One of the most original and unique phones in recent times has been the new Motorola model with a projector, speaker and camera, coupled with a 10x optical zoom. Moto Z is the most unusual solution on the gadget market in recent times, both in appearance and in terms of technical characteristics. All the nuances and uniqueness of the new smartphone-constructor are in the review on Motorola with a projector.

Contents of delivery

Despite the fact that the smartphone package for testing is very modest - only the gadget itself and the charger - the new Motorola with the projector comes with a 3.5 mm adapter with USB Type-C, a special paper clip for removing the card tray and an additional panel.

Design

The new smartphone model was made in a very thin body, which allows us to draw an analogy with the Motorola V3 clamshell released in 2004. The company came up with an original solution, demonstrating a new Motorola with a projector, a bunch of accessories and a modular design with a unique design.

Despite the small thickness, the design of the phone is very solid and monolithic. The smartphone passed the standard strength test without showing any squeaks and backlashes. However, one should be careful with a complex and elegant design: an unsuccessful fall can lead to sad consequences.

The case of the new "Motorola" with a projector is aluminum, made in three colors: black and gold, white and gold and black and silver.

The lower and upper parts of the rear panel are decorated with glass inserts, while the panel itself is trimmed with transverse stripes. Despite the fact that the aluminum panel is very easily soiled, it is resistant to scratches.

The camera is located on the rear panel like a projector and protrudes quite strongly from the body due to the fact that the lens and dual flash are located on a separate platform, as a result of which the phone lies unevenly on the table surface. However, the developers have thought of this detail: the presence of an additional rear panel quickly eliminates it.

Elements of the contact pad are located below and allow you to connect additional modules to your smartphone.

The speaker, enclosed in a metal frame, is located at the top of the panel. On the side of it hide the flash, sensors and front camera.

The fingerprint scanner is located under the screen, next to it are microphones and motion sensors. The latter are made in black and are not particularly noticeable on a black smartphone, but stand out on a white model. During long-term operation of "Motorola" with a projector, such a detail does not attract attention, but upon acquaintance it looks unusual and resembles a funny face.

The tray for SIM-cards and memory cards is located on the top end.

Moto Mods

Moto Mods is a well-known line of additional accessories for smartphones. The simplest element of it is a decorative back panel made of plastic. The kit comes with a wooden cover, but if desired, you can purchase panels from other materials. The cost of one copy is about $ 20, they are attached to the smartphone with magnets and protect the back surface from damage. The sloping shape of the cover improves the ergonomics of the smartphone and allows you to hide the protruding camera.

The Motorola cell phone with a projector is equipped with a stereo speaker, created in active cooperation with the world famous company JBL, thanks to which the smartphone turns into a full-fledged music center. An additional module with a projector allows you to view photos and videos in large size. Each one has its own battery and USB Type-C ports so they don't drain your Moto Z battery and can be charged separately from it.

The JBL speaker is connected through the connectors located on the rear panel. The speaker is equipped with a stand that allows you to conveniently place your smartphone and watch videos with high-quality sound. Power from the phone battery is activated after 10 hours of speaker operation from its own battery. The average cost of an audio module is $80.

The display of the image from the smartphone screen on any surface in a resolution of 854x480 pixels is carried out using a miniature Insta-Share projector. The module has a built-in 1100 mAh battery, which is enough for autonomous work for one hour. The cost of such a module is $300.

At a similar price, a Hasselblad photomodule is provided, which allows you to turn a Motorola with a projector into a full-fledged camera with a 12-megapixel sensor, a tenfold zoom and good optics. Equipped with the addition of optical stabilization and xenon flash.

The cost of the 2200 mAh battery cover is $60. A similar panel with wireless charging function will cost $90.

Ergonomics

A distinctive feature of the novelty from Motorola was the elegance of the profile: such thin smartphones are practically not produced today - with a weight of 136 grams, the thickness of the case is 5 mm. At the same time, the phone is equipped with a 5.5-inch screen.

The screen lock key and separate volume buttons are located on the right side of the case. They are located high enough, so without intercepting the smartphone, you won’t be able to click on them. However, the screen of the phone is blocked by the scanner, so it is not necessary to reach for a separate key. Accidental operation is completely excluded, the keys are easy to finger, softly pressed and pleasant to the touch, the response is distinct and clear.

Display

The novelty from Motorola is equipped with a 5.5-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2560x1440, narrow bezels and a density of 535 pixels per inch. Glass 4 acts as a protective element, curved at the edges, with a good anti-reflective effect and an oleophobic coating: fingers do not leave any traces. Screen sensitivity is excellent, ten-point multi-touch works.

The display delivers a high-quality image with bright, rich colors and excellent contrast. Depending on the lighting, the backlight level changes smoothly and accurately, so we can say that the sensor copes with its task.

Price

The main question of users is how much does Motorola cost with a projector? Given the wide functionality and a large number of additional accessories, it will cost a rather large amount - about $ 700.

Eventually

Lenovo has turned the sister brand into a testing ground for the innovative technologies found in Moto Z. The international manufacturer has equipped Motorola with the best of its arsenal, adding a modular design. An original and unique idea with interchangeable modules will cost the client a fairly large amount. Additional accessories fuel interest in Moto Z, and fans of non-standard gadgets will definitely appreciate it.

Model advantages:

• Original Moto Mods.
• High charging speed.
• Quality pictures.
• High performance.

Flaws:

• No 3.5mm audio jack.
• Average battery life.

No matter how big the screen of your smartphone or tablet is, it will never be able to compete in size with the image created by the projector. More recently, this class of devices was available exclusively in a stationary version, but times are changing, and now with pocket projectors weighing only some 100-200 grams, you can easily get a picture with a diagonal of as much as 1.5 meters.

AT there was a conversation about the features of using and differences between mobile projectors, today we will look at 6 devices belonging to 3 different formats:

• pocket models;
• small devices with a brightness of 200-300 ANSI lumens the size of a palm;
• powerful projectors with a brightness of more than 500 ANSI lumens, but all made in the same compact form factor.

Aiptek MobileCinema A50P

It is no longer new, but at the same time an inexpensive model produced by the German company Aiptek. It is perfect for people who are not very demanding on the size and quality of the picture, but at the same time who want to get an ultra-compact pocket projector for a small price. MobileCinema A50P has the dimensions of a smartphone and weighs 165 grams. According to the manufacturer, the device supports the incoming video signal up to 1920 x 1080, but the actual matrix size is 640 x 480, so the Full HD frame will be reduced, which in the case of the A50P does not always affect the quality without a trace. The projector is very small and fits easily into a pocket. Brightness of 35 ANSI lumens is enough to create a clear image with a diagonal of 15 cm to 1.5 meters.

A pair of input connectors is used to connect the signal source: micro-HDMI and micro USB, there is support for MHL video transmission technology. The controls include a power button and a focus wheel. There is no focal length adjustment, no optical distortion correction, so when using the device, try to place it perpendicular to the light beam, otherwise the rectangular screen will become trapezoidal. One of the nice bonuses is the ability to recharge external devices, which will allow you to save the game or watch a movie that is about to end suddenly. No less pleasant is the price. With its average cost of 6,000 to 10,000 rubles, MobileCinema A50P is beyond competition among budget pocket devices.

Philips PicoPix PPX4350

Available with or without a wireless module, the PicoPix PPX 4350 is one of the most versatile pocket projectors available. With a weight of 129 grams and dimensions of 9.7 x 5.4 cm, it is capable of independently playing audio, photo and video content that can be saved to the internal memory of the device, as well as read from a flash drive or SD card. The model with the wireless module can receive data transmitted via wireless Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection from a smartphone or tablet, in addition to this, the PPX 4350 is equipped with a Bluetooth PicoPix function designed to transmit audio to Bluetooth speakers or wireless headphones.

The device uses DLP projection technology and a standard 640 x 360-pixel matrix for this class, although the scaling from the Philips developers is definitely better than that of Aiptek. The brightness of the projector is 50 ANSI lumens, the image diagonal is 152 cm, and the projection distance is from 48 to 285 cm. . In general, one of the best pocket models with its own media player, but the price of 22-25,000 rubles for a projector without Wi-Fi and 27,000 rubles for a kit with a module is perhaps somewhat higher than you usually want to pay for a small entertainment gadget.

LG PH300

Quite a fresh projector with an original design, designed in a retro style. The device weighs 430 grams and fits easily in the palm of your hand. The luminous flux of this "baby" is already 300 ANSI lumens, which allows it to show a clear picture in rooms with low dimming. The LG PH300 is equipped with a more "adult" DLP-matrix with a physical resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, which allows it to reproduce HD-resolution images without scaling. The diagonal of the projected image can vary from 50 to 254 cm, Manual focus, battery life - 2.5 hours, ports: HDMI, USB and headphone output.

Features include automatic 180-degree image rotation and keystone correction, allowing you to position the projector at any angle to the screen. The device is controlled using the touch panel on the top edge or the included remote control. There is a built-in media player and the Pixsel File Viewer application, designed to view from a flash drive or SD card documents and presentations created in programs: Word, Excel and Power Point. The price for this miracle of technology varies from 32 to 50,000 rubles.

Asus S1

An elegant solution of a similar format produced by Asus. The S1 weighs 342 grams and measures 110 x 102mm. The projector boasts a brightness of 200 ANSI lumens, a stylish design and a cost of 22,000 rubles. It is possible to adjust the focus, brightness, contrast and aspect ratio, but, unfortunately, there is no keystone correction. There is no media player here either, but the built-in battery can last up to 3 hours, and if necessary, recharge another gadget. Connectors are represented by a USB port, HDMI and USB, MHL is supported, and a 3.5 mm audio output for connecting headphones or an external speaker. The matrix size is not the most impressive - 854 x 480 pixels, but the screen diagonal of 2.5 meters is a lot for such a compact device, especially since the image quality of the S1 is quite good, especially if the room is well darkened.

Vivitek QumiQ5

One of the most recognizable portable projectors available in 5 different color options. Its dimensions are larger than the previous ones: 16 x 10 cm, and the weight is already 490 grams, but the brightness is 500 ANSI lumens. Vivitek projectors have always been renowned for their quality and features, and the QumiQ5 is just proof of that. The real resolution of the matrix is ​​1280 x 800 pixels, the diagonal is 2.4 meters, and the projection distance is from one to three meters. The device has a keystone correction function, a media player for playing videos and viewing documents, photos or presentations, as well as a significant number of ports. In addition to USB and an SD card slot for playing content from the drive, there is a mini-HDMI connector, a 3.5 mm composite video input, a connector for connecting an adapter to a component input or VGA, and a 3.5 mm audio output. Support for 3D and a remote control is provided, a Wi-Fi module is optionally available. The price of QumiQ5 varies from 40 to 50,000 rubles.

Optoma ML750e

The Optoma model, which is not inferior in quality, weighs 380 grams and measures 105 x 106 mm, and is capable of delivering a luminous flux with a brightness of 700 ANSI lumens. The resolution is 1280 x 800 pixels, the screen size is 2.54 m, and the projection distance is from 0.55 to 3.23 m. There is a built-in media player, distortion correction and 3D support, Wi-Fi module is offered as an option. The connectors are represented by an HDMI port with MHL support, a USB port and a connector for connecting an adapter to analog video inputs. The picture quality is very good, and the brightness is the highest on the market for such dimensions, which fully justifies the average price of 45,000 rubles.

Conclusion

In the article, we have considered only a small part of the extensive range of mobile projectors, but thanks to it, now you have an idea of ​​the formats and capabilities of compact devices weighing up to 500 grams. If mobility is important - take pocket ones, if brightness - a powerful model like QumiQ5 or ML750e, but if you want not very expensive, but not 50 lumens, then pay attention to the brainchild of LG or Asus. Happy viewing!

30.05.2017 11:41:00

The cell phone has long ceased to be exclusively a means of communication. With the development of high technologies, a mobile gadget incorporates more and more features, becoming a device with a truly limitless number of functions. One of the latest examples is the introduction of NFC technology, thanks to which, using a smartphone, you can pay for purchases in a store.

Naturally, the improvement of phones is not complete without very bold experiments. Designers of mobile gadgets often try to combine several functions from different technology areas in one device. For example, about 10 years ago, attempts began to cross the phone with the projector.

The purpose of such an experiment is quite obvious - to create a compact and mobile device with which one could project an image onto a wall for viewing photos, videos or presentations. In our article, we will talk about how this idea was implemented and how successful it became. In addition, we will tell you how to turn your phone into a projector with your own hands.

Phone with a projector: the beginning

The history of combining a mobile device and a projector began in 2009. Then the Korean designer Min-Soon Kim created the concept of a phone with a projection lens.

In his concept, the designer had to face two serious problems. Firstly, the operation of the projection module put a lot of strain on the battery. Secondly, while the phone was in projector mode, the device got very hot.

To solve the first problem, Min-Soon Kim suggested using a polycarbonate-based battery, which would provide more capacity than the lithium and sodium batteries that were common at the time.

Polycarbonate had to solve the second problem. It was from it that the phone case should have been made. And to remove excess heat, aluminum inserts were installed along the edges of the gadget, which served as a kind of radiator.

First mass-produced projection phones

Min-soon Kim's concept was embodied in Samsung's W7900, which was the first mass-produced phone with a projector. The model was presented at the international exhibition CES 2009. The phone was equipped with a 3.2-inch OLED display with a resolution of 240 by 400 pixels and a 5-megapixel camera. The built-in projection module displayed an image with a resolution of 480 x 320 pixels. The lamp power of 10 lumens was enough to watch home videos.

The most famous models

After a rather successful announcement, Korean developers decided not to stop there and within a few years released two models of phones with a projector: Samsung Galaxy Beam and Samsung Galaxy Beam 2. The first Galaxy Beam of 2012 was an updated W7900 model. The device worked on the Android 2.3 operating system, was equipped with a 4-inch TFT display with 16 million colors and a 5 megapixel camera.

Two years later, the company released the second model in the series, the projector of which displayed an image with a resolution of 800x480 pixels. It is worth noting that in this model the lamp power has grown significantly - up to 15 lumens, which gave a fairly bright and clear projection.

In 2011, the Japanese company Sharp joined the development of projector phones with the SH-06C model. The phone was equipped with a 4.5-inch screen, an 8-megapixel camera and a battery with a capacity of 1520 mAh. The projector at 9 lumens produced an image of 640x360 pixels. A distinctive feature of this model was a rather high index of protection against moisture: IPX5 or IPX7, depending on the modification.

In the same year, the MFU P790 projector phone was released in China. The device contained a fairly simple and not the most powerful filling: a 3.2-inch display, a 1.3-megapixel camera, and the built-in memory was designed for only 73 megabytes. The main "chip" of the phone was the combination of a TV tuner with automatic channel search and a projector. Despite the fact that the model came out in a rather limited edition in China, you can still buy it in online stores for about 4.5 thousand rubles.

In 2015, Lenovo decided to go a little further than its competitors in the production of phones with a projector. The announced Lenovo Smart Cast model was equipped with a special projection module that turned a flat horizontal surface into a touch panel. An infrared sensor on the front panel read the movements on the projection. That is, it was possible to display, for example, a numeric keypad or piano keys from a musical application on the surface of the table.

The module rotated 270 degrees so that the Smart Cast system automatically adjusted the projected image depending on the surface. You can watch the presentation of the miracle smartphone in this video:

One of the latest rather interesting solutions is the Motorola Moto Z smartphone, which was released in 2016. The design feature of the device was compatibility with various Moto Mods modules. You can connect a stereo speaker, a Hasselblad photo module or an additional battery to your smartphone.

Using the $300 Insta-Share module, the phone became a projector that displayed an image at a resolution of 854x480 pixels.

Admittedly, the idea of ​​combining a phone and a projector has not been widely adopted. Such models differed in decent dimensions and weight, and at the time of their appearance they were quite expensive. In addition, phones with projectors were clearly not up to par in terms of the quality of the projected picture. In the end, Android phones are much more convenient to connect to a regular TV to achieve better picture clarity.

Relatively good demand for phones with a projector has been observed in recent years only in Southeast Asia. In Russia, such models are almost never imported. The only reliable way to purchase a branded projection phone is to order it through an online store and reflash it for greater convenience.

How to make a projector from your phone

However, if you want to view a projection image from your phone, it is not at all necessary to spend money on rare equipment. You can make a projector from your phone yourself without leaving your home.

For this you will need:

• Telephone
• shoe box
• 10x magnifying glass
• sharp knife
• Pencil
• Insulating tape
• Paperclip or piece of Styrofoam

The clarity and brightness of the picture, first of all, depends on the source of the image, that is, on the screen of the smartphone. It is desirable that the device is equipped with a large and high-quality screen, at least 5 inches. We recommend using a novelty from the British company Fly - the Cirrus 13 model as the basis for the projector.

The 5-inch IPS display of the smartphone produces a bright, rich and contrasting picture thanks to Full Lamination technology, when the air gap between the screen layers is eliminated. The image becomes as realistic and saturated as possible. It is also important that the screen transmits the image in FullHD resolution.

Thanks to a 2400 mAh lithium-polymer battery, Fly Cirrus 13 as a projector for watching movies can work up to 4 hours. This is enough for a couple of great blockbusters for the whole family.

So, if you have stocked up with everything you need, you can start creating a home theater:

Step 1.

On the box it is necessary to cut a round hole according to the diameter of the magnifying glass lens. It is important that the hole is located exactly in the middle. To do this, connect the corners of the box with diagonals. The point at the intersection of the lines will be the center for the lens.

Step 2

Insert the lens into the hole or secure the glass with duct tape.

Step 3

Make a phone stand out of a paperclip or cut a frame out of styrofoam to fit the phone.

Step 4

Put your phone in the box. It is necessary to find the optimal distance between the screen and the lens. This is best done in a dark room by moving the gadget back and forth from the lens.

Everything - the projector is ready. Additionally, you can make a hole for the charger or USB cable. Happy viewing!

Watch the video tutorial on how to create a projector from your phone:

Did you use our instructions and make a projector out of your phone? Tell us about it in the comments to this article or

Phones with a built-in projector have been the subject of special attention of users for many years. We saw prototypes, drawings, pictures and various creative and not very ideas regarding such an unusual thing, but only now a second commercial copy of such a hybrid has appeared on the market - with the name of the first - Samsung Beam, but without the "patronymic" Galaxy.

Samsung Galaxy Beam Smartphone Projector: First Look

Why goat button accordion

To prevent initial enthusiasm, we first need to sit down and think about one simple question: why do we need a phone with a built-in projector at all? To do this, let's look at the market and the situation as a whole.

Projectors are things that are mainly used for presentations. Some people with a decent supply of finances (since good projectors cost decently) make the basis of a home theater out of them, in order to add an expensive set of acoustics to this, turn one of the rooms of their housing into a kind of cinema. Instead of just going to the movies with this money until retirement and even after it. Secondary uses for projectors at home are viewing photos. Of course, looking at a photo of yourself against the backdrop of a palm tree is much more spectacular than on a computer screen; but again, few can afford a projector and a wall for its work.

Samsung Galaxy Beam

But almost everyone can combine both viewing photos and movies - in fact, if the latter is possible, then the former will be taken for granted.

And this is the main use of projectors in the home. You can, of course, find others - for example, look through digitized filmstrips with nostalgia and imagine yourself in 1982; but we still take more common situations.

The main use of the projector in the Samsung Beam smartphone, which is offered by the manufacturer itself, is to view both photos and presentations on the wall in a picture diameter of 50 inches. The projector built into the top of the head (where the Nokia 1100 has a bright flashlight) has a low brightness, only 15 lumens, and the manufacturer claims that you can get a clear picture on the wall with high resolution (it’s very interesting which one – this information is not in the specifications) and 50 inches.

Of course, you can also watch movies, but you are unlikely to be satisfied with their quality - although who knows? The first smartphone with a projector under the same name BEAM was not successful. Users, if you look at the reviews, complained mainly about the low power of the “first pancake” and the too high price - the 2010 BEAM cost around $ 900 and, according to users, again, it was not worth it at all. And how is it today with the updated BEAM in the Galaxy family? For a more in-depth analysis of this issue, let's take a look at the technical component of the newest smartphone.

Relatively small "peephole" Galaxy Beam displays an image diagonally up to 50"

Technical component

The main thing in it is, of course, the projector. The company does not share its technical characteristics, other than those that we reported in the previous section. To all this, we can add that a special application is installed on the smartphone, which allows you to broadcast digital content on the big screen - and this can be not only presentations, photos or video files, but even games and maps. This leads us to the conclusion that this application does not process any files on its own, it simply plays the role of a software "video output" relaying the visual data stream (or duplicating it) to the built-in projector.

Moreover, to start relaying, it will be enough just to press a special button on the smartphone case - it is not yet clear whether it was duplicated programmatically (but logically, this should have been done).

A separate point is also mentioned that the output of data to the projector does not take up all the memory and resources for itself - the press release emphasizes that musical accompaniment of the show is possible, which leads us to both the first conclusion and the second - the smartphone's performance resources should be all this is enough. And, as we will see below, even in excess.

This is how smoothly we approached the direct description of the configuration of the innovative novelty.

Innovation configuration

It is quite standard and ordinary: it is an unnamed dual-core GHz processor (it is quite possible that the same one that is equipped with Samsung Advance). The internal memory is declared in the amount of 8 GB and plus a slot for memory cards micro-SD.

Samsung Galaxy Beam has 6 GB of RAM

But the amount of RAM is amazing - while all other manufacturers offer a modest 0.5-1 GB, Samsung decided not to waste time on trifles and immediately give out 6 (six) gigabytes of RAM! At least, this is the figure that is in the technical characteristics of this gadget on the official website. On the one hand, this is a colossal breakthrough in the amount of RAM in smartphones in general, on the other hand, such a large volume (not even every desktop, let alone a laptop, has so much “RAM”) is slightly alarming – but is it enough for a projector, if the usual one for Gigabyte smartphones turned out to be completely inappropriate here?

By the way, the Samsung BEAM has a simple four-inch screen with a standard resolution of 480x800 for such a diagonal. The press release didn't say anything about Super AMOLED, the type of screen that comes with almost all of the company's new smartphones, but that's probably what it is.

Wireless interfaces are quite modern: Bluetooth 3.0+HS, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (only 2.4 GHz), 3G is supported up to HSPA.

It will be interesting to take a look at the rear five-megapixel camera of the device in reality in order to evaluate the quality of its pictures. Because we all know how low the quality of photos taken by cameras in mobile devices is usually, but in this case the situation is different: it is understood that the captured images will be broadcast on the wall using a built-in projector.

And since it is stated that the maximum diagonal of the resulting image is 50 inches, it is quite obvious that the blurring, “oversharpening” of the image and other artifacts common in such mobile cameras will not just come out to the surface, but will be striking - right from the wall. Thus, Samsung is simply obliged to provide this hybrid with a good camera - or at least blur the picture so skillfully when showing that artifacts will not be noticeable; although the latter would not be entirely fair.

Rear 5 MP camera Samsung Galaxy Beam

Naturally, the built-in projector could not but affect at least part of the technical characteristics. We single out two of them: the thickness and capacity of the battery. Already becoming standard 8-9 mm thickness in Galaxy BEAM turned into 12.5 - which, in general, is not so bad and not such a big sacrifice. With the battery, things are more interesting: projectors are known to be rather voracious creatures, and therefore the smartphone comes with a 2000 mAh battery. Theoretically, without using a projector, such a capacious battery should give up to three days of active use of the gadget, and a normal “working” day for smartphones (at least) should be subject to the projection of images of some specific specified parameters.

Of the unmentioned, only two things remained - a 1.3 MP front camera for video communication (therefore, you can not bother with its characteristics like the rear one) and the operating system is a regular Android 2.3 Gingerbread with a proprietary TouchWiz shell and a standard set of applications. As for updating the OS to Android 4.0, there is no information yet, but it is unlikely to happen.

The Samsung Galaxy BEAM measures 64.2 x 124 x 12.5 mm and weighs 145.3 grams. The smartphone is slightly heavier than its "projectorless" counterparts, but not so much that the hands get tired of holding it.

Appearance of that which will not tire of holding hands

If you look at BEAM strictly from the front, then it will not be distinguished from the Galaxy Advance. As well as from most other new smartphones of the company. The front panel configuration is standard for most mobile devices, and even more so for Samsung: at the top of the screen is the front camera and sensors, at the bottom is a rectangular mechanical Home button in the center, it is surrounded by loyal vassals - the Settings touch button on the left and the same back button on the right.

Samsung Galaxy Beam hardware buttons and expansions are standard

But from other angles, the smartphone looks quite unusual. It's not so much about the aggressively designed projector on the top end (for some reason it immediately reminded the "nostril" of BMW cars), but about the bright yellow strip that surrounds the phone along the perimeter. Most likely, this strip is made of either rubber or rubber-like plastic - at least that is the impression. This strip does not have clear minimalist contours, as on many smartphones, it gracefully bends around the projector, expanding at its borders, and generally follows the contours of the device itself. Which, if you look at the screenshots, has a lot of curves in the rear. Simply put, its back cover is not flat.

The main control elements are located on the sides: on the right we see a micro-SD card slot covered with a flap, a power button and a projector activation button located not far from it. On the opposite side, there is an unexpectedly covered slot for a SIM card (hardly anyone expected to see it from the outside at all) and a volume rocker. The micro-USB slot was not closed with a plug and placed on the bottom end. And, by the way, all these elements are within the boundaries of the very yellow stripe, which looks very harmonious and even looks very beautiful.

What can not be said about the back panel: after such a cheerful case, this panel on a smartphone looks more like a memetic “poker face” character - a pale black cover, just above the center of which a round camera lens looks at us with a sly look and a rather healthy LED flash nearby. From the photographs of the device, it seems that this flash came to Galaxy BEAM from an “adult” soap dish, and it is not at all a single one, as it wants to say. Under this “row” is a large Samsung logo, and a small grille of an external speaker lurks below.

4" Samsung Galaxy Beam screen with FullHD support

In general, the back cover for some reason creates disharmony with the rest of the case. However, it also cannot be called ordinary. At least for such a strange minimalism.

New Year is coming

It is intriguing that the prices for this truly revolutionary smartphone have not yet been announced. And also the fact that Samsung already had a model with the same name, released in mid-2010 - just not in the Galaxy series and without this “middle name”. Then, we recall, the price tag for it floated around $ 900, and according to the few users who bought that Beam with a projector, it was an extremely raw product (and not even as beautiful as the new BEAM).

It is not entirely clear why Samsung chose to name such a significant novelty the name of a gadget that was not the most successful then; however, the word "beam" may well mean a series of these smartphones with a projector, and it will be interesting to follow its further fate.

In general, the new Samsung Galaxy BEAM smartphone looks like a very interesting product today. An improved (hopefully) projector, six gigabytes of RAM (in order to better feel this figure, we wrote it in words), modern filling components - all this speaks clearly in favor of the gadget. The obvious disadvantages of which are not even visible yet. Therefore, we are waiting for it on the shelves and, most importantly, in the review.

Did you know that there have been many attempts to develop a modular phone? For example, the sensational at the time Project Ara, which meant the ability to replace any component of a smartphone (processor, speaker, camera, etc.), as if in a desktop computer system unit. Only faster and easier. But no luck - the project, unfortunately, was closed.

Fortunately, manufacturers are in no hurry to abandon the idea of ​​​​modularity. A prime example of this is Lenovo Moto Z and Moto Z Play smartphones. True, here the idea of ​​​​replaceable components is implemented a little differently. You can’t replace anything in the gadget itself, but you can “hang” an additional “gadget” on its back panel, which is mounted on magnets and stylishly fits into the design and dimensions of the device.

Want to turn your phone into a good camera? A module equipped with a 12 MP matrix and an optical tenfold zoom will help.

Do you like hanging out in nature with a big group of friends? Attach a portable speaker to the cover, and the music from your phone will automatically switch to the new speakers. And no fuss with a Bluetooth connection, and the sound quality will be quite up to par. And the stability of the gadget will provide a folding leg.

And for those who are tired of carrying a massive PowerBank in their pocket along with a smartphone that is discharging, Lenovo has provided a battery cover. It will make the smartphone a little thicker and heavier, but will significantly extend the life of an indispensable electronic companion.

The most original Moto Z feature is the projector module. Just imagine: at a presentation in an unfamiliar city in front of strangers, you take out your smartphone and use it to broadcast slides for your presentation on a 70-inch screen. Such a performance will definitely attract attention.

Well, if all these bells and whistles at some point will be of no use to you, the back panel can be closed with a removable cover - in the manner of the legendary Nokia 3310. The manufacturer offers many different covers for purchase, for example, nylon or bamboo.

The Moto Z and Moto Z Play themselves can be bought in Russia for several months now.

Recall, Moto Z has a 5.5-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of QHD (2560 x 1440) and is based on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset with a 4-core processor codenamed Kryo with 64-bit ARMv8 architecture and Adreno 530 graphics. 4 GB of RAM is assigned to support the CPU in operation, the internal storage for storing applications and files is 32 GB and can be increased by using external microSD memory cards with a capacity of up to 2000 GB. The device operates under the operating system Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.

The main camera of this Lenovo smartphone is 13-megapixel with optical image stabilization and laser autofocus, the front camera is 5-megapixel. The device in a 5.2 mm thick aluminum-steel case is equipped with a USB Type-C port and a 2600 mAh battery, from which Moto Z can, according to the manufacturer, work up to 30 hours without recharging. TurboPower fast charging extends that time by another 8 hours in just 15 minutes.

The display of the Moto Z Play is also 5.5-inch, but with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The hardware basis of this smartphone is another SoC from the same Qualcomm - Snapdragon 625, which includes a processor with 8 Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of up to 2 GHz and an Adreno 506 graphics core. In this case, the RAM is 3 GB, and the internal memory is the same 32 GB. The controlling operating system in this case is Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.

The cameras of this device are 16-megapixel main and 5-megapixel front (by the way, with flash). In this case, there is also a USB Type-C connector, and the battery life after a full charge can reach 50 hours.