Motorola Moto Z2 Play vs Moto Z Play: What’s the difference, and should you upgrade?
Motorola has expanded its Moto Z lineup, with the release of the Moto Z2 Play. The smartphone is priced at Rs. 27,999. Is Moto Z2 Play worth the upgrade over Moto Z Play? We compare the two phones on the basis on the specifications, price, and other features
Motorola Moto Z2 Play has been launched in India at a price of Rs 27,999 but how does it fare over the earlier Moto Z Play? We compare the two smartphones.
Lenovo-owned Motorola is very much committed to modular smartphones, even if LG and Google are out of picture. At an event held in Goa, Motorola has expanded its Moto Z lineup, with the release of the Moto Z2 Play. Although the existence of the Moto Z2 is questionable, Motorola will sell the second-generation Moto Z2 Play in India at Rs. 27,999.
With Moto Mods, the Moto Z2 Play’s functionality can be enhanced – which magnetically attach on to the rear of the device. There’s a lot to rave about the Moto Z2 Play, a slimmer design, improved internals and a much better camera. The question is, will you ditch the Moto Z Play for the Moto Z2 Play? Let’s compare the two devices on the basis on the specifications and price.
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At first glance the Moto Z2 Play doesn’t look too different from its predecessor, the Moto Z Play. Both smartphones have a similar design and form factor, However, on a closer look, you will notice a slight design difference. The second-generation Moto Z2 Play has a metal back, whereas the Moto Z Play had a rear made out of glass. Secondly, the Moto Z2 Play is a millimeter thinner at 6mm. The Moto Z Play had a thickness of 7mm.
The thinner design also means that the company has packed in a smaller 3,000mAh battery on the Moto Z2 Play. In contract, the original Moto Z Play came with a 3,510mAh battery. Both smartphones are also water resistant, as the devices feature a water repellent nano-coating. On the display side, both smartphones sport a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. As the phones fall under the premium mid-end segment, the 5.5-inch FHD panel should be on par with the competition.
Moto Z2 Play vs Moto Z Play Processor, battery and software
In term of hardware, both Moto Z2 Play and Moto Z Play aren’t radically different. Of course, the Moto Z2 Play now has a slightly bumped up internals. The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 626 processor clocked at 2.2Ghz, which should be sufficient to run most of the apps and graphics intensive games. The Z2 Play also comes with 4GB RAM, up from 3GB in the Moto Z Play. Both smartphones also feature microSD card slots (up to 2TB). The Moto Z2 Play can be purchased in 64GB storage option.
Moto Z Play was launched last year with Moto Mod support.
On the battery front, the Moto Z2 is backed by a 3000mAh battery which the company claims should last up to 30 hours on a single charge. It also supports Motorola’s preparatory Turbo Power charging technology. According to the company, the Moto Z2 Play can be charged to 50 per cent in just 15 minutes. In comparison, Moto Z Play came with a bigger 3, 510mAh battery. The Moto Z2 Play runs on Android 7.1 Nougat out-of-the-box. Both phones feature the Moto app, which is pre-installed on the devices.
Moto Z2 Play vs Moto Z Play Camera
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The Moto Z2 Play has got an upgrade in the camera department with a 12-megapixel shooter that offers both dual-pixel, laser autofocus and an f/1.7 aperture. The front camera has a 5-megapixel shooter with an f/2.2 aperture and dual-LED flash. Lat year’s model shipped with a 16-megapixels shooter on the back with an f/2.0 aperture. The previous-generation Moto Z Play has a 5-megapixel selfie camera with a single LED flash. Motorola is claiming an improved camera on the Moto Z2 Play.
Moto Z2 Play vs Moto Z Play Price Difference
The second-generation Moto Z2 Play is obviously much better than its predecessor, but you also need to remember that it has a higher price tag. Moto Z2 Play will retail for Rs 27,999, whereas the Moto Z Play can be purchased for Rs 24,999. Do keep in mind that both smartphones will be compatible with a slew of Moto Mods – both new and old. Motorola has not confirmed if the new Moto Mods are coming to India right now or later. It has also not indicated when the Moto Z Play will be phased out.
Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle.
Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University.
Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include:
Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech.
Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture.
Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups.
Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape.
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