[Androidme2018]- Lenovo has recently released its new generation of Moto G devices, just a few weeks after the company's official announcement at MWC 2017 in Barcelona. I went to the event using a Moto Z Play and found I couldn't stop myself from comparing it to the top model of the new intermediate series, the Moto G5 Plus. There are quite a few differences between the models, but the price difference between the two is nominal. Is it really worth saving $60 and buying the newer model? Or is the Z Play a better choice?
Lenovo Moto G5 Plus review: welcome back Moto!
Moto Z Play review: Lenovo leads the charge
Jump to a section:
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: design and build quality
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: display
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: software
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: performance
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: technical specs
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: preliminary verdict
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: design and build quality
The Moto G5 Plus has a very different aluminium finish from what we've become used to seeing in the series to date. Personally, I really like the look of the Moto G, but the available color options don't really do much for me. The Moto Z Play, on the other hand, has a unique design which combines high-quality materials as well as being compatible with module accessories, the Moto Mods. As the Moto G5 is made from aluminium it doesn't really feel like a premium product, especially when you compare it to the Moto Z Play.
There are different formats for the biometric sensor. / © AndroidPIT
As I mentioned above, the Moto Z Play was designed to offer a very distinctive user experience with its use of accessories, in addition to having a more elegant finish. The Moto G5 Plus has a different design. It does have a more refined look when you compare it with the Moto G4 Plus, but it's just not quite as slick as the Z Play.
Models with distinct designs. / © AndroidPIT
The only thing these two devices really have in common is the shape of the frame around the camera lens, which sticks out from the back of the phone. Directly below that is the the Motorola logo, which is the same on both models.
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: display
After the design, which is quite different on both models, the display might be the first thing they have in common - at least when we're talking about the resolution. Both the Moto G5 Plus and the Moto Z Play come with Full-HD resolution, but the aspect ratio and panel technology are different. The G5 Plus has a 5.2-inch LCD IPS display, which is slightly smaller than the screen on the Moto G4 Plus at 5.5-inches.
The screen on the Moto Z Play is AMOLED. / © AndroidPIT
The Moto Z Play, on the other hand, has a larger 5.5-inch screen and it uses AMOLED technology. The Moto G5 Plus screen can show more detail since it has the same resolution as the Z Play, only on a smaller screen. However, this is definitely not a deal breaker since the user experience on the Z Play is better due to its brighter colors and higher contrast.
Both models have Full HD displays. / © AndroidPIT
It's worth mentioning that the LCD display of the Moto G5 Plus isn't that terrible as Lenovo gave it a good quality panel. However, the smaller screen size and use of LCD, for the fifth consecutive year, won't make many users happy. Especially those who have been following the development of the Moto G series.
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: software
These two devices don't even have the same software. Although they're both running stock Android 7.0 Nougat there are still some differences between their software. The Moto G5 Plus comes with a few software customizations, which you can easily see when you open the app drawer.
Moto G5 Plus with a different launcher, next to the Moto Z Play with Pixel Launcher. / © AndroidPIT
Although it's quite similar to the Pixel Launcher, Lenovo has added a few changes. The background is now transparent and they have installed a different App search bar on the top. The Moto app comes with more adjustments as the Moto G5 Plus includes a new button for motion navigation. Happily, there isn't any excessive bloatware installed on either device.
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: performance
Unfortunately, I still haven't had the chance to test the hardware on the Moto G5 Plus. That said, taking the numbers into account, we can easily deduce that the processing power of the Moto G5 Plus will be able to match the Moto Z Play. Lenovo is now using Snapdragon 625, which provides a decent performance, and has been included in both the Moto G5 Plus and Moto Z Play, so both devices come well equipped for all your everyday smartphone needs.
The Moto Z Play has more RAM. / © AndroidPIT
Compared to the Moto G4 Plus, the hardware on the G5 Plus has been given a small update with an improved processor. Looking at the Moto Z Play, we can see that its hardware is superior in many ways, mainly with respect to the battery, which is 3,510 mAH, against 3,000 mAH of the G5 Plus. Both come with turbo charge but only the Z Play has a USB Type-C, which is more modern and efficient.
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: technical specs
Moto G5 Plus vs. Lenovo Moto Z Play technical specifications
Moto G5 PlusLenovo Moto Z Play
Dimensions:150.2 x 74 x 7.7 mm156.4 x 76.4 x 6.99 mm
Weight:155 g165 g
Battery size:3000 mAh3510 mAh
Screen size:5.2 in5.5 in
Display technology:Sorry, not yet available!AMOLED
Screen:1920 x 1080 pixels (424 ppi)1920 x 1080 pixels (403 ppi)
Front camera:5 megapixels5 megapixels
Rear camera:12 megapixels16 megapixels
Flashlight:Dual-LEDDual-LED
Android version:7.0 - Nougat6.0.1 - Marshmallow
RAM:Sorry, not yet available!3 GB
Internal storage:Sorry, not yet available!32 GB
Removable storage:microSDmicroSD
Chipset:Qualcomm Snapdragon 625Qualcomm Snapdragon 625
Number of cores:88
Max. clock speed:2 GHz2 GHz
Connectivity:HSPA, LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 4.2HSPA, LTE, NFC, Dual-SIM , Bluetooth 4.0
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: preliminary verdict
There are some other things I'd like to evaluate on the Moto G5 Plus in order to compare it with the Moto Z Play. For the moment, we can see that there are some similarities between the devices but the differences are what really stand out.
The price, however, could confuse users since the average difference between the two models is only about $60. Aside from that, its suggested uses are very different since the Moto Z comes with a line of innovative modules. Looking at the Moto G5 Plus, we can see that the development of these types of devices are moving much slower, and with very specific changes.
Opinion by Bruno SalutesBecause of the price and specs, my choice today would be the Moto Z Play.
What do you think?
5050888 participants
I'll obviously keep updating this article in the weeks ahead with more precise tests, including the camera and battery as well as its performance. If I had to choose one model based on the points discussed in this article, I certainly wouldn't bother saving the $60. I'd choose the Moto Z Play.
Which device do you think you would go for? What would you like to see developed for the Moto range? Let us know in the comments below.
Thank You Very Much - Androidme2018
Lenovo Moto G5 Plus review: welcome back Moto!
Moto Z Play review: Lenovo leads the charge
Jump to a section:
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: design and build quality
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: display
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: software
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: performance
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: technical specs
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: preliminary verdict
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: design and build quality
The Moto G5 Plus has a very different aluminium finish from what we've become used to seeing in the series to date. Personally, I really like the look of the Moto G, but the available color options don't really do much for me. The Moto Z Play, on the other hand, has a unique design which combines high-quality materials as well as being compatible with module accessories, the Moto Mods. As the Moto G5 is made from aluminium it doesn't really feel like a premium product, especially when you compare it to the Moto Z Play.
There are different formats for the biometric sensor. / © AndroidPIT
As I mentioned above, the Moto Z Play was designed to offer a very distinctive user experience with its use of accessories, in addition to having a more elegant finish. The Moto G5 Plus has a different design. It does have a more refined look when you compare it with the Moto G4 Plus, but it's just not quite as slick as the Z Play.
Models with distinct designs. / © AndroidPIT
The only thing these two devices really have in common is the shape of the frame around the camera lens, which sticks out from the back of the phone. Directly below that is the the Motorola logo, which is the same on both models.
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: display
After the design, which is quite different on both models, the display might be the first thing they have in common - at least when we're talking about the resolution. Both the Moto G5 Plus and the Moto Z Play come with Full-HD resolution, but the aspect ratio and panel technology are different. The G5 Plus has a 5.2-inch LCD IPS display, which is slightly smaller than the screen on the Moto G4 Plus at 5.5-inches.
The screen on the Moto Z Play is AMOLED. / © AndroidPIT
The Moto Z Play, on the other hand, has a larger 5.5-inch screen and it uses AMOLED technology. The Moto G5 Plus screen can show more detail since it has the same resolution as the Z Play, only on a smaller screen. However, this is definitely not a deal breaker since the user experience on the Z Play is better due to its brighter colors and higher contrast.
Both models have Full HD displays. / © AndroidPIT
It's worth mentioning that the LCD display of the Moto G5 Plus isn't that terrible as Lenovo gave it a good quality panel. However, the smaller screen size and use of LCD, for the fifth consecutive year, won't make many users happy. Especially those who have been following the development of the Moto G series.
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: software
These two devices don't even have the same software. Although they're both running stock Android 7.0 Nougat there are still some differences between their software. The Moto G5 Plus comes with a few software customizations, which you can easily see when you open the app drawer.
Moto G5 Plus with a different launcher, next to the Moto Z Play with Pixel Launcher. / © AndroidPIT
Although it's quite similar to the Pixel Launcher, Lenovo has added a few changes. The background is now transparent and they have installed a different App search bar on the top. The Moto app comes with more adjustments as the Moto G5 Plus includes a new button for motion navigation. Happily, there isn't any excessive bloatware installed on either device.
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: performance
Unfortunately, I still haven't had the chance to test the hardware on the Moto G5 Plus. That said, taking the numbers into account, we can easily deduce that the processing power of the Moto G5 Plus will be able to match the Moto Z Play. Lenovo is now using Snapdragon 625, which provides a decent performance, and has been included in both the Moto G5 Plus and Moto Z Play, so both devices come well equipped for all your everyday smartphone needs.
The Moto Z Play has more RAM. / © AndroidPIT
Compared to the Moto G4 Plus, the hardware on the G5 Plus has been given a small update with an improved processor. Looking at the Moto Z Play, we can see that its hardware is superior in many ways, mainly with respect to the battery, which is 3,510 mAH, against 3,000 mAH of the G5 Plus. Both come with turbo charge but only the Z Play has a USB Type-C, which is more modern and efficient.
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: technical specs
Moto G5 Plus vs. Lenovo Moto Z Play technical specifications
Moto G5 PlusLenovo Moto Z Play
Dimensions:150.2 x 74 x 7.7 mm156.4 x 76.4 x 6.99 mm
Weight:155 g165 g
Battery size:3000 mAh3510 mAh
Screen size:5.2 in5.5 in
Display technology:Sorry, not yet available!AMOLED
Screen:1920 x 1080 pixels (424 ppi)1920 x 1080 pixels (403 ppi)
Front camera:5 megapixels5 megapixels
Rear camera:12 megapixels16 megapixels
Flashlight:Dual-LEDDual-LED
Android version:7.0 - Nougat6.0.1 - Marshmallow
RAM:Sorry, not yet available!3 GB
Internal storage:Sorry, not yet available!32 GB
Removable storage:microSDmicroSD
Chipset:Qualcomm Snapdragon 625Qualcomm Snapdragon 625
Number of cores:88
Max. clock speed:2 GHz2 GHz
Connectivity:HSPA, LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 4.2HSPA, LTE, NFC, Dual-SIM , Bluetooth 4.0
Moto G5 Plus vs Moto Z Play: preliminary verdict
There are some other things I'd like to evaluate on the Moto G5 Plus in order to compare it with the Moto Z Play. For the moment, we can see that there are some similarities between the devices but the differences are what really stand out.
The price, however, could confuse users since the average difference between the two models is only about $60. Aside from that, its suggested uses are very different since the Moto Z comes with a line of innovative modules. Looking at the Moto G5 Plus, we can see that the development of these types of devices are moving much slower, and with very specific changes.
Opinion by Bruno SalutesBecause of the price and specs, my choice today would be the Moto Z Play.
What do you think?
5050888 participants
I'll obviously keep updating this article in the weeks ahead with more precise tests, including the camera and battery as well as its performance. If I had to choose one model based on the points discussed in this article, I certainly wouldn't bother saving the $60. I'd choose the Moto Z Play.
Which device do you think you would go for? What would you like to see developed for the Moto range? Let us know in the comments below.
Thank You Very Much - Androidme2018
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