Newsletter 
Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the vaulted LG V10 takes on new Lenovo Moto Z Force. Let’s take a look to see just what these two devices have in common and then we will take a closer look at each device. Both have a metal backing, but a totally different look – the LG V10 is all stainless steel with a silicone backing for a nice grip, while the Z Force is also a more subdued metal backing with metal contacts for the Moto Mods that attach via magnets. The LG V10 is the sexier of the two devices, but the Z Force has many redeeming qualities in its own right. Both are as solid a smartphone as you can find on the market today and either one should make its owner proud.
The LG V10 and the Lenovo Moto Z Force do have a few things in common. They are very close in physical size, with the LG V10 just slightly larger and heavier by 29 grams. Their displays are similar size (5.7-inches on the V10 and 5.5-inch on the Z Force), and while they both have the same QHD resolution, they use different technologies. They both use a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, but very different models and very different Adreno GPU for graphics. They both use 4GB of RAM and they both offer 32GB/64GB variants and they both offer a microSD card for expansion. Both have great camera areas and both use a 5MP sensor for the front-facing camera (FFC,) although the LG V10 uses two of them. The both have a fingerprint sensor and both have quick charge capability for their batteries – the LG V10 uses a removable battery and the Z Force has a non-removable battery. They have the usual suspects – WiFi, Bluetooth v4.1, GPS, NFC, and a USB port (microUSB v2.0 in the V10 and the new reversible Type-C on the Z Force) for charging and data transfer.
Please take a thoughtful look at the detailed Specifications Comparison chart below and here you will see just how these two great devices stack up against one another – click on the “View Full Comparison” link at the end of the chart to expand the details. After that, we will look at each device in greater depth and point out some of its pros and cons. From all of this information, we will try to determine the winner based on specs and execution of design and functions.
Specifications
LG V10
When LG introduced the LG V10 back in October, many people were wondering if this is a replacement for the LG G series or a supplement device. However, with the LG G5 taking quite a swift departure from the LG G4, it may be that LG is trying to cover those that want a modular device and those that prefer a more traditional all-metal device. Sculpted from stainless steel with a silicone backing to add grip along with some new display and camera technology, the LG V10 is a beautiful device. LG added a small, independent display sitting above the 5.7-inch main display – much like a fancy ‘always-on’ display. In the camera area, LG gave it two 5MP FFCs to add more depth to selfies or video chats. It is a solid device, but it is a shame that they had to use the Snapdragon 808 processor and DDR3 RAM.
The LG V10 has a unique feature – it sports two displays – the main IPS Quantum QHD display measures 5.7-inches with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 515 pixels-per-inch (PPI) and directly above the main display, near the top, is another 1040 x 160-pixel display that is also 515 PPI. The secondary display acts like an ‘always-on’ display and can function even when the main display is off. At a quick glance, you can see notifications, such as the time/date, app shortcuts and more. It is designed this way to save battery life so the big display can ‘rest.’ After using the Snapdragon 810 in their G Flex 2, LG opted to use a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 hexacore processor with four cores running at 1.44GHz and two cores running at 1.8GHz. The LG V10 uses 4GB of the slower, DDR3 RAM, (a limitation of the 808 processor) and 64GB of internal storage with room to expand an additional 2TB.
The LG V10 uses a 16MP sensor for its primary camera and adds laser autofocus, a large f/1.8 aperture, OIS, and a LED flash. Reminiscent of older HTCs, the LG V10 uses a dual 5MP FFC to add a wider field and more depth to the traditional selfie or video chat. The LG V10 packs a 3000mAh removable battery and Quick Charge 2.0 is available to give you up to 50-percent battery life with a 40-minute charge.
The LG V10 has Hi-Fi circuitry for improved sound through the headphones and its main speaker is on the bottom of the device. The V10 measures 159.6 x 79.3 x 8.6 mm and weighs in at 192 grams. The available colors are Space Black, Luxe White, Modern Beige, Ocean Blue, and Opal Blue. It is available on Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, priced at approximately $670, and is now running Marshmallow.
Lenovo Moto Z Force
Lenovo purchased Motorola from Google a couple of years ago – and we have been waiting to see just what would happen to Motorola devices. I think the Moto Z and Moto Z Force can lie to rest any worries we may have experienced. When you compare them to the other flagships that are out, you will see that they hold their own quite well. The Moto Z Force offers a larger battery, the ShatterShield display, and better camera than the Moto Z. They also introduced us to a new vocabulary term – Moto Mod. Unlike the LG G5 Mods that invade the device, Moto Mods simply snap on the back of the phone via magnets – which means there are small contact points showing when no mods are in use. The setup also allows you to add backings of different materials to give it a great look.
Lenovo appears to be staying with the popular AMOLED display technology on the Moto Z Force, as well using a QHD resolution of 2560 X 1440 pixels. The 5.5-inch display gives it a generous 535 PPI. Moto retained ShatterShield – a popular feature that has proven that it does work. Lenovo picked the same processor used in the Galaxy S7 Edge, the Snapdragon 820 quad-core with dual cores clocked at 1.6GHz and dual cores clocked at 2.15GHz and the Adreno 530 GPU to handle extreme graphics. It packs 4GB of the faster DDR4 RAM and offers up 32GB of internal memory that is expandable with a microSD card.
Lenovo took the camera area very seriously – something Motorola found hard to do. The Moto Z-Force uses a 21MP sensor with a large aperture of f/1.8. The Moto Z Force uses laser and phase detection autofocus (PDAF), a dual-tone flash, and OIS. The Moto Z Force uses a 5MP FFC with a f/2.2 aperture, LED flash for selfies and video chatting. The Moto Z Force packs a 3500mAh battery that should get you throughout the day. It has one of the fastest chargers we have ever seen – 5v/5.7a TurboPower 30 charger that can charge the Moto Z Force battery 50-percent in only 20 minutes. One of the ‘Mods’ increases the battery by 2200mAh and adds wireless charging capabilities as well.
Besides the new models, the big news this year is the Moto Mods. What is nice about the Moto Mods is that they do not invade the body of the device, as they do on the LG G5, since they merely snap onto the back with magnets. Something else to consider is that the Moto Z Force does not include the standard 3.5mm headphone jack. The Moto Z Force handles headphones via an adapter that plugs into the Type-C reversible port to accept earphones. It measures in at 155.9 x 75.8 x 7mm and weighs in at 163 grams. It looks like pricing will be around a hefty $720 exclusively on Verizon.
…And The Winner Is…
The Final Word
Once again, the Lenovo Moto Z Force comes out as the winner of this comparison. Pricing is about the same for both devices, with the Moto Z Force actually coming in a little more expensive, but it just seems that the extra money is well worth the gift of extra performance.
The Moto Z Force has a slightly smaller display, but it uses the AMOLED technology that allows for greater contrasts and viewing from different angles. It also sports the ShatterShield display to prevent the display from breaking when dropped – a feature that seems to work. The Moto Z-Force has a much better processor and GPU processor, and faster RAM. The cameras are both excellent and the Moto Z Force has a larger battery with quick charge, as well as a Moto Mod that adds a 2220mAh battery and wireless charging.
The LG V10 is an excellent smartphone – it has looks, performance, and interesting dual 5MP FFC – and let’s not forget the dual display. However, when it comes to real performance, it is lacking with a Snapdragon 808, DDR3 RAM, and an Adreno 418. The price is still too high for what you are receiving.
The new Moto Z Force is the technically superior device, but it is a Verizon exclusive – something to keep in mind if you do not want to change carriers.
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