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Moto Z vs Moto Z Force comparison: see all the differences

By Victor Hristov

Updated: Jun 09, 2016, 2:46 PM

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Motorola Android

Moto Z vs Moto Z Force comparison: see all the differences

Lenovo just dropped a bomb in the smartphone space with something radically different: modular phones. You'd say: hey, the LG G5 already does this! And you'd be right, but the two new flagship-grade phones by Lenovo take this to a new level: welcome the Moto Z and Moto Z Force.

Both 5.5-inch phones with Qualcomm's most powerful chip, the Snapdragon 820, and both supporting the signature Moto Mods snap-on additions that can add a more powerful speaker, or even a pico projector, the Moto Z and Moto Z Force are surprisingly similar. So similar, you might be wondering: what's the difference between the two?

The shatter-proof screen, larger battery and beefier camera are the raisons d'etre for the Moto Z Force

There is one hugely important difference that justifies the very existence of the Moto Z Force: a scratch and crack-resistant ShatterShield screen. We've already seen Lenovo / Moto's unbreakable displays before, and we're happy to see it again. In fact, none other than Ashton Kutcher went up on stage to drop a Moto Z Force from the equivalent of a second-floor balcony and the phone survived without having its screen broken. Impressive!

Differences between the Moto Z and Moto Z Force

While similar in terms of processor and screen size, the Moto Z Force is slightly larger in terms of its physical footprint. While the Moto Z is most definitely the thinnest mainstream phone we've ever seen with its shocking 5.2 mm of thickness, the Moto Z Force thickness reaches 7 mm, similar to most iPhones and Galaxies of the world. The Z Force is also noticeably heavier: while the Z tips the scales at just 136 g, the Z Force measures 163 g, or 5.8 ounces.

Moto Z on the left, Moto Z Force on the right

Then, there is the battery: it's not only that Lenovo offers a battery snap-on mod, it has also equipped the Z Force with a large 3,500 mAh battery, while the Z has a 2,600 mAh, the price for its slim size.

Last but not least, there is a difference in the camera: the Moto Z features a 13-megapixel camera that lacks some key features that the Moto Z Force has. First, the Z Force features a larger, 21-megapixel camera sensor, it has the lacking in the Z: phase-detection auto-focus, deep-trench isolation for individual pixels and auto night mode.

Moto Z on the left, Moto Z Force on the right

As for all else, it's the same on both phones: 4 gigs of RAM, same three color options (Black with Lunar Grey trim, Black with Rose Gold trim, Fine Gold), same front-facing loud speaker, 4 mics, same two storage options (32GB and 64GB UFS internal storage with the option for microSD card expansion), same TurboPower rapid charge technology.

Which of the two do you prefer?

So with this in mind, which one would you prefer: the slimmer and lighter Moto Z or the thicker Moto Z Force with its shatter-proof screen, larger battery and beefier camera?

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Victor, a seasoned mobile technology expert, has spent over a decade at PhoneArena, exploring the depths of mobile photography and reviewing hundreds of smartphones across Android and iOS ecosystems. His passion for technology, coupled with his extensive knowledge of smartphone cameras and battery life, has positioned him as a leading voice in the mobile tech industry.