Motorola unveiled the Moto Z2 Play smartphone and several new MotoMods. Motorola Moto Z2 Play review and benchmarks. Smartphone Swiss knife Motorola z2 with replaceable modules

Moto Mods are not a thing of the past - the topic is evolving, new modules are being developed, Motorola is already releasing the second generation of smartphones that support Mods. But modules are modules, I will talk about them in a separate article. Today we will see what it is.

Motorola Moto Z2 Play video review

Thanks to the coworking TOLOKA for the shooting location:

Equipment

Motorola Moto Z2 Play comes in a striking red cardboard box. This is the first time I really like the box of the device. It is well designed and easy to open. And in general, it is made very stylishly, so the Z2 Play captivates as soon as you take the box in your hands.

The set is quite standard: a cable and a fast charging unit, a clip for removing the SIM card slot, documentation and a nice bonus in the form of a fabric cover (or the so-called pad).

Other stylish covers can be purchased separately for about $ 15. It's nice to be able to match the design of your smartphone to, say, the color of your shoes, and removable covers will help you with that. True, they do not sit tightly enough. The overlay in my copy has a slight backlash, but due to the pettiness of the lack, the irritation from it only grows.

Design and ergonomics

The days when it was possible to express oneself with the help of the phone's appearance are long gone. It is extremely difficult to do something really new, while keeping up with modern trends. But Moto, at least somehow stands out from the general background.

The new Z2 Play is similar to its predecessorMoto Z Play first generation... But the novelty is thinner by almost two millimeters and lost 20 grams in weight. Because of this, I had to "tighten the belt" on the battery. In general, when examining the front, you will not immediately understand which Moto you have in front of your eyes, and we are not only talking about the Play line, the smartphone looks non-standard compared to the "Chinese", but standard for the Moto brand.

First impressions of the Moto Z2 Play: the case is really very thin, the metal cools the hand, the matte back is beautiful, the gloss of the front glass is tempting. Well what can I say? Nice, nice, I like it.

The fingerprint scanner has become a little neater, personally I prefer its rounded shape rather than the square one like last year. Above the screen there is a flash, an earpiece and a front camera, under the screen there is a fingerprint scanner and a microphone. The transition between the glass of the front part and the metal of the side faces is still a little sharp, but already better and much smoother than, say, y.

On the right side are the volume keys and the power button. The buttons are quite small, but easy to use. The left side is empty.

On the upper edge, you will find a slot for SIM cards and memory cards. It can simultaneously install two NanoSIMs and a microSD memory card. At the bottom there is a USB Type C charging connector and a mini-jack for headphones. There is a thin plastic insert along the perimeter of the rear panel, which is necessary for the operation of the antennas of the wireless modules.

The back itself is metal, matte, and well, very pleasant to the touch. The round peephole of the camera with the flash protrudes quite strongly from the body, but with the cover all its bulge disappears. Although I fell in love with the smartphone in its original form.

There is a glossy Moto logo under the camera peephole. At the bottom there are bare pins for connecting modules. In general, the design turned out to be really pleasant and stylish, despite the fact that we are facing a smartphone-constructor and its functionality still slightly prevails over the design.

Screen

Motorola Moto Z2 Play received a screen similar to its predecessor in terms of characteristics: Super AMOLED, 5.5-inch diagonal, Full HD resolution, Gorilla Glass 3. Viewing angles, contrast and color reproduction of the display are excellent. Auto brightness control works correctly, and its range is large enough both for reading books at night and for using a smartphone outside on a bright sunny day.

As with other Moto, there is an Active Display feature that activates the screen when you pick up your smartphone or swipe your palm over it. The time, date, battery charge and notification icons are displayed. I especially liked the night mode in Moto, I always have it on, I really love warm colors. Also in the settings you can play with the screen temperature, white balance and adjust the color rendition for yourself.

As for me, the screen in the Motorola Moto Z2 Play is excellent, but there is always something to strive for.

Camera

Moto Z2 Play received an updated main camera module - it uses a sensor with a resolution of 12 megapixels (f / 1.7). The front module has retained the "old" characteristics: 5 Mp, f / 2.2.

The main camera in good daylight takes really high-quality photos, which made me very happy as an amateur to take pictures everywhere, always and under any conditions. Here, the color rendition is good and the detailing is not bad.

There are no bells and whistles, such as the depth of field mode in the Z2 Play, but, frankly, it's good without it. I don't really understand the hype around this feature in smartphones. After all, the bokeh effect now actually works very primitively, a similar result can be achieved with the help of simple applications for post-processing photos.

The "front-facing" in Motorola Moto Z2 Play is juicy, you won't be left without good selfies, I guarantee.

And Moto Mods' accessories were the most practical approach to the concept of modular smartphones of any existing, but even they failed to create a stir.

Amid all the hype around the modules, one of the best smartphones of last year, the mid-priced Moto Z Play, might have been overlooked. It was not the most stylish smartphone, it didn’t have the fastest processor or the best camera, the screen resolution was also far from record. But it had a record run time, and the rest of the components were good enough for the whole apparatus to be better than the sum of its components. was a hit of 2016 even if you didn't need any modules.

This year, it will be replaced by the Moto Z2 Play smartphone for $ 499. In it, the developers tried to eliminate the weaknesses of the previous version without destroying the charm. It has become thinner, lighter, improved camera, updated design and new software features. This smartphone supports all modules released by Motorola such as extra batteries, projectors, cameras, speakers, etc. The new smartphone can be called a combination of the 2016 Moto Z Play and the flagship Moto Z at an average price between them.

Is the subtlety and lightness of the Moto Z2 Play's design due to the battery capacity?

The Moto Z2 Play is better than the original in almost every way, apart from battery life. However, as a result of this, it does not become worse, which became clear after a week of testing.

Those familiar with last year's smartphone will immediately notice that the new one has become much thinner and lighter. It cannot be called a small smartphone, with a screen diagonal of 5.5 inches, an aspect ratio of 16: 9, so it belongs to large models. At the same time, the thickness of the case is only 6 mm, the device weighs 145 g. The Moto Z2 Play is almost as thin as the flagship Moto Z, an additional 0.7 mm gives space for a headphone jack, which the Moto Z lacks. As a result, the smartphone has become more pleasant to hold in the hand.

The device has become lighter and thinner also due to a 15% more compact battery. As already mentioned, the strongest point of the last year's device was the battery life, now this advantage has become less noticeable. Despite this, the smartphone lasts longer than most others.

The Moto Z2 Play can be used without problems at high levels of stress throughout the day. In this case, the operating time with the screen on can be about 6 hours, you do not need to connect the device to an outlet in the middle of the day. Many other smartphones ask for recharging after 3-4 hours of use, so the Z2 Play is much better than average. If you don't use your smartphone all the time, it can easily last two days.

Thus, the operating time did not suffer critically, but the smartphone became more elegant. Support for Moto Mods allows you to install the new TurboPower Pack with built-in battery and extend the life of your device.

Motorola also made other hardware improvements. The look of the smartphone is not much different from last year's, as Moto Mods require consistent smartphone design, but the Moto Z2 Play still feels more polished and refined. The back glass surface, which was often scratched and damaged, has been replaced with a more durable and attractive metal finish, and the front fingerprint scanner has become larger.

The developers also improved the cameras, they got better lenses and faster focusing. Despite this, the level of image processing does not match the capabilities of the Pixel, iPhone or. The camera on the Z2 Play can experience high contrast issues, and the lack of OIS degrades performance in low light. The camera is good, but not great.

Performance, camera and display are "great"

In the application space, Motorola has been using a near-pure version of Android for a long time, with only a few tweaks. The Moto Z2 Play supports a number of gestures, such as double-tap to turn on the flashlight or double-turn to activate the camera. The Moto Display function displays the time and notifications when you pick up your smartphone or wave your palm in front of it, there is also a battery indicator and the ability to respond to notifications without having to unlock the screen. You can reply to a text message with text or voice directly through the Moto Display.

The new voice control is great, the fingerprint scanner is slightly less

Slightly less useful seems to be the new fingerprint sensor gestures, which are intended to replace the on-screen Home, Back and Recent Apps buttons. Clicking on the scanner takes you to the home screen, a gesture to the left means Back, to the right opens the list of applications. Everything would be fine if these gestures were easy to perform. Often times you want to make one gesture and another works. For this reason, by default, these gestures are disabled and you can use the traditional on-screen buttons. Developers could use areas next to the fingerprint reader for the Back buttons and recent apps, as some other manufacturers do.

Last year's Moto Z Play was so compelling as it offered solid performance, good software, and a decent camera in addition to great battery life. In the new smartphone, this ratio has changed slightly. The operating time has decreased, the camera has improved, but in general all the advantages of the smartphone remain the same. This is a smartphone with a high level of performance, all the basic components work as they should, there are no frills and the price is at an acceptable level.

On the other hand, there are other interesting options for $ 500. A budget smartphone can not be called in any way; rather, it is closer in price to flagship models, which have better screens and appearance. This is especially noticeable when buying in installments, when the amount of the monthly payment between the Moto Z2 Play and Galaxy S8 does not differ much.

Regardless, the Moto Z2 Play delivers a great mix of quality components and no frills. Its battery life is longer than that of flagship smartphones. For most users, this will be enough.

Pros of Moto Z2 Play

1. Slim and lightweight design;
2. Battery life;
3. Improvements to the software.

Cons of Moto Z2 Play

1. The camera does not have optical stabilization;
2. Inconvenient fingerprint scanner gestures.

The 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, "magnetized" to the back 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 Moto Z2 Play matches its characteristics and capabilities.

The Moto Z line of smartphones announced last year (see our reviews and) Moto Z2 Play, which also supports plug-in Moto Mods. These add-ons add new features to the Moto Z family, but they can be replaced with a variety of decorative bezels. The accessory attached to the back panel of the case is fixed with built-in magnets, and the necessary communication between the removable module and the smartphone is carried out through a special interface. The first collection of Moto Mods consisted of interchangeable panels, a photo module, an additional battery, an acoustic stereo system and a projector. Now it includes a game 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: 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 slot for memory cards microSD / HC / XC (up to 2 TB)
• Screen: 5.5 inches, Super AMOLED, Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 401 ppi, up to 10 simultaneous touches, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protective glass
• Main camera: 12 MP (pixel size 1.4 μm), f / 1.7 aperture, phase (Dual Pixel technology) and laser autofocus (5 m), dual LED flash (CCT), [email protected] fps, [email protected] fps, 4K (2160p) @ 30 fps
• Front camera: 5 MP (1.4μm pixel size), f / 2.2 aperture, wide-angle lens, fixed focus, dual-LED flash (CCT), [email protected] fps, [email protected] fps
• Network: GSM / GPRS / EDGE, UMTS HSPA +, 4G LTE Band
• SIM 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 Moto Mods
• Navigation: GPS / GLONASS, A-GPS
• Radio: FM tuner
• Sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, light and proximity sensors, fingerprint scanner
• Battery: non-removable, Li-Ion, 3000 mAh, support for 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 gray, golden, silver

Moto Z2 Play review: design, ergonomics

In the design of the Moto Z2 Play, there have been no significant transformations compared to that. However, there are a number of features to look out for.

So, practically unchanged in terms of dimensions in terms of (156.2x76.2 mm versus 156.4x76.4), the novelty managed to drop 1 mm in thickness (5.99 mm versus 6.99 mm), while its weight decreased even more noticeably - 145 g versus 165 g.

While retaining Corning Gorilla Glass 3 to protect the screen, the glass on the back has now been abandoned.

The radio transparency for antennas is provided by a continuous strip along the perimeter, which looks rather unusual. The matt water-repellent coating is designed to create a barrier that prevents small amounts of moisture from entering the interior of the device. For Moto Z2 Play, there are already three color options - dark gray, golden and silver. Among other external differences, it is worth mentioning the new shape of the touch pad of the fingerprint scanner, which from square to 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, they assembled 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, acts in two forms - as "spoken" and "multimedia".

On-screen buttons ("Back", "Home" and "Recent Applications") are made in the form of icons "triangle", "circle" and "square".

The hole for the "spoken" microphone remained on the insert under the screen, to the left of the fingerprint scanner platform.

The left edge of the case is as usual empty.

And on the right edge there are still separate, unusually small, volume control keys, as well as a power / lock button with embossed notches that allow you to distinguish it by touch. But it is quite easy to confuse the volume up and down buttons.

At the bottom end, where the symmetrical USB Type-C connector (with support for the high-speed version of the USB 3.1 interface) is located, there were no "sacrifices", keeping the 3.5-mm audio headset connector. On a thin smartphone, at the present time, this is almost an achievement.

The upper end, which was occupied by the second microphone and the closed slot, remained unchanged. In it, on a special tray, on one side, there are places for two subscriber identification modules of the nanoSIM (4FF) format, and on the other, for a microSD memory card. Such a solution may well serve as an example for other manufacturers, who often "save" by using a combined slot for expanding memory.

The back panel of the smartphone is traditionally decorated with the graphic Motorola logo.

In its lower part, in addition to the proprietary connector for plugging in replaceable Moto Mods modules, there is a hole for a third microphone,

and at the top there is a place for placing 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 area of ​​the NFC antenna is located just in the area of ​​the photo module.

Thanks to the "rounded" design of the case, the Moto Z2 Play smartphone is quite comfortable in the hand, even without the removable back panel. Someone, 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 does not stain at all.

But for the installation of replaceable modules you have to pay with an increase in 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 retaining the Full HD resolution (1920 × 1080 pixels). Thus, the density of dots per inch is 401 ppi. The energy efficient display of this type undoubtedly contributes to the overall energy saving of the smartphone. Recall also that the screen protection is assigned to Corning Gorilla Glass 3, and the oleophobic coating applied to it contributes to the easy removal of fatty stains. The ratio of the area of ​​the screen to the front surface of the smartphone is about 70%.

AntTuTu Tester and MultiTouch Tester were able to recognize ten simultaneous clicks on the capacitive touch screen. The backlight level can be adjusted manually or automatically ("Auto Brightness" option). With the minimum screen backlight, it is quite comfortable to read in the dark, and at the maximum, the image can be viewed even in sunlight.

The size of interface elements on the screen is set in the section of the same name. Separate adjustment of the font size is also supplemented by its preview. There are two display modes in the settings. In "Normal" the colors look calm and warm, but the choice of "Vivid" responds to the richer hues inherent in the Super AMODED display. Activating the Moto Display option allows you to display the battery charge value, the current time and date, and 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 recklessly chasing a simple increase in the number of megapixels in their smartphones' cameras. For example, the Moto Z2 Play photo module 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 low-light performance.

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 aperture of f / 1.7, as well as phase and laser (infrared) autofocus. At the same time, phase detection autofocus uses the technology of "dual pixel" (Dual Pixel). As you know, 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 of the frame (4: 3) and is 4032x3024 pixels (12 MP), and with a widescreen (16: 9) - 4032x2268 pixels (9.1 MP). Examples of photos can be viewed.

The Moto Z2 Play's front camera is known to have an f / 2.2 wide-angle fixed focus lens, with a pixel size of 1.4 microns as well. 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 for a widescreen gruff (16: 9) - 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, the Full mode was added to her. [email protected] fps. But the front camera is limited in quality (1920 x 1080 pixels) @ 30 fps. Both photo modules are designed for shooting slow motion video [email protected] fps (1280x720 pixels). All content is saved in MP4 container files (AVC - video, AAC - sound).

The interface of the "Camera" application, in comparison with, has not changed at all. You can take a picture either by touching the screen anywhere, or by tapping on the "Shutter" icon. To the right of this button, an icon was placed to select the current mode - "Photo", "Video", "Panorama", "Slow motion" and "Professional mode".

In the case of a "pro", the orbital settings independently set the values ​​of ISO, shutter speed, exposure levels, white balance and focus. At the same time, the Auto HDR option is provided for both cameras. You can change the scale (x1-x8) on the viewfinder by moving your finger across the display up or down. Swiping to the left takes the screen to the picture gallery. Swipe to the right opens the settings panel. The Quick Capture option lets you open the Camera app or switch from the main camera to the front camera (and vice versa). To do this, you need to quickly turn your wrist twice with your smartphone. To adjust focus and exposure, the "paperclip" in the viewfinder should be dragged to the desired location, where the control can easily adjust the brightness (exposure) of the picture.

Moto Z2 Play review: sound

The decent sound quality of the speaker, which acts as "spoken" and "multimedia", is preserved in the Moto Z2 Play. The smartphone still lacks its own audio player, so 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 is automatically switched to them. However, you can also listen to the radio through the speaker.

Well, it's best to enjoy your favorite tracks through a replaceable JBL SoundBoost / SoundBoost 2 speaker module,

the first version of which came to our test along with a smartphone.

Recall that this device has two dynamic emitters (each with a diameter of 27 mm), while the total power reaches 6 W (2x3 W). The capacity of the built-in battery (1000 mAh) provides a battery life of up to 10 hours.

The overall dimensions and weight of JBL SoundBoost are 152x73x13 mm and 145 g, while 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 nano-coating, and, most importantly, by a different, non-circular hole shape for the main photo-module.

JBL SoundBoost connects and recognizes almost instantly. During testing, there were no problems with music playback. All in all, a decent alternative to a portable speaker. The only pity is that the first version of this replacement accessory does not work with the My JBL SoundBoost 2 app.

Moto Z2 Play review: stuffing, performance

The Moto Z2 Play has only taken a small step in updating the base platform. So, 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 graphics accelerator Adreno 506 remains the same. All 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 by 4 GB of LPDDR3 RAM (933 MHz).

On the main synthetic benchmarks, the Moto Z2 Play scored good but average results. Note, for example, that the frame rate remained practically unchanged on the High Performance and High Quality settings of the Epic Citadel visual test.

The new smartphone (model XT1710-07) has 64 GB of internal memory on board. To expand this storage, the Moto Z2 Play has a dedicated slot 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 sticks to the device.

Two subscriber identification modules of the nanoSIM (4FF) format are connected to one radio module and operate in DSDS (Dual SIM Dual Standby) mode. In the set of 4G frequency bands, the necessary "three cards" are available - "triple" (B3, 1800 MHz), "seven" (B7, 2600 MHz) and "ace" (B20, 800 MHz). Among other wireless communications, we note the 802.11 a / b / g / n / Wi-Fi module (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 the Troika and Strelka transport cards.

Satellite systems GPS and GLONASS 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. Recall that this parameter is 3 510 mAh. Thanks to TurboPower technology, the Moto Z2 Play's battery fills up in just 15 minutes so it can keep your smartphone running for 8 hours. The set comes with a 15-watt charger, rated for 3 A current, with a "tightly" fixed cable. At the same time, the empty "tank" is filled in about half in 30 minutes. According to the manufacturer, a 100% charged battery will last for 30 hours of phone calls.

The AnTuTu Tester battery test 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% (for 7 hours). This result, of course, is slightly worse than that of (6% per hour), but it is also impressive.

The power saving mode in the smartphone, as usual, is activated, either forcibly or automatically, when the battery 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.

With the help of a fingerprint scanner (after registering the fingerprint, of course), it is convenient to lock and unlock the smartphone.

The Moto app supports gestures and voice commands, and controls 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 the weather forecast" or "Show Chrome" were not very impressive, but I liked the navigation ("Moto Actions") using the fingerprint scanner pad.

So, the transition to the main screen is done with a quick touch of the capacitive pad, the "Back" button replaces the movement of your finger from right to left, and to see "Recent applications" you must, on the contrary, slide your finger from left to right.

Moto Z2 Play review: purchase, conclusions

Outwardly, it differs from its predecessor Moto Z2 Play in a thinner and lighter body. Moreover, even with a reduced battery capacity, this device managed to maintain a 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, a fresh version of Android OS (Nougat).

Having lost, in comparison, in autonomy, the updated smartphone, unfortunately, did not rise too 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 released a year ago with a 5.5-inch AMOLED screen, large retailers asked for the same amount (at the time of testing Moto Z2 Play), and the average price for Yandex.Market was 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), a higher screen resolution (2560x1440 pixels), a larger battery (3 250 mAh), and the main camera ( 20 MP, f / 1.8) with optical stabilization.

However, to the ZTE Axon 7, as, indeed, to other competitors Moto Z2 Play, replaceable modules are not connected. But it is precisely such accessories that allow you to quickly customize the smartphone for the currently accentuated user needs - autonomy, music, photos, games, etc. So in promoting Moto Z2 Play on the market, a lot, perhaps, will depend not only on the price of replaceable modules, but also on their wide availability.

The results of the review of the smartphone Moto Z2 Play

Pros:

• Slim and lightweight design
• Connecting Moto Mods
• Decent autonomy
• TurboPower fast charging
• Separate trays for two SIM cards and memory card
• Latest version of Android OS (Nougat) and Moto software

Minuses:

• Average productivity
• Autonomy is worse than its predecessor
• High price at the start of sales

Not so long ago, Lenovo acquired the rights to use the Motorola brand. At one time, these phones were very popular, surprising users with excellent innovative designs and features. The new smartphone released under this brand, which was named Moto Z2 Play, was no exception. The device is equipped with a powerful processor, 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 we will devote today's review to a modular smartphone from Motorola.

Moto Z2 Play appearance and packaging

Like most modern smartphones, Moto Z2 Play comes in a cardboard box and comes standard with:

• 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 typical manufacturing patterns, and each subsequent model is manufactured according to a general scheme. The use of an unusual case carries certain risks, so manufacturers are striving to standardize the design of their devices. This model was no exception, although it received a number of certain chips.

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 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 quickly enough, however, if fingers are dirty or wet, then there may be problems with their recognition. In addition, a long press on the button locks the phone screen, which also makes it easier to work with the smartphone. Above is the 5-megapixel front camera lens, earpiece, flash and 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 received a huge round module that protrudes from the body for a considerable distance. The solution is rather non-standard, considering the fact that it creates certain inconveniences when using it, clinging to pockets or clothes. This flaw can be corrected using an additional panel. Also at the bottom there is a contact panel, which is used to connect additional modules. We will stop at this point in our review later.

At the top, the manufacturer has placed a compartment for 2 sim cards and a memory card. At the bottom there is a USB-C 3.1 connector for connecting a power cable and a standard headphone jack.

The main feature of the Moto Z2 Play smartphone is its thickness. It is, as we 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: moon gray and gold. The colors are quite restrained.

Moto Z2 Play display

• excellent color reproduction and support for up to 16 million colors;
• good pixel density (401 ppi), which provides excellent picture quality;
• decent viewing angles;
• high energy efficiency.

Among the interesting features of the screen can be noted the presence of the function "Moto display". It allows the user to view notifications and time without activating the backlight. The use of this technology increases the battery life of the device.

Moto Z2 Play specifications

Motorola Mobile Computing is responsible for the speed of data processing in 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. The graphics information is processed by the Adreno 506 accelerator. On the whole, it is a weak representative of its class. You should not expect outstanding performance from him.

The device has been 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 interventions, thereby providing the user with the opportunity to either enjoy the clean version, or independently change it at will. The menu has the ability to configure voice commands to control the smartphone, but traditionally there is no support for the Russian language.

In general, the operating system works very quickly, without brakes and lags, there are flexible options for customizing and adjusting to your own needs. To summarize, in terms of performance, the Moto Z2 Play has good specs.

Moto Z2 Play multimedia

The manufacturer did not focus on the camera. There are two of them:

• 12 megapixel main;
• 5 megapixel front.

Moto Z2 Play: overview of wireless interfaces

• Wi-Fi 802.11 (2.4 / 5 GHz);
• Bluetooth 4.2 LE;
• A-GPS;
• GLONASS.

Moto Z2 Play smartphone offline

However, it should be noted that a 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

1. Hasselblad True Zoom. This module is simply irreplaceable for those who like to use a smartphone as a camera. This photomodule allows you to turn your phone into a real camera with a 10x zoom. Responsible for the development is a company that specializes in the production of photographic equipment. Hasselblad True Zoom is additionally equipped with xenon flash and 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 takes place in a few seconds. The module has a traditional arrangement of buttons for cameras. Filming takes place through a standard application. The main advantage of the add-on is the presence of zoom and optical stabilization. Thanks to its use, the final photos are obtained on a solid 5-ku. Of course, it cannot be compared with DSLR cameras, but the functionality of the base camera increases significantly. One of the downsides is the lack of its own battery. It is worth noting that 100 shots consume approximately 30 percent of the total battery charge of the Moto Z2 Play smartphone. Not such a bad indicator.
2. Insta-Share Projector. This module turns a smartphone into a full-fledged projector that can project an image onto a screen up to 70 inches. Its dimensions are 153x74x11 mm, and its weight is 125 grams. The possibilities are quite enough for home use. In a dark room, the brightness of the screen (nominal 50 lumens) is enough with a margin 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. Installation of additional applications is not 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.
3. JBL Soundboost 2. It is a portable speaker for the Moto Z2 Play smartphone. The volume reserve of standard speakers is clearly not enough, therefore, for those who like to listen to music on the street, in nature or in an apartment with friends, this module is a must. Its volume can be up to 80 dB. Frequency range from 200 Hz to 20 kHz. There is a built-in 1000 mAh battery, which is enough for 10 hours of continuous operation. The quality of the music is sufficient, however, at maximum volume, wheezing still skips. The total power of the speakers is 6 watts. The dimensions of the JBL Soundboost 2 are 152x73x14.5 mm, and the weight is 135 grams. There is splash protection.
4. Moto Turbo Power Pack. External battery 3000 mAh. The module itself has acceptable dimensions and, unlike a portable speaker, does not make the smartphone bulky. But it will allow you to 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 the fast charging function.

Moto Z2 Play: price, pros and cons

Of the bright minuses, one can single out:

• average performance by modern standards;
• sufficient weak standard cameras;
• a battery with a small capacity.

The recommended price for Moto Z2 Play in Russia is 35,000 rubles. Far from the most budgetary option, since among the Chinese counterparts, you can find devices with better quality hardware. Whether the modular functionality of a smartphone is worth the money is up to you. Although the Moto Z2 Play had a release date in Russia back in June. Until now, most of the modules are 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:

Specifications

• Android 7.1.1 (update to Android 8 - O)
• Display 5.5 inches, AMOLED, 1440x2560 pixels, 534 ppi, automatic brightness control, ShatterShield
• Li-Ion 2730 mAh battery, mixed mode runtime up to 40 hours, fast charge (15W)
• Version for one nanoSIM card, two nanoSIM cards, a separate memory card slot in the tray
• 4/64 GB memory or 6/128 GB memory, memory cards up to 2 TB
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Chipset (4x2.35 GHz, 4x1.9 GHz), Adreno 540 GPU
• Front camera 5 megapixels, f / 2.2, dual-section flash
• The main camera is dual 12 megapixels, the second module is black and white, f / 2.0, phase detection autofocus, laser focusing
• Noise canceling system, three microphones
• Fingerprint sensor
• Gigabit LTE x16 modem
• USB Type C, USB OTG, Bluetooth 4.2 (upgrade to Bluetooth 5.0 from Android O), Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac (dual band), NFC
• GPS / GLONASS
• Color solutions - Super Black, Fine Gold, Lunar Gray
• Dimensions - 155.8x76.2x6.1 mm, weight - 143 grams

Contents of delivery

• Smartphone
• Turbo Power Charger (15W)
• USB Type C cable
• USB Type C to 3.5mm headphone adapter
• Instructions
• Rear panel cover (country and carrier dependent)

Positioning

For Lenovo, the Motorola brand has become the main and only one in smartphones, there are no other devices on the market and will never be. The flagship of the line, in turn, is the Moto Z2 Force, a continuation of the first generation Z Force, which has an unbreakable screen as its main feature. This is a unique feature of the device, which became an advantage among all flagships, but did not gain much popularity, since the usual Z Force had other weaknesses and cost at the level of flagships from Apple or Samsung. Still, the Moto brand is not as well received as the A-brands, and there are many reasons for this.

In 2017, the flagship from Moto was updated, and it can fully be called a work on bugs. There are many changes, and some of them narrow the gap with Samsung. There remains a key feature - it is difficult or even almost impossible to break the screen of this device, you would rather rattle the body of the device, but the screen will have nothing.

For buyers, the flagship from Motorola may be interesting primarily because it is indestructible. The second key feature is the ability to use the magnetically attached Moto Mods that set all Motorola's older models apart from the competition, and a lot of people love that feature. This is almost an ideal device for those who do not want to save money on their phone, cannot stand the mass market and, as a result, Samsung / Apple, but want a modern, original device. The Z2 Force model is a clear alternative to the current flagships, let's see what it is.

Design, dimensions, controls

For all manufacturers, except Motorola, device sizes vary from generation to generation, but Moto Mods accessories must be universal, which means that the sizes of smartphones from year to year must be the same in order to maintain continuity. I don’t know about you, but I like this approach, here you can still use the already purchased Moto Mods, and buying a new device, you feel it exactly the same as the old one. No extra millimeters, everything is exactly the same as it was.

I can't say that I really like the look of Motorola flagships without an additional cover, the camera module protrudes too much, it touches everything in your pocket.

But with the lid, which is often included in the kit, you get a complete, familiar device, even if a couple of extra millimeters are added to the thickness, but you don't feel it. The cover can be replaced with a slightly larger external battery or something else, such as a speaker.

Later, you can choose different caps for every taste and color.

The fingerprint sensor is made in the form of a button, but you cannot press it, as well as all the keys on the screen. Everything is clear with the sensor, it works quickly and without any problems.

In the SIM tray, depending on the version, you will see two slots for nanoSIM cards and a memory card, or one card (as a rule, these are operator devices).

The device is available in three colors, you have already seen the black model, and there are also gray and gold ones.

The body of the device is made of metal (7000 series aluminum), it is painted in the color of the body, and you can choose models in different colors. Due to the fact that there is a edge on the case, the texture of the metal is felt perfectly.

The phone measures 1,155.8x76.2x6.1 mm and weighs 143 grams. It is impossible to call it miniature, but due to its thickness it is perceived well, we add a lid, and, as already mentioned above, the magic of thickness disappears. It's kind of a marketing gimmick.

The back of the case gets dirty very quickly, the same thing happened in the previous device. The fact that it is polished metal does not help, the fingers remain easily distinguishable, a socket is needed.

The device does not have a 3.5 mm headset jack, but there is an adapter. As for me, this is a crooked decision that cannot be justified by anything, I do not like it. Moreover, the model does not have protection against water, only impregnation from moisture, which does not change the situation. The lack of IP67 / IP68 standard can be considered a disadvantage of this flagship, other companies have already made it a standard feature for their smartphones.

The device has several microphones, the noise canceling system is implemented perfectly, the interlocutor hears you almost in any conditions.

On the front surface there is a 5 megapixel camera, it shoots quite tolerably, it also has an LED flash for selfies. The display has rather large frames, it hates someone, it is not critical for me. But what annoys me is the fingerprint sensor, which is located in the middle, right under the screen.

This is not a button, but just a sensor. You touch it and the phone will instantly unlock. There are no keys on either side of the sensor. That is, the entire bottom strip is a place that is simply not being used rationally. And this is a big disadvantage for the ergonomics of the device. It is impossible to press the sensor, this is a normal contact pad. This solution does not seem familiar, and many people do not like it.

The USB Type C connector is located on the bottom end, on the right side there is an on / off key (ribbed), as well as volume buttons. The assembly of the phone for five plus, everything is fine, there are no rough edges, but this is exactly what you expect from Motorola.

The card tray has a microSD compartment, everything is traditional, and there are no surprises here. There are devices for two SIM-cards, you can see the tray in comparison.

A few words about Activity Display, in the previous model on the front panel, in addition to the light sensor, there were also IR sensors that sensed that you bring your hand to the screen, and included icons on it, with which you could quickly open an application or rewind music ... It's exactly the same.

The device does not have an LED indicator, so when charging, you can navigate the screen, as well as look at missed events on the Active Display.

Display

The technical characteristics of the screen are as follows: 5.5 inches, QHD 2560x1440 pixels, 535 ppi, AMOLED. The automatic backlight control works correctly, in most situations it detects the external conditions well. On the street, the brightness of the backlight when shooting with the camera is not enough, you see a dim screen.

The phone uses ShatterShield technology, its essence lies in the special design of the screen and its components, assembled like a sandwich. Above - plastic, under it - the second layer of "glass", more flexible, then - the touch layer, after it - a flexible AMOLED-screen manufactured by Samsung, and all this is placed on an aluminum substrate, which ensures the overall strength of the structure. Watch the video in which other devices beat, and the Moto Z2 Force does nothing.

And this is what a competitor looks like after a fall.

A little later, when there is a device to break it, we will test it, like last year for the first Force, watch the video with it, everything is clear and understandable why it survives falls.

Since the protection technology does not involve the use of glass, the device has a plastic screen. And here we are faced with a serious problem, the coating is very soft and easily scratches or abrades. Therefore, the film on the screen for this device is simply a must, otherwise you will smear the screen in a short time.

Compared to the previous version of Force, I really liked the brightness of the screen and the vividness of the colors in the new device. This is a great AMOLED screen without any discounts.

Battery

The characteristics of the built-in Li-Ion battery are as follows: 2730 mAh, the full charge time with the complete charger is about 1 hour 15 minutes. The phone has TurboCharger technology (analogue of Qualcomm's QuickCharge or Samsung's Fast Adaptive Charge), with which the battery can be fully charged in about the same time (with a normal charge - over 2 hours).

The manufacturer claims that the phone is capable of working up to 40 hours in mixed mode, that is, with active use, it will last for two days. I got about that much.

The device is very tenacious, and I have very good impressions of it, it works for a long time and gives a feeling of reliability, something that will not let you down at the most inopportune moment. Video playback time is up to 17 hours, which is very good.

Memory, RAM, chipset and performance

The phone has 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of internal memory (6/128 GB is available), but there is also support for microSD memory cards up to 2 TB.

The chipset inside the phone is a Snapdragon 835, 4 cores (4x2.35 GHz, 4x1.9 GHz), a graphics accelerator - Adreno 540. The performance of this solution is at the maximum level for solutions from Qualcomm. Take a look at the synthetic test results below.

The performance of this solution is maximum, and if you remember that this is actually pure Android, then the device can be considered a reference. Fast, responsive, and no questions asked about speed.

USB, Bluetooth, communication capabilities

Version BT 4.2, all profiles are supported, which can be considered a nice feature of the device. Depending on the model number, different frequencies are supported for LTE, there are always the following bands: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13.

For Wi-Fi there is support for 802.11a / b / g / n / ac, dual band, dual-band 2x2 (MIMO). The phone has NFC, OTG is supported for USB.

Camera

The front camera is the same as in the Z2 Play, it has a resolution of 5 megapixels, and it does not offer anything special, however, look at my face and you will understand everything yourself.

But the main camera has become a two-sensor, the second sensor is black and white and allows you to take pictures with a variable depth of field, this feature is well known on devices from Huawei. In the settings, you select the appropriate mode and then you can edit the photo. It seemed to me less convenient than the way it is implemented in devices from Huawei, where you select an object right in the picture, and refocusing occurs. Immediately you need to call some kind of editor and do everything in it, not so intuitively and simply.

The camera interface is similar to the previous models, the True B&W mode has been added, in which you get black and white images from the second sensor. They look beautiful, there is a saturation of the picture, but few people will use it, because it is much easier to turn a color photo into black and white.

In the editor, I liked the ability not only to change the depth of field, but to remove the background (foreground or background) from the picture, or add the background of one photo to another. For example, I moved a birch tree to an alley where it was not.

Sample photos

Take a look at how the Z2 Force shoots compared to the Z2 Play and Galaxy S8 +.

Video recording is in 4K (30 frames), sound is recorded well (thanks to the system of several microphones).

In the end, I can say that the camera shoots well during the day, in the evening it is no longer so interesting. But there is some progress in comparison with the previous device, the camera has become better, although it clearly does not reach the flagships.

Software features, or almost pure Android

This is almost pure Android, which Motorola has hardly changed at all. Version 7.1.1 (they promise to update to Android O soon).