Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the Lenovo Moto Z Force goes up against the Sony Xperia XZ. Both devices have an all-metal build and are comfortable in hand, although neither one would win a beauty contest. The Moto Z Force has a large camera ring around it, but it also functions to help hold in place the Moto Mods, which can be as simple as a decorative backing to an extended battery to a Hasselblad camera – either way, the Moto Z Force looks better with a Mod on it. The Xperia XZ looks like a rectangle with large bezels at the top and bottom of the 1080p display, which means typical Sony. Let’s look at just what these two devices have in common, if anything, and then we will take a closer look at each one in hopes that we can determine a winner of this comparison.
Although close in physical size, the Moto Z Force is slightly larger in height, width, but only weighs 2 grams heavier than the Xperia XZ. The displays have nothing in common – they’re a different size, have a different resolution, and use different technology. One place the Z Force and Xperia XZ do agree is the processor as they both went for the Snapdragon 820 and Adreno 530. They both offer 32GB of internal storage, and both offer expandable storage via a microSD card. The main camera areas are very similar, but you may get slightly better pictures from the Z Force. Both devices use a non-removable battery with fast charge capabilities. I wish I could say that both have a fingerprint sensor, but Sony has once again decided to leave it off the US version. The sensor is built-in, but not activated and needs flashing with the UK software. They both have the usual suspects – WiFi, Bluetooth (v4.1 on the Z Force and v4.2 on the Xperia XZ,) GPS, NFC, and a Type-C reversible port for charging and data transfer.
Please take a careful 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
Lenovo Moto Z Force
The new Moto Z Force has a higher price tag than most people are used to with a Moto/Lenovo device. However, it has great specs, a large battery, the ShatterShield display, a terrific camera, and the ability to add Moto Mods. The Moto Z Force is an all-metal design with a solid build, and while some are not wild about its looks, it is a flagship in every sense of the word. What is nice about the Moto Mods versus the Modules used on the LG G5 is that the smartphone stays intact and the Moto Mods ‘snap’ onto the back with magnets and the help of the protruding camera ring.
The Moto Z Force sports a 5.5-inch AMOLED QHD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 535 pixels-per-inch (PPI.) Moto’s ShatterShield – improved from last year – is a 5-layer design that protects breakage of the screen. Lenovo went with the best processor it could – the Snapdragon 820 quad-core with dual cores clocked at 1.6GHz and dual cores clocked at 2.15GHz coupled to a powerhouse Adreno 530 GPU to handle the graphics. The Z Force packs 4GB of DDR4 RAM and offers 32GB of the faster UFS 2.0 internal memory that is expandable via a microSD card.
The primary camera on the Z Force uses a 21MP sensor with a large aperture of f/1.8, laser and phase detection autofocus (PDAF), a dual-tone flash, and OIS. It uses a 5MP front-facing camera (FFC) with a f/2.2 aperture and even includes a LED flash for selfies and video chatting. The Moto Z Force uses a large 3500mAh non-removable battery but comes with one of the fastest chargers available – it can charge the Moto Z Force battery up to 50-percent in only 20 minutes. A Moto Mod is available that will increase the battery by 2200mAh and can even add wireless charging capabilities as well.
One thing we must point out is that the Moto Z Force does lack a 3.5mm earphone jack that could irritate many customers. The Moto Z handles earphones 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 or turn to Bluetooth. The other significant factor is that it can utilize Moto Mods that can add features to your device as well as covers for the back to help customize its looks. We also need to remind you that the Z Force is a Verizon exclusive – also a pain for some people. It has a nano-coating for water resistance, which is a shame on a sealed phone. 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.
Sony Xperia XZ
Sony is still trying to figure out how to market a smartphone. The new Sony Xperia XZ smartphone did make it to the US faster than usual, but somewhere along the way they did not ‘activate’ the fingerprint sensor. The device will only work on GSM networks – AT&T or T-Mobile – so that means no Verizon or Sprint networks. If you are brave enough to flash the UK firmware to the US Xperia XZ, you can use the fingerprint sensor. Why does Sony make it so difficult for the US to use their devices? The Xperia XZ retains the all-metal backing, the rectangle shape, and large top and bottom bezels. At a price of $699, it should have all of the bells and whistles. Let’s see how it stands up to the Moto Z Force.
The Sony Xperia XZ sports a 5.2-inch IPS FHD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and 424 PPI. Sony did use the 64-bit Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor with dual cores clocked at 1.6GHz and dual cores clocked at 2.15GHz but packed in only 3GB of DDR4 RAM and 32GB or 64GB of expandable internal memory.
The Xperia XZ incorporated a new 23MP Sony lens with an aperture of f/2.0, 24mm, phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and laser autofocus, and LED flash. Sony included a large 13MP FFC with a f/2.0, 22mm, and HDR capabilities to give you great selfies or video chats. The Xperia XZ uses a 2900mAh non-removable battery with Quick Charge 3.0 to provide a rapid charge.
The Xperia XZ can provide you with some good sounds with its Hi-Res audio, and it utilizes that audio via dual front-facing stereo speakers. The Xperia XZ is IP68 certified for dust and water resistance. It measures 146 x 72 x 8.1MM and weighs in at 161 grams. It comes in Mineral Black, Platinum, Forest Blue, or Deep Pink. It will cost you a sizable $699 for this Sony flagship.
…And The Winner Is…
The Final Word
I had to call the Moto Z Force as the winner of this comparison. It has a larger display, higher resolution, uses the AMOLED technology, ShatterShield protection, more RAM, arguably a better camera, and the fingerprint sensor is ready to go.
No, the Z Force does not have the IP68 dust and water resistance, the 3.5mm earphone jack, or the stereo speakers found on the Sony Xperia XZ, but the Moto Z Force is just too much phone with so many options with the Moto Mods, I have to pick it as the winner. There just seems to be more value for your dollar with the $720 Z Force over the $700 for the Sony.
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