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Lenovo Moto Z review: The new standard for modular smartphones

By Liu Hongzuo - 19 Nov 2016
Launch SRP: S$899

Moto Mods - part 1

UI & Features

The Moto Z comes with a relatively clean Android 6.0 OS (Marshmallow) out of the box. On it, you’ll find an app drawer that houses all your apps and a search bar. The Home screen is nothing more than a holding area for key apps and the pull-down notification tab. Of course, that doesn’t mean that Moto just let the phone be – the phone has been wired to play nicely with the Moto Mods attachments, and they offer a simple pop-up to confirm a modular connection whenever you stick a Moto Mod onto the device. That bring us to our next section...

 

Moto Mods

Moto Mods are Moto’s very own modular attachments that enhance the Moto Z and the Moto Z Play in different ways. Each attachment usually boosts one aspect of the smartphone, and there are a total of four functional modules available (besides the cosmetic Style Shells). The Moto Z still works without any Moto Mods attached, although that would give us a glossy rear with a protruding camera housing. 

The phone connects to each attachment via a 16-pin connector located at the bottom of the phone. Bulky and complex Moto Mods also come with a gold strip below the connector, which helps to ensure network integrity even with an attachment covering the phone’s rear. The mods work once they’re attached to the phone, giving the Moto Z a true plug-and-play relationship between accessory and device.

Before we explore each Moto Mod, it’s worth pointing out that the attachments are hot-swappable and magnetically attached. It’s much more convenient than the LG G5’s modules, which require powering off the LG G5 smartphone every time you replace a module. Also, the catch-and-lock system for the LG G5’s modules may be more secure, but they are certainly less intuitive than the Moto Mod’s magnetic attachment design.

You might also want to take note of the attachment’s update policies. Since each Moto Mod runs on the Moto Mod platform, both the phone and the modules will receive firmware updates over the course of its existence. By default, the updates can happen over both Wi-Fi and cellular data. To restrict it to Wi-Fi updating only, go to Settings > Moto Mods > Software Update Preference

You can read more about each Moto Mod here. In this review, we’ll be looking at how they work with the device, their benefits, and limitations.

 

  • Insta-Share Projector mod

This S$399 projector attachment has its own 1,100mAh battery to provide up to 60 minutes of projection time. Despite its size and weight (just 125g), the Insta-Share Projector module can create 70-inch projections.

It also comes with several handy features. First, there’s a physical dial located next to the lens for getting your projection into focus. The power button turns the projector on after a long press, and short presses bring up the settings for the Insta-Share projector. While the module can automatically set its keystone (tilt compensation), you can use the slider in the settings to adjust the keystone to your preferred orientation. Finally, the mod has its own adjustable stand, which gives more flexibility in positioning your Moto Z for the best projection.

At 50 lumens, it’s really not bright but the projector works well in a completely dark room when there's no night light or stray light streaming in. Do note that it has a maximum 854 x 480 pixels resolution. Even so, Full HD videos from YouTube are watchable once you’ve configured its focus. The projection is good for personal, hands-free video watching, but you wouldn’t want to do presentations for work or school on this accessory.

Of all the Moto Mods, the Insta-Share Projector is one of the better add-ons, but it’s tough to say if S$399 is a good purchase for 480p projection on your ceiling.

 

 

  • Incipio offGRID Power Pack mod

This is a 2,200mAh battery pack for the Moto Z. It’s 6.2mm-thick, so it significantly increases the side profile of the Moto Z. There isn’t much you can say about a 2,200mAh battery pack, other than the fact that Moto has both the wired (S$139) and wireless (S$159) versions available for sale here.

One plus point to the battery module would be its efficiency control. If you head to the Settings page under Moto Mods, you’ll see that the Power Pack offers “Default” and “Efficiency” modes. The former keeps your phone at 100% at the cost of having a shorter Moto Mod battery life, while the latter mode keeps the phone at a constant 80%, giving us a longer-lasting battery pack.

The non-wireless version of the Power Pack is a simple attachment that increases the total battery life of your Moto Z. To charge the battery pack, simply attach the module onto the phone, and plug in the charging cable into the Moto Z phone itself. The charge will then be transferred into the attachment. We actually wondered why Moto did not give the module its very own USB charging port, since it means that you can’t charge the battery pack separately (at your office desk) while you go about your business.

Moto did not provide us with the wireless version of the battery pack, so we can’t comment on its ease of use. The Incipio offGRID Power Pack is a no-brainer if battery life matters to you.

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8.0
  • Design 8.5
  • Features 8.5
  • User-Friendliness 8
  • Performance 8
  • Value 7.5
The Good
Good battery life
All-round performer
Slim body
The Bad
Camera module bump without mods
Moto Mods are expensive
Average display
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