Motorola Moto Z Play
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“It is hard not to have mixed feelings for the Moto Z Play and for that matter, most new Moto offers. On the one hand, we're talking the legendary manufacturer (albeit now under Lenovo management) that many people still tend to trust for quality and reliability. Plus, in the new Vanilla Android world, where Google is no longer a distant overseer, looking down on its followers and guiding them, but rather an active market player in the big leagues, Motorola is still a go-to choice for a good AOSP experience.”
“Like already the Moto Z, one of the main features of the Moto Z Play is its expandability via Moto Mods. These modules will be supported for at least three device generations according to Lenovo. However, buyers have to dig deeper into their pockets at first. Even if this might be considered senseless, looking at the Moto Z Play is recommendable: With its frugal and nevertheless sufficiently fast Snapdragon 625 SoC, it achieves a very long battery life, the screen convinces with high contrasts and good viewing angle stability, and the casing made of a metal-glass composition feels first-rate. Furthermore, the review sample offers almost everything that smartphone buyers desire with dual-SIM functionality, NFC, USB Type-C port, and fast fingerprint scanner - even a 3.5-mm jack is integrated. One of the few real shortcomings of the review sample is the primary camera's unreliable auto-focus.”
“If $450 is still within your price range and you want a phone that you can go days without charging, get the Moto Z Play. You won't have to use its Mods if you don't want to buy them (though they are fun to play around with), and you'll still get an enduring handset (with a headphone jack!) that'll outlast the next $400 or even $700 phone by far.”
“The Moto Z Play Droid offers the most affordable ticket of entry yet into the world of Moto Mods expansion, supporting all the existing add-ons like the projector, speaker, and various battery packs, as well as the new Hasselblad True Zoom camera. If you liked the idea of all those when you first heard about the Moto Z, but weren't quite up for paying flagship prices for your new phone, the Moto Z Play is practically built for you.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
The Moto Z series brought the Moto line into the world of modular smartphones. With Lenovo’s latest release–the Moto Z Play–they’re hoping to bring modular access to the mid-level market.
Does this dialed back version still hold the magic reviewers loved about the Moto Z and Moto Z Force? Let’s see what they are saying!
The Moto Z Play features a glass and aluminum design that reviewers all loved. unlike the previous models, the Z Play includes a 3.5mm headphone jack. Some reviewers mentioned that a lack of curved edges made one-handed use harder. Many also questioned why the fingerprint reader couldn’t double as a home button.
The back of the phone features the series’ modular accessory connector at the bottom for use with Moto Mods. Phone scooped summed up design opinions well, saying, “Absolutely nothing about the Z Play suggests it is less refined than the Z and Z Force. If anything, the glass surfaces make it look even more polished. It is a really nice piece of hardware.”
Flipping around front, you’re greeted by a 5.5-inch 1080p AMOLED panel. Reviews were stellar for display quality with the typical color saturation comments. Fortunately, Lenovo includes color profile options to tone things down if you prefer.
Lenovo scales back performance a bit from the higher priced offerings for the Z Play opting for an Octa-core Snapdragon 625 processor and 3GB of RAM. Talk Android noted, “For the most part the device holds up extremely well for everyday tasks.” You’ll also find 32GB of internal storage and support for microSD cards up to 2TB to ensure you can keep your favorite media and apps on-hand with plenty of room for snapping pictures.
The 16MP rear camera fell just short of greatness for many reviewers. While the laser and phase detection autofocus ensure a fast picture taking experience, lack of optical image stabilization led many to have issues with fine details. However, reviewers love the quality of low-light and night images. Reviews were equally positive on the 5MP front-facing shooter. GreenBot tested the camera and said, “Despite the occasional grainyness and limited dynamic range common to more affordable phones, you can get some really nice shots with the Moto Z Play.”
The star of the phone for most reviewers was the battery. Clocking in at 3510mAh, the Moto Z Play features the largest battery in the series. Paired with the mid-tier specs, reviewers were getting two and three days on a single charge. Phone Scoop noted, “There’s no question the phone can go from breakfast on Day 1 to bedtime on Day 2 with a solid reserve still in the battery. I was never able to fully deplete the battery during my tests over a week’s time.” Add in support for Turbo Charging with the included cable and wall adapter and you should have little worry about battery life with this phone.
Overall, reviewers found the phone a great value. The biggest complaint didn’t come from the phone itself but the sheer amount of bloat installed on the Verizon-locked version of the handset.
What people actually want to know
When was the Motorola Moto Z Play released?
The Motorola Moto Z Play was released on October 1, 2016.
How long does the battery last on the Motorola Moto Z Play?
The Motorola Moto Z Play has a 3,510 mAh battery.
Does the Motorola Moto Z Play have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Motorola Moto Z Play has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the Motorola Moto Z Play have NFC?
Yes, the Motorola Moto Z Play has NFC. You can use Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pair with Bluetooth accessories.
Where can I get support for the Motorola Moto Z Play?
Visit Motorola's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Where can I download the Motorola Moto Z Play manual?
You can view and download the Motorola Moto Z Play manual on our dedicated manual page.
Questions & answers
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How it compares
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Yes, it does have Gorilla Glass protection. For more info, visit Motorola Moto Z Play page here in The Informr.