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Moto Z deals and reviews

Moto Z

80/100
33 Critic Reviews

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Release Date (UK): September 2016

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What the critics say (scores are out of 100)

100

Mobile Choice | Sunetra Chakravarti

To be fair, there aren't really many negatives I can point out about this phone and its winning the Mobile Choice Consumer Award 2016 for Most Innovative Device proves it is far ahead in the pack than its peers. Pure Android is another plus as are the fast charge capabilities.

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96

TechAeris | Jason Bouwmeester

If you're looking for a smartphone that's versatile, has decent battery life, and has options to "mod" your phone, the Moto Z and Moto Z Play are definitely a pair of smartphones which shine in a field that has become relatively stagnant over the past couple years.

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90

TheEffect.Net | John Reilly

Overall, we really enjoyed our time with the Moto Z and the Moto Mods. Even without the Moto Mods, the Moto Z is an extremely impressive phone.

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90

Recombu | Alex Todd

The Moto Z is obviously priced like a flagship, but justifies the cost well. If you're after a Nexus/Pixel XL-like stock Android experience with a little extra spice, the Moto Z's arrival in Europe is perfectly timed.; if not, look at key rivals like the OnePlus 3, which costs less or the Galaxy S7, which delivers (but also costs) a little more.

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89

NotebookCheck | Andreas Kilian

Thanks to the new Moto Mod concept, there is some fresh wind in the high-end smartphone segment. But the Moto Z also convinces with classic smartphone features. Only the picture quality of the main camera falls behind the high-end rivals.

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89

phoneArena | Stephen S.

Even if there were no modular hardware here, the Moto Z Droid and Moto Z Force Droid would still be some really attractive handsets. The super-thin design is stunning while still feeling robust (even if it's tricky to get used to handling a phone so svelte), performance doesn't let us down, and both models offer some decent camera output.

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88

Android Authority | Joshua Vergara

While it's take on 'the future' needs to further prove itself, the potential of the new Moto Z line could take already pretty great smartphones to a whole new level.

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87

pocketnow | Juan Carlos Bagnell

These Motos [Moto Z and Moto Z Force] aren't quite the best jack of all trade phones. Instead, the premium you're paying for is this Moto Mod system, which requires additional buy-in for the accessories you might want to use.

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86

Pickr | Leigh Stark

With the Mods, Moto's Z is fascinating, and a brilliant look at what phones can be when companies think outside the box. Without the Mods, and it's just another phone...If you have a need for the convergence options of this phone, you'll have not just something interesting, but a talking point for you and your friends, as it was with us.

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84

Engadget | Chris Velazco

After years of thoughtful refinements to the Moto X line, Motorola has plotted a new direction with the Moto Z. It's incredibly slim, modular, and packs true flagship-level horsepower -- all things you couldn't really say about last year's Moto X Pure edition.

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80

Gadgets Now | Heena Gupta

... if don't care about modularity and just want a well rounded device, you can go for alternatives such as the Samsung Galaxy S7 and HTC 10, which are just as good.

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80

AndroidPit | Hans-Georg Kluge

...it's a successful complete package with a fast processor, a solid display, and a pleasant feel. Whoever needs a high-end smartphone with dual-SIM functions, needs to look no further. The only criticisms are the camera performance at twilight and the barely adequate supply of storage space.

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80

TechRadar | Matt Swider

Moto Z is an incredibly thin Android phone, yet it's still able to boast the specs of its rival and add modular accessories to the mix. This is a stepping stone to a modular phone.

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80

Mobile Syrup | Igor Bonifacic

The Moto Z is one of the best smartphone Motorola has released to date. It presents something new and different, and does so while still being a functional device. On its own, it's an easy recommendation.

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80

Alphr | Alan Martin

The Moto Z is an incredibly thin handset with a more practical approach to modularity. It's one of my favourite phones of the year, and I'd be tempted myself if I hadn't only recently upgraded. If you see it on an appealing contract, then go for it. You'll thank me later.

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80

NDTV Gadgets | Roydon Cerejo

At its price, the Moto Z Play is flying dangerously close to the current favourite, the OnePlus 3. The Moto Z Play does hold its own performance in all departments making it a very good all-rounder.

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80

Expert Reviews | Katharine Byrne

The Moto Z is another great Android phone from Motorola and Lenovo, and it offers something truly different to everything else out there. Disappointing camera aside, the Moto Z is the best modular smartphone yet. It comes Recommended.

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80

PC Mag | Sascha Segan

The Motorola Moto Z Droid is a cool smartphone with removable backs, but it lags slightly behind its bigger sibling.

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80

Stuff | Andrew Hayward

Flagship appeal, but Mods can't make up for the Moto Z's shortcomings

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80

Tom's Guide | Sam Rutherford

With the Moto Z, Lenovo takes a bold step into the future with easy-to-use modularity, although axing the headphone jack feels a bit premature... The standard Moto Z pushes the boundaries of smartphone thinness.

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80

CNET UK | Lynn La

Ambitious, quirky and ultimately useful, the Motorola Moto Z is the most polished and customizable modular phone yet.... Without the Mods, the Moto Z is a good, if pricey, Android phone that has the same powerful specs and performance as other top-tier rivals for about the same cost.

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80

BGR | Zach Epstein

Motorola has managed to build a phone that feature a better design, better materials, better build quality, better relative battery life and better performance than just about anything else out there.... The Z Droid is insanely sleek and slim.

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80

The Verge | Chris Welch

If Lenovo's goal was to stray from the pack and do something a little different, it succeeded. The Moto Z and Moto Mods are unique. They're fun. They're a little gimmicky. But they're definitely different.

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78

ZDNet | Matthew Miller

The Moto Z feels great in my hand with high quality construction and a thin form factor that makes it easy to slip in my pants, and even shirt, pocket. The included wood shell was a nice addition and I mount that on the Moto Z most of the time.

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70

Australian PC World | Florence Ion

We're concerned about the overheating issue, but make no mistake, the Moto Z is a very good phone.

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70

GottaBeMobile | Cory Gunther

In closing, it's hard to recommend the Moto Z to anyone unless they plan to buy the Moto Mods, or are on Verizon and can get the Moto Z Force DROID. At the end of the day the Moto Z isn't a bad phone, it just isn't one of the best either.

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70

Neowin | Timi Cantisano

The Moto Z is a pretty good device but it does have some caveats. While the handset is snappy and the Android experience is close to stock, the camera and battery are two areas where the Moto Z fails to impress.

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70

Gizmodo UK | Darren Orf

Motorola's Moto Z, with its array of modules and crazy thin profile, isn't like the other guys. It's an audacious attempt at answering the biggest question to phone designers and lovers: What is the next evolution?

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70

Mashable | Raymond Wong

If you're maybe thinking you want something different that doesn't come with any major compromises (outside of the ignorable bloatware and lack of a headphone jack), the Moto Z and Moto Z Force are fantastic options.

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70

TechnoBuffalo | Brandon Russell

I am smitten by the Moto Z's design, and it operates smoothly during day-to-day use. But with sketchy battery life, a so-so camera, and a cool idea that's not yet great, this one is a "wait."

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70

AnandTech | Matt Humrick

If you find the current Moto Mods appealing, the Moto Z Droid is the best option. Its thinner and lighter frame means less bulk with a module attached, and its smaller battery can be supplemented by a Power Pack or one of the other Moto Mods' internal batteries.

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60

Trusted Reviews | Richard Easton

The Moto Z had the potential to be a great flagship phone but ultimately it's let down by truly dire battery life.

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60

Digital Trends | Malarie Gokey

The Moto Z is a phone that's best suited for tech enthusiasts who are dying to try out modules. It's an innovative, interesting device that does modules better than any other phone that's tried it thus far, but it will cost you a lot extra for the mods and for a new pair of wireless headphones.

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Every day, we search through thousands of tariffs and offers from UK online retailers to find the best Moto Z deals and contracts across a selection of price points and needs.

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Compare Moto Z specs side-by-side with other phones
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Form factor and dimensions
Dimensions & Form

Form factor: Touchscreen bar
Dimensions 153.3 x 75.3 x 5.19 mm (6.04 x 2.96 x 0.2 in)
Weight: 136 g (4.8 oz)

Screen
Screen

Size: 5.5 inches diagonal
Resolution: 2560 x 1440 pixels
Screen Density: 534 ppi
Screen-to-Body Ratio: 72.2 %

Display Type: AMOLED capacitive touchscreen

Operating System
Runs

Android

Performance
Performance

Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820
CPU: Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo)
GPU: Adreno 530
RAM: 4GB

Camera
Camera

Main Camera: 13 megapixels with dual LED flash and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)
Secondary Camera: 5 megapixels with LED flash

Storage
Storage

Built-in Storage: 32GB
Expandable Storage: Micro SD

Battery
Battery & Charging

Capacity: 2600 mAh
Removable Battery: No
Wireless Charging: No
Quick Charge: None

SIM Standard
SIM standard

Dual SIM: Nano SIM + Nano SIM
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Water and Dust Resistance
Water & Dust Resistance

Not Available

Fingerprint Reader
Fingerprint Reader

Front

More info
References & More info

Official website
GSMArena specs page

Photos taken with the Moto Z

We've used Flickr to find a selection of pictures taken by the Moto Z camera. Here is a selection of photos taken by users from around the world so you can see what kind of picture quality you can expect from real-world use of the Moto Z.

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All images shown are used under the rights and terms specified by the Creative Commons.

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Last Updated: 29th September 2021

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Important notes

  • We aim to compare as many tariffs in the marketplace from the UK as possible. However, we do not include every package (e.g. legacy tariffs no longer available, or tariffs only available to existing/specific customers), nor do we detail every aspect of every tariff (e.g. international out of bundle rates, on-network minutes, etc).
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  • Providers may increase the cost of your contract by RPI (inflation). However, if prices are increased that then cause a materially detrimental impact, you have the right to exit your contract without penalty. More details available from Ofcom plus comparative information on customer service and complaints handling & their guide on how to complain.
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