Motorola Moto Z3 hands-on review

5G Moto mod

Like we already mentioned earlier, Verizon did the best it could to gear the Moto Z3 launch event in a clear 5G direction. As it turns out, Verizon might be a little ahead of other US carriers on the 5G train, with residential broadband service in four markets in the U.S. - including Houston, Los Angeles, Sacramento and one additional city expected to go live in the second half of 2018. Then, a 5G mobile offer will follow in 2019 and when that happens, Verizon wants you to know that you can get the Moto Z3 connected to the massive bandwidth through the 5G Moto Mod.

The entire thing has PR stunt stapled all over it, in our opinion for a number of reasons. Chief among being the pure matter of time until the 5G service goes live, leaving plenty of opportunity for native, integrated 5G models to pop-up in many other devices. Also, the 5G Moto mod, shown at the event was clearly not in a finished, or at least not a polished state.

Hopefully, this unofficial prototype state means we can expect the whole thing to be slimmed down, at least a bit. Since now it is almost comically oversized, compared to the Moto Z3. Not only is it quite thick and hefty, but it literally features a protruding chink near the top - what we can only assume is an antenna.

5G Moto mod

As per Motorola's PR materials, the 5G Moto mod promises data transfers "10 times faster than today's wireless technology", which might be a theoretical claim to make, but mostly falls in line with the recent 5G hype. Also, the mod also contains a 2,000 mAh battery, which might explain some of its weight and bulk.

5G Moto mod

Even so, the whole thing just seems a bit too oversized in its current state. Plus, we did also have a few questions as to how exactly it will operate and be offered to users. So, after asking around at the event, it was made even clearer that the thing we saw on the show floor is a "hardware mockup." The final version will contain Qualcomm's X50 modem, theoretically capable of speeds up to 5Gbps.

5G Moto mod

We took note of the future tense here, meaning that the thing we were handed might not contain any modem at all, at this point. So, you really shouldn't judge it as a final product quite yet. As for the functionality questions we had, apparently, the mod will have its own SIM card. Be it a regular or e-SIM one, it won't be user accessible. That kind of explains the separate type-C interface. Like every other Moto mod, it will be able to charge while attached to the phone, via its charger. However, the USB interface might be used to hook it up to a PC for 5G connectivity.

Pricing and availability

Finished or not, the 5G Moto mod does sound intriguing. Especially since Motorola's website mentions it will initially be available only for the Moto Z3 and Z3 Play, but should, eventually, be compatible with Moto Z2 devices, as well. That sounds like a unique connectivity upgrade for older models.

However, given the non-user-accessible nature of the SIM card and the fact that Verizon is currently claiming exclusivity for the add-on, its wide-spread appeal will likely be limited. Also, we have little doubt that the US carrier will be offering it on a separate contract for 5G, likely asking a pretty penny, especially initially.

That being said, pricing for the 5G Moto mod is still unknown. As for the Moto Z3 - Verizon will start selling it on August 16, at $20 a month for 24 months on Verizon's device payment plan ($480 retail; 0% APR). The carrier is also offering up to $300 off that price on a device payment plan if you switch to Verizon or trade-in an old phone. Verizon hopes that could provide enough of an incentive for users to go after the 5G Moto mod, once it becomes available and put the savings towards that. We are not so convinced, but we'll have to see how it all pans out before coming with a final verdic. In the meantime, stay tuned for our upcoming Moto Z3 review.