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Motorola has announced its 2018 flagship smartphone, the Moto Z3, which, like previous Z-series models, is compatible with Motorola’s Moto Mod magnetically attachable expansion modules, including the 10x zoom Hasselblad TrueZoom.
This is Motorola’s third and last generation of Moto Mod-compatible devices
At this point in time the Moto Z3 is a Verizon-exclusive device and once the carrier’s 5G network is available next year, you’ll be able to purchase a brand new Moto Mod: A 5G module that comes with a Qualcomm’s X50 modem and an additional 2,000 mAh of battery capacity, allowing you to send and receive data via a 5G connection. This could make the new Moto an enticing option for anyone sending large image files from the field.
The bad news is that this is Motorola’s third and last generation of Moto Mod-compatible devices, meaning that from next year the modular system is going to be history.
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| Moto Z3 with 5G Moto Mod accessory |
The actual device is quite similar to the already released Moto Z3 Play but comes with a more powerful chipset and a different camera setup. The latter offers a dual-camera on the back, which combines a 12MP RGB sensor with 1.25um pixels and F2.0 aperture with a 12MP monochrome chip for wider dynamic range and lower noise levels. A dual-LED flash is included as well. The front camera unit uses an 8 MP sensor and F2.0 aperture.
The ability to attach a 10x zoom camera module makes the Z3 attractive from a photographic point of view
The Android OS is powered by last year’s Snapdragon 835 chipset instead of the current Snapdragon 840 which can be found in most rival flagships. The battery offers a 3,000 mAh capacity and images can be viewed and composed on a 6-inch Super AMOLED display with 1080 x 2160 resolution and 18:9 aspect ratio.
Overall the new Moto’s spec sheet doesn’t look too impressive when compared to some high-end rivals. However, specs aren’t everything and the ability to attach a 10x zoom camera module makes the Z3 attractive from a photographic point of view. The moderate price point of $ 480 is another plus point.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)