Moto Z Play review: Playmodo

23 December 2016
Few names in the fast-paced mobile industry can boast such a long-standing and universal brand recognition such as the legendary Motorola. Even now, after the glory GSM age is long gone, and the brand is under Lenovo leadership, the Moto badge still has a special place in the minds of the tech-savvy.

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  • a
  • anon
  • JK}
  • 18 Feb 2017

AnonD-442158, 28 Jan 2017Edit: I'm fine with phones up to 2 cm thick, not 1 cm,No led, but there is active display and every1 who is using motorola knows that is something you will miss when ever you change device... Led vs active display? Why would i need stupid notification light over advanced sensors + battery friendly amoled screen which shows interactive notifications on glance

    • D
    • AnonD-543906
    • XNB
    • 14 Feb 2017

    Purchased this phone for long battery backup which i was not getting in my previous phones. Totally satisfied with two months of use. Good camera performance with google open camera app. Battery lasts two days with moderate usage which is increased after updating to nougat. no lags. super-amoled display too good. purchased transparent back cover which gives it an elegant look. Waiting for cheap mods especially camera.

      • J
      • Jay
      • r6S
      • 14 Feb 2017

      Not to bad of a phone, would have been better if it came with a back cover like the moto z.

        • D
        • AnonD-442158
        • thv
        • 28 Jan 2017

        AnonD-442158, 27 Jan 2017Is there a..... wait, let me guess, THERE ISN'T A LED NOTIF... moreEdit: I'm fine with phones up to 2 cm thick, not 1 cm,

          • D
          • AnonD-442158
          • thv
          • 27 Jan 2017

          Is there a..... wait, let me guess, THERE ISN'T A LED NOTIF on the MZP is there !?

          When i was eyeing on the X Play not too long ago, i did get dissapointed by the absence of LED notification. I was pitting it against Vibe P1, Vibe K5, and also Vibe P1 "Turbo" that each has rather unacceptable weaknesses.

          For this reason alone, the MZP loses outright to P2 in my opinion.

          Does the MZP has points worthy of mention ? Yes there are !
          - proprietary slot for the 2nd sim AND micro SD card slot
          - Moto Mods, in particular i'd like to give that Battery extension a chance, which looks like a fancy powerbank you can slap to the back of the phone. Then again, no news yet on Moto Mods availability in my country. Speakin of battery, the P2 also wins in terms of proprietary fast charging tech, 15 W vs 18 W. Yes, i feel the need for even more battery even though the current score is quite good.
          - it is remarkably Slim. Well, it's uncertain how much thickness the Battery moto mods will add. I'm fine with phones up to 1 cm thick. Even thick bezels, half a centimeter on each sides are fine. That huge protruding camera doesn't look good, without the moto mods.

            • D
            • Darkauror
            • tDC
            • 27 Jan 2017

            AnonD-628507, 04 Jan 2017The projector is surprisingly good (for $50 more at least).... moreIn my country, the projector mod costs $350 above the phone's price
            Even the speaker mod costs $100
            An instant sales dud in my opinion

              • s
              • shan
              • XQ0
              • 19 Jan 2017

              does it support themes???

                • S
                • Surprize
                • PtJ
                • 13 Jan 2017

                The review covers a lot of aspects, but I think that the reviewer went rant at times... the phone is really good on stuff like perfomance, numbers lie. I compared mines to a friends S6 and perfomance is on par (also the price), touchwiz is heavy, same for emui and miui. Of course you can go with LineageOS or something like that but you miss a lot of stuff from the manufacturer.

                  • A
                  • Aloof
                  • tZ4
                  • 13 Jan 2017

                  AnonD-631761, 12 Jan 2017I have to renew my cell phone plan, the company gives me fr... moreIt's too late but one main aspect from each, Z Play for battery life, P9 for camera. Whichever you lean towards more. Great company btw.

                    • D
                    • AnonD-631761
                    • 8Wp
                    • 12 Jan 2017

                    I have to renew my cell phone plan, the company gives me free Moto Z play or the Huawei p9 (32gb 3gb ram), which of these 2 recommend I have to choose today, please help me

                      • A
                      • Aloof
                      • tZ0
                      • 12 Jan 2017

                      Nick.B, 12 Jan 2017in daytime there is no phone on par with the force in low ... moreDynamic range on Moto phones is still lagging, and Moto flagships (SD8XX) often reduce noise too much with their cams. If what you're saying is true, I'll be one of the happiest person though, because if Moto really is better in camera than others, this brand will be my no brainer, despite cheaper options being available out there. What's more, Z Force is only available in the US. I'd really like to have a 2Xmp camera (I know resolution isn't a main criterion in pic quality) with good software processing on a Moto phone globally.

                        Aloof, 06 Jan 2017Probably better detail in some shots, that's allin daytime there is no phone on par with the force
                        in low light the force is in top 3
                        video is also top 3

                          • W
                          • Wamsy
                          • 7ki
                          • 11 Jan 2017

                          For those who are suffering from focus disturbances

                          I have a tip

                          Cover the dual sensors just sits side to camera lens and see the magic.

                            • A
                            • Aloof
                            • tZj
                            • 06 Jan 2017

                            Nick.B, 06 Jan 2017buy z force it has better camera than google pixel xl Probably better detail in some shots, that's all

                              • A
                              • Aloof
                              • tZj
                              • 06 Jan 2017

                              LLL, 06 Jan 2017Read some other reviews from the internet. You will be hard... moreWhich are you referring to?

                                buy z force
                                it has better camera than google pixel xl

                                  • L
                                  • LLL
                                  • PA7
                                  • 06 Jan 2017

                                  Another MZP Owner, 05 Jan 2017So let me get this straight: Samsung Galaxy C7: 625 SoC... moreRead some other reviews from the internet. You will be hard pressed to find any less-than-four-star mark.
                                  Android Authority, Android Headlines, Android Police, Phone Arena, PC World Greenbot, PC Mag, Phone Scoop etc

                                    • A
                                    • Aloof
                                    • tZ0
                                    • 05 Jan 2017

                                    Another MZP Owner, 05 Jan 2017So let me get this straight: Samsung Galaxy C7: 625 SoC... moreWell, people say Samsung after sale services are better. Samsung cameras are more likely than not, better than Moto's. even at lower priced categories. I support Moto though. Hope they frigging step up the game in cameras. My only wish.

                                      • A
                                      • Aloof
                                      • tZ0
                                      • 05 Jan 2017

                                      AnonD-628507, 04 Jan 2017The projector is surprisingly good (for $50 more at least).... moreThose mighty discounts won't be found anywhere outside US

                                        • A
                                        • Another MZP Owner
                                        • SwJ
                                        • 05 Jan 2017

                                        So let me get this straight:

                                        Samsung Galaxy C7:
                                        625 SoC, questionable Touch Wiz overlay. ~400+ euro
                                        Is good and well played

                                        Meanwhile

                                        MZP:
                                        625 SoC, clear Android, better battery, Moto Mods. ~400+ euro.
                                        Not ok, overpriced, fail.
                                        >??
                                        >profit