Table of Contents
amazon Motorola Moto Z3 reviews
- Design
The design of the Moto Z3 resembles the recently released Moto Z3 Play. There was a clear design difference between the Play and non-Play versions of the Z series, but no longer exists. Aside from the Verizon label on the back of the Moto Z3 and the blue Z3 Play, you wouldn’t be able to tell them apart from the looks alone. Z3 has the same design as the Z3 Play, the same dimensions and no headphone jack.
The Z3 has a beautiful design, a comfortable grip and the thinness of the phone is quite ideal. The fingerprint sensor is mounted on the side – it’s the perfect spot for your thumb if you use the smartphone with your right hand and unlock it. For left-handed users, the sensor with them will not be easy to use.
- The display screen
The Moto Z3 has a 6-inch AMOLED display with 18: 9 aspect ratio similar to Z3 Play, super thin bezels, vivid colors and sharp FHD + resolution. The widescreen display makes gaming and movies great. What’s more, the screen doesn’t glare when viewed in direct sunlight, and the Moto Z3 adjusts the temperature and color saturation of the screen.
- Performance
The Moto Z3 is a significant upgrade in hardware compared to the Z3 Play. It is equipped with Snapdragon 835 processor, although not the latest processor but it does not ruin any user experience. The Snapdragon 835 is still a solid performance processor. The machine is equipped with 4GB RAM. The Moto Z3 runs smoothly, smoothly handling any task. It handles normal everyday tasks like reading emails and surfing the web, social media, and ‘weighing’ all heavy games with high-set graphics.
Battery life on the Z3 was not impressive. With 3000mAh capacity, if you want to use it for 1 day, you can only play some light games, watch YouTube, read emails and surf Facebook.
- Hardware
The main reason that people should buy a Moto Z smartphone are the accessories that come with Moto Mods. The latest addition to the Moto Mod line is the Mod 5G Moto, which will allow the device to achieve 5G speeds, making the Z3 a remarkable smartphone.
- Camera
The Moto Z3 has a 12-megapixel rear camera. The main camera has an f / 2.0 aperture and laser autofocus. 8-megapixel front camera for selfies. The Moto Z3’s camera specifications are exactly the same as the Z3 Play, with features like Cinemagraphs for taking animated pictures and with Google Lens integration.
Overall, the camera performs well in well-lit conditions. Images are sharp, detailed and colorful. However, the camera clearly shows a weakness in low light, which is not surprising given the lack of OIS mode.
- Software
The Moto Z3 runs Android 8.1 Oreo. You can use the same navigation gestures as the iPhone X or Android Pie for the default navigation keys. You can rotate your wrist to turn on the screen.
However, besides the apps Verizon has built-in, there are plenty of third-party apps like Slotomania, Final Fantasy XV, Bank of America, eBay, WeatherBug and FanDom. You can uninstall these apps to free up memory.
Camera Quality
The secondary monochrome sensor on the Motorola Moto Z3 is used primarily to enhance depth perception for portrait mode shots, as well as to capture more detail in black-and-white photography. The dual-camera setup is accompanied by features like dual-tone LED flash, phase detection autofocus (PDAF), and the ability to shoot 4K video at 30 frames per second.
Daylight Performance
In good lighting conditions, the Moto Z3’s camera produces solid results with good color accuracy and sharpness. The 12MP primary sensor captures images with a decent level of detail, and the colors are natural, without being overly saturated. Dynamic range is adequate, but it doesn’t quite match the capabilities of higher-end smartphones. The HDR mode helps in improving the dynamic range by brightening up shadows and toning down highlights, but the effect can sometimes be a bit aggressive, leading to a somewhat artificial look.
The monochrome sensor, while not as widely used as the primary one, adds a unique touch to black-and-white photography. It captures more nuanced details compared to a standard color sensor in black-and-white mode, and the results are often quite striking. The monochrome sensor also aids in capturing portrait shots by providing better depth information, resulting in more accurate background blur (bokeh) effects.
Low-Light Performance
When it comes to low-light photography, the Moto Z3 struggles a bit more. The f/2.0 aperture, while decent, isn’t wide enough to let in as much light as some competitors with f/1.8 or wider apertures. As a result, low-light images tend to have more noise, and details can get smudged, especially in very dim conditions. The camera’s night mode, which is intended to improve low-light performance, helps to some extent by brightening the scene, but it often introduces noise and loses detail in the process.
Portrait Mode
The portrait mode on the Moto Z3 benefits from the secondary monochrome sensor, which helps in distinguishing the subject from the background. The edge detection is fairly accurate, and the background blur is pleasing without being too harsh. However, the portrait mode does struggle with more complex scenes where the background has a lot of detail or where the subject’s hair blends into the background. In these cases, you might notice some artifacts around the edges, which can detract from the overall quality of the shot.
Front Camera
The front-facing camera on the Moto Z3 is an 8MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture. It performs well in good lighting, capturing selfies with accurate skin tones and sufficient detail. The camera also supports portrait mode, which is achieved through software-based depth estimation. The results are decent, with good background separation in most cases, but like the rear camera, it can struggle with more complex backgrounds.
In low light, the front camera’s performance drops off, with noise becoming more prominent and details becoming softer. There’s no front-facing flash, so the camera relies on the screen to provide a flash-like effect in dim conditions. This works to some extent, but it’s not as effective as a dedicated LED flash.
Video Recording
The Moto Z3 is capable of recording 4K video at 30 frames per second, as well as 1080p video at 60 or 30 frames per second. Video quality is generally good, with accurate colors and decent dynamic range in well-lit environments. However, the lack of optical image stabilization (OIS) means that handheld videos can appear shaky, especially in lower light conditions or when recording while moving. Electronic image stabilization (EIS) is present and helps to some extent, but it doesn’t quite match the smoothness provided by OIS.
The camera app offers various modes and features, including slow-motion video, time-lapse, and manual controls for more experienced photographers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, with quick access to essential settings and shooting modes.
Overall, the camera quality of the Motorola Moto Z3 is solid for a mid-range device, with good performance in daylight and decent portrait mode capabilities. However, it falls short in low-light situations and video stabilization, areas where more premium devices tend to excel.
Battery Life and Charging
The Motorola Moto Z3 comes with a 3000mAh battery, which is on the smaller side for a device with a 6.01-inch display. The battery capacity is a direct result of the phone’s slim profile, and while the phone is lightweight and easy to handle, the trade-off is that it doesn’t offer the longest battery life.
In real-world usage, the Moto Z3’s battery life is adequate for moderate users. On a typical day, the phone can last through a workday with activities like web browsing, social media, messaging, and a bit of video streaming. However, heavy users who frequently engage in gaming, video recording, or extensive use of GPS may find themselves reaching for the charger by late afternoon or early evening.
The phone supports Motorola’s TurboPower fast charging technology, which is capable of charging the battery from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes using the included 15W charger. This is a handy feature for those who need a quick top-up during the day. However, the phone does not support the faster charging speeds seen in some of its competitors, which can go up to 30W or higher.
One of the advantages of the Moto Z3’s modular design is the ability to extend battery life using Moto Mods. Motorola offers battery pack Mods that attach to the back of the phone, providing an additional 2000-3000mAh of power. These Mods effectively double the phone’s battery life, making it possible to go a full day or even two days without needing to recharge. The downside is that the battery Mods add bulk and weight to the phone, which may be a deterrent for users who prefer a sleek, lightweight device.
The Moto Z3 also supports wireless charging, but only with the use of a Moto Mod. This is because the phone itself does not have the necessary hardware built-in for wireless charging, a design decision likely made to keep the phone’s profile as slim as possible. The wireless charging Mod is convenient for those who already use wireless chargers at home or work, but it does come at an additional cost.
In summary, the battery life of the Motorola Moto Z3 is adequate for moderate users, but heavy users may find it lacking. The fast charging feature is a plus, and the ability to extend battery life with Moto Mods is a unique advantage, albeit one that comes with trade-offs in terms of added bulk and cost.
Connectivity and Network Performance
The Motorola Moto Z3 is equipped with a range of connectivity options that were standard for 2018. It supports 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and GPS. The phone’s reception and call quality are generally good, with strong signal strength in most areas and clear audio during calls.
One of the standout features of the Moto Z3 is its compatibility with the 5G Moto Mod, which was released in 2019. This Mod allows the Moto Z3 to connect to Verizon’s 5G network, making it one of the first phones capable of 5G connectivity, albeit through an accessory. The 5G Mod is bulky and adds significant weight to the phone, but it provides access to faster data speeds in areas with 5G coverage.
It’s worth noting that 5G networks were still in their early stages of deployment at the time, and coverage was limited to certain urban areas. As a result, the 5G Moto Mod was more of a future-proofing option rather than a necessity for most users in 2019. Additionally, the cost of the 5G Mod was relatively high, making it an investment for those who were early adopters of the technology.
Wi-Fi performance on the Moto Z3 is strong, with stable connections and good range. The phone supports dual-band Wi-Fi, which allows it to connect to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. This is useful for users who want to take advantage of faster 5GHz networks for activities like streaming and online gaming.
Bluetooth 5.0 provides improved range and faster data transfer speeds compared to previous Bluetooth versions. It also supports connecting to multiple devices simultaneously, which is convenient for users who switch between different Bluetooth accessories like headphones, speakers, and smartwatches.
The inclusion of NFC means the Moto Z3 can be used for contactless payments via services like Google Pay, as well as for pairing with other NFC-enabled devices. NFC is a valuable feature for users who have embraced mobile payments and smart home automation.
Overall, the connectivity and network performance of the Motorola Moto Z3 are strong, with the added benefit of 5G compatibility through the Moto Mod. However, the 5G Mod’s cost and bulk may limit its appeal to a niche audience.
Value Proposition
When evaluating the value proposition of the Motorola Moto Z3, it’s important to consider its price point, feature set, and how it compares to other devices in the same category. At the time of its release, the Moto Z3 was priced as a mid-range device, making it more affordable than flagship smartphones from brands like Samsung and Apple.
One of the key selling points of the Moto Z3 is its modular design, which sets it apart from most other smartphones on the market. The ability to customize the phone’s functionality with Moto Mods is a unique feature that appeals to users who like the idea of upgrading their phone with new capabilities over time. However, the cost of these Mods can add up quickly, and the added bulk may not be to everyone’s taste.
In terms of hardware, the Moto Z3 offers solid performance with the Snapdragon 835 processor, a good display, and a decent camera for its price range. However, it does face stiff competition from other mid-range devices that offer newer processors, more RAM, larger batteries, and more advanced camera systems. For example, around the same time, phones like the OnePlus 6 and the Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) offered compelling alternatives with more modern features, often at similar or slightly higher price points.
The Moto Z3’s main value proposition lies in its versatility due to the Moto Mods. For users who are attracted to the idea of enhancing their phone with additional features such as a better camera, extra battery life, or even 5G connectivity, the Moto Z3 offers a level of customization that few other phones can match. However, this modular approach also means that to fully utilize the phone’s capabilities, users might need to invest in additional Mods, which could end up making the overall package more expensive than initially anticipated.
Additionally, the longevity of the Moto Z3 as a modular phone is something to consider. While Motorola has committed to supporting the Moto Mod ecosystem, the long-term availability and development of new Mods can be uncertain, especially as newer phone models are released. This uncertainty could impact the perceived value of investing in a Moto Z3 if the modular ecosystem doesn’t continue to grow or if the Mods become obsolete with newer devices.
Durability and Build Quality
The Motorola Moto Z3 features a design that is sleek and modern, with a glass front and back and an aluminum frame. The phone feels solid and premium in the hand, with a weight that is well-balanced despite its relatively thin profile. The build quality is generally excellent, with tight tolerances and no noticeable gaps or weak points in the construction.
The glass back, while attractive, is also prone to fingerprints and smudges, which can detract from the phone’s appearance unless it is regularly cleaned. Additionally, like most glass-backed phones, the Moto Z3 can be vulnerable to cracks or shattering if dropped, so using a case is recommended for those who want to protect their investment.
One aspect of the Moto Z3’s durability that stands out is its water-repellent coating. While the phone is not fully waterproof and lacks an official IP rating, the water-repellent nano-coating provides some level of protection against accidental splashes, light rain, or spills. This coating adds a layer of peace of mind for users, although it’s still advisable to avoid exposing the phone to excessive moisture.
Another consideration for durability is the Moto Mods system itself. The magnetic connectors on the back of the phone are well-engineered and durable, designed to withstand repeated attachment and detachment of Mods. However, users who frequently swap out Mods may eventually notice some wear and tear on the connectors or the Mods themselves, which could affect their long-term reliability.
Audio and Multimedia
The Motorola Moto Z3 offers a decent multimedia experience, but it is somewhat limited by the phone’s single bottom-firing speaker. The speaker produces clear audio with good midrange and treble performance, but it lacks the depth and bass that you might expect from a stereo speaker setup. At higher volumes, the sound can become tinny, and distortion may be noticeable, especially when listening to music or watching videos with a lot of bass.
The lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a drawback for users who prefer wired headphones. However, the phone does come with a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter in the box, allowing users to connect their wired headphones if they prefer. The omission of the headphone jack is likely a result of Motorola’s effort to maintain the Moto Z3’s slim profile, but it’s a compromise that may not sit well with everyone.
For those who prefer wireless audio, the Moto Z3 supports Bluetooth 5.0, which provides improved audio quality and connectivity with wireless headphones and speakers. The Bluetooth performance is generally strong, with good range and stable connections, making it a suitable option for users who have already transitioned to wireless audio.
The phone’s display, as mentioned earlier, is well-suited for watching videos and playing games, thanks to its vibrant colors and deep blacks. The 18:9 aspect ratio is ideal for watching modern video content, and the Full HD+ resolution ensures that videos and images look sharp and detailed. The AMOLED panel also provides good contrast, making it enjoyable to watch movies and TV shows on the device.
Conclusion
The Motorola Moto Z3 is a unique device that offers a blend of solid mid-range performance, a clean Android experience, and the flexibility of modularity through Moto Mods. Its design is sleek and modern, with a good display and decent camera performance, particularly in well-lit conditions. The phone’s battery life is adequate for moderate users, and the option to extend it with battery Mods adds to its versatility.
However, the Moto Z3 is not without its compromises. The lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack, the absence of optical image stabilization, and the smaller battery capacity are some of the trade-offs made to achieve its slim profile. Additionally, the phone’s reliance on Moto Mods for features like 5G connectivity and wireless charging means that users who want the full experience will need to invest in additional accessories, which can add to the overall cost.
The Moto Z3’s value proposition is strongest for users who are attracted to its modularity and the idea of future-proofing with 5G. However, for those who prioritize features like camera quality, battery life, or immediate access to 5G without additional accessories, other devices on the market may offer better value.
In conclusion, the Motorola Moto Z3 is a solid choice for users who appreciate its unique modular design and are willing to invest in Moto Mods to enhance their experience. It offers a good balance of performance, design, and software experience, but it faces stiff competition from other mid-range and flagship devices that offer more out-of-the-box features. As a result, the Moto Z3 is best suited for users who are intrigued by its modularity and the potential for customization, rather than those seeking the latest and greatest smartphone technology in a single, standalone device.
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