TFT IPS- High quality liquid crystal matrix. It has wide viewing angles, one of the best indicators of color rendering quality and contrast among all those used in the production of displays for portable equipment.
Super AMOLED- if a regular AMOLED screen uses several layers, between which there is an air gap, then in Super AMOLED there is only one such touch layer without air gaps. This allows you to achieve greater screen brightness with the same power consumption.
Super AMOLED HD- differs from Super AMOLED in its higher resolution, thanks to which you can achieve 1280x720 pixels on a mobile phone screen.
Super AMOLED plus- this is a new generation of Super AMOLED displays, differs from the previous one by using a larger number of subpixels in a conventional RGB matrix. The new displays are 18% thinner and brighter than displays made using the old PenTile technology.
AMOLED- an improved version of OLED technology. The main advantages of the technology are significantly reduced power consumption, the ability to display a larger color gamut, reduced thickness and the ability of the display to bend slightly without the risk of breaking.
Retina-high pixel density display designed specifically for Apple technology. The pixel density of Retina displays is such that individual pixels are indistinguishable to the eye at a normal distance from the screen. This ensures the highest image detail and significantly improves the overall viewing experience.
Super Retina HD- the display is made using OLED technology. The pixel density is 458 PPI, the contrast reaches 1,000,000:1. The display has a wide color gamut and unsurpassed color accuracy. Pixels in the corners of the display are smoothed at the sub-pixel level, so edges are not distorted and appear smooth. The Super Retina HD reinforcing layer is 50% thicker. It will be harder to break the screen.
Super LCD is the next generation of LCD technology, it is characterized by improved characteristics compared to earlier LCD displays. The screens not only have wide viewing angles and better color reproduction, but also lower power consumption.
TFT- A common type of liquid crystal display. Using an active matrix controlled by thin-film transistors, it is possible to significantly increase the performance of the display, as well as the contrast and clarity of the image.
OLED- organic electroluminescent display. It consists of a special thin-film polymer that emits light when exposed to an electric field. This type of display has a large reserve of brightness and consumes very little energy.
The waltz between Lenovo and its Motorola is very interesting to watch. At first it was about preserving both the Moto line and the VIBE series, then VIBE disappeared, but the “double” Lenovo Moto brand and Lenovo smartphones without a sub-brand (in small quantities) appeared. Now we are talking about the fact that smartphones will be produced only under the Moto brand - I don’t think, however, that the epic will stop there.
The gadgets themselves can get lost in this fuss, but that’s not the case. Unlike another revived legend, Nokia, which so far is mainly selling its “face,” Moto has very interesting developments behind its soul. Moto Mods are not a thing of the past - the topic continues to develop, new modules appear, and Z2 is already the second generation of smartphones that support Mods.
But Moto Z2 Play is notable not only for its ability to expand functionality. This is a smartphone that is curious in its positioning. On the one hand, it has an AMOLED display, a front-facing fingerprint scanner, an ultra-thin body, and splash protection. On the other hand, it has a middle-class platform, Qualcomm Snapdragon 626, LTE only category seven (and not category 9 or 12, like modern flagships), RAM only 3-4 GB. And the price is 35 thousand rubles. Z2 Play seems to freeze at the junction of two worlds - a semi-flagship.
⇡ Specifications
| Moto Z2 Play | |||||
| Display | 5.5 inches, AMOLED, |
5.5 inches, AMOLED, 2560 × 1440 pixels, 535 ppi, capacitive multi-touch | 5.15 inches, IPS, 1920 × 1080 pixels, 423 ppi, capacitive multi-touch | 5.15 inches, IPS, 1920 × 1080 pixels, 428 ppi, capacitive multi-touch | 5.5 inches, AMOLED, 1920 × 1080 pixels, 401 ppi, capacitive multi-touch |
| Protective glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | No information | Yes, manufacturer unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 (eight ARM Cortex-A53 cores, 2.2 GHz) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 (dual 2.2 GHz Kryo cores + dual 1.6 GHz Kryo cores) | HiSilicone Kirin 960 (four ARM Cortex-A73 cores, 2.4 GHz + four ARM Cortex-A53 cores, 1.8 GHz) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 MSM8996 (quad Kryo cores, 2.45 GHz + quad Kryo cores, 1.9 GHz) | |
| Graphics controller | Adreno 506, 650 MHz | Adreno 530, 624 MHz | ARM Mali-G71 MP8, 850 MHz | Adreno 540, 710 MHz | Adreno 540, 710 MHz |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB (6 GB version available) | 6 GB | 6/8 GB |
| Flash memory | 32/64 GB | 32 GB | 64 GB (there is a version with 128 GB) | 64/128 GB | 64/128 GB |
| Memory card support | Eat | Eat | Eat | No | No |
| Connectors | USB Type-C, 3.5 mm mini-jack | USB Type-C | USB Type-C, 3.5 mm mini-jack | USB Type-C | USB Type-C, 3.5 mm mini-jack |
| SIM cards | Two nano-SIMs | Two nano-SIMs | Two nano-SIMs | Two nano-SIMs | Two nano-SIMs |
| Cellular connection 2G | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz CDMA 800, 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz CDMA 800 |
| Cellular 3G | UMTS/HSPA+ 850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz | HSDPA 850/900/1900/2100 | HSDPA 850/900/1900/2100 | HSDPA 850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz | |
| Cellular 4G | LTE Cat. 7 (300/150 Mbps): bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 41, 66 | LTE Cat. 9 (up to 450 Mbit/s): bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28 | LTE Cat. 6 (300/50 Mbit/s): bands 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | LTE Cat. 16 (1000/150 Mbit/s): bands 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE Cat. 12 (600/150 Mbps): bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40 , 41, 66 |
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| NFC | Eat | Eat | Eat | Eat | Eat |
| Navigation | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS (BeiDou and Galileo are implemented by the chipset, but not declared) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo |
| Sensors | Illumination, proximity, accelerometer/gyroscope, magnetometer (digital compass), ultrasonic | Light, proximity, accelerometer/gyroscope, magnetometer (digital compass), IR sensor | Light, proximity, accelerometer/gyroscope, magnetometer (digital compass), barometer, IR sensor | Illumination, proximity, accelerometer/gyroscope, magnetometer (digital compass) | |
| Fingerprint's scanner | Eat | Eat | Eat | Eat | Eat |
| Main camera | 12 MP, ƒ/1.7, hybrid autofocus, dual LED flash, 4K video recording | 13 MP, ƒ/1.8, contrast autofocus with laser illumination, LED flash | Dual module, 20 + 12 MP, ƒ/2.2, hybrid autofocus, dual LED flash | Dual module, 12 MP: 27 mm, ƒ/1.8 + 52 mm, ƒ/2.6 (2x zoom); Optical stabilizer operates at wide angles; phase detection autofocus, dual LED flash | Dual module, 16 + 20 MP, ƒ/1.7 + ƒ/2.6, contrast autofocus on the wide-angle module + phase detection autofocus on the telephoto module, dual LED flash |
| Front-camera | 4 MP, fixed focus, flash | 5 MP, fixed focus, flash | 8 MP, ƒ/2.4, fixed focus | 8 MP, fixed focus | 16 MP, fixed focus |
| Nutrition | Non-removable battery: 11.4 Wh (3000 mAh, 3.8 V) | Non-removable battery 9.88 Wh (2600 mAh, 3.8 V) | Non-removable battery 12.16 Wh (3200 mAh, 3.8 V) | Non-removable 12.73 Wh battery (3350 mAh, 3.8 V) | Non-removable battery: 12.54 Wh (3300 mAh, 3.8 V) |
| Size | 156.2 × 76.2 × 5.99 mm | 155.3 × 75.3 × 5.19 mm | 147.3 x 70.9 x 7.45 mm | 145.2 x 70.5 x 7.45 mm | 154.2 × 74.1 × 7.25 mm |
| Weight | 145 grams | 136 grams | 155 grams | 168/182 grams (regular/ceramic version) | 153 grams |
| Housing protection | Splash protection | Splash protection | No | Splash protection | No |
| operating system | Android 7.1.1 Nougat | Android 6.0 Marshmallow | Android 7.0 Nougat, EMUI shell | Android 7.1.1 Nougat, MIUI shell | Android 7.1.1 Nougat, OxygenOS shell |
| Current price | 34,990 rubles (for 4/64 GB version) | 40,000 rubles | 26,990 rubles | 29,990 rubles | 32,000-36,000 rubles |
⇡ Appearance, ergonomics and software
Making a phone with your own face today is a real feat. The days of the RAZR or N98 are long gone, experiments with form are crushed by a huge touch display - the space for designers to express themselves is reduced to some tiny details. Nevertheless, compared to the general (especially Chinese) background, Moto is doing very well with this.
The main thing that distinguishes the latest generations of older Moto smartphones is their thinness: less than six millimeters on average without taking into account the additional cover. Well, it has a very unique appearance “out of the box” - with open contacts on the rear panel. The smartphone looks like a model for assembly, and not a final device, which, however, is not far from the truth, given the modular concept.
It is not necessary to use Moto Mods - you can simply cover the back panel with a replaceable cover. This is also nice - I don’t think that many people will regularly buy new covers for themselves to refresh their impressions of their own smartphone, but the opportunity to immediately choose, for example, a back panel “like wood” or with some kind of print is very Fine.
Replaceable modules, like covers, are attached to the back with magnets - in one movement and very securely. Realized great.
Other distinctive features of the Z2 Play: a round main camera unit with an integrated lens and dual flash, as well as a flash for the front camera on the front panel - a rarity these days. An oval key with touch rather than mechanical control and a fingerprint scanner integrated into it will not surprise anyone today. You can also note the absence of a visible grille for the main speaker - the conversational speaker takes the rap for two here, and I wouldn’t say that this is such a brilliant solution.
Moto Z2 Play, rear panel: camera unit with lens and dual flash, microphone at the bottom
But there is a mini-jack, which tragically disappeared from the Moto Z. In the end, we are talking about the Play version - it is still simpler, it should not make user revolutions. It's still more convenient to live with a mini-jack - that's why it's here. And those who want to proudly stand at the forefront of progress can choose flagship devices.
Brand new for sale:
1. Moto Z2 Play Gold - 14,000 rubles.
2. MOTO Z XT1650-05 Black + GIFTS - 14,000 rub.
3. MOTO G5S XT1799 Black + GIFTS - 8000 rub.
ALL WITHOUT BARGAINING!!!
Motorola smartphones have always stood out from their competitors with their unusual design and special features, and it remains so. Last year, the manufacturer relied on modularity - expanding the functionality of the device through additional accessories, and Moto Z2 Play already belongs to the second generation of modular mid-level smartphones. The device is equipped with a fresh Qualcomm processor, 4/64 GB of memory and a good camera. It already sounds interesting, but if you add the thinnest case and modules, it begins to intrigue.
1. Moto Z2 Play
Moto Z2 Play Specifications
Screen: 5.5", Super AMOLED, 1920x1080, 401 ppi
Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 626, up to 2.2 GHz
Graphics accelerator: Adreno 506
Operating system: Android OS 7.1.1
RAM: 4 GB
Built-in memory: 64 GB
Memory card support: microSDXC up to 2 TB (separate slot)
Communication: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz || UMTS 850/900/1900/2100 MHz || 4G: FDD-LTE B1/B3/B4/B5/B7/B8/B12/B26 TD-LTE B34/B38/B39/B40/B41
SIM: 2x nano-SIM
Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.2 LE, NFC, USB Type-C
Navigation: GPS, GLONASS
Cameras: main - 12 MP (Sony IMX362, f/1.7), front - 5 MP (Omnivision OV5695, f/2.2)
Sensors: light, proximity, accelerometer, compass, microgyroscope, fingerprint sensor
Battery: 3000 mAh, non-removable
Dimensions: 156.2x76.2x5.99 mm
Weight: 145 grams
2. MOTO Z
Dimensions: 75.3 x 153.3 x 5.19 mm
Weight: 136 g
SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8996
Processor: 2x 2.15 GHz Kryo, 2x 1.6 GHz Kryo, Number of cores: 4
GPU: Qualcomm Adreno 530, 624 MHz
RAM: 4 GB, 1866 MHz
Built-in memory: 64 GB
Screen: 5.5 in, AMOLED, 1440 x 2560 pixels, 24 bit
Battery: 2600 mAh, Li-Ion (Lithium-ion)
Operating system: Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
Camera: 4160 x 3120 pixels, 3840 x 2160 pixels, 30 fps
SIM card: Nano-SIM
Wi-Fi: a, b, g, n, n 5GHz, ac, Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct
USB: 2.0, USB Type-C
Bluetooth: 4.1
3. MOTO G5S XT1799
Dimensions: 73.5 x 150 x 9.5 mm
Weight: 157 g
SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 MSM8937
Processor: 4x 1.4 GHz ARM Cortex-A53, 4x 1.1 GHz ARM Cortex-A53, Number of cores: 8
GPU: Qualcomm Adreno 505
RAM: 4 GB, 800 MHz
Built-in memory: 32 GB
Memory cards: microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC
Screen: 5.2 in, IPS, 1080 x 1920 pixels, 24 bit
Battery: 3000 mAh, Li-Ion (Lithium-ion)
Operating system: Android 7.1 Nougat
Camera: 4632 x 3474 pixels, 1920 x 1080 pixels, 30 fps
SIM card: Nano-SIM
Wi-Fi: a, b, g, n, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct
USB: 2.0, Micro USB
Bluetooth: 4.2
Navigation: GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS
There are other phones available from other manufacturers at the lowest price (see my ads
Not long ago, Lenovo bought the rights to use the Motorola brand. At one time, these phones were very popular, surprising users with excellent innovative design and capabilities. The new smartphone released under this brand, called Moto Z2 Play, was no exception. The device is equipped with a powerful processor, a large amount of memory and the ability to use special modules that will expand the functionality of the smartphone. This combination of characteristics undoubtedly arouses the interest of many users, so today we will devote our review to a modular smartphone from Motorola.
Appearance and packaging of Moto Z2 Play
Like most modern smartphones, Moto Z2 Play comes in a cardboard box and has a standard package:
- the phone itself;
- charger with fast charging function;
- wired stereo headset;
- clip;
- additional panel;
- technical documentation.
Most manufacturers of modern smartphones do not deviate from standard manufacturing templates, and each subsequent model is manufactured according to a general pattern. Using an unusual case carries certain risks, so manufacturers strive to standardize the design of their devices. This model was no exception, although it received a number of certain features.
The front panel is protected by 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass, which is designed to preserve the screen and protect it from numerous mechanical damages. At the bottom there is a mechanical control button similar to those used by Samsung. One of the features of this button is that it combines the function of a fingerprint scanner. The sensor works quite quickly, but if your fingers are dirty or wet, problems may arise with their recognition. In addition, long pressing the button locks the phone screen, which also makes working with the smartphone easier. On top there is a 5 megapixel front camera lens, an earpiece, a flash and a sensor, thanks to which the screen backlight turns on automatically when a hand approaches.
The rear panel houses the main camera lens. Unlike most modern devices, the Motorola Moto Z2 Play smartphone has a huge round module that protrudes from the body for a considerable distance. The solution is quite non-standard, considering the fact that it creates certain inconveniences during use, clinging to pockets or clothes. This defect can be corrected using an additional panel. Also located at the bottom is a contact panel, which is used to connect additional modules. We will dwell on this point in our review later.
At the top end the manufacturer placed a compartment for 2 SIM cards and a memory card. At the bottom there is a USB-C 3.1 connector for connecting the power cable and a standard headphone input.
The main feature of the Moto Z2 Play smartphone is its thickness. It is, as we have already said, only 5.99 millimeters. The previous model was also quite thin, but this time the smartphone exceeded all expectations. As for other parameters: length - 156.2, width - 76.2. The weight of the smartphone is only 145 grams, which is achieved through the combined use of metal and plastic. The smartphone comes in two colors: lunar gray and gold. The colors are quite restrained.
Moto Z2 Play display
Lenovo has equipped its Moto Z2 Play smartphone with a modern Super AMOLED screen with the most popular diagonal today - 5.5 inches. The display has FullHD resolution (1920x1080). The use of Super AMOLED technology gives the screen the following advantages:
- excellent color rendition and support for up to 16 million colors;
- good pixel density (401 ppi), which ensures excellent picture quality;
- decent viewing angles;
- high energy efficiency.
Among the interesting features of the screen is the presence of the “Moto display” function. It allows the user to view notifications and time without activating the screen backlight. The use of this technology increases the battery life of the device.
Moto Z2 Play Specifications
Despite the fact that this device is available with several hardware options, only the version with 4 gigabytes of RAM and 64 gigabytes of built-in memory will be presented to the Russian market. Memory expansion is possible through the use of a flash card, the volume of which can be up to 2 terabytes.
The Motorola Mobile Computing system is responsible for the data processing speed of the device. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 processor has 8 active cores with a frequency of up to 2.2 GHz. This chipset can hardly be called powerful and fast, since it is only a slightly overclocked version of the 625. However, in combination with a large amount of RAM, the Moto Z2 Play smartphone shows good performance and multitasking. Graphic information is processed by the Adreno 506 accelerator. In general, it is a weak representative of its class. You shouldn't expect outstanding performance from him.
The device was tested on the following games:
- Doodle Jump;
- Lara Croft
- Godfire: Rise of Prometheus;
- World of Tanks Blitz.
The operating system is Android version 7.1.1 without any third-party shell. The system is completely cleared of any third-party interference, thereby giving the user the opportunity to either enjoy a clean version or independently change it at will. The menu allows you to configure voice commands to control your smartphone, but traditionally there is no support for the Russian language.
In general, the operating system works very quickly, without brakes or lags, there are flexible options for customization and adjustment to your own needs. To summarize, we can say that in terms of performance, the Moto Z2 Play has good characteristics.
Multimedia capabilities of Moto Z2 Play
The phone is equipped with one speaker. The sound is not particularly loud, but quite clear. At high volumes the speaker does not wheeze, no extraneous noise was noticed. Listening to music through high-quality headphones is a pleasure. The sound will pleasantly surprise even the most arrogant music lovers.
The manufacturer did not focus on the camera. There are two of them:
- 12 megapixel main;
- 5 megapixel front.
The front camera is also simple. If the main camera uses a Sony IMX362 Exmor RS sensor, then the front camera uses an OmniVision OV5693. One of the advantages is the presence of a flash. For lovers of selfies at night, this will be a nice addition. Pictures are taken with a maximum resolution of 2592x1944, and video - 1920x1080.
Moto Z2 Play: overview of wireless interfaces
This model includes the following wireless modules:
- Wi-Fi 802.11 (2.4/5 GHz);
- Bluetooth 4.2LE;
- A-GPS;
- GLONASS.
Moto Z2 Play smartphone in offline mode
Let's finish our review of the Motorola Moto Z2 Play with its battery life characteristics. Compared to the previous version, the new device has lost battery capacity. It now has a rather modest 3000 mAh. Capacity had to be sacrificed for the sake of even an overly thin body.
However, it should be noted that the small battery shows excellent battery life:
- 6 hours of screen operation;
- 14 hours of video at full brightness with maximum resolution;
- 12 hours of work with games.
Moto Z2 Play Modules
The most important feature of the device is the presence of plug-ins. The company plans to support the model by releasing new, more interesting additions. They are not included in the package and will have to be purchased separately. Now we will look at 4 main modules, but others are also available for sale:
- Hasselblad True Zoom. This module is simply indispensable for those who like to use a smartphone as a camera. This photo module allows you to turn your phone into a real camera with 10x zoom. A company that specializes in the production of photographic equipment is responsible for the development. Hasselblad True Zoom is additionally equipped with a xenon flash, as well as optical zoom. Its dimensions are 152.3x72.9x9–15.1 mm, and its weight is 145 grams. When using it, the device becomes almost 3 times thicker. Activation occurs in a few seconds. The module has a traditional camera button arrangement. Shooting takes place through a standard application. The main advantage of the addition is the presence of zoom and optical stabilization. Thanks to its use, the final photos are a solid 5-star. Of course, it cannot be compared with SLR cameras, but the functionality of the base camera increases significantly. One of the disadvantages is the lack of its own battery. It is worth noting that 100 shots consumes approximately 30 percent of the total battery charge of the Moto Z2 Play smartphone. Not such a bad indicator.
- Insta-Share Projector. This module turns your smartphone into a full-fledged projector that can project images on a screen up to 70 inches. Its dimensions are 153x74x11 mm, and its weight is 125 grams. The possibilities are quite sufficient for home use. In a dark room, the screen brightness (nominal 50 lumens) is sufficient and you can comfortably watch movies and videos. Contrast - 400 to 1. The lamp is designed for 10 thousand hours. The module has its own 1100 mAh battery, which is enough to continuously project video for 1 hour. No additional application installation required. Install Insta-Share Projector, place it in front of the screen, focus and enjoy the picture that appears. The add-on will automatically adjust the image.
- JBL Soundboost 2. It is a portable speaker for the Moto Z2 Play smartphone. The volume reserve of standard speakers is clearly not enough, so for those who like to listen to music on the street, in nature, or in an apartment with friends, this module is a must-have. Its volume can be up to 80 dB. Frequency range from 200 Hz to 20 kHz. There is a built-in battery with a capacity of 1000 mAh, which is enough for 10 hours of continuous operation. The quality of the music is sufficient, however, at maximum volume there is still some wheezing. The total power of the speakers is 6 W. Dimensions of JBL Soundboost 2 are 152x73x14.5 mm, and weight is 135 grams. There is splash protection.
- Moto Turbo Power Pack. External battery 3000 mAh. The module itself has an acceptable size and, unlike a portable speaker, does not make the smartphone bulky. But it will double the battery life. The only downside is the need to disconnect the module for charging. It is not possible to charge the main and additional batteries at the same time. There is support for fast charging function.
Moto Z2 Play: price, pros and cons
To summarize the review, I would like to note that in the standard configuration, the obvious advantages of the smartphone can only be considered an unusual design, a high-quality screen and 4 gigabytes of RAM.
Among the striking disadvantages are:
- average productivity by modern standards;
- fairly weak standard cameras;
- battery with a small capacity.
The recommended price of Moto Z2 Play in Russia is 35,000 rubles. It’s far from the most budget option, since among Chinese analogues you can find devices with higher quality hardware. Whether the modular functionality of a smartphone is worth that kind of money is up to you to decide. Although the Moto Z2 Play had a release date in Russia back in June. Most of the modules are still not on sale, which is also not very encouraging. If necessary, they can be ordered from foreign online stores. More information about the device in the video below:
Moto Z2 Play, a mid-range smartphone from Lenovo, is thinner and lighter than last year's predecessor, while inheriting its main feature - support for replaceable modules that are “magnetized” to the rear panel. Let's find out in the review whether the manufacturer managed not to spoil last year's successful "recipe", and whether the price of the Moto Z2 Play corresponds to its characteristics and capabilities.
The Moto Z line of smartphones announced last year (see our reviews and) Moto Z2 Play, which also supports work with replaceable Moto Mods. These “attachments” add new functions to the devices included in the Moto Z family, but instead of them you can also attach a variety of decorative panels. The accessory attached to the rear panel of the case is fixed with built-in magnets, and the necessary communication between the replaceable module and the smartphone is carried out through a special interface. The first Moto Mods collection consisted of replaceable panels, a photo module, an additional battery, a stereo speaker system and a projector. Now it includes a gaming module, a 360-degree camera, a second version of the speaker system, as well as fast and wireless charging. In August, Moto Z2 Play will debut on the Russian market.
Moto Z2 Play review: technical specifications
- Model: Moto Z2 Play (XT1710-07)
- OS: Android 7.1.1 (Nougat)
- Processor: 8-core, 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 (MSM8953 Pro), ARM Cortex-A53, up to 2.2 GHz, DSP Hexagon 546
- Graphics coprocessor: Adreno 506 (650 MHz)
- RAM: 4 GB LPDDR3 (933 MHz)
- Built-in memory: 64 GB, UHS-I memory card slot microSD/HC/XC (up to 2 TB)
- Screen: 5.5 inches, Super AMOLED, Full HD (1920x1080 pixels), 401 ppi, up to 10 simultaneous touches, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protective glass
- Main camera: 12 MP (pixel size 1.4 microns), f/1.7 aperture, phase detection (Dual Pixel technology) and laser autofocus (5 m), dual LED flash (CCT), 720p@120 fps, 1080p@60 fps, 4K (2160p)@30 fps
- Front camera: 5 MP (1.4 µm pixel size), f/2.2 aperture, wide-angle lens, fixed focus, dual LED flash (CCT), 720p@120 fps, 1080p@30 fps
- Network: GSM/GPRS/EDGE, UMTS HSPA+, 4G LTE Band
- SIM card type: nanoSIM (4FF)
- Number of SIM cards: two, Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS)
- Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.2 LE + EDR, NFC, USB Type-C (USB 3.1, USB-OTG), 3.5 mm for audio headsets (CTIA TRRS), connector for connecting Moto Mods
- Navigation: GPS/GLONASS, A-GPS
- Radio: FM tuner
- Sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, light and proximity sensors, fingerprint scanner
- Battery: non-removable, lithium-ion, 3,000 mAh, supports TurboPower fast charging (50% charge in 30 minutes)
- Case feature: water-repellent nano-coating
- Dimensions: 156.2x76.2x5.99 mm
- Weight: 145 grams
- Color: dark grey, gold, silver
Moto Z2 Play review: design, ergonomics
There have been no significant transformations in the design of the Moto Z2 Play compared to . However, there are a number of features that are worth paying attention to.
So, having practically not changed in terms of dimensions (156.2x76.2 mm versus 156.4x76.4), the new product managed to lose 1 mm in thickness (5.99 mm versus 6.99 mm), while its weight decreased even more noticeable - 145 g versus 165 g.
While retaining the Corning Gorilla Glass 3 to protect the screen, the glass surface on the back has now been abandoned.
Radio transparency for the antennas is ensured by a continuous strip along the perimeter, which looks quite unusual. The matte water-repellent coating is designed to create a barrier that prevents small amounts of moisture from entering the device. For Moto Z2 Play, there are already three color options - dark gray, gold and silver. Among other external differences, it is worth mentioning the new shape of the touch pad of the fingerprint scanner, which from square has become more elongated, almost oval. By the way, the scanner pad can be used for navigation instead of the usual on-screen buttons.
So, the front side of the new smartphone, including the screen, is completely covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 with an oleophobic coating.
Around the speaker slot there is an LED flash (left), a front camera (right), as well as light and proximity sensors (right). The flash is now dual - CCT (Color Correlated Temperature), that is, it provides more natural lighting when shooting. The speaker, as before, appears in two guises - as a “conversational” and “multimedia” speaker.
The on-screen buttons ("Back", "Home" and "Recent Applications") are designed as triangle, circle and square icons.
The hole for the “conversational” microphone remains on the insert under the screen, to the left of the fingerprint scanner area.
The left edge of the body is usually empty.
And on the right edge there are separate, unusually small, volume keys, as well as a power/lock button with raised notches that allow you to distinguish it by touch. But the volume up and down buttons are quite easy to confuse with each other.
At the bottom end, where the symmetrical USB Type-C connector is located (with support for the high-speed version of the USB 3.1 interface), there were no “sacrifices”, retaining the 3.5 mm audio headset connector. On a thin smartphone, in modern times, this is almost an achievement.
The upper end remained unchanged, which was occupied by a second microphone and a closed slot. In it, on a special tray, on one side there are places for two subscriber identification modules of the nanoSIM format (4FF), and on the other - for a microSD memory card. Such a solution could well serve as an example for other manufacturers, who often “save money” by using a combined slot for memory expansion.
The back panel of the smartphone is traditionally decorated with the Motorola graphic logo.
In its lower part, in addition to the proprietary connector for connecting replaceable Moto Mods modules, there was a hole for a third microphone,
and at the top there is a place to place the main photo module. At the same time, the latter protrudes noticeably above the plane of the rear panel. In addition to the lens itself, the photo module also includes a laser rangefinder and dual LED flash (CCT). The NFC antenna area is located right in the area of the photo module.
Thanks to the “rounded” design of the case, the Moto Z2 Play smartphone fits quite comfortably in the hand even without a removable back panel. Some people, of course, may be confused by the defiantly convex photo module and the conspicuous golden contacts of the connector for Moto Mods. But this is purely a matter of taste. In addition, the matte back panel of the Moto Z2 Play is not easily soiled.
But you have to pay for the installation of replaceable modules by increasing the weight and overall thickness of the device.
Moto Z2 Play review: screen
The new smartphone, like its predecessor, was equipped with a 5.5-inch screen based on a Super AMOLED matrix, while maintaining Full HD resolution (1920x1080 pixels). Thus, the dots per inch density is 401 ppi. The economical power consumption of this type of display undoubtedly contributes to the overall energy saving of the smartphone. Let us also recall that the screen protection is provided by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, and the oleophobic coating applied to it facilitates easy removal of grease stains. The ratio of the screen area to the front surface of the smartphone is about 70%.
AntTuTu Tester and MultiTouch Tester programs were able to recognize ten simultaneous clicks on a capacitive touch screen. The backlight level can be adjusted manually or automatically (the "Auto-brightness" option). With minimum screen backlighting, it is quite comfortable to read in the dark, and at maximum, the image can be seen even in sunlight.
The size of interface elements on the screen is set in the section of the same name. Separate font size adjustment is also complemented by its preview. The settings provide two display modes. In “Normal” the colors look calm and warm, but the choice of “Vivid” responds with the richer shades inherent in the Super AMODED display. Activating the Moto Display option allows you to display the battery charge level, current time and date, as well as various notifications on the locked screen. To see this information, you need to take the device in your hand or bring your palm to its display.
Moto Z2 Play review: cameras
Recently, many manufacturers have stopped mindlessly chasing simply increasing the number of megapixels in the cameras of their smartphones. For example, the photo module of the Moto Z2 Play was equipped with a 12-megapixel sensor. While a year ago we settled on a 16-megapixel sensor. Note that the relatively large pixel size (1.4 microns) increases the chances of good shooting in low light.
Returning to the main camera of the Moto Z2 Play, we note that it has a dual-tone LED flash (CCT), a lens with a large f/1.7 aperture, as well as phase detection and laser (infrared) autofocus. At the same time, phase detection autofocus uses Dual Pixel technology. As is known, in this case one image element consists of two parts (hence the name), both of which are used both for phase focusing and for obtaining the picture itself. The maximum resolution of the main camera is achieved with the classic aspect ratio (4:3) and is 4032x3024 pixels (12 MP), and with widescreen (16:9) - 4032x2268 pixels (9.1 MP). Examples of photos can be viewed.
What is known about the front camera of the Moto Z2 Play is that it has a wide-angle lens with an f/2.2 aperture and a fixed focus, and the pixel size on the matrix is also 1.4 microns. Yes, and it has a double LED flash. The maximum resolution of a selfie with a classic aspect ratio (4:3) is 2592x1944 pixels (5 MP), and a widescreen groupie (16:9) is 2592x1458 pixels (3.8 MP).
The main camera can record videos in 4K resolution (3840x2160 pixels) at a frame rate of 30 fps. In addition, Full HD@60 fps mode was added to it. But the front camera is limited in quality (1920x1080 pixels)@30 fps. Both photo modules are designed to shoot slow-motion video at 720p@120 fps (1280x720 pixels). All content is saved in MP4 container files (AVC - video, AAC - audio).
The interface of the Camera application, compared to , has not changed at all. You can take a photo either by touching the screen anywhere, or by tapping on the “Shutter” icon. To the right of this button there is an icon for selecting the current mode - “Photo”, “Video”, “Panorama”, “Slow motion” and “Professional mode”.
In the “pro” case, the orbital settings independently set the values of ISO, shutter speed, exposure levels, white balance and focus. At the same time, both cameras have an Auto HDR option. You can change the scale (x1-x8) on the viewfinder by moving your finger up or down on the display. Swiping left takes the screen to the photo gallery. Swiping right opens the settings panel. The Quick Capture option allows you to open the Camera app or switch from the main to the front camera (and vice versa). To do this, you need to quickly turn your wrist with your smartphone twice. To adjust focus and exposure, drag the “clip” on the viewfinder to the desired location, where the control can easily adjust the brightness (exposure) of the picture.
Moto Z2 Play review: sound
The good sound quality of the speaker, which acts as a “conversational” and “multimedia” speaker, has been preserved in the Moto Z2 Play. The smartphone still does not have its own audio player; you have to use “Play Music”. Interestingly, an FM tuner has appeared that can record stereo broadcasts in AAC format (44.1 kHz, 2 channels). When wired headphones are connected, the output automatically switches to them. However, you can listen to the radio through the speaker.
Well, the best way to enjoy your favorite tracks is through the replaceable JBL SoundBoost/SoundBoost 2 speaker module,
the first version of which came to us for testing along with a smartphone.
Let us remind you that this device has two dynamic emitters (the diameter of each is 27 mm), and the total power reaches 6 W (2x3 W). The capacity of the built-in battery (1,000 mAh) provides battery life up to 10 hours.
The overall dimensions and weight of the JBL SoundBoost are 152x73x13 mm and 145 g, but the second version (JBL SoundBoost 2) is 1.5 mm thicker and 10 g lighter. Externally, the updated device can be distinguished by its color scheme, water-repellent nanocoating, and, most importantly, by the different, non-circular shape of the hole for the main photo module.
JBL SoundBoost connects and is recognized almost instantly. There were no problems playing music during testing. In general, a worthy alternative to a portable speaker. It's just a shame that the first version of this replacement accessory doesn't work with the My JBL SoundBoost 2 app.
Moto Z2 Play review: hardware, performance
Only a small step has been taken in updating the basic platform of the Moto Z2 Play. Thus, the 8-core 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 (MSM8953) chip was replaced with a slightly faster Snapdragon 626 (MSM8953 Pro).
ARM Cortex-A53 cores can now be clocked at 2.2 GHz instead of 2.0 GHz. At the same time, the Adreno 506 graphics accelerator remains the same. The same X9 LTE modem provides data transmission LTE Cat.7/13 (300/150 Mbit/s) and work with Wi-Fi networks up to the ac standard. The basic configuration of the Moto Z2 Play (model XT1710-07) is supplemented with 4 GB of LPDDR3 RAM (933 MHz).
On basic synthetic tests, the Moto Z2 Play achieved good but average results. Note, for example, that on the High Performance and High Quality settings of the Epic Citadel visual test, the frame rate remained virtually unchanged.
The new smartphone (model XT1710-07) has 64 GB of internal memory. To expand this storage, the Moto Z2 Play has dedicated space for a microSD/HC/XC memory card up to 2TB. In addition, thanks to the support of USB-OTG technology, it is easy to connect USB flash drives to the device.
Two nanoSIM (4FF) format subscriber identification modules are connected to one radio module and operate in DSDS (Dual SIM Dual Standby) mode. The set of 4G frequency bands includes the required “three cards” - “three” (B3, 1,800 MHz), “seven” (B7, 2,600 MHz) and “ace” (B20, 800 MHz). Among other wireless communications, we note the Wi-Fi module 802.11 a/b/g/n/ (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), as well as Bluetooth 4.2 LE + EDR and NFC interfaces.
The NFC interface allows you to use the Android Pay service, and its support for Mifare Classic technology makes it possible to find out the balances of Troika and Strelka transport cards.
GPS and GLONASS satellite systems are used for positioning and navigation. A-GPS mode (coordination over cellular and Wi-Fi networks) is also supported.
The elegant body of the smartphone made itself felt - the capacity of the non-removable battery was reduced to 3,000 mAh. Let us remember that this parameter is 3,510 mAh. Thanks to TurboPower technology, in just 15 minutes the Moto Z2 Play battery is filled enough to power the smartphone for 8 hours. The kit comes with a 15-watt charger, rated for a current of 3 A, with a cable firmly attached. At the same time, the empty “tank” is filled approximately halfway in 30 minutes. According to the manufacturer, a 100% charged battery will last for 30 hours of phone calls.
The AnTuTu Tester battery testing program showed a very good result of 13,559 points. At the same time, every hour of continuous video playback (in MP4 format with hardware decoding in Full HD quality and at full brightness) reduced the battery charge by 7.5-8% (within 7 hours). This result, of course, is somewhat worse than that (6% per hour), but is also impressive.
The power saving mode in a smartphone, as usual, is activated, either forcefully or automatically, when the battery charge level is 5% or 15%.
Moto Z2 Play Review: Software Features
The Moto Z2 Play smartphone runs Android 7.1.1 (Nougat) operating system without any frills on top of its interface.
Using a fingerprint scanner (after registering a fingerprint, of course), you can conveniently lock and unlock your smartphone.
The Moto app supports gestures and voice commands, and manages on-screen notifications using the Moto Display option. At the same time, activating the night mode adds warm tones to the image on the screen. Voice commands (“Moto Voice”) like “Show weather forecast” or “Show Chrome” weren’t too impressive, but I liked the navigation (“Moto Actions”) using the fingerprint scanner pad.
Thus, the transition to the main screen is performed by quickly touching the capacitive pad, the “Back” button is replaced by moving your finger from right to left, and to view “Recent Applications” you need, on the contrary, to swipe your finger from left to right.
Moto Z2 Play review: purchase, conclusions
The Moto Z2 Play differs from its predecessor in appearance with a thinner and lighter body. Moreover, even with a reduced battery capacity, this device managed to maintain good autonomy. Its undoubted advantages also include the ability to connect replaceable Moto Mods, TurboPower fast charging, separate trays for two SIM cards and a memory card, and, in addition, the latest version of Android OS (Nougat).
Having lost, in comparison with , in autonomy, the updated smartphone, unfortunately, did not rise much in terms of performance. Judging by the characteristics, Moto Z2 Play belongs to the middle class, which cannot be said about its price at the start of sales - 34,990 rubles. For that kind of money you can find a worthy rival in Russian retail. For example, for the ZTE Axon 7 4GB/64GB with a 5.5-inch AMOLED screen released a year ago, large retail chains asked for the same amount (at the time of testing the Moto Z2 Play), and the average price on Yandex.Market was generally 27 940 rubles. Although the body of the ZTE Axon 7 is not so elegant (7.9 mm thick), it has a more powerful processor (Qualcomm Snapdragon 820), higher screen resolution (2560x1440 pixels), a larger battery (3,250 mAh), and a main camera ( 20 MP, f/1.8) with optical stabilization.
True, the ZTE Axon 7, as well as other competitors of the Moto Z2 Play, does not accept replaceable modules. But it is precisely such accessories that allow you to quickly customize a smartphone to suit the user’s current needs - autonomy, music, photos, games, etc. So in promoting the Moto Z2 Play on the market, much will probably depend not only on the price of replacement modules, but also on their wide availability.
Review results of the Moto Z2 Play smartphone
Pros:
- Thin and light body
- Connecting Moto Mods
- Good autonomy
- TurboPower fast charging
- Separate trays for two SIM cards and a memory card
- Latest version of Android OS (Nougat) and Moto software
Minuses:
- Average performance
- Autonomy is worse than its predecessor
- High price at the start of sales
