Motorola

Motorola Moto Z 2018: Pros and Cons

Android OS v7.1.1 (Nougat)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 MSM8998
Adreno 540
6 GB / 128 GB
5.5 inch (1440 x 2560 px)
12 + 12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus

Motorola announced the launch of the Moto Z 2018 smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.5 inch POLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 MSM8998 SoC, and 6 GB of RAM. It comes with Android OS v7.1.1 (Nougat) out of the box, and a Li-Po 2730 mAh, non-removable battery. The 5.5 inch phone comes with a high resolution POLED display (1440 x 2560 px). The Moto Z 2018 has a multi-camera setup. The lens offers versatility. It lets you capture a wide range of subjects and scenes from different perspectives. Is this phone a good value for its price? My review aims to answer that question by the end.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Motorola Moto Z 2018 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

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Motorola Moto Z 2018 specifications

BrandMotorola
NameMoto Z 2018
ModelMOTOZ2018
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.04 oz
Dimensions6.13 x 2.99 x 0.24 inch
Colorsblack
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of Motorola Moto Z 2018 is about 5.04 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM).

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v7.1.1 (Nougat)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 835 MSM8998
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 2.35 GHz Kryo, Quad-core 1.9 GHz Kryo
GPUAdreno 540

The Motorola Moto Z 2018 comes with Android OS v7.1.1 (Nougat) out of the box. The Android operating system uses the Linux kernel as its foundation. It includes a user interface, middleware, and many pre-installed applications. It's a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 MSM8998 octa-core processor. It can handle complex tasks and run many applications. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

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Display type, size, resolution

Display typePOLED
Screen size5.5 inch
Resolution1440 x 2560 px
Multitouch supportyes

The POLED (Polymer Organic Light Emitting Diode) is an innovative display technology. The 5.5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Memory, storage

RAM6 GB
Internal storage128 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The Motorola Moto Z 2018 comes with 6 GB of RAM, which is considered to be sufficient for most users' needs. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. The Moto Z 2018 has 128 GB of internal storage, which is more than enough for their needs. You can expand the internal storage (128 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

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Cameras, flash

Main camera12 + 12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera5 MP

The Moto Z 2018 has a multi-camera setup. It lets you adapt to different photography situations. You can achieve various perspectives and compositions. The Moto Z 2018 comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.2, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radioyes
USBUSB Type-C
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. This phone like all modern smartphones, is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Moto Z 2018 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS. The Moto Z 2018 has a built-in NFC chip, which allows it to support various NFC applications and services. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 2730 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 2730 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The battery of Moto Z 2018 isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM, Fast charging, ShatterShield

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Moto Z 2018 smartphone has an accelerometer. The Moto Z 2018 phone has a fingerprint scanner. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use. The fast charging technology comes in handy when you need quick juice on your device.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Motorola phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • POLED display
  • adequate memory
  • generous internal storage
  • microSD slot
  • multicamera setup
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • low-capacity battery
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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