Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends The Moto Z2 Play proves to be a competent, well-rounded mid-range device, especially for those who don’t need the latest processor or display technology. However, Lenovo recently announced the Z2 Force, which boasts better specs in many areas. Will it make a difference where it matters, especially in terms of everyday use? Below, we pit the Moto Z2 Force against the Moto Z2 Play to find out which one is better.
Specifications and performance
| Lenovo Moto Z2 Force
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Lenovo Moto Z2 Play
|
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| Size | 155.8 x 76 x 6.1 mm (6.13 x 3 x 0.24 in) | 156.2 x 76.2 x 5.99 mm (6.14 x 3 x 0.24 in) |
| Weight | 5.04 ounces (143 grams) | 5.11 ounces (145 grams) |
| Screen | 5.5-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED P-OLED touch screen | 5.5-inch Full HD Super AMOLED touch screen |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 (538 ppi) | 1920 x 1080 (401 ppi) |
| AXIS | Android 7.1.1 | Android 7.0 Nougat |
| Storage | 64 GB (US) 128 GB (International) | 32 GB |
| microSD card slot | That | That |
| NFC support | That | That |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 |
| working memory | 4 GB (US) 6 GB (International) | 3 GB |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, GSM, CDMA, HSPA+, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi | 4G LTE, GSM, CDMA, HSPA+, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi |
| Camera | Dual 12 MP rear, 5 MP front | 12MP rear, 5MP front |
| Video | 4K | 4K |
| Bluetooth | Yes, version 4.2 (update to Bluetooth 5 comes with Android 8.0) | Yes, version 4.2 |
| Fingerprint sensor | That | That |
| Other sensors | Gyroscope, accelerometer, ambient light, proximity sensor | Gyroscope, accelerometer, ambient light, proximity sensor |
| Water resistant | Yes (water repellent nano coating) | Yes (water repellent nano coating) |
| Battery | 2,730 mAh | 3,000 mAh |
| port | USB-C, Moto Mod connector | USB-C, Moto Mod connector |
| Market | Google Play | Google Play |
| Offers in color | Super black, fine gold, lunar gray (exclusive for T-Mobile) | Lunar gray, fine gold |
| Availability | Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, Best Buy | Verizon, Motorola |
| Carriers | Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, US Cellular | Verizon |
| Price | Starting at $720 | Starting at $408 |
| DT review | Hands on | 3.5 out of 5 stars |
The Z2 Play has Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 626 processor, which is a strong chip in its own right, but is easily outclassed by the Snapdragon 835 found in the Moto Z2 Force. The Z2 Play’s 3GB of RAM also pales in comparison to the Z2 Force’s 4GB. While the Z2 Force comes with 64GB of storage in the United States, the Z2 Play is only available in a 32GB configuration.
While the Z2 Play handled a wide variety of tasks in our testing with ease, it wasn’t flawless. Graphically intensive games caused difficulties, which is less likely to be an issue with the Z2 Force’s premium silicon. If gaming is important to you, or you’re a power user who juggles many different apps at once and could use an extra gigabyte of RAM, the Z2 Force will probably better serve your needs.
Winner: Moto Z2 Force
To shape
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Not much has changed in terms of the look and feel of these phones, but that’s somewhat expected. Lenovo had to keep as much similarity between the two phones as possible in order to keep the Moto Mods currently available compatible with the new Z line. Both devices support a range of extras, including Hasselblad’s TrueZoom mode and JBL’s SoundBoost 2 speaker, as well as the recently released Moto TurboPower pack and the upcoming 360-degree camera.
Although the Moto Mod issue limited what could be done in terms of design, the first Moto Z was an attractive device, and both of these phones are. However, Lenovo has trimmed about a millimeter from the original Z Play and two millimeters from the Z Force. The mix of materials has also changed slightly, with the antenna band now looping around the metal plate that makes up the back of the phone. This creates a two-tone effect in both devices, although it will likely be masked by a Moto Mod or one of the interchangeable Style Shells.
Overall, the Z2 Force and Z2 Play have almost identical proportions. They feel similar when you hold them and you’ll have a hard time telling them apart if you don’t know exactly where to look. Fortunately, even if you opt for the less expensive Z2 Play, you won’t sacrifice anything in terms of design.
Winner: Undecided
Display
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Although both the Z2 Force and Z2 Play have a 5.5-inch AMOLED display, there is one big difference between them. The screen of the Z2 Force model has a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels, while the Z2 Play only has a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels. While a full HD panel is certainly sufficient, the added clarity offered by QHD makes the display on the Z2 Force a superior option.
No matter which Z2 you buy, both benefit from the Moto Display, a feature where you can view notifications by simply waving your hand over the phone. It’s a small addition that really differentiates Lenovo products and takes advantage of AMOLED technology and proximity sensors in a smart, practical way.
Winner: Moto Z2 Force
Battery life and charging
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Lenovo made a controversial choice with the Z2 Force, which is the decision to reduce the battery compared to last year’s model. While the phone’s predecessor offered a 3,500mAh battery, the Z2 Force only has room for a 2,730mAh unit. That would be frustrating for most devices, but it hurts the Z2 Force in particular, given that longevity was such a big part of its predecessor’s appeal.
Fortunately, the Z2 Play has a larger battery, although it’s also significantly smaller than the one in the device it replaces. The Z2 Play’s 3,000 mAh battery provided nearly two full days of use in our testing. Lenovo seems to have traded longer battery life for thinness, and while we preferred the extra 500mAh found in last year’s Z Play, the newer midranger still manages to exceed our expectations. Let’s hope the Z2 Force isn’t too affected by the slimmer design either.
Both the Z2 Force and Z2 Play also offer TurboPower, a fast charging technology that provides eight hours of juice in 15 minutes with a specialized wall adapter.
Winner: Moto Z2 Play
Camera
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
The photography experience seems to be very different between the two devices. Lenovo jumped on the dual-camera train with the Z2 Force, swapping out last year’s 21-megapixel lens for a pair of 12-megapixel lenses, each with an f/2.0 aperture. As for the front camera, there’s a 5-megapixel camera for selfies — the same as the Z2 Play.
Talking about the Z2 Play, its camera setup is much more conventional. The phone only uses a single 12-megapixel lens, and in our testing we found it to be pretty mediocre. Daylight shots were solid, but the Z2 Play struggled in low-light scenarios. The lack of optical image stabilization and the occasional, slight shutter lag also resulted in blurry photos at times.
We’re expecting an improvement across the board with the Z2 Force, and tricks used by many dual-lens phones — like depth of field for portraits, in the case of the iPhone 7 Plus and OnePlus 5 — should make things a little more interesting. For example, one of the Z2 Force’s cameras shoots exclusively in black and white, allowing for true black and white photography. If the Lenovo can provide better low-light performance and a faster shutter speed, the Z2 Force has a much better camera.
Winner: Moto Z2 Force
Software
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Both the Z2 Force and Z2 Play run the latest version of Android, version 7.1.1 Nougat. The Moto brand is known for keeping the operating system as close to standard as possible, and as such, the company doesn’t make any dramatic changes or add unwanted layers to the experience.
However, the Z Force Droid was a Verizon exclusive last year, so it inherited all of the carrier’s apps, as well as a bunch of bloatware that couldn’t be uninstalled (only disabled). Fortunately, the Z2 Force will arrive on other networks at this stage, which means there could be fewer unnecessary apps depending on where you go to buy your phone.
Winner: Undecided
Price and availability
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Motorola will make the Z2 Force available for $720. Meanwhile, operators charge a bit more, at least initially.
Verizon listed full price for the Z2 Force at $756. However, customers who sign a two-year contract with the carrier will be able to get it for $15 a month for 24 months. Meanwhile, Sprint’s Z2 Force costs $792, with a $33 option over 18 months. Finally, T-Mobile charges $750 upfront, or $30 over 24 months. Some carriers are also sweetening the deal with a free Moto Mod Instashare projector, which normally costs $300.
Meanwhile, the mid-range Z2 Play comes in at half the price, starting at just $408. As long as you don’t mind missing out on a better processor, display, and camera, you can save roughly $400 and buy a phone that’s compatible with the same Moto mods and has a bigger battery. It’s a compelling proposition if you’re not swayed by the latest technology, as the Z2 Play has more than enough power for most users. Plus, you’ll have more money to spend on some Mods, which can be quite expensive.
The Z2 Play is currently a Verizon exclusive, though that will change at the end of the summer when Motorola says it will make an unlocked version available through its website. It remains to be seen whether the phone will arrive through another carrier.
Winner: Moto Z2 Play
Overall winner
There’s no getting around it — the Z2 Force is going to be a better phone, with state-of-the-art interiors that the Z2 Play simply can’t compete with. However, the $300 price difference between the devices, along with the Z2 Play’s better battery life, complicates the comparison. Ultimately, the one you choose will be based on your priorities. If a smaller budget or maximizing time between charges is important to you, the Z2 Play would probably suit you better. But if you want the most powerful modular phone on the market, the Z2 Force is a serious flagship with a price to match.
Update: Added Motorola discounted price for Moto Z2 Force
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Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn