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How do Lenovo’s new modular smartphones, the Moto Z and Z Force compare to other flagships
Lenovo Group Ltd. has unveiled it’s latest flagship smartphones, the Moto Z and Moto Z Force at Tech World 2016. Many of the specs match the rumors that were making the rounds before the start of the conference. What is new though is the ability to customize your device using Moto Mods. The current range of magnetic Mods allows you to boost your battery, your speaker or turn your device into a projector.
We look at how the new Moto Z and Moto Z Force compare to the other flagships currently on the market – the Apple iPhone 6s, Samsung Galaxy S7 and LG G5.
| Moto Z | Moto Z Force | iPhone 6s | Galaxy S7 | LG G5 | |
| Operating System | Android 6.0 Marshmallow | iOS 9 | Android 6.0 Marshmallow | ||
| Display | 5.5-inch; 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution at 535 ppi. The Moto Z Force’s display has Moto ShatterShield technology. |
4.7-inch Retina HD with 3D Touch, 1334 x 750 pixel resolution at 326 ppi | 5.1-inch, Quad HD Super AMOLED 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution at 577 ppi |
5.3-inch Quad HD IPS Quantum Display 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution at 554 ppi | |
| Processor(s) | 1.8GHz or 2.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 (varies by region) | 2.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 | A9 chip with 64‑bit architecture Embedded M9 motion coprocessor |
Up to 2.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 820 Qualcomm Kryo CPU, 64-bit, X12 LTE, Adreno 530 GPUORExynos 8890 Octa-Core, Mali-T880 MP12 GPU (outside U.S.) | Up to 2.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 820 Qualcomm Kryo CPU, 64-bit, X12 LTE, Adreno 530 GPU |
| Ram & Storage | 4GB of RAM, 32GB, 64GB storage options | 2GB of RAM,16GB, 64GB, 128GB storage options | 4GB RAM (LPDDR4) , 32GB, 64GB storage options (UFS 2.0) | 4GB RAM, 32GB internal | |
| microsSD | Yes, up to 2TB | No | Yes, up to 200GB | Yes, up to 2TB | |
| Cameras | Rear: 13MP, with optical image stabilization and laser autofocus Front: 5MP with a wide-angle lens. Extra flash on the front. | Rear: 21MP, with optical image stabilization, phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and laser autofocus Front: 5MP | Rear: 12MP iSight Front: 5MP FaceTime |
Rear: Dual Pixel 12MP, Smart OIS Front: 5MP dual video call, Auto HDR |
Rear: Standard 16MP, wide-angle 8MP Front: 8MP |
| Video capture | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| Dimensions & weight | 155.3 x 75.3 x 5.19mm, 136 g | 155.9 x 75.8 x 6.99mm, 163g | 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1mm, 143g | 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9mm, 152g | 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7mm, 159g |
| Battery | 2,600mAh non-removable. Up to 30 hours of battery life (estimated), up to 8 hours of power in 15 minutes with TurboPower. | 3,500mAh non-removable. Up to 40 hours of battery life (estimated), up to 15 hours of power in 15 minutes with TurboPower. | 1,715mAh non-removable | 3,000mAh, non-removable, Fast Charging both on wired and wireless | 2,800mAh, removable, Fast battery Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 |
| Sensors | Fingerprint reader | Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, Proximity, RGB Light, Geo-magnetic, Gyro, Fingerprint, Barometer, Hall, HRM |
Fingerprint, iris scanner, accelerometer,gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, color spectrum | |
| Availability & Price | TBC | TBC | From $649 | From $670 | From $630 |
| Special Features | Magnetic Moto Mod snap-on accessories and dedicated accessory port on the back. Water-repellant coating. | 3D Touch, Taptic Engine, LTE Advanced, Live Photos, Retina Flash | Water resistant | Pull-out battery, two rear cameras | |
Magnetic Moto Mods
The magnetic Moto Mods available for both the Moto Z and Moto Z Force allow you to easily transform your smartphone. The Moto Mods contain high-powered magnets so attaching them to the back of your device is easy.
The current Mods include the ability to transform the look of your phone with Style Shells, coming in a range of options including real wood, leather or patterned fabric. You can boost the speakers of your Moto Z or Moto Z Force, by simply attaching the JBL SoundBoost Mod. While the Moto Insta-Share Projector Mod instantly transforms your device into a 70-inch movie projector.
Both the Moto Z and Moto Z Force have impressive battery life estimates; however, you can boost the battery further by attaching the Power Pack Mod and instantly get up to 22 hours of battery.
A Moto Mods Developer Program has also be released so we can expect to see new Mods coming our way. The Lenovo Capital and Incubator Group has also set aside $1,000,000 in equity funding. It will be awarded to the company or individual who creates the best Mods prototype by March 31, 2017.
No headphone jack
For months we have heard how Apple may lose the headphone jack in its iPhone 7, launching in September and the rumors have resulted in plenty of debate and negative responses from Apple users. However, rumors are also making the rounds that the iPhone 7 won’t look much different from the current models, so who knows what will be revealed at Apple’s launch in September.
What we do know for a fact though is that Lenovo has beaten Apple to the punch and removed the headphone jack from both the Moto Z and Moto Z Force. Both devices come with a USB-C port only, but users will still be able to connect their wired headphones to the device using the included USB-C headphone adapter.
Price and availability
Prices for both the Moto Z and Moto Z Force are yet to be announced. Moto Z DROID Edition and Moto Z Force DROID Edition will be available in the U.S. this summer through Verizon Wireless, retailers such as Best Buy and on moto.com. Moto Mods will also be available in the summer. The Moto Z also will be available unlocked on moto.com and at various retailers this fall.
Images via: Motorola
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