charging support.


Moto Insta-Share Projector, Style Shell, JBL SoundBoost speaker

Motorola says the Moto Mods are automatically recognized when snapped on and only require a one-time setup process. Unlike with LG’s modular G5, the Moto Z does not need to be rebooted when swapping modules, which is a definite plus. Also, Motorola says that Moto Mods will be compatible with future generation phones, although how far this will extend is unknown.

In the U.S., both phones will initially be Verizon exclusives under the DROID brand. The Moto Z DROID Edition and the Moto Z Force DROID Edition will be available this summer along with the Moto Mods announced today. The Moto Z will be available unlocked this fall from moto.com and various retailers. There will also be an international version of the Moto Z available in September. Pricing has not been announced yet.

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  • JoeyJoJo123 - Friday, June 10, 2016 - link

    >commuting

    Please don't be that asshole looking down to his phone while driving. I don't even care if you're at a red light. It CAN wait until you get to your destination. I can tell if you're texting your girlfriend when the light turned green and you haven't moved from the red light, bro.

    Operating the phone without hands is fine, ie: dash-mounted as a GPS, or bluetooth connected with the car, voice controlled, etc. But do not look away from the road, ever, (even while at stop) to operate your phone.
  • Michael Bay - Saturday, June 11, 2016 - link

    Commuting usually implies riding the public transportation.
  • Impulses - Sunday, June 12, 2016 - link

    By commuting i meant, as others stated, public transpo... I don't even take my phone out of my pocket in the car unless it's to charge it or because I need directions.
  • Exodite - Friday, June 10, 2016 - link

    My first Android device were the Xperia arc (2011) and I've been using Swype or similar iterations ever since.

    Even so text input is far faster and more accurate two-handed, having the typing hand fully free to trace.

    Anyway, it's not so much about my personal preference as I think one-handed use is overrated in general. People prefer larger devices, which either means one-handed use isn't an issue with those or not a particularly big deal for most users anyway.

    YMMV.
  • Impulses - Sunday, June 12, 2016 - link

    " Even so text input is far faster and more accurate two-handed, having the typing hand fully free to trace. "

    I disagree, a second hand just gets in the way if you're using Swype to it's full potential. I don't deny that someone using something like Swiftkey to it's full potential might be faster, but I'm awfully fast with one hand and Swype, I can all but guarantee I'm faster than anyone using a stock keyboard.
  • fanofanand - Friday, June 10, 2016 - link

    You don't think price has anything to do with it? Apple has been selling only large phones for long enough that users who want a smaller iPhone have been left in the dark. There was quite a bit of pent up demand, just like there was for a large iPhone when all they sold was small. Once you clear out the backlog of people who were holding out for a small phone clears, I think you will find that the biggest motivator to the smaller device is the $250 in savings. I am definitely not pro-apple but trying to use one quarter of sales figures to state unequivocally that smaller phones outsell larger phones is more than misleading. Device makers make poor decisions at times, but they are in a better position than we are to know what sells. Considering nearly ALL manufacturers are making larger phones should be enough to tell you that those are the devices that are selling.
  • micksh - Friday, June 10, 2016 - link

    It's only a $100 difference between 4.7" and 5.5" iPhones. I don't think it can account for such difference in sales:
    http://pocketnow.com/2015/10/05/iphone-6s-6s-plus-...
    People buy large Android phones because they have no choice now. Nobody makes decent phones smaller than 5.1" except Sony with Z5 Compact, but Sony sucks at marketing and this phone also has serious drawbacks.
  • ishould - Friday, June 10, 2016 - link

    What're the drawbacks? I've been considering getting this phone for my SO, she has very small hands
  • micksh - Friday, June 10, 2016 - link

    You can read this
    http://www.theverge.com/2015/10/16/9549247/sony-xp...
    Shortly - all drawbacks of 810 CPU like overheating, plus others - slow, buggy software, inconsistent finger sensor, etc.
    Basically, Z3 compact was better.
  • micksh - Friday, June 10, 2016 - link

    I also hear about recent Sony reliability problems. Things break by themselves soon, glass is too fragile... Never had a problem with Z3 compact.

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