The Moto Z2 Force hands-on : 2x cameras and a Moto Mod

The Motorola-made Moto Z2 Force is out in reviewers hands – ours included – and today we're taking a peek at what's in the box. In our full Moto Z2 Force Review we'll have a peek at what it means to use this device on a long-term basis. For now, we're looking at the basics. That means unboxing the device itself and its newest associate: the Moto 360 Camera (Moto Mod).

Up front is a 5.5-inch Quad-HD (2K) Super AMOLED display, and this time around, it has no separate screen protector-like situation going on. Not like last year. With the original Z Force, the front panel was reinforced by a second pane of Motorola's own protective material that could, potentially, be removed by hand. That was called the Moto ShatterShield – and a replacement could be purchased from Motorola for $30 USD.

This time around, Motorola is still using their Moto ShatterShield brand – but this time the "lens" (aka the glass up front) is all in one. As Motorola's site suggests, "The display and embedded lens are warranted against shattering and cracking for four (4) years from the original date of purchase." That does not mean you can toss it off a building and expect Motorola to replace the device – but dropping from your pocket will count – you can get a replacement frontside display glass (lens) in that case.


Inside this device is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor that'll keep up with the most power-intensive apps of the day. That's paired with 4GB of RAM as well as 64GB of internal storage. There's also a microSD card slot that allows expansion up to 2TB – though, in reality, the biggest size you're going to be able to buy is 512GB.

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The camera is where the new goods are at – employing abilities that only truly come with a pair of cameras (instead of just one). This device rolls with two 12MP cameras on its back, giving it several abilities. This Motorola phone now has a set of "Pro" camera app abilities (giving it a set of sliders for shutter speed, exposure, white balance, ISO, and focal length.

This set of backside cameras also allows the user to use a smart "selective black and white" system to knock out color in only certain parts of a photo. This pair of cameras also allows the user to "add a blur effect to the background or foreground of images, while keeping the main subject in crystal clear focus," so says Motorola. This device also has a lovely 5MP camera up front with LED flash (much like the Z2 Play Edition).

Moto Z2 Force is up for pre-order right this minute starting at a cool $30 per month. It'll be made available starting on the 10th of August through Best Buy, Motorola online, and through each of the four major mobile carriers in the United States. Pre-orders will include a Moto Mod – in this case a Moto Projector Mod, dependent on your source.

Pricing on the Z2 Force without contract or monthly payments will ring in at between $720 and $850. You'll also want to have a closer peek at the Moto GamePad (Moto Mod) when it becomes available later this year – that'll cost approximately $80, while the Moto 360 Camera Mod will cost a whopping $300 USD on its own.

Stick around and see our full review of the Motorola Z2 smartphone lineup – coming soon! Watch the Android hub here on SlashGear for more!