Motorola Moto Z2 Play: Pros and Cons
Motorola announced the launch of the Moto Z2 Play smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.5 inch Super AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 MSM8953 Pro SoC, and 3 GB of RAM. The Moto Z2 Play series was launched with Android OS v7.1.1 (Nougat) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The 5.5 inch phone comes with a high resolution AMOLED display (1080 x 1920 px). This smartphone has a single camera on the back (12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus). Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.
Table of Contents
- Motorola Moto Z2 Play specifications
- Weight, dimensions, colors
- System, chipset, performance
- Display type, size, resolution
- Memory, storage
- Cameras, flash
- Connectivity, network, wireless
- Battery type, capacity, charger
- Features, sensors, specials
- Verdict, pros and cons
This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Motorola Moto Z2 Play 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.
Motorola Moto Z2 Play specifications
Brand | Motorola |
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Name | Moto Z2 Play |
Model | Z2PLAY |
Release date | 2017 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
Weight | 5.11 oz |
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Dimensions | 6.15 x 3 x 0.24 inch |
Colors | gold, gray |
SIM type | Nano SIM |
The weight of Motorola Moto Z2 Play is about 5.11 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 version | Android OS v7.1.1 (Nougat) |
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SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 MSM8953 Pro |
CPU | Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 |
GPU | Adreno 506 |
The Motorola Moto Z2 Play comes with Android OS v7.1.1 (Nougat) out of the box. Android is a mobile operating system. Google built it using a modified version of the Linux kernel. They also used other open-source software. An advanced scheduler manages this octa-core CPU. It assigns tasks to the CPU for real-time speed and power efficiency. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.
Display type, size, resolution
Display type | Super AMOLED |
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Screen size | 5.5 inch |
Resolution | 1080 x 1920 px |
Multitouch support | yes |
AMOLED displays enable an Always-On Display feature. A part of the screen remains active to display the time, date, and notifications. The 5.5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.
Memory, storage
RAM | 3 GB |
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Internal storage | 32 GB |
Memory card slot | microSD |
The smartphone has 3 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. More RAM lets you keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The Moto Z2 Play has 32 GB. You can expand the internal storage (32 GB) with a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
Main camera | 12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus |
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Flash | Dual LED |
Selfie camera | 5 MP |
The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of Moto Z2 Play smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.
Connectivity, network, wireless
GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
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Network coverage | 2G / 3G / 4G |
Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
Bluetooth | v4.2, A2DP |
GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS |
NFC | yes |
FM radio | yes |
USB | USB Type-C |
Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Moto Z2 Play smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. The Moto Z2 Play comes with NFC (Near Field Communication) functionality. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.
Battery type, capacity, charger
Type | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable |
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The Li-Po 3000 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 Z2 Play isn't removable without voiding the warranty.
Features, sensors, specials
Sensors | accelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, light, proximity |
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Specials | Corning Gorilla Glass, Fast charging |
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. The Moto Z2 Play phone has a fingerprint scanner. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. The fast charging technology comes in handy when you need quick juice on your device. Corning Gorilla Glass is tougher. It resists scratches, impacts, and drops.
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
- Super AMOLED display
- microSD slot
- Corning Gorilla Glass shield
Cons
- limited-size screen
- single camera setup
- no OIS function
- no 5G support
- low-capacity battery
Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.