Motorola with removable panels. Moto Z Play review – a worthy successor to Motorola? Key Features of Moto Z2 Play

A thin device with an impressive appearance, good battery life and replaceable modules

Lenovo, which owns the rights to the Motorola brand, introduced this summer an updated version of its “modular” smartphone, the Moto Z2 Play, which is capable of using a variety of interchangeable panels from the Moto Mods series. Modules add new functions and capabilities to the device. For example, you can turn your smartphone into a digital camera with optical zoom or into a projector. There are quite a lot of changes compared to the previous model (Moto Z Play), and not all of them are exclusively progressive: the battery, for example, has decreased in size. Read about all the details in our review of the Moto Z2 Play smartphone.

Key Features of Moto Z2 Play

• SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 626, 8 cores Cortex-A53 @2.2 GHz
• GPU Adreno 506 @650 MHz
• Operating system Android 7.1.1, Moto Experience
• Touch display Super AMOLED 5.5″, 1920×1080, 401 ppi
• Random access memory (RAM) 3/4 GB, inner memory 32/64 GB
• Nano-SIM support (2 pcs.)
• MicroSD support up to 2 TB
• GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
• WCDMA/HSPA+ networks (850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz)
• LTE networks (B1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 41, 66)
• Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz)
• Bluetooth 4.2 LE+EDR
• GPS, A-GPS, Glonass
• USB Type-C, USB OTG
• Main camera 12 MP, autofocus, f/1.7, 4K video
• Front camera 5 MP, f/2.2, fixed. focus
• Proximity sensor, lighting sensor, magnetic field sensor, fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope
• Battery 3000 mAh
• Dimensions 156×76×6 mm
• Weight 145 g

Replaceable modules

Naturally, the Moto Z2 Play goes on sale without replacement modules. They are quite expensive and will have to be purchased separately. By this time, the manufacturer had come up with even more different modules from the Moto Mods line, here are the most noticeable of them. The Moto insta-share projector, priced at $300, allows you to turn your smartphone into a projector with a 70-inch image output, and the Hasselblad True Zoom, also for an additional $300, turns the device into a digital camera with 10x optical zoom. There's an on-ear JBL SoundBoost speaker for $70, and there's even a module with joysticks that can turn your smartphone into a gamepad. There is also a module with an additional TurboPower Pack battery and Moto Style covers that add wireless charging functionality. Support for old modules is maintained, that is, those purchased for the Moto Z Play are quite suitable for the Moto Z2 Play.

Appearance and ease of use

The design of the Moto Z2 Play is almost the same as its predecessor, however, due to some details, the appearance of the smartphone as a whole has changed so much that now, without any discounts, we can really talk about a stylish and decent-looking modern device.

The button with the fingerprint scanner on the front panel became not square, as before, but standard elongated, this instantly transformed the front panel. The back panel, instead of glass, received a matte metal surface, which also improved the appearance of the review hero and added reliability. By the way, the antenna inserts here are not made in the form of separate strips at the top and bottom, but run along the perimeter along the entire panel, it looks fresh and stylish.

You can, of course, wear this smartphone without pads, but in this form few people will like the rounded camera module that sticks out strongly and the large Moto Mods Connector contact block located at the bottom of the rear panel. On the other hand, without pads the device is so thin that you don’t want to thicken it at all.

In terms of dimensions, the smartphone is not small, but thanks to its thin profile, strongly rounded corners and smoothed ends, the smartphone lies comfortably in the hand and fits quite comfortably in clothing pockets. The matte metal surfaces are not easily soiled, the device does not slip in your hands and is held securely.

The side buttons are quite small and thin, but they have a pleasant, distinct and elastic action and are convenient to use. The usual volume rocker is divided in two here.

The entire front panel is covered with 2.5D Gorilla Glass with barely noticeable sloping edges. Sensors and a front camera peephole with its own flash, made up of two LEDs, are usually installed above the screen. However, there is no LED event indicator on the front panel.

There are no touch hardware buttons under the screen; it is suggested to use the navigation button bar on the screen itself. However, their functions can be duplicated using the central button, drawing gestures on it that perform the same standard navigation actions: returning to the previous screen, to the home screen, opening a list of running programs. “Swiping” a small button left and right is not very convenient, but there will definitely be people willing to do this.

The main speaker here is not located at the bottom end or on the rear panel, but is combined with the earpiece speaker, that is, the sound in any case comes out of the slot at the top of the front panel above the screen.

There is a connector at the bottom end USB Type-C, which supports connecting external devices in USB OTG mode. A 3.5 mm audio output for headphones is also installed here - it’s nice that they didn’t sacrifice it even in such a thin case.

The top end is given over to a card slot, and it is respectful that, again, even in this ultra-thin case, the manufacturer found room for three cards (two Nano-SIM and one microSD) without the notorious “hybridity” and the need to sacrifice anything .

It turns out that everything is quite possible to place and combine, it’s just that manufacturers like Huawei, which was one of the first to use a “hybrid” connector, have no particular desire to care about user comfort. Here everything is much more convenient: both SIM cards are installed on one side of the sled, and on the other the memory card is quietly placed, and hot-swapping of cards is supported.

The Moto Z2 Play comes in only two colors: Lunar Gray, which we tested, and Fine Gold with a white front panel, which also looks quite attractive.

Screen

Moto Z2 Play is equipped with a Super AMOLED display covered with 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass with sloping edges. The physical dimensions of the screen are 68x121 mm with a diagonal of 5.5 inches. The resolution is 1920x1080, the pixel density is about 401 ppi. The frame around the screen, taking into account the rounding of the end parts of the case, is not very narrow: it is almost 4 mm on the sides, 17 mm on the bottom and top.

You can adjust the display brightness manually or use automatic settings based on the ambient light sensor. The AnTuTu test diagnoses support for 10 simultaneous multi-touch touches.

A detailed examination using measuring instruments was carried out by the editor of the “Monitors” and “Projectors and TV” sections Alexey Kudryavtsev. Here is his expert opinion on the screen of the sample under study.

The front surface of the screen is made in the form of a glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface that is scratch-resistant. Judging by the reflection of objects, the anti-glare properties of the screen are no worse than those of the Google Nexus 7 (2013) screen (below, simply Nexus 7). For clarity, here is a photo in which a white surface is reflected in the switched off screens (on the left - Nexus 7, on the right - Moto Z2 Play, then they can be distinguished by size):

The screen of the Moto Z2 Play is slightly darker (brightness according to photographs is 111 versus 112 for the Nexus 7). The ghosting of reflected objects on the Moto Z2 Play's screen is very weak, indicating that there is no air gap between the layers of the screen. Due to the smaller number of boundaries (glass/air type) with very different refractive indices, such screens look better in conditions of intense external illumination, but their repair in the case of cracked external glass is much more expensive, since the entire screen has to be replaced. The outer surface of the screen has a special oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating (very effective, noticeably better than that of the Nexus 7), so fingerprints are removed much easier and appear at a lower speed than with regular glass.

With manual brightness control and when the white field was displayed in full screen, the maximum brightness value was approximately 415 cd/m², the minimum was 3.3 cd/m². The maximum brightness is not very high, but you need to take into account the good anti-glare properties of the screen and the fact that as the white area decreases, the brightness of the white areas increases slightly. As a result, readability during the day in the sun is at a fairly good level, and the reduced brightness level allows you to use the device even in complete darkness without any problems. There is automatic brightness adjustment based on the light sensor (it is located to the right of the front speaker slot). IN automatic mode When external lighting conditions change, the screen brightness both increases and decreases. The operation of this function depends on the position of the brightness adjustment slider. If it is 100%, then in complete darkness the automatic brightness adjustment function reduces the brightness to 110 cd/m² (too much), in an office illuminated by artificial light (about 550 lux) it sets it to 280 cd/m² (normal), in a very bright environment (corresponds to lighting on a clear day outdoors, but without direct sunlight - 20,000 lux or a little more) increases to a maximum - up to 415 cd / m² (to the maximum, as needed). If the brightness slider is at 50%, the values ​​are as follows: 13, 120, 415 cd/m² (suitable), if at 0% - 3.3, 15, 415 cd/m² (the first two values ​​are rather low). From our point of view, the automatic brightness adjustment function works adequately.

Only at low brightness levels is there significant modulation with a frequency of 239.7 Hz. The figure below shows the dependence of brightness (vertical axis) on time ( horizontal axis) for several brightness values:

It can be seen that at maximum and average brightness the modulation amplitude is small, so there is no visible flicker. However, with a strong decrease in brightness, modulation appears with a large relative amplitude. Therefore, at low brightness, the presence of modulation can already be seen in a test for the presence of a stroboscopic effect or simply with rapid eye movement. Depending on individual sensitivity, this flickering may cause increased fatigue.

This screen uses an AMOLED matrix - active matrix organic light-emitting diodes. A full-color image is created using subpixels of three colors - red (R), green (G) and blue (B), but there are half as many red and blue subpixels, which can be referred to as RGBG. This is confirmed by a fragment of a microphotograph:

For comparison, you can see the gallery of microphotographs of screens used in mobile technology.

In the fragment above you can count 4 green subpixels, 2 red (4 halves) and 2 blue (1 whole and 4 quarters), and by repeating these fragments, you can lay out the entire screen without breaks or overlap. For such matrices Samsung company introduced the name PenTile RGBG. The manufacturer calculates the screen resolution based on the green subpixels; based on the other two, it will be two times lower. The location and shape of the subpixels in this version is similar to that in the case of the screen of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and some other newer ones Samsung devices(and not only) with AMOLED screens. Of course, there is some unevenness of contrast borders and other artifacts. However, due to the very high resolution, they have a minimal impact on image quality.

The screen has excellent viewing angles. True, the white color, when deviated even at small angles, acquires a slight blue-green tint, and at some angles turns a little pink, but the black color remains black at any angle. It is so black that the contrast setting is simply not applicable in this case. When viewed perpendicularly, the uniformity of the white field is good. For comparison, here are photographs in which the same images are displayed on the screens of the Moto Z2 Play and the second comparison participant, while the brightness of the screens is initially set to approximately 200 cd/m², and the color balance on the camera is forced to switch to 6500 K.

There is a white field perpendicular to the screens:

Note the good uniformity of brightness and color tone of the white field.

And a test picture:

According to visual assessment, the colors of the tested screen are oversaturated and unnatural; the color balance of the screens varies noticeably. Recall that photography can not serve as a reliable source of information about color rendering quality and are provided for illustrative purposes only. The photo above was taken for the profile Bright in the screen settings (it is selected by default), there are two of them:

What happens when you choose the second one is shown below.

Color saturation has become closer to normal.

Now at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the plane and to the side of the screen:

It can be seen that the colors have not changed much on both screens and the brightness of the Moto Z2 Play at an angle is noticeably higher.

And a white field:

The brightness at an angle for both screens has noticeably decreased (to avoid strong darkening, the shutter speed has been increased compared to the previous two photos), but in the case of the Moto Z2 Play the drop in brightness is much less pronounced. As a result, with formally the same brightness, the Moto Z2 Play screen visually looks much brighter (compared to LCD screens), since the screen mobile device often you have to look at least from a slight angle.

Switching the state of the matrix elements is performed almost instantly, but at the turn-on (and less often off) edge there may be a step with a width of approximately 17 ms (which corresponds to the screen refresh rate). For example, this is what the dependence of brightness on time looks like when moving from black to white and back:

In some conditions, the presence of such a step can lead to plumes trailing moving objects, but in normal use these artifacts are difficult to see. Quite the contrary - dynamic scenes in films on OLED screens are distinguished by high clarity and even some “jerky” movements.

The gamma curve, constructed using 32 points with equal intervals based on the numerical value of the shade of gray, did not reveal a blockage either in the shadows or in the highlights. Approximating indicator power function is equal to 2.22, which is close to the standard value of 2.2, while the real gamma curve almost does not deviate from the power law:

By default, the color gamut is very wide:

The component spectra (that is, the spectra of pure red, green and blue) are very well separated:

Note that on screens with a wide color gamut, without appropriate correction, the colors of regular images optimized for sRGB devices appear unnaturally saturated.

When selecting a profile Ordinary coverage is compressed to sRGB boundaries:

The gray scale balance is acceptable. The color temperature is slightly higher than the standard 6500 K, and the deviation from the blackbody spectrum (ΔE) remains below 10 units over most of the gray scale, which is considered normal for a consumer device. At the same time, color temperature and ΔE change little from shade to shade (except for the darkest) - this has a positive effect on the visual assessment color balance. However, choosing a profile Ordinary the balance worsens, as the spread of ΔE values ​​increases:

(The darkest areas of the gray scale can in most cases be ignored, since color balance there is not very important, and the error in measuring color characteristics at low brightness is large.)

Let's summarize. The screen does not have a very high maximum brightness, but has good anti-glare properties, so the device can be used outdoors even on a sunny summer day without any problems. In complete darkness, the brightness can be reduced to a comfortable value. It is acceptable to use a mode with automatic brightness adjustment, which works adequately. The advantages of the screen include an effective oleophobic coating and acceptable color balance. At the same time, let us remind you about the general advantages of OLED screens: true black color (if nothing is reflected in the screen), good uniformity of the white field, noticeably less than that of LCDs, and a drop in image brightness when viewed at an angle. Disadvantages include an excessively wide color gamut and screen flickering that appears at low brightness. For users who are particularly sensitive to flicker, this may cause increased fatigue. The color gamut can be brought closer to the standard one, but at the cost of deteriorating color balance. However, overall the screen quality is high.

Camera

The front camera of the Moto Z2 Play remains the same: the matrix has a resolution of 5 megapixels, the size of an individual pixel is 1.4 microns. A wide-angle lens with an f/2.2 aperture and a fixed focus noticeably distorts the proportions, making it difficult to obtain an undistorted self-portrait from arm's length. But this is a tribute to fashion; selfie cameras are now made so that a group fits into the frame, and not just one person. But on the front panel there is its own multi-colored dual LED flash. And the resulting image is quite detailed and sharp.

The main camera uses a module with a 12-megapixel matrix and a lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.7, equipped with fast laser and phase detection autofocus with Dual Pixel technology for faster focusing. A new type of laser autofocus allows you to focus at a distance of up to 5 meters. The pixel size is still the same 1.4 microns. There is a bright dual multi-colored LED flash.

The camera is rich in capabilities: there are gesture controls, manual mode, and the ability to adjust the exposure while shooting. The Professional mode displays arc-shaped sliders with variable values ​​for shutter speed, light sensitivity (up to ISO 3200), manual focus, white balance, and exposure compensation scale.

The camera can shoot video in a maximum resolution of 4K (30 fps), as well as 1080p at 60 fps, but it’s worth considering that stabilization does not work in these two modes - only in the usual 1080p (30 fps) and lower. In general, the camera copes well with video shooting: sharpness, color rendition and detail are normal, there are no artifacts in the image, the video is smooth, without noticeable jerks. The sound is also recorded with high quality, the noise reduction system copes with its tasks.

• Video No. 1 (30 MB, 3840×2160@30 fps, H.264, AAC)
• Video No. 2 (23 MB, 3840×2160@30 fps, H.264, AAC)
• Video No. 3 (40 MB, 1920×1080@30 fps, H.264, AAC)
• Video No. 4 (40 MB, 1920×1080@60 fps, H.264, AAC)
• Video No. 5 (40 MB, 1280×720, slo-mo)

	The car numbers are clearly visible.
	The camera copes with macro photography.
	Good detail in the field of the frame and in the plans.
	Good sharpness in distant shots.
	You can notice slight sharpening on the branches.
	The text is well done.
	A slight blur is noticeable on the left side of the frame.
	Good sharpness and moderate dynamic range in HDR mode.

The camera came out good, almost flagship. It has moderate software processing, an excellent HDR mode, and a clearly good module: the matrix handles small details, the optics almost do not spoil the edges of the image, although from time to time the pictures come out blurry for some unknown reason. That is why the camera is slightly below the flagship level, but otherwise there is practically nothing to complain about. It can be argued that the camera will cope well with various scenes.

Telephone and communications

The Qualcomm X9 LTE ​​modem supports LTE Cat.13 (maximum download speed up to 300 Mbit/s) and LTE Cat.7 (maximum upload speed up to 150 Mbit/s). A lot of 4G LTE FDD and TD bands are supported (B1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 41, 66), in their including all 3 ranges used in Russia (3, 7 and 20). Within the city limits of the Moscow region, the device behaves confidently, and the quality of signal reception is not satisfactory.

The smartphone also supports both Wi-Fi bands (2.4 and 5 GHz), and has Bluetooth 4.2. You can organize a wireless access point via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth channels. There is NFC with support for Mifare Classic, that is, the device works with an application for travel documents. The USB Type-C connector supports connecting external devices in USB OTG mode.

The navigation module works with both GPS (with A-GPS) and the domestic Glonass, but without the support of the Chinese Beidou. During a cold start, the first satellites are detected within the first minute. Positioning accuracy is average. A magnetic compass, necessary for navigation programs, is present.

The platform can support both SIM cards in 3G/4G mode simultaneously in active standby mode. That is, the second SIM card can work in 3G for voice communications, even if a card from a different slot is assigned to transmit data in 4G. The interface allows you to select a specific SIM card for voice calls and SMS in advance. Cards work in Dual mode SIM Dual Standby, there is only one radio modem. Also, for the convenience of users, the manufacturer has added several ready-made operating modes for the two cards.

Software and multimedia

As software platform The latest version of Android 7.1.1 is used with the proprietary Moto Experiences interface, which is closer to the stock version of Android, both in appearance and in organization, than all versions of Lenovo’s own shell. Lenovo smartphones The Moto resembles pure Google Phones more than most of its competitors.

Added support for gestures, the ability to reduce the entire working area of ​​the screen for ease of control with the fingers of one hand, and a multi-window operating mode. When you reach out to the device lying on the table, it immediately displays basic information in monochrome on the locked screen (date, time, remaining charge percentage). The interface as a whole is simple and calm in design, easy and fast to use. There are practically no third-party programs; everything necessary is implemented here with using Google Apps.

To listen to music, use the standard Google Music player with equalizer settings. The device sounds good both in headphones and in speakers: the sound volume is enough for any environment, the sound is clear and loud, but not of the highest quality.

FM radio available. It’s interesting that you can try to use it without connected ones as external antenna headphones, but you won’t be able to catch anything this way. There was no built-in voice recorder in the device.

Performance

The Moto Z2 Play hardware platform is built on a single-chip Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 system made using 14-nanometer technology. Let us recall that the previous Moto Z Play ran on the Snapdragon 625. The Snapdragon 626 includes eight 64-bit ARM Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of up to 2.2 GHz; the Adreno 506 video accelerator with a core frequency of up to 650 MHz is responsible for graphics processing. The amount of RAM is 4 GB, and the built-in flash memory is 64 GB. Of these, about 50 GB of storage and approximately 2.5 GB of RAM are initially free. There is also a version of the smartphone with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of flash memory.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 is a platform designed for mid-range smartphones. This is a fairly recent chip, introduced in October 2016 and replacing the Snapdragon 625. Essentially, the difference lies in the increased core frequency (from 2.0 to 2.2 GHz), but there are also less noticeable changes - for example, a radio signal amplifier has appeared for TruSignal antenna. Thanks to the 14 nm process technology, this SoC has good performance with low power consumption.

In both complex and graphics tests, the SoC Snapdragon 626 demonstrates not top-end results, but quite satisfactory for any task. The performance is sufficient for recording and playing video with resolutions up to 4K UHD and demanding games. Mortal Kombat X is played by a smartphone without the slightest slowdown.

Testing in comprehensive tests AnTuTu and GeekBench:

All the results we obtained when testing the smartphone in the most latest versions popular benchmarks, we have summarized them in tables for convenience. The table usually adds several other devices from different segments, also tested on similar latest versions of benchmarks (this is done only for a visual assessment of the obtained dry figures). Unfortunately, within the framework of one comparison it is impossible to present the results from different versions benchmarks, so many worthy and relevant models remain “behind the scenes” - due to the fact that at one time they passed the “obstacle course” on previous versions test programs.

Testing the graphics subsystem in gaming tests 3DMark, GFXBenchmark and Bonsai Benchmark:

When testing in 3DMark, the most powerful smartphones now have the ability to run the application in Unlimited mode, where the rendering resolution is fixed at 720p and VSync is disabled (which can cause the speed to rise above 60 fps).

Browser cross-platform tests:

As for benchmarks for assessing the speed of the javascript engine, you should always make allowance for the fact that their results significantly depend on the browser in which they are launched, so the comparison can only be truly correct on the same OS and browsers, and this is possible during testing not always. For Android OS, we always try to use Google Chrome.

AndroBench memory speed test results:

Thermal photographs

Below is a thermal image rear surface obtained after 10 minutes of battery testing in the GFXBenchmark program:

Heating is higher in the upper right part of the device, which apparently corresponds to the location of the SoC chip. According to the heat camera, the maximum heating was only 35 degrees (at an ambient temperature of 24 degrees), which is relatively little.

Playing video

To test omnivorousness when playing video (including support for various codecs, containers and special features, for example subtitles), we used the most common formats, which make up the bulk of the content available on the Web. Note that for mobile devices it is important to have support for hardware video decoding at the chip level, since it is most often impossible to process modern options using processor cores alone. Also, you shouldn’t expect a mobile device to decode everything, since the leadership in flexibility belongs to the PC, and no one is going to challenge it. All results are summarized in a table.

According to the testing results, the smartphone played all test files in the MX player without any problems - albeit in SW mode. The smartphone does not have its own video player, and the device plays videos through the gallery without AC3 support, that is, without sound. But it’s unlikely that anyone will watch videos on a smartphone this way; you’ll still have to download a third-party player.

Further testing of video playback was performed Alexey Kudryavtsev.

We were unable to check the hypothetical support for MHL or SlimPort (Mobility DisplayPort) adapters due to the lack of an adapter option that connects to USB port Type C. Therefore, we had to limit ourselves to testing the output of video files on the screen of the device itself. For this we used the set test files with an arrow and a rectangle moving one division per frame (see “Methods for testing video playback and display devices. Version 1 (for mobile devices) Red marks indicate possible problems related to the playback of the corresponding files.

According to the frame output criterion, the quality of playback of video files on the screen of the smartphone itself is good, since in most cases frames (or groups of frames) can (but are not required) be output with more or less uniform alternation of intervals and without skipping frames. When playing video files with a resolution of 1920 by 1080 (1080p) on a smartphone screen, the image of the video file itself is displayed exactly along the border of the screen, one to one in pixels, that is, in the original resolution. On the test worlds, the features of PenTile screens appear: the vertical world through the pixel is in a grid, and the horizontal one is slightly greenish. At the same time, the described artifacts are absent in real footage. The brightness range displayed on the screen corresponds to standard range 16—235: all shade gradations are displayed in shadows and highlights.

Battery life

Fixed accumulator battery, installed in the Moto Z2 Play, received a smaller capacity than the Moto Z Play, only 3000 mAh. However, even with such a battery, the smartphone demonstrates more than decent, very impressive battery life results. And this is surprising, because the thin beauty initially does not at all create the impression of a device capable of long-term operation without recharging. In real conditions, the Moto Z2 Play, even under high load levels, can easily last a whole day without recharging.

Testing has traditionally been carried out at the usual level of power consumption without using power-saving functions, although the device naturally has them.

Continuous reading in the FBReader program (with a standard, light theme) at a minimum comfortable brightness level (brightness was set to 100 cd/m²) lasted until the battery was completely discharged for more than 18 hours, and when continuously watching videos in high quality (720p) with the same brightness level through home network The Wi-Fi device operates for almost 14.5 hours. In 3D gaming mode, the smartphone was able to exceed the 8-hour mark, but this result highly depends on the specific game.

From incomplete network adapter with a maximum output current of 1.5 A 5.2 V, the smartphone is charged within 2 hours 10 minutes with a current of 1.5 A at a voltage of 5.2 V. Wireless charger is not initially supported, but for its implementation there is a corresponding overlay from the Moto Mods series.

Bottom line

Not the brightest, but large and economical AMOLED display, satisfactory speaker sound, good cameras, ample communication capabilities, quite a decent fresh mid-level Qualcomm hardware platform and a very decent level of autonomy, unexpected for such a thin and light device with an elegant appearance - these are the main advantages new items called Moto Z2 Play. A smartphone priced at about $500 belongs more to the top segment, and there is someone to compete with - there is also best screens, and more powerful processors. However, what cannot be taken away from the hero of this review is its charm: you simply don’t want to let go of the very thin metal body with pleasant dimensions and comfortable weight. Well, those who like experiments and upgrades are given such a wide field of activity in the form of a whole set of replaceable modules that there is simply no alternative to it on the mobile market now.

After Motorolla came under the wing of Lenovo, the iconic brand faced a difficult task - not to lose the army of the company’s fans, who were always perceived as fresh blood among countless identical devices from other manufacturers.

And the new products from Lenovo really turned out to be interesting. The main feature of the Play series smartphones is the modular interface, which allows you to improve the functionality of the smart phone using separately sold accessories. Moto Z Play, the review of which we bring to your attention, is the junior model in the Play line, which costs less than flagships, but at the same time offers all the advantages of a modular design. Let's test the new product and decide whether it can establish itself in the world of smartphones, where numbers and the pursuit of technical characteristics rule.

Price and main characteristics

In terms of cost, Moto Z Play balances on the line between expensive mid-rangers and flagships; its current price today is 32 thousand rubles.

Specifications:

• display: 5.5”, Super AMOLED FHD 1920*1080 px;
• processor: Snapdragon 625 + Cortex A53 video accelerator;
• RAM: 3 GB;
• internal memory: 32 GB + micro SDXC memory cards up to 256 GB;
• camera: main – 16 MP + dual flash, front – 5 MP;
• communication: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, LTE;
• battery: 3510 mAh.

The dimensions of the smartphone are 156*76*7 mm, weight – 165 grams.

Equipment and appearance

The smartphone is packaged in a simple but neat box made of thick cardboard, inside which, in addition to the phone, is:

• a paperclip for removing a tray with cards (has an increased needle length, so it will not be possible to open the tray using another paperclip);
• charging adapter with non-removable cable;
• textile lining on the back of the case.

Let's blame the manufacturer for not including it USB-C cable, which will need to be purchased separately.

Externally, Moto Z Play is practically no different from the flagship of the Z line. The entire front of the smartphone is covered with Gorilla Glass 3, which has an excellent oleophobic layer.

Above the screen there is a selfie camera module, a flash, a set of sensors and a speaker hole (protrudes slightly above the surface).

Under the screen there is a fingerprint scanner, which is designed in the form of a square area. The sensor key does not function as a Home button - all control buttons on the Moto Z Play are on-screen. The fingerprint sensor works perfectly, unlocking the phone is quick and error-free. You can also use the scanner to turn off the screen, which in practice is much more convenient than using a mechanical lock key.

The back of the Moto Z Play is made of Corning glass. The glass easily collects fingerprints, but can be easily wiped off with any cloth. On the surface there is a camera block, which has an impressive size; the lens itself occupies only a small part of it. The camera eye protrudes quite strongly, but if you put on the included textile cover, the surface of the back will be leveled.

At the back there is also a block of magnetic contacts through which Moto Mods are connected to the phone. The included textile cover is needed just to protect the contacts; the manufacturer strongly recommends putting it on the smartphone in cases where the modules are not in use.

The side ends of the smartphone are made of metal and have two small plastic inserts for antennas. On the top edge there is a tray for cards; it has a two-sided hybrid design, and allows you to use two SIM cards and a flash drive at the same time.

At the bottom there is a 3.5 mm headphone jack, which is missing on the older model of the Moto Z series, and a USB-C port.

The left side is empty, while on the right there is a volume rocker (which, by the way, is small and not very convenient) and a raised button to turn off the smartphone. Build quality is excellent, nothing to complain about

Screen

The display in the Moto Z Play is not bad, but there are many complaints about it. This is a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED matrix with Full HD resolution and a pixel density of 403 ppi. According to the manufacturer, the smartphone uses a screen matrix from Samsung, however, due to software optimization, its quality is inferior to the screens of the flagships S7 and S7 Edge

The viewing angles are almost maximum; when there are deviations, the colors are not inverted, only the brightness drops slightly. The maximum brightness is 361 kDa, which is enough for comfortable use of a smartphone under the sun. Auto brightness correction works adequately.

Pentile is practically invisible, only when viewing the picture from a distance of less than 10 cm there is some graininess in the transitions between white and other colors. Contrast and color saturation, as expected for AMOLED, are excellent.

Now about the disadvantages. We didn't like the factory color calibration. There is a clear bias with cold tones, which is why white has a bluish tint. Colors overall look a little muddy, which is unlikely to be noticeable to casual users, but photographers will definitely be disappointed by the Moto Z Play's display. We give the screen a well-deserved 4/5.

Performance

The smartphone is equipped Snapdragon processor 625, working in tandem with the Adreno 506 video accelerator. This combination has proven itself in all devices of 2016, it is characterized by good performance and almost complete absence of heating.

Moto Z Play is no exception - the shell flies, there is not even the slightest stutter when surfing the Internet, resource-intensive applications and 3D games work without problems. No bugs were noticed with smartphones when playing 4K video. In the Moto Z Play benchmark, it scores 62.5 thousand parrots. For everyday tasks, 3 GB of RAM is sufficient, and the internal storage of 32 GB can be expanded with flash drives up to 256 GB.

Camera

Both cameras of the Moto Z Play – the main and the front – are equipped with flashes, two-tone and one-tone, respectively. The front uses a 5 MP OmniVision OV5693 module with an aperture of 2.2. Despite the presence of a flash, which can be regarded as an emphasis on selfie capabilities, the pictures are not of the highest quality - there are problems with detail and sharpness.

The main camera (13 MP OmniVision OV16860 sensor, 2.0) produces good pictures. Exposure and white balance are determined accurately, detail is decent, and there are no problems with autofocus (it’s laser-based).

The Moto Z Play also performs well when shooting indoors with insufficient lighting. The automatic system correctly sets the shutter speed and light sensitivity, so you can take a good photo on the first try.

The standard camera application does not have a manual mode, but there is good HDR and panorama shooting. Using third-party apps, the Moto Z Play can shoot in RAW format. Video shooting is possible with 4K resolution (bitrate 50 Mbit/s, 30 fps), the quality of the videos is simply excellent and comparable to the flagships of the market.

Speaker, sound quality

The main speaker of the Moto Z Play is really good. It is loud, clear in sound and has a very noticeable level low frequencies, so you can listen to music with pleasure. The speaker is also not bad, the interlocutor’s speech is clearly audible, and the sound is not flat, you can even distinguish the timbre of the voice and other nuances.

The sound from the headphones does not disappoint. There is no dedicated DAC, but the 625 Dragon provides decent sound, which requires high-quality headphones from the mid-price category to reveal. As a player, Moto Z Play can work continuously for 30 hours on a single charge.

Battery

The autonomy of the Moto Z Play deserves extremely positive reviews - with moderate use of the phone, the 3510 mAh battery lasts for 2 days. Tests show the following results: 15 hours of watching HD video and 27 hours of reading at 30% screen brightness; an hour of playing tanks drains the battery by 18%.

The smartphone supports QuickCharge 2.0 fast charging; it can be charged from zero in 70-75 minutes; in normal mode, charging takes about 3 hours. It is also worth considering that you can purchase a mod for the phone in the form of a 2200 mAh battery, which will further increase the already good battery life.

Communication and Internet

The advantage of Moto Z Play is the ability to fully use two SIM cards and a flash drive. There is only one radio module in the smartphone, the quality of the prima network is not satisfactory. On a cold start, the smartphone detects navigation satellites (GLONASS and GPS) within 20 seconds.

The device works with Wi-Fi interfaces (max. data transfer speed 57 Mb/sec), Bluetooth 4.1 and NFC, but the latter does not support Mifare Classic, which does not allow it to read metro transport cards. It is possible to connect peripheral devices to a smartphone with via USB-C, the cable itself is not included in the package.

Video review of Moto Z Play

Competitors, conclusion

The Moto Z Play is a mixed bag. For 33 thousand rubles, it offers an interesting design, excellent battery life, a decent camera, an average display and, importantly, pure Android. The performance of the smartphone is good, it is enough for any tasks, but it is not record-breaking for the money. In this price category there are many Chinese (,) with Snapdragon 820, which will be an order of magnitude more powerful in synthetic tests. The question is, do you need it?

Instead of excessive performance, we are offered the opportunity to use mods. The mentioned battery has already been presented (price - 4 thousand rubles), a camera module with optical zoom from Hasselblad (20 thousand rubles), a mini-projector that produces a picture with a diagonal of 70 inches (23 thousand rubles) and a speaker from JBL (7 thousand ).

The Moto Z Play is undoubtedly one of the most interesting devices of the last year. If its price doesn’t bother you and you’re not looking for hardware power, then this is a really good smartphone option for long-term use.

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The new Moto Z Play and its “big brother” Moto Z. What are these smartphones interesting about, who might like them, their features, strengths and weak sides. About all this - in the review of Digital Moscow.

Specifications of Moto Z Play and Moto Z

• Dimensions: Moto Z Play - 156.4 x 76.4 x 7 mm; Moto Z - 153.3 x 75.3 x 5.2 mm
• Weight: Moto Z Play - 165 g, Moto Z - 136 g
• Screen: Moto Z Play - 5.5 inches, 1080 x 1920 resolution, Moto Z - 5.5 inches, 1440 x 2560 resolution
• CPU: Moto Z Play - Qualcomm Snapdragon 625, Moto Z - Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
• Memory: Moto Z Play - main 32 GB, RAM 3 GB; Moto Z - main 32/64 GB, RAM 4 GB.
• Main camera: Moto Z Play - 16 MP, f/2.0, laser and phase detection autofocus; Moto Z - 13 MP, f/1.8, laser autofocus, optical stabilization
• Front-camera: Moto Z Play/Moto Z - 5 MP, f/2.2
• Battery: Moto Z Play - 3510 mAh, Moto Z - 2600 mAh

Russian fans of Motorola smartphones, and there are still some of them despite the fact that the company has been absent from our market for a long time, have been eagerly awaiting the appearance of new smartphones in the flagship Moto Z series. By the way, since 2014, Motorola has been a division of the Chinese company Lenovo. At the same time, the Moto brand itself was preserved.

The most important

The main thing about the Moto Z series is, of course, its modular design and unusual design. Time will tell how much modular smartphones will be in demand on the market, but Motorola engineers have great respect for their bold attempt to bring something new to the rather monotonous world of smartphones.

The very concept of modular smartphones is very simple in appearance. The back surface has a contact group and a magnetic lock, and Moto Mods are attached to it. You can see what it looks like in the photo.

Moto Z Play

Moto Z Play and Moto Mods

Moto Z Play with decorative back panel

You can remove one module and attach another within a few seconds.

The following Moto Mods are currently offered:

• Hasselblad True Zoom photo module with its own 12-megapixel matrix and 10x optical zoom,
• Mobile projector Moto Insta-Share with a resolution of 854x480 and a brightness of 50 lumens,
• Incipio OffGRID Power Pack 2200 mAh battery,
• Speaker JBL Soundboost, power 6 W,
• Style CAP back panels.

Of course, it is very important how many companies can be negotiated with on the development and production of modules, since Lenovo alone is unlikely to be able to provide a truly wide range of Moto Mods on its own.

Concerning appearance, then the heroes of the review are quite unusual devices. Their design is specific. He is, so to speak, an amateur, but his originality cannot be taken away. Both the Moto Z Play and especially the ultra-thin Moto Z without decorative overlays, with their protruding camera and contact group, look impressive, although in appearance they look a little like an engineering sample rather than a ready-made commercial device. However, there is a certain charm in this, but if you don’t like technological extremes, then all you have to do is add a decorative rear trim, and the device immediately becomes quite civilized.

Let's take a closer look at the Moto Z Play. Its differences from the more expensive Moto Z are more significant than it seems at first glance.

The first thing that catches your eye is the thickness. The Moto Z Play has 7mm, while the Moto Z has 5.2mm (excluding the protruding camera). By the way, today Moto Z is the thinnest smartphone in the world. It looks very impressive, especially without modules that add thickness.

Moto Z

Naturally, for this we had to sacrifice a battery capacity of 2600 mAh (miracles do not happen), but nevertheless, the battery is enough for a day of intensive use. As for the Moto Z Play, with its 3510 mAh battery, even with all modules turned on (GPS, wifi, Bluetooth), during testing it worked quietly for two days without recharging, and when installing the rear battery panel Incipio offGRID Power Pack, it worked for autonomous time Another day of work is added.

In other words, with this configuration, the Moto Z Play turns into a super-long-lasting smartphone. 3 days without recharging is truly impressive. Of course, such battery life is not only a capacious battery, but also optimization of the hardware and software of the smartphone and processor. Moto Z Play runs on a new, not the most powerful, but very energy-efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 platform with an Adreno 506 graphics chip and 3 GB of RAM.

Moto Z, in turn, is equipped with one of the most powerful chips to date - Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 and 4 GB of RAM.

Without going into technical details, we note that even the power of the Snapdragon 625 is enough to easily play all new games for at least another year. The power of the Snapdragon 820 will be enough for the foreseeable future, and for any use scenario, including mobile VR headsets that are demanding on smartphone performance.

As for the Moto Z, in addition to a less capacious battery and more powerful processor, the AMOLED screen with a very high Quad HD resolution (1440 x 2560) contributes to the shorter battery life. The Moto Z Play screen is also made using AMOLED technology, but its resolution is lower - the usual Full HD (1080 x 1920). Both screens have a diagonal of 5.5 inches, but of course, with the same manufacturing technology and size, a display with a lower resolution consumes less energy.

There are still debates about whether a 5.5-inch screen requires such a high resolution as Quad HD, but with the advent of VR helmets they have subsided, since even 1440 x 2560 is not enough for a high-quality VR image.

Let's now take a closer look at the cameras of both smartphones.

The Moto Z Play has a 16-megapixel camera with an f/2.0 lens, while the Moto Z has a 13-megapixel camera with an f/1.8 lens and optical stabilization. Despite the smaller size of the matrix, the optical stabilization and large aperture of the Moto Z camera in theory allow you to get better images in low light conditions, but in good light the Moto Z Play camera should shoot a little better.

As for night shooting, our field tests confirmed the theory. Moto Z shoots noticeably better in the dark, this also applies to color rendition and autofocus and stabilization, which is especially important when shooting in low light conditions.

Moto Z Play (top) vs Moto Z

During daytime shooting, we did not find any advantages of the Moto Z Play over the Moto Z camera. Moreover, we liked the autofocus performance and dynamic range of the Moto Z camera more.

Moto Z Play (top) vs Moto Z

We can say that the Moto Z Play camera is very demanding on the level of illumination, but in good light you can take quite good pictures.

Moto Z Play

The front cameras in both smartphones are the same and there are no special complaints about it. The level is above average, but inferior to top-end smartphones.

If we compare the performance of the main cameras of Moto Z and Moto Z Play with one of the reference mobile cameras, for example Samsung Galaxy S7, then the difference in class, especially with the Moto Z Play, becomes quite noticeable.

Moto Z Play (top) vs Samsung Galaxy S7

Nuances
In conclusion, I would like to dwell on the not the most important, but still significant features of the Moto Z and Moto Z Play.

Both devices have almost “pure” Android version 6.0.1 as a graphical interface, which they promise to update to version 7. The tradition of installing original Android on Moto smartphones apparently dates back to the times when Motorola belonged to Google. On the one hand, the absence of third-party applications and the brevity of “pure” Android are captivating. On the other hand, company engineers developing their own graphical interfaces, also don’t eat their bread in vain, coming up with interesting and useful options. Some people may find stock Android too minimalistic and boring.

We also note the original slot for SIM and memory cards on the Moto Z Play. Unlike standard hybrid slots, where you can insert either two SIM cards, or one SIM card and one memory card, the Z Play slot can simultaneously insert two SIM cards and a memory card. microSD memory(up to 256 GB). As for the Moto Z, it comes with a regular hybrid slot. The point here is the thickness of the smartphone, where the combined slot and audio jack simply do not fit. The Moto Z doesn't have one (neither does the new iPhone), and the headphones are connected to the USB Type-C connector. The adapter is included.

Both smartphones support turbo charging (included in both smartphones).

Unfortunately, both the Moto Z and Moto Z Play have a few minor and annoying flaws. For example, the USB Type-C cable is tightly attached to the charger, and in order to connect the smartphone to a laptop or external battery, a second USB will have to be purchased separately.

Another annoying thing is that the fingerprint scanner that acts as a button is not a Home button, like many smartphones. Its virtual counterpart is located above it. Moreover, the panel with virtual buttons eats off the bottom of the screen in most applications, which, of course, is annoying.

Compare how the control buttons are implemented on both Moto and the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. Alas, the comparison here is not in favor of Moto.

Moto mods
As we already wrote, the number of Moto Mods is not very large yet. What we found most interesting was the Incipio OffGRID Power Pack battery panel (very compact) and decorative trims. The ability to extend the life of a smartphone without an external battery or radically change the external device is expensive.

As for the JBL audio module, for the same money (7 thousand rubles) you can buy practically the same compact one, but louder and better-sounding wireless speaker, for example Harman/Kardon Esquire Mini. What's funny is that the JBL brand is also owned by Harman.

The Moto Insta Share projector and Hasselblad True Zoom photo module are certainly unique additions, but the price - 23 and 20 thousand respectively - may scare off many potential buyers.

Summary

Moto Z Play and MotoZ - unusual and interesting smartphones, designed for lovers of original devices. Compared to hundreds of gadgets of the same type, they clearly stand out with a fresh and bold approach to both the very concept of the smartphone and the design, and the thickness of MotoZ - only 5.2 millimeters - is a masterpiece of engineering art. It’s also worth noting the Moto Z Play’s outstanding battery life.
In general, both smartphones have their very strong points.

On the other hand, they certainly cannot be called technically flawless, especially with regard to the operation of the Z Play camera, and given their price and the highest competition in the market, it will be, to put it mildly, to occupy any significant niche in the segment of flagship devices Moto Z Play and Moto Z , not easy. Price in Russia: Moto Z Play - 34,990 rub. Moto Z - 49,990 rub.

If we compare both smartphones with each other, if not for the difference in camera performance, we would definitely recommend the Moto Z Play as a more balanced device. But the Moto Z's outstanding design plus a higher-quality photo module make choosing between them difficult, even taking into account the 15 thousand difference in price.

Dmitry Bevza

The main feature of this smartphone with a capacious battery was the connection of replaceable modules that expand its capabilities, for example, a camera with optical zoom, sound system, an additional battery or a projector. About the pros and cons of the new product - in detailed review Lenovo Moto Z Play.

The idea of ​​modular smartphones, which has been in the air for a long time, has not yet been properly implemented. The fact is that replacing a processor, RAM or screen still remains at the desired level. Basically, everything is limited to increasing autonomy, improving sound playback, as well as various options for photos and videos.

The most striking example of the practical implementation of a modular approach is considered to be the flagship LG G5 and its simplified modification (our review), which provides for the connection of modules from the LG Friends set, which includes, in particular, LG Hi-Fi Plus (Hi-Fi audio player) and LG Cam Plus (camera control unit with mechanical buttons and built-in battery).

At the same time, Lenovo presented a smartphone at the IFA 2014 show in Berlin (our review), which was distinguished not only by a multilayer body with a gradient color palette, but also by connected Vibe Xtension branded accessories - acoustic JBL system and an additional battery. And now two years later, together with the Moto Z family of smartphones (two models of it are presented on the Russian market - Moto Z and Moto Z Play) Lenovo company announced a new collection of modular accessories - Moto Mods (more about them below).

Specifications

• Model: Moto Z Play (XT1632-02)
• OS: Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow)
• Processor: 8-core, 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 (MSM8953), two clusters of 4 cores ARM Cortex-A57, up to 2.0 GHz, DSP Hexagon 546
• Graphics coprocessor: Adreno 506 (650 MHz)
• RAM: 3 GB LPDDR3 (933 MHz)
• Built-in memory: 32 GB (eMMC 5.1), microSD/HC/XC memory card slot (up to 2 TB)
• Screen: 5.5 inches, Super AMOLED, Full HD (1920x1080 pixels), 403 ppi, up to 10 simultaneous touches, protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 3
• Main camera: 16 MP (pixel size 1.3 microns), f/2.0 aperture, phase detection (PDAF) + infrared (laser) autofocus, dual LED, video stabilization, 1080p@30 fps; 720p@120 fps, 4K (2160p)@30 fps
• Front camera: 5 MP, f/2.2 aperture, 85 degree viewing angle, fixed focus, LED flash
• Network: GSM/GPRS/EDGE, UMTS HSPA+, 4G LTE, LTE-FDD Band (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28); LTE-TDD Band (38, 40, 41)
• 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 4.0 LE, NFC, USB Type-C, USB-OTG, 3.5 mm for audio headset (CTIA TRRS), connector for connecting Moto Mods modules
• Navigation: GPS/GLONASS, A-GPS
• Sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, light and proximity sensors, fingerprint scanner
• Battery: non-removable, lithium-ion, 3,510 mAh, supports TurboPower fast charging
• Case feature: water-repellent nano-coating
• Dimensions: 156.4x76.4x6.99 mm
• Weight: 165 grams
• Main color: black-silver, white-gold

Replaceable modulesMotoMods

So, Moto Mods are a collection of replaceable modules that add specific features and new functions to Moto Z family smartphones. Each of these accessories is applied to the back panel of the device and is almost instantly fixed with built-in magnets. The necessary communication between the replacement module and Moto Z is carried out through a special interface.

First of all, it is worth noting the replaceable rear panels Moto Style Shells. According to the manufacturer, they are all made from materials highest quality, including natural wood, leather with different textures, patterned fabric, etc. The dimensions of such panels are 154x72x2 mm, and the weight, depending on the material, ranges from 25 to 32 grams. Price - from 1,990 rubles.

The Hasselblad True Zoom photo module was developed jointly with the Swedish company Hasselblad. Among its key options are 10x optical zoom, support for RAW format, optical stabilization when shooting photos, xenon flash, and free access to software Hasselblad Focus. The module's camera received a 12-megapixel BSI sensor (optical size 1/2.3 inches), as well as a lens with an aperture of f/(3.5-6.5) and EGF (25-250) mm. The overall dimensions of this replaceable module are 152.3x72.9x(9-15.1) mm, and the weight is 145 g. The price is 19,990 rubles.

The Incipio offGRID battery provides an additional capacity of 2,220 mAh, which allows you to extend the battery life of your smartphone up to 22 hours in active mode. The dimensions and weight of Incipio offGRID do not exceed 152.7x73.5x6.2 mm and 79 g, respectively. The price of such a battery is 3,990 rubles.

The Moto JBL Soundboost stereo acoustic system received two dynamic drivers (the diameter of each is 27 mm), with a total power of up to 6 W (2x3 W). The capacity of the built-in battery (1,000 mAh) provides battery life up to 10 hours. Overall dimensions and weight of Moto JBL Soundboost are 152x73x13 mm and 145 g, respectively. Price - 6,990 rubles.

The Insta-Share projector, made using DLP technology, can display images on almost any flat wall. The resolution of its WVGA display is 854x480 pixels, while the picture size reaches 70 inches. The rated brightness and contrast values ​​are 50 lumens and 400:1, respectively. In addition to adjusting the backlight and image tilt, the module provides manual adjustment of the focal length. Due to the built-in battery (1,100 mAh), battery life increases by 60 minutes. The overall dimensions of the projector are 152x74x11 mm, and the weight is 125 g. The Insta-Share price is 22,990 rubles.

Design, ergonomics

When viewed from the front, the Moto Z Play smartphone looks unusual, one might even say original. Its entire front panel, right down to the metal frame, is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The edges are rounded in the current fashion, but where the glass ends, an aluminum frame with a sharp edge begins. The non-standard image is emphasized by the LED flash for the front camera, as well as a small square area of ​​the fingerprint scanner, to the left of which there is a hole for the microphone. But the rear view of the “naked” Moto Z Play, to put it mildly, is not very presentable. Not only are the chamfers of the metal frame sharp, but also the photo module of the main camera protrudes too much above the glass surface, and the gold-plated contacts of the connector for connecting Moto Mods take up an alarmingly large amount of space.

However, all this “geometric disgrace” can be quickly hidden by one of the replaceable panels Moto Style Shells, including the one that is included in the standard package:

Note that even without any of the Moto Mods accessories, the Moto Z Play smartphone turned out to be larger than its 5.5-inch flagship Moto Z not only in terms of dimensions (156.4 x 76.4 mm versus 153.4 x 75.3 mm), but also in weight (165 g versus 136 g) and thickness (6.99 mm versus 5.19 mm). For Moto Z Play, there are two main body colors - black-silver (black/silver/black) and white-gold (grayish-white/golden/white). At the same time, the words “silver” and “golden” are due only to the color of the metal frame. A special water-repellent coating is designed to create a barrier that prevents small amounts of moisture from entering the device (splashes, light rain, etc.)

As already noted, the front side of the new smartphone, including the screen, is completely covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 with an oleophobic coating. At the same time, an LED flash was assembled around the decorative slot for the speaker, under which the text Moto logo was applied (on the left), front camera(right), as well as light and proximity sensors (right). Note that the Moto Z Play speaker, which turns out to be one in two faces, serves not only as a “conversational” speaker, but also as a “multimedia” one.

The display of the new product received on-screen buttons “Back”, “Home” and “Recent Applications” in the form of “triangle”, “circle”, “square” icons. But on the insert under the screen there is a miniature fingerprint scanner, to the left of which there is a hole for one of the three available microphones ("conversational").

The left edge of the case is empty, and on the right there are separate, unusually small, volume keys, as well as a power/lock button with raised notches.

The upper end of the case is occupied by a hole for the second microphone and a locked slot, the key for which is included with the smartphone. On a special tray, on one side there is space for two subscriber identification modules of the nanoSIM format (4FF), and on the other - for a microSD memory card. A similar solution has already been used, for example, in . Frankly speaking, this is a rather pleasant option in these times.

In addition to the symmetrical USB Type-C connector, there is room at the bottom for a 3.5 mm audio headset connector (CTIA TRRS). From the inscriptions printed here you can find out the name of the smartphone model and the country of production.

The rear panel of the case is made of textured tempered glass from Corning, decorated with a graphical Moto logo. In its lower part, in addition to the connector for connecting replaceable Moto Mods, there is a hole for a third microphone, and in the upper part for the main photo module. The latter, in addition to the lens, also includes a laser rangefinder and dual LED flash. The NFC antenna area is located on both sides of the photo module. On the plastic cover with a textile texture included with the smartphone, there was room not only for the graphic Moto logo, but also for holes for the main photo module and microphone.

Considering the 5.5-inch screen size, the placement of the volume control keys above the power/lock button did not seem very convenient. Moreover, it is quite easy to lock and unlock a smartphone using a fingerprint scanner. But the main thing is that when using replaceable Moto Mods, the device, which is not particularly elegant anyway, becomes (taking into account the increased thickness and weight) downright bulky.

Screen, camera, sound

The Moto Z Play smartphone, like the Moto Z, is equipped with a 5.5-inch screen based on a Super AMOLED matrix. However, unlike the flagship of the family, the resolution was reduced from Quad HD (2560x1440 pixels) to Full HD (1920x1080 pixels). But the scheme with two subpixels (PenTile RGBG) instead of three (RGB), of course, remains. At the same time, the density of dots per inch, according to the manufacturer’s calculations, is 403 ppi. The absence of an air gap between the touch layer and the matrix ensures good anti-glare properties of the screen and the ability to use it even in bright lighting. Let us recall that the undoubted advantage of displays with active matrixes is their economical energy consumption. The screen is protected from minor damage by Gorilla Glass 3, and the oleophobic coating applied to it makes it easy to remove grease.

The capacitive touch screen of the Moto Z Play supports multi-touch, and the AntTuTu Tester program confirmed that up to ten simultaneous touches are recognized. The backlight level can be adjusted manually, or use automatic tuning by light sensor ("Adaptive adjustment"). The settings provide two display modes. In "Normal" mode, colors appear calmer and warmer. But choosing the “Bright” option allows you to fully enjoy the cold acidity of the colors of the Super AMODED display.

The main highlight was the Moto Display option (available through the Moto application), which allows you to display the current time, battery charge and various notifications on the locked screen (you need to take the device in your hand or bring your palm to the screen). Let us remind you that a similar function in Lumia smartphones is known as Glance Screen, and in models - Always-On Display.

Some sources claim that the Moto Z Play uses a 16-megapixel OmniVision PureCel Plus-S OV16860 sensor (1/2.39-inch optical size) with an increased pixel size (1.3 microns versus the usual 1.12 microns) for the main camera, and front - OmniVision OmniBSI-2 OV5693 (optical size 1/4 inch, pixel size - 1.4 microns). However, no official confirmation of this could be found. The manufacturer indicates that the main camera with a two-tone LED flash has a lens with an f/2.0 aperture, as well as phase and laser (infrared) autofocus. The maximum resolution of the main camera is achieved with the classic aspect ratio (4:3) and is 4608x3456 pixels (16 MP), and with widescreen (16:9) - 4608x2592 pixels (11.9 MP). I would like to note the fairly confident shooting with this camera in low light, which is quite common in the conditions of the dull gray Moscow winter. Examples of photos can be viewed.

But the front camera seems to have been inherited unchanged from the flagship of the Moto Z family. Equipped with an LED flash, it is content with a lens with an f/2.2 aperture, a viewing angle of 85 degrees and a fixed focus.

“Your selfies” can be done both with “beautification” (manual or automatic) and without it, and, in addition, in the dark also with a flash. The maximum resolution for selfies with a classic aspect ratio (4:3) is 2592x1944 pixels (5 MP), and for a wide-screen groupie (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, but the front one is limited to Full HD quality (1920x1080 pixels) with the same frame rate. At the same time, for video slowed down four times (slo-mo), the main camera provides shooting quality of 720p@120 fps (1280x720 pixels). All content is saved in MP4 container files (AVC - video, AAC - audio).

The Camera app's interface is quite simple. Depending on the settings, you can take a photo either by touching the screen anywhere, or by tapping on the “Shutter” icon button. To the right of it is an icon for selecting the current mode - “Photo”, “Video”, “Panorama”, “Slow motion” and “Professional mode”. In the latter case, the “orbital” settings independently set the values ​​of ISO, shutter speed, exposure levels, white balance and focus. By the way, both cameras have Auto HDR mode.

You can change the scale (x1-x8) on the viewfinder by moving your finger up or down on the screen. It’s convenient to access the photo gallery by swiping left. 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 element can easily adjust the brightness of the picture. It is worth noting that QR and one-dimensional barcodes, as well as business cards (correctly only in Latin), are scanned automatically, you just need to point the camera at the corresponding object.

As for the sound, playback through the “multimedia” speaker, which also doubles as a “talk” speaker (and vice versa), is surprisingly clear even on maximum volume. However, advanced music lovers will most likely focus on the replaceable module of the Moto JBL Soundboost stereo system. At first, you will have to use the pre-installed Google Music application as an audio player. There is no built-in FM tuner on the Moto Z Play. An audio headset is not included with the smartphone.

Filling, performance

The Moto Z Play smartphone hides under the hood the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 (MSM8953) platform, made in compliance with 14 nm design standards, which has a positive impact on overall energy efficiency.

Less heat generation made it possible to increase clock frequency eight 64-bit ARM Cortex-A53 cores up to 2 GHz. The new chip supports video recording with 4K resolution (AVC and HEVC codecs) and cameras with sensors up to 24 MP. The X9 LTE ​​modem provides LTE Cat.7/13 (300/150 Mbit/s) data transmission and operation with Wi-Fi networks"ac" standard (this function is not implemented in this smartphone). The Adreno 506 graphics accelerator helps to cope with screen resolutions of up to 1900x1200 pixels at a frequency of 60 frames per second. In addition, the MSM8953 chip has built-in support for Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging (Lenovo preferred its own TurboPower standard). The basic configuration of the Moto Z Play is complemented by 3 GB of 32-bit LPDDR3 RAM (933 MHz), which is controlled by a single-channel controller. In terms of performance, Snapdragon 625 occupies an intermediate place between Snapdragon 617 and Snapdragon 652. This is not contradicted by the results obtained from the tests.

Yes, on synthetic benchmarks AnTuTu Benchmark new smartphone collected almost 63 thousand “virtual parrots”.

Intermediate results are also observed when assessing the amount of horsepower and the efficiency of using processor cores (Geekbench 4).

But on the High Performance and High Quality settings of the Epic Citadel visual test, the frame rate remained virtually unchanged, and only decreased slightly on the Ultra High Quality setting.

On the universal gaming benchmark 3DMark, where the Moto Z Play was tested on the recommended Sling Shot Extreme set, the average result was again recorded - 470 points.

The total number of points scored by the smartphone on the cross-platform benchmark Base Mark OS II was 1,000.

After turning on the smartphone, about 9 GB of the 32 GB of internal memory was used. To expand storage, the Moto Z Play has a separate tray with SIM cards for a microSD/HC/XC memory card up to 2 TB. In addition, thanks to the support of USB-OTG technology, you can also connect a USB storage device 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. In the settings of SIM cards, you are asked to determine the profile of their use. The set of 4G frequency bands contains the most popular in Russia - FDD-LTE Band 3 (1,800 MHz), Band 7 (2,600 MHz) and Band 20 (800 MHz). Among other wireless communications, it is worth noting the Wi-Fi module 802.11 a/b/g/n/ (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), as well as Bluetooth 4.0 LE and NFC interfaces.

Thus, using the NFC interface (supporting Mifare Classic technology), supplemented with the Moscow Transport Cards application, you can find out the balance of not only the Moscow Troika card, but also the Strelka card located near Moscow.

Used for location and navigation satellite systems GPS and GLONASS. A-GPS mode (cellular and Wi-Fi networks) is also available.

The non-removable battery capacity of the Moto Z Play is 3,510 mAh. This is significantly more than the flagship of the Moto Z family (2,600 mAh). In particular, the manufacturer notes that the accumulated charge lasts for 50 hours active use smartphone. Plus, thanks to TurboPower technology, in just 15 minutes the Moto Z Play's battery is filled enough to provide another 9-10 hours of operation. For this purpose, a 15-watt power supply is included with this smartphone. Charger, designed for a current of 3 A, with a “tightly” fixed cable. Considering the high current strength, such a precaution from the manufacturer is completely justified, but the smartphone “forgot” to include a separate USB Type-C cable for communication with a PC.

After 5-hour tests, the AnTuTu Tester program showed a record result for the battery - 16,135 points. At the same time, every hour of continuous playback of test videos (in MP4 format with hardware decoding in Full HD quality and at full brightness) reduced the battery charge by an average of 6% (within 7 hours). In general, enviable autonomy.

As you know, the most power-hungry component of a smartphone is its screen. Even in the case of a Super AMOLED display, you should not neglect to limit the period of its activity in the settings. Battery life is also intended to extend the power saving mode, which is activated either forcefully or automatically when the battery charge level is 5% or 15%. Savings are achieved by reducing performance, as well as turning off background traffic, geolocation and vibration signals.

Software Features

The Moto Z Play smartphone runs on operating system Android systems 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) functionality which is expanded with Moto and Moto Mods applications. In the coming months (probably not earlier than March), the manufacturer promises an over-the-air update to the latest version - Android 7.0 (Nougat). It is reported that along with innovations in the OS itself, including support for the Google Daydream virtual reality platform, Moto gestures will be improved to reduce the working area when working with one hand.

After registering at least one fingerprint (the smartphone’s dacto card stores papillary patterns of only five fingers), a regular tap unlocks the smartphone, and a tap and hold locks it. A fingerprint scanner is also recommended to be used with third party applications, providing such an option, and, in addition, when paying for purchases.

One of the important branded applications, expanding the capabilities of the standard software, is the Moto assistant, which supports gestures and voice commands, and also manages on-screen notifications in Moto Display mode.

Purchase, conclusions

The main feature of the Moto Z Play, undoubtedly, is the ability to connect replaceable Moto Mods modules, which allow it not only to change its appearance, but also to acquire additional functions. But among other members of the Moto Z family, the new smartphone stands out for its capacious battery, which, along with an energy-efficient platform and Super AMOLED screen, provides it with very high autonomy. The Moto Z Play is also worth noting the presence of a water-repellent casing coating, proprietary TurboPower fast charging, separate connectors for simultaneous connection two SIM cards and a memory card, as well as a “pure” Android OS with the prospect of upgrading to version 7.0 (Nougat).

Unfortunately, the average performance of the Moto Z Play is not the only drawback of this smartphone. Moreover, the overall picture is spoiled not so much by the meager equipment as by the high price of the smartphone itself, as well as some replaceable Moto Mods.

So, at the time of testing, the Moto Z Play, which is positioned by the manufacturer for entertainment, was asked for 34,990 rubles in the Lenovo brand store and large retail chains. At the same time, in terms of performance, this smartphone loses, in particular, to last year’s flagship under the Huawei brand - (27,990 rubles), which received, for example, the now fashionable dual camera. However, the “music pro” turns out to be significantly faster than both of these devices; for the version with 64 GB of internal memory (4 GB of RAM) they asked for only 29,990 rubles. As for Moto Mods, for example, for 19,990 rubles (the cost of the Hasselblad True Zoom photo module) you can purchase a full-fledged smartphone with improved photo capabilities. Of course, the latter does not have a 10x optical zoom and RAW format support, and you will have to get used to the proprietary Flyme shell, etc. and so on. However, if you are not a devoted fan of the Motorola brand, then before purchasing the Moto Z Play, you should once again weigh the pros and cons. At the same time, for some, the decisive factor may be the availability of a VIP service for owners of Moto Z smartphones.

Review results of the Moto Z Play smartphone

Pros:

• Possibility of connecting Moto Mods modules
• Very high autonomy
• Water-repellent housing coating
• Branded fast charging TurboPower
• Separate places for simultaneous connection of two SIM cards and a memory card
• "Clean" Android OS with the prospect of upgrading to version 7.0 (Nougat)

Minuses:

• Average performance
• High price of a smartphone and some replacement modules
• Modest equipment
• Not the best latest version Android out of the box

Developing a modular concept different from LG's, Lenovo introduced new line Moto Z smartphones that support replaceable accessories. Flagships new series steel Z Force and Z Droid, announced in June. But the Moto Z Play, presented in September, has become a more affordable and mass-produced device.

The smartphone differs from its “big brothers” in simplified characteristics, but it also costs noticeably less. You can buy the Moto Z Play now for around $500. In Ukraine, the official declared price of Moto Z Play at the start of sales is the equivalent of $480 or 13,000 UAH; in Russia it sells for about 34,000 rubles.

What exactly did the manufacturer save on, is the new product much inferior to the flagships, and is it worth buying a smartphone? The Moto Z Play review will help you figure it out.

The characteristics of the smartphone allow us to classify it as middle class, but in some ways the device is superior to its rivals.

Design, case materials, dimensions and weight

Taking into account the modular concept, which involves installing functional accessories on the rear panel, the design of all devices in the series is designed in the same style. The same applies to their sizes: Moto Z Play has dimensions of 156x76 mm, and its thickness is 7 mm. These numbers are not much different from the flagships of the line. The device weighs 165 grams.

From the front, the Moto Z Play has a typical Motorola appearance; it is slightly rounded, but does not have pronounced “soapy” outlines. On the glass panel below there is a square fingerprint scanner (you can also lock the device and perform other functions), above the display there is a dual speaker, camera, sensors and front flash.

The back panel is made of glass. It features a protruding circle with a camera, a logo in the form of the corporate letter M and a contact pad for plug-in modules. Regarding the back panel, the public was divided into 2 camps. Some people think this design is stylish and futuristic, while others think that without decorative overlays (fortunately, there are quite a few of them), the back of the device looks ridiculous.

The smartphone frame, made of metal, has an unusual design. It is divided by plastic inserts in the middle of the upper and lower ends. The insert on the top is narrow; on either side of it there is a card slot and a microphone hole.
At the bottom, the plastic island is wider and houses a USB Type C port.

The left side is empty, there is nothing on it.
On right side There is a power key and separate volume up/down buttons.

CPU

The Moto Z Play is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset, the most modern mid-range solution from this manufacturer (not counting the 626 model, which is not available anywhere at the time of writing this review). It consists of 8 Cortex A53 cores, with frequencies up to 2 GHz, and an Adreno 506 graphics accelerator. The SoC is manufactured using a thin 14 nm process technology.

The chipset's capabilities are more than enough for everyday activities. You can also play on it, although some demanding games will only run fine on medium settings. In AnTuTu, the device scores about 63 thousand points, which corresponds to the flagships of 2015.

Memory

The Moto Z Play has 3 GB of RAM, it is equipped with LPDDR3 933 MHz chips. At system start, about 2 GB is available system memory. This is quite enough to run any applications and normal multitasking. The smartphone has 32 GB of internal memory, and there is a separate slot for a flash drive up to 256 GB.

Battery

The battery capacity is 3510 mAh, which doesn’t seem like much for such a diagonal. However, the smartphone demonstrates very good battery life. Of course, it won’t produce a day of video playback, as indicated by some sources (except in “spherical in a vacuum” conditions). But you can fully count on 15 hours of active screen, and this is comparable to the Vibe P2, which has 5000 mAh. In moderate use mode, you can expect 5 days of operation without recharging. Display technology and chipset production technology play an important role in such autonomy.

The smartphone is equipped with QuickCharge charging (here it is called TurboPower) with an energy output of up to 15 W. You can charge up to 40% in half an hour, and 100% in about 100 minutes.

Cameras

The Moto Z Play has a main camera based on the OV16860 matrix with a resolution of 16 MP. The same one is used in G4 Plus. The matrix has dimensions of 1/2.4", which means a pixel size of 1.3 microns. The aperture of the optics is f/2. The camera supports a hybrid phase-laser autofocus system and is equipped with a dual flash.

Photo with flash

Despite the fact that the camera was not very warmly received by some users, objectively it takes very, very decent pictures. The Samsung Galaxy A7-16 takes photos in approximately the same way, and the equivalent Galaxy C7 is not at all a rival to the Moto Z Play, as it loses ground considerably in the evening. The pictures come out great during the day, worse in the evening, but still quite decent. Here are some examples of photos taken with the main camera:

The front camera has a resolution of 5 MP and is based on the OV5693 matrix. The sensor size is 1/4", the optical aperture is f/2.2. There is a flash, which really helps (it’s more useful than the Galaxy J5, not to mention its purely formal presence in budget Chinese, like UMI Rome) The only nitpick about the front camera is that it doesn’t have autofocus, otherwise this camera is pretty good.

The main camera can record video in a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels, with 30 FPS, and also records slow-mo in HD. Thanks to the abundance of microphones, the video is shot with decent stereo sound. The front camera shoots videos in 1080p at 30 frames per second.

Screen

The smartphone display is built on a Super AMOLED matrix with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels and a diagonal of 5.5 inches (401 PPI). It copes well with color reproduction (although some users may find bright colors oversaturated), has maximum viewing angles and good contrast. The display settings are quite modest, so aesthetes will not be able to calibrate the gamma or color temperature to suit their eyes.

The display is covered with high-quality glass with a normal oleophobic layer. Stains remain, but are easily wiped off (this also applies to the back panel). Multi-touch supports up to 10 touches.

Communications

The smartphone is available in versions with 1 (for America) and 2 SIM cards. GSM, 3G HSPA and CDMA (for America and China) and LTE networks are supported. European models have no problems with LTE Band 1, 3, 7 and 20, everything works. Wi-Fi supports 2.4 and 5 GHz networks, including the new ac standard. The navigator supports GPS and GLONASS systems; it finds satellites confidently and quickly. On board there is NFC module, which makes me happy.

Sound

The smartphone is equipped with a speaker located above the screen. Its quality can be called quite good, the volume is sufficient, but it is nothing more than a smartphone speaker. But another thing is good: unlike the ultra-thin flagship, Moto Z Play has a headphone jack, so you don’t have to part with your proven Zennheiser, Sony or Koss headphones and don’t have to weave a network of adapters. The Qualcomm WCD9335 DAC is responsible for audio processing, which is actually capable of working with uncompressed formats (that is, good Hi-Fi ears will show the difference between FLAC and MP3, albeit insignificant).

operating system

Moto Z Play runs on Android 6 OS, and you can already upgrade to OS version 7. The system is almost clean, differs little from stock Android, even the icons standard programs not redrawn. The OS works stably, there are no crashes. There are no pre-installed applications; they are replaced by standard tools.

Peculiarities

Branded control features have become a tradition for Moto Z. There is an Active Display function (the date and time and notifications are displayed on the screen), and by turning the smartphone in your hand you can launch the camera. By waving the device (the main thing is not to drop it, without the overhead panels it is slippery), you can start the flashlight, and by placing the gadget with the screen down, you can turn on silent mode. By twisting the smartphone in your hand, the camera turns on.

Among the features of a smartphone, we should also not forget modules - accessories that expand capabilities. On this moment Hasselblad camera with optical zoom, projector, music box with speaker and battery available. Other modules should appear in the future.

There is a choice of various panels that, if unfastened incorrectly, scratch the rear window. One black nylon pad is included in the kit, the rest can be purchased (from 10 to 20 usd).

Pros and cons of Moto Z Play

• good screen;
• good camera;
• plug-ins;
• excellent autonomy;
• good sound.

Flaws:

• the body is slippery and easily soiled;
• Dimensions are not the most ergonomic.

Who is a smartphone suitable for?

The smartphone is designed for fans of stylish devices that require modern functionality. With the help of replaceable panels, the back of the Moto Z Play can be customized to suit any taste. The smartphone is universal, and is quite competitive with the flagships of last year. It has everything that demanding users need: normal screen, good camera, decent chipset and good battery life.

The smartphone is not suitable only for those who think that $500 for a Snapdragon 625 is a lot. However, in this case, the choice comes down only to the Chinese, who do not have modules, worse camera, the screen is not so bright or not everything is so rosy with the music. In general, you will definitely have to pay for the savings.

Our review of Moto Z Play

Moto Z Play is a smartphone that can be considered the “golden mean” of the new Moto series. It has almost all the features of its more expensive brothers, but belongs to the average category, and the Moto Z Play review did not reveal any critical disadvantages for the current price tag. There is nothing special to compare the smartphone with.

If we discard modularity, the Galaxy A7-2016 and C7 suggest themselves as competitors, but the first has weaker hardware and a less capacious battery, and the second is also considerably behind in terms of autonomy, and in terms of camera it completely falls short. Xiaomi Mi5S Plus with two cameras does not shoot better than the hero of the review with one. Sony has competitors, but they are inferior either in price or hardware. Only Huawei Mate 8 and P9 can seriously compete with it, but they also do not have impressive autonomy.