Motorola Moto Z and Z Force announced: Everything you need to know
Motorola's Moto Z hasn't been an exact secret, as we've known about the phone's modular design for a while now thanks to recent leaks. And today, Motorola has finally confirmed all those rumors and made the Moto Z line official.
Now, the Moto Z has two models. The first one is called the Moto Z, and the other called the Moto Z Force. And to start off with the Moto Z, it comes with a 5.5-inch QuadHD AMOLED display that is being powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor with 4GB of RAM. It also comes with 32 or 64GB of internal storage, which can be easily expanded via a MicroSD card expansion slot. There is a 13-megapixel camera located on the back that has a f/1.8 lens as well as Optical Image Stabilization. Additionally, there is a Fingerprint scanner located on the front. Disappointingly, there is a 2,800mAh battery that is not the biggest we've seen on a flagship phone. However, the reason why there is such a small battery is because the phone is only 5.2mm thick, without any mod accessories added. Motorola is highlighting the Moto Z as the "thinnest premium smartphone." However, because the phone is that thin, there is no headphone jack located anywhere on the phone. Thankfully, there is an adapter included that will allow you to connect headphones through the USB-C port. The other alternative is to use Bluetooth to listen to music, as well.
Moving onto the Moto Z force, it has the exact same specifications as the regular model, but an improved camera that now has a 21-megapixel sensor, as well as a 3,500mAh battery, and a shatterproof glass panel. As you can probably tell, the Force will be a bit thicker than the Z, measuring at 7mm.
What makes the Moto Z line tick is their modular capability. Now, both the Moto Z and Z force have four magnets and a series of pins located at the back of the phone, allowing accessories to attach to add extra function to the phone. Motorola is calling those accessories that attach to the phone Moto Mods. Motorola is going to be selling a "Style Shell" Mod with each phone, which comes in a variety of materials or finishes, which include nylon, wood, or leather. Motorola told The Verge that they Moto Maker software will still be available and allow for customization of the phone's front color, which comes in black or white, and the metal frame color. The company is also expecting their customers to have at least the Style Shell on at all times, which will help reduce the phone's apparent thinness.
In addition to the Style Shell, Motorola is selling other mods that can add functionality. For example, The SoundBoost Mod is made with a partnership with JBL, and it includes a speaker that expands the output of the device with two three-watt drivers and adds an extra 1,000mAh of battery capacity. If the speaker is not your thing and you just want some extra battery life, Motorola has you covered with the Power Pack Mod, which adds a 2,220mAh battery pack to the back of the phone. It comes in three different styles thanks to partnerships via Incipio, Kate Spade, and Tumi. There is the Insta-Share Mod, which adds a pico projector to the phone, which allows you to broadcast the phone's display up to 70 inches wide at a 480p resolution.
What is great about the Mods is that they are integrated into the phone's software, so you will be able to monitor the phone's battery as well as the Mod's battery. Since the connection is through the pins on the back, the SoundBoost Mod requires no pairing or setting up. Additionally, the Mods can be attached or detached whenever you want, and don't require the phone to be rebooted in the process.
Motorola is going the extra mile by saying that the Mods will work with future models of the Z line and that they are committed to the overall size and shape of the Z for at least two generations to ensure compatibility, which is something that LG hasn't specified as of yet. They are also saying that they will have a roadmap of Mods for future releases. Additionally, they are offering a development kit for third-party companies to build mods for themselves. In fact, Lenovo's Capital and Incubator Group is setting up a $1,000,000 fund for the individual or company that comes up with the best prototype Mod by March 31st, 2017.
The Moto Z and Z Force will be first made available on Verizon's network, rebranded as the Moto Z Droid Edition and the Moto Z Force Droid Edition. The phones plus the Mods will be on sale starting in the summer. If you're not on Verizon's network, you'll be waiting a while, as it will be sold unlocked in the US and other parts of the world in the fall.
Via: | The Verge |
-
Source: | No source was given |
-
Image Credit: | Engadget | Android Central |
