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Moto Z2 Play is the new Motorola terminal, heir to an already interesting Moto Z Play that we at Cyber Layman have tried here: the launch of this terminal, that we followed live, certifies the commitment of Lenovo (which acquired Motorola some time ago) in the mobile field, thanks to an interesting design and the Mods, satellite accessories that make this model one of the most original and intriguing of the whole Android panorama.
Moto Z2 Play looks like a mid-to-high-range model in the smartphone landscape: available in 64 GB (with 4GB of Ram) or 32 GB versions (with 3GB of Ram) at the indicative price of 499.00 Euro with a 5.5 “full HD Amoled display, dual SIM and SD card slot with support for up to 2TB of additional space.
In addition to these features, Moto Z2 Play has the characteristic of being able to use Mods, essentially external accessories that hook all or smartphone by replacing the back and increasing or expanding the normal functions of the smartphone.
We tried the terminal for three weeks: the overall impression is more than good, the phone offers a freshness and a rich amount of services, and even if something via software has to be fixed, they are normal mistakes of youth.
Moto Z2 Play, classic but well balanced hardware
Aesthetically, Moto Z2 Play has a sober line, a single piece of metal that surrounds the large 5.5 “full HD Amoled display (1920 x 1080 pixels) with 16 million colors with Gorilla Glass.
In its normal equipment the back is covered by an easily removable plastic cover, which substantially covers the connector for the Mods, which we will detail later.
The classic design like it, you don't notice revolutionary features but it fits well in your hand and pocket and the grip is firm . The size is between an iPhone 7 and a 7s, just for comparison.
The construction is zippered and made of water repellent material, which means that if you throw a water bomb at a pool party while you have it in your jeans pocket, fear not (but you can't dive in in the water)
Just below the screen is the fingerprint sensor which reacted very well during our tests, although sometimes it is redundant to have an activation key of the display and a second (albeit virtual) to call up the Home.
At the base, just next to the Jack connector, there is the USB-C connector, a perspective on the future which pleased us very much, because it offers considerable convenience when connecting to charging, even if the only cable inside the package is USB-C / USB-A and a USB-C / USB-C cable is missing.
On the side, three buttons to control the volume and turn off the display: the latter is knurled, so that even blindly it is possible to recognize it to always press the right key.
The use of the battery is very good: we never arrived in the evening with the battery flat and indeed, in a couple of occasions the terminal has pulled a day and a half without recharging and without apparent fatigue.
Motorola proclaims up to 30 hours of autonomy, but in our tests we can say that, with an inattentive and not manic use, if you do not load it one night do not make a drama, maybe it can make it to the afternoon or evening the same. In any case, thanks to the TurboPower function, the phone recharges by 50% in just 30 minutes.
Finally, the display is very good: both the touch part, which responds perfectly and the image quality is very good, even if doped: in the settings is in fact active an item that saturates the colors and contrast. The result, however, is not bad, and in line with the use of the terminal.
Photographic section at height (even if …)
The photographic part of the Moto Z2 Play is very good in itself: the rear camera is 12MP with ƒ1.7 and Dual Autofocus Pixel, it is capable of recording videos up to 4K.
In our tests we noticed good results, with a barely perceptible posterization effect in both photos and videos: the supplied software is very detailed, with normal, panoramic and even professional shooting with a whole series of parameters that can be adjusted in real time directly from the display.
The front camera is also good, 5 MP with f / 2.2, wide-angle lens and dual LED flash with CCT (Color Correlated Temperature) function. The video capture, in this case, is limited to a FullHD.
During the tests we used Moto Z2 Play both outdoors and at home for some technical photos for Cyber Layman with good results: note of merit for night shots, but Moto Z2 Play guarantees excellent results even outdoors.
All these considerations, however, are only part of the capabilities of the phone, because one of the mods that can be hooked to the phone is Hasselblad True Zoom, with 10x optical zoom, Xenon flash and images in RAW format.
With this Mods the standard photo qualities of the phone are of little importance, but for all the details we refer you to the review that we created ad hoc also on the photographic module (which has remained unchanged and is also compatible with the new model).
fairly clean Android, with additions
The Android version installed during our test was 7.1.1 Nougat with a fairly limited customization: there are some interesting apps, such as a practically indispensable file manager, and that has saved us the intrusiveness of third-party apps for usually very simple tasks.
Motorola has also enabled some very convenient gestures: it is possible for example activate the camera by simply turning the phone twice, or the flashlight with a hammer movement, turning the phone over silences it, while only lifting it to answer silences the ringer (but the phone continues to ring, to answer it is necessary to manually perform the 'action).
The large screen also allows the simultaneous use of two Apps, and we also appreciated the presence of an FM radio, which in a smart world seems prehistoric but which can be convenient in some situations, even if the reception in this case is a little ' weak.
Something between the Android version and the phone hardware remains to be fixed: for example a couple of times during a phone call, the screen went dark for a few seconds too long, but they are small flaws of youth that will definitely be resolved with future updates.
Mods, il mondo su
The idea of the Mods had already characterized the first version of the Moto Z Play in an original way and interesting: we really liked Motorola's idea of proposing a series of new Mods but perfectly compatible with the previous model, as in the same way Moto Z2 Play can use the Mods of the last generation.
Basically the Mods are appendices that are they hook to the back of the smartphone and communicate with it via the visible connector on the back. In theory the Mods project can have infinite ramifications and who knows what would happen if Moto were to open the license to third parties.
During our test we had the opportunity to try JBL SoundBoost 2, new version of the JBL SoundBoost model, bigger and more powerful. What can I say, obviously a speaker with a size larger than the smartphone's internal speakers can only improve the sound.
In our case JBL SoundBoost 2 have a double function: they offer superior sound, especially on the bass, and also allow a support for the phone , which can thus stand in an inclined position, perfect for reading or watching a movie.
While not reaching the quality of an external speaker, which can still be used, JBL SoundBoost 2 they offer a noticeable qualitative increase and a more full-bodied effect. We also appreciated it in movies but especially in games, where the direct connection eliminates any lag and improves the whole experience.
The other new Mods are Turbopower Pack, a battery that recharges 50% of the phone in just 20 minutes, Hasselblad True Zoom, a camera we talked about earlier, Style shell, a back cover that enables wireless charging, Moto gamepad, which turns the phone into a portable console and Insta-share Projector, a portable projector that amplifies the screen.
Considerations
This Motorola Z2 Play looks like the mature version of the last model, inheriting all the good features while being thinner, lighter and more powerful.
Bringing up the story of Motorola seems easy and obvious, but honestly there is a lot of work to be done to recall those successes , in a market dominated today by two names: however Motorola's effort is to be appreciated for this product which, in its price range, has nothing to envy to competitors with younger brands.
The price is important, but the features they are all there and the possibility of Mods is not to be underestimated, starting with the battery and ending with the camera (Hasselblad True Zoom with Motorola is now the cheapest way to use a Hasselblad camera).
Moto Z2 Play is available at major retail outlets, but readers can also find it discounted on Amazon.it in both 64GB and 32GB versions.
[usrlist Design:4.0 Facilità-d’uso:4.0 Prestazioni:4.0 Qualità/Prezzo:4.0]
Pro :
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Price: 499.00 Euro
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