Motorola Moto Z 64GB

Moto Z review: Motorola proves modular smartphones can be the future of mobility

We're concerned about the overheating issue, but make no mistake, the Moto Z is a very good phone. Just as I was getting settled into the idea that Motorola had found a winning formula for its flagship line, Lenovo had to swoop in, buy the company, and rile things up. Indeed, last year’s Moto X Pure Edition was a great phone, but now under Lenovo’s corporate banner, Motorola gives us the Moto Z—and it’s the most sophisticated smartphone I’ve seen from Motorola since the first Android-powered Droid landed in 2009.

Motorola Moto Z review

The Moto Z is a mixed bag, successful in some areas and not in others. As long as you can deal with the jettisoning of the headphone jack and carrying a Power Pack Mod, the modular nature of the Moto Z makes it a compelling alternative to other flagships. It’s also arguably a better choice than the LG G5. Battery life isn't great, though and the Moto Z Play is also compatible with Moto Mods, too.

Motorola Moto Z Review

The unlocked Motorola Moto Z works with GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile while offering the same slim design and unique removable backs. The unlocked Motorola Moto Z might look familiar. The $699.99 phone is physically identical to the Verizon-exclusive Moto Z Droid, but it comes free of preloaded carrier bloatware and works on GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile. It also offers the same powerful performance and unique features, including Moto Mods, which are removable back panels that add new functionality. It's a great unlocked phone for anyone interested in the modular aspect, though plenty of excellent alternatives, like the Editors' Choice-winning Google Pixel XL, abound. We've already reviewed the Motorola Moto Z Droid on Verizon Wireless, so head over to that review for a full rundown on design, features, and performance. For this review, we'll focus on networking, call quality, and software. What's Different? The Moto Z supports a comprehensive set of network bands. It has GSM (850, 900, 1800, 1900MHz), UMTS (850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100MHz), and LTE (1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/17/20/25/28/38/40/41) bands, allowing i...