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Motorola Moto Z2 Force
Motorola Moto Z2 Force
Motorola Moto Z2 Force
Motorola Moto Z2 Force
...


8.1/10
Informr score
The Motorola Moto Z2 Force currently has an Informr score of 8.1 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 41 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Plenty of storage space
  • microSD support
  • MotoMods add flexibility
  • Blazing performance
  • TurboCharge support

What's bad

  • Price
  • MotoMods add further to price
  • Poor low-light camera performance
  • ShatterShield display prone to scratches
  • No headphone jack

Moto’s Z-series continues to redefine mobile phones with their modular add-ons and exclusive features. Their latest release is more refinement than revolutionary. So after a few generations on the market, is the Moto Z2 Force showing Moto hitting their stride?

Reviewers have had a few weeks with their phones. Let’s see what they think!

Due to supporting previous MotoMods, the design of the Moto Z2 Force is similar to its predecessors. However, reviewers were quick to point out how thin the phone is and how comfortable the rounded edges rests in the hand.

With an aluminum chassis, the phone is also light and appears sturdy.

Some reviewers felt this lightness was more problem than benefit. Chipchick said, “… without a Mod on the back, the exposed back feels cheap, and the phone feels so thin and light that sometimes it felt like a strong gust of wind would rip it out of my grasp.”

As with previous designs, you’ll also find the MotoMod connector at the bottom of the phone’s backplate.

Heading around front, you’re greeted by a 5.5-inch 1440p OLED display. The screen received ample praise with Android Police describing as, “beautiful to look at with accurate colors, [with] better viewing angles than last year's Force, and enough brightness to be visible outdoors.”

It also features Moto’s ShatterShield technology. This plastic coating makes the phone resistant to cracking due to falls or drops.

Yet, reviewers found that the coating also made the phone prone to scratching. Business Insider noted, “You do not want to put this phone in the same pocket as your keys. Again, in trying to solve one problem (in this case, breakable glass), Motorola has created an even bigger one.”

Reviews take an upswing again for performance. With a 2.35Ghz octa-core Snapdragon 835 processor and 4 to 6GB of RAM (depending on your region), the phone goes toe to toe with 2017’s biggest releases.

Android Authority described performance as, “fluid and responsive with fast app load times, smooth scrolling, and a seamless multitasking experience.”

The phone ships with Android 7.1 Nougat. With 64 to 128GB of internal storage (again, depending on your region), there’s plenty of room to keep your favorite apps and media on-hand.

However, some reviewers noted an abundance of bloatware. Many review models included as much as 17GB of software pre-installed out of the box.

If you need to expand your storage, support for microSD cards up to 2TB makes it cheap and easy.

If you’re looking to take pictures with your phone, reviews are mixed. The 12MP dual-lens rear camera takes good shots in well-lit situations, but has issues as lighting drops. Android Authority attributes this to a lack of optical image stabilization. Some reviews also had issues with slow shutter speeds occasionally.

While the 5MP front-facing lens received high marks, the beautification mode was hit or miss for many reviewers.

On paper, the Moto Z2 Force appears to take a significant hit in battery life compared to its predecessors. Fortunately, reviewers found that even with a smaller 2,730mAh battery, the phone lasted a full day for most. However, many were quick to recommend a spare charger for heavy phone users.

If you should find yourself low on power, the included TurboCharge adapter saw full recharges in around an hour with a substantial top-off available in as little as 20 minutes.

Despite these points, reviewers had trouble recommending the phone. Most of their concern related to price. While adding MotoMods allows the phone to compete with other flagships on camera, battery life and other aspects, they add to the cost. When the phone is already priced similar to top tier offerings before accessories, the value is questionable.

ChipChick summed up opinions well, saying, “It’d be wrong to say the Moto Z2 Force is a bad phone — it’s an exceptional performer, the camera is at least satisfactory, and the lightweight UI is pleasant to use. But, [at its price], it’s just not good enough to compete with every other Android phone at that price.”


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2.35 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.35 GHz
5.5"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5.5"
12+ MP, f/2
Camera
Camera
12+ MP, f/2
2730 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Gadgets 360
Gadgets 360

The Z2 Force is a great phone with only a few flaws. It doesn't look as slick as its competition, and it gets warm when stressed. The ease with which the glass front picked up scratches was our biggest concern.

- Jamshed Avari, Gadgets 360
Softpedia
Softpedia

While it’s more rugged than the majority of phones, the Z2 Force isn’t an indestructible device, as our own tests proved. With a combination of plastic, five layers of protection on the screen, and aluminum for the rest of the body, the Z2 Force does rely on a sturdy mix that few phones offer these...

- Bogdan Popa, Softpedia
The Mobile Indian
The Mobile Indian

The phone with an indestructible screen and the performance is top notch, and fills a definite gap in the market. The persistent overheating problem could bother some, but overall, if you are looking for a OnePlus 5T alternative that will also be a party trick with repeated drops, then this can be c...

- Rohan Pal, The Mobile Indian
Digit
Digit

Amidst phones that are basically just a photocopy of each other, the Moto Z2 is uniquely different. It is perhaps the most durable phone among all flagships and can outlast them for years. Furthermore, the ability to augment its features through Moto Mods makes the phone an ecosystem of its own.

- Subhrojit Mallick, Digit
Business Standard
Business Standard

Motorola has managed to bring all goodies together in a phone that cannot break, even if you throw it. The durable build, top-tier innards and compatibility with MotoMods make it a power-packed device.

- Khalid Anzar, Business Standard


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Motorola Moto Z2 Force user manual here.


Motorola backs up the Moto Z2 Force with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Moto Z2 Force has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Motorola support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Motorola's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.



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Quick view

Screen Size
5.5"

The Motorola Moto Z2 Force's screen size is 5.5 inches with 1440 x 2560 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.35 GHz

There is a Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 Octa core 2.35 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 7.1 Nougat (Update Available: 9.0 Pie) operating system (OS).

Camera
12+ MP

You can take photos with the phone's onboard 12+ MP, f/2 camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 5+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
64 GB

Internal memory is 64 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 2000 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
2730mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 2730 mAh battery. Motorola's performance ratings are 1440 minutes, 592 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Moto Z2 Force Specs

Overview
Release Date August 10, 2017
Regions Available USA, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 7.1 Nougat (Update Available: 9.0 Pie)

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 Octa core 2.35 GHz
Internal Storage 64 GB
RAM 4 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.87 W/kg
Body: 1.1 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Yes
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Yes
SIM card size
Nano-SIM
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB USB Type-C
USB OTG Support Yes
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.2
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 2000 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
12+ Megapixels, f/2
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (Dual LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Multi-shot, Panorama, Self-timer, Dual camera feature (12 MP 2nd camera), Zero shutter lag, Phase detection
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV, FLV
Video Recording Parameters
Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
5+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
Night mode, Wide-Angle 85° lens
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology Super AMOLED
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1440 x 2560 pixels
Pixel Density 534 pixels
Size 5.5 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 2730 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging Yes
Video Playback Time Up to 1101 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 592 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Up to 623 minutes
Talk Time Up to 1440 minutes
Standby Time Up to 16.7 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Aluminium
Colors Super Black, Fine Gold, Lunar Gray
Dimensions [H x W x D] 15.6 x 7.6 x 0.6 cm (6.1 x 3 x 0.2 in)
Weight 143 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Water Resistant
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA):

Also available with 6 GB of RAM.

Related Links Manual (PDF)
Motorola Moto Z2 Force Reviews
Where to buy Motorola Moto Z2 Force
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