Moto Z2 Play

amazon Moto Z2 Play reviews

Design and Build Quality

The Moto Z2 Play continues the design language of the Moto Z series with a sleek and minimalist aesthetic. The device features a metal unibody construction that feels both premium and durable. The build quality is solid, with a smooth finish and well-crafted edges that give the phone a sophisticated look. The rear of the phone houses the camera module and the magnetic connectors for Moto Mods, while the front features a large display with minimal bezels.

One of the standout design features of the Moto Z2 Play is its slim profile. At just 5.99mm thick, it is one of the thinnest smartphones available, making it easy to handle and carry. However, the slimness comes at a cost. The battery capacity has been reduced compared to the Moto Z Play, which was thicker and housed a larger battery. Despite the reduction, the device remains comfortable to hold and use.

The Moto Z2 Play is available in a variety of colors, including Fine Gold, Lunar Gray, and Nimbus Blue. The color options are stylish and give users some flexibility in choosing a look that suits their personal taste. However, the glossy finish, while attractive, can be a fingerprint magnet, requiring frequent cleaning to maintain its appearance.

One notable omission is the lack of an IP rating for water and dust resistance. While this is not unusual for mid-range devices, it is a feature that many users have come to expect, especially in the higher-end segment of the market. Additionally, the phone does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack, which means users will need to rely on USB-C headphones or wireless audio solutions. This omission may be a drawback for users who prefer the convenience of traditional wired headphones.

Display

The Moto Z2 Play features a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 401 PPI, which ensures that text, images, and videos are sharp and clear. The Super AMOLED technology delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, making the display well-suited for media consumption, gaming, and general use.

The display is also bright enough to be usable in direct sunlight, although it may require turning up the brightness to achieve optimal visibility in very bright conditions. The color reproduction is accurate, and the screen offers wide viewing angles, which means that content remains consistent even when viewed from the side.

In addition to its strong performance in terms of color and contrast, the display also features good touch sensitivity. The screen responds quickly to taps and swipes, which contributes to a smooth and enjoyable user experience. The bezels around the display are minimal, which helps to maximize the screen-to-body ratio and gives the device a modern look.

One area where the display could be improved is in terms of resolution. While the 1080p resolution is perfectly adequate for most users, some might find it lacking compared to higher-resolution displays found on more premium devices. However, given the Moto Z2 Play’s position in the mid-range market, the display resolution is a reasonable trade-off for the overall value of the device.

Moto Z2 Play retains the design of its predecessor and adds some minor changes. Most noticeable is the machine uses solid metal instead of two glass cladding on the same as the previous version. This change has made the Z2 Play look sturdier and more robust, with metal backing that also prevents fingerprints better than glass during use. Besides, the Z2 Play is also thinner, only 5.99mm than the previous 6.99mm. This is the ideal balance between comfortable grip and keeping the battery life. The Z2 Play is still thicker than the Moto Z (only 5.2 mm), but it retains the 3.5mm jack for convenient headphones. On the front, the Z2 Play is equipped with a 5.5-inch screen, AMOLED technology and Full HD resolution.

The top of the Z2 Play screen includes a 5MP front camera, a 2-tone LED flash with speaker and sensor. Below is a physical key that integrates a fingerprint sensor and microphone (a small hole on the left). The Home button on the Z2 Play is rounder than the square one on the previous Moto Z Play. The back of the Z2 Play features two of the most prominent and important areas of the machine: a 12/9-point f / 1.7 camera with laser focus and a bottom magnetic contact cluster for connection to the Moto Mods. The internal configuration of the Moto Z2 Play includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 processor with approximately 10% higher performance than the Snapdragon 625 on older models, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal memory. The Z2 Play can use both sims and memory cards in the same slot at the same time.

where can you get a Moto Z2 Play online

Motorola Moto Z2 Play XT1710-06 – 64GB Dual SIM Factory Unlocked (Dark Gray) – International Version (No Warranty): Buy it now

The Z2 Play is equipped with a 3.000mAh battery that supports Turbo Charge technology for up to 7 hours of charging time after 15 minutes of charging. Another respectable point of configuration when Moto Z2 Play is installed with the latest Android operating system 7.1.1 and will be constantly updated with new versions from Google. Moto Z2 Play is currently priced at nearly $500.

Moto Z2 Play with accessories: manual book, sim card, USB Type-C to 3.5mm adapter, 3-pin charger, charger cable and headset.

Above the screen is a 5MP front camera cluster, a 2-tone LED flashlight, and a speakerphone. The Z2 Play screen supports the Always On Display display.

The front camera is equipped with a 2-tone LED flash that supports selfie and voice video in better low-light conditions.

Home key of the machine is integrated fingerprint sensor. The built-in Home button supports quick navigation, which frees up the area of the virtual navigation buttons on the screen, giving the user a more complete experience. To enable this setting, go to Moto -> Moto Action -> Navigate with a button.

The back of the Z2 Play is a piece of metal with an array of rim running around.

Close up of 12MP camera cluster with dual LED flash. The rear camera incorporates a laser-focusing technology that records objects at distances up to 3 meters and 5 times faster than normal in low light conditions.

Performance

Under the hood, the Moto Z2 Play is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 processor, which is a mid-range chipset designed to offer a balance of performance and efficiency. The Snapdragon 626 is an octa-core processor with a maximum clock speed of 2.2 GHz, paired with 3GB of RAM and either 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, depending on the model.

In terms of everyday performance, the Moto Z2 Play handles tasks such as web browsing, social media, and email with ease. Apps launch quickly, and the device performs smoothly during typical use. Multitasking is also manageable, although heavy users might notice some slowdowns when running multiple demanding apps simultaneously.

Gaming performance is adequate for mid-range standards. The Snapdragon 626 can handle popular games such as PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 9: Legends, although users may need to adjust the graphics settings to achieve optimal performance. While the device is not designed for high-end gaming, it provides a satisfactory experience for casual gamers.

One of the key features of the Moto Z2 Play is its support for Moto Mods, which are modular accessories that attach to the back of the phone using magnetic connectors. These Mods can add functionality such as additional battery life, enhanced audio, or even a projector. The Moto Z2 Play’s performance remains consistent when using these Mods, and the modular design adds a layer of versatility that is unique to the Moto Z series.

Overall, the performance of the Moto Z2 Play is solid for a mid-range device, although it may not be as powerful as some of the higher-end options available on the market. For users seeking a balance between performance and price, the Moto Z2 Play delivers a reliable and capable experience.

Software and User Interface

The Moto Z2 Play runs on Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box, with Motorola’s light customization layer on top. The software experience is clean and close to stock Android, which means that users can expect a smooth and intuitive interface without a lot of unnecessary bloatware. Motorola’s approach to software has always been to provide a near-stock Android experience with some useful enhancements, and the Moto Z2 Play continues this tradition.

One of the key software features is Moto Actions, a set of gesture-based controls that allow users to perform tasks quickly and efficiently. For example, users can launch the camera by twisting their wrist, or activate the flashlight by chopping down twice with their hand. These gestures are practical and can make the device more convenient to use in everyday situations.

Moto Display is another useful feature that allows users to see notifications and interact with their phone without fully unlocking it. The display shows a preview of notifications and allows users to quickly respond or dismiss them without having to unlock the phone. This feature is particularly useful for managing notifications without interrupting ongoing tasks.

The Moto Z2 Play also includes a range of customization options, allowing users to tweak the look and feel of the interface to their liking. Themes, icon packs, and wallpapers can all be changed, giving users the ability to personalize their device according to their preferences.

One downside to the software experience is that the Moto Z2 Play has not received updates to newer versions of Android as promptly as some other devices. While the phone did eventually receive an update to Android 8.0 Oreo, it was not among the first devices to do so. For users who value having the latest features and security patches, this could be a concern.