Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – no, today we have a great one for you – the new Samsung Galaxy Note 7 goes head-to-head with the new Lenovo Moto Z Force. These are two of the best smartphones currently available and their specifications and features prove that fact. The new Note 7 continues the metal and glass build of the Note 5 but adds a dual curved display, IP68 certification, an improved S Pen, and an iris scanner for added security. The Moto Z Force switches to an all-metal design ups its specs and gives us the option of Moto Mods to add to its functionality. With both devices having so much in common on the technical side – display, processor, GPU, and memory – this comparison becomes a real battle and a difficult decision. Let’s look at just what these two devices have in common and then we will take a closer look at each one in hopes that we can determine a winner of this comparison.
The Galaxy Note 7 and the Moto Z Force do share quite a few specifications, and we can start with physical size. These two devices are almost identical in size and weigh within 6 grams of one another – but then their displays are only .2 of an inch different in size. Speaking of displays, they both use a QHD resolution, and both use the AMOLED technology. The US/Canada versions of the Galaxy Note 7 use the same Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor, Adreno 530 GPU, 4GB of DDR4 RAM and each have a 64GB variant that uses the new and faster UFS 2.0 memory. Both devices use a 5MP sensor for their front-facing camera (FFC.) They both have a fingerprint sensor for unlocking the device as well as authorizing mobile payments. Both use a non-removable 3500mAh battery with rapid charge capabilities for power. Both have the usual suspects – WiFi, Bluetooth (v4.2 on the Note 7 and v4.1 on the Z Force), GPS, NFC, and a USB Type-C port 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
Samsung Galaxy Note 7
The new Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is essentially a slightly larger Galaxy S7 Edge and a Galaxy Note 5 molded into one. The Note 7 finally gets its ‘set of wings’ in the form of a dual curved display, but not quite as pronounced as the S7 Edge and certainly not like the original Note Edge that many were hoping to see. The Note 7 is the first smartphone to use the new Gorilla Glass 5 – there is some excitement for you. All sarcasm aside, the new display does give the Note 7 an overall softer and more elegant look. There are many ‘big’ phones, even larger than the Galaxy Note series on the market in an attempt to outdo Samsung, but it all comes down to the S Pen and the software that accompanies it. Teaming up with Wacom years ago, Samsung has created a unique writing experience that gets better every year – even waterproof this year.
The Galaxy Note 7 sports the same 5.7-inch Super AMOLED QHD display with the addition the dual curved edge, giving it a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 518 pixels-per-inch (PPI.) The Galaxy Note 7’s sold in the US/Canada will pack a Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor with four cores clocked at 1.6GHz and the other four cores clocked at 2.3GHz. In other countries, it will sport an Exynos octa-core with a quad-core clocked at 1.6GHz and a quad-core clocked at 2.3GHz. The Note 7 uses 4GB of DDR4 RAM and a base 64GB of the faster UFS 2.0 internal memory and includes expansion via a microSD.
The Galaxy Note 7 uses the same excellent camera like the one used in the Galaxy S7 series – a new Dual Pixel 12MP sensor with an increase in the aperture to f/1.7, including faster phase detection autofocus (PDAF), auto HDR, and Smart OIS. The Galaxy Note 7 uses a 5MP wide-angle lens with a large f/1.7 aperture and Live HDR for its FFC. The Note 7 has a non-removable 3500mAh battery but also features rapid charge features as well as quick wireless charging capabilities.
Samsung added a new Iris Scanner for more security that allows you to unlock your Galaxy Note 7 by looking into the top area of the display, and there are plans to upgrade the software in the near future to have the scanner authorize mobile payments. It still has a heart rate monitor, an oxygen saturation sensor, Samsung Pay, and built-in wireless quick charging. The S Pen has many new added features giving it, even more, functionality and sensitivity, not to mention it is waterproof. The Note 7 does use the newer USB Type-C reversible connector for charging and data transfer. Depending where you buy the Galaxy Note 7, it will come in Blue Coral, Silver Titanium, Black Onyx, and Gold. It measures 153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9mm, weighs in at 169 grams, and will cost you about $865.
Lenovo Moto Z Force
People are still talking about the high cost of the new Moto Z Force – but only because in the past the Moto devices were never this high-tech. You get what you pay for, and in the case of the Moto Z Force, you get not only high-end specs, a larger battery, the ShatterShield display, a better camera, but also the ability to add Moto Mods. The new Moto Z Force is an all-metal design with a solid build and certainly is a flagship in every sense of the word.
The Moto Z Force sports a 5.5-inch AMOLED QHD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 535 PPI. The display features ShatterShield, which is a 5-layer design that protects the screen from breakage. Lenovo went with the same processor found in the Note 7 – the Snapdragon 820 quad-core with dual cores clocked at 1.6GHz and dual cores clocked at 2.15GHz coupled to an Adreno 530 GPU to handle the most intense graphics you can throw its way. The Z Force packs 4GB of DDR4 RAM and offers 32GB or 64GB of the faster UFS 2.0 internal memory that is expandable via a microSD card.
Lenovo took the camera area very serious in the Moto Z Force. It uses a 21MP sensor with a large aperture of f/1.8, 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 matches the Note 7 by using a large 3500mAh non-removable battery with one of the fastest chargers – a 5v/5.7a TurboPower 30 charger that can charge the Moto Z Force battery 50-percent in only 20 minutes. One of the Moto Mods will increase the battery by 2200mAh and can even add wireless charging capabilities as well.
The Moto Z Force is a great device that can utilize Moto Mods, but remember, it does lack a 3.5mm earphone jack that could be a real pain for some people, and lastly, it is a Verizon exclusive – also a pain for some people. Because the Moto Z Force does not include the standard 3.5mm headphone jack, it handles headphones via an adapter that plugs into the Type-C reversible port to accept earphones – it does produce a better sound, but you have to remember to carry around an adapter. It measures in at 155.9 x 75.8 x 7mm and weighs in at 163 grams. It comes in four colors – Black/Gray, Black/Rose Gold, Black/Gold, and White with pricing at $720 exclusively on Verizon.
…And The Winner Is…
The Final Word
Okay, I picked the Moto Z Force because it is cheaper, has the same specifications as the Note 7 in most areas, the ability to use Moto Mods, and the fact that most users do not need/want the S Pen that is a huge part of the Galaxy Note 7’s appeal.
The Moto Z Force is a force to be reckoned with – a QHD AMOLED ShatterShield display, Snapdragon 820/Adreno 530, 4GB of DDR4 RAM 32GB/64GB of expandable USF 2.0 memory, excellent camera, and Moto Mods. The Note 7 is its own force – QHD Super AMOLED always-on display, Snapdragon 820/Adreno 530 GPU, 4GB of DDR4 RAM, 64GB of expandable USF 2.0 memory, an excellent camera, Iris scanner, and S Pen.
See what I mean? Both of these devices are true winners – but both were designed for different users. If you are a true S-Pen user, like myself, then you probably would not be satisfied with anything but the Note 7. However, if you like to explore the Moto Mods and the possibilities they offer, then the Moto Z Force would be your pick. Either way, you are picking a winner!
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