Mobile Technology

Moto G5 Plus vs. Moto Z

Moto G5 Plus vs. Moto Z
New Atlas compares the features and specs of the Moto G5 Plus (left) and Moto Z
New Atlas compares the features and specs of the Moto G5 Plus (left) and Moto Z
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Camera aperture (rear)
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Camera aperture (rear)
Battery
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Battery
Build
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Build
Camera megapixels
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Camera megapixels
Color options
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Color options
Processor
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Processor
Display resolution
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Display resolution
Display size
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Display size
Display type
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Display type
Fast charging
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Fast charging
Fingerprint sensor
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Fingerprint sensor
microSD
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microSD
Modular build
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Modular build
NFC
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NFC
Optical Image Stabilization
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Optical Image Stabilization
Starting price (full retail)
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Starting price (full retail)
RAM
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RAM
Release
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Release
Software
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Software
Storage
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Storage
Weight
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Weight
New Atlas compares the features and specs of the Moto G5 Plus (left) and Moto Z
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New Atlas compares the features and specs of the Moto G5 Plus (left) and Moto Z
Water resistance
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Water resistance
Dimensions
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Dimensions
View gallery - 24 images

Lenovo's Moto G5 Plus is the latest in a line of bang-for-buck budget phones, dating back to when Google owned Motorola. Let's see how the features and specs of the Moto G5 Plus compare to those of its flagship sibling, the modular Moto Z.

Size

Dimensions
Dimensions

Dimensions aren't radically different, with the Moto G5 Plus coming in at 2-percent shorter, 1-percent narrower and 87-percent thicker.

Keep in mind, though, that the Moto Z's razor-thin depth measurement includes the phone only without any of its modular backplates attached. Also note that the G5 Plus has a curved back, and its depth measures only the thickest point.

Weight

Weight
Weight

Without any mods attached to the Moto Z, the G5 Plus comes out 14-percent heavier.

Build

Build
Build

Motorola took a step in the premium-build direction this year, as the Moto G5 Plus steps away from its all-plastic predecessors with some aluminum onboard.

Colors

Color options
Color options

You have two or three color options for each phone, though the Moto Z can get a different look and color depending on which mod(s) you snap onto its back.

Modular build

Modular build
Modular build

Speaking of which, the Moto Z takes a unique and simple approach to modularity, with built-in magnets that snap various attachments into place on the back of the phone.

Our favorite mod was the simplest: a battery. But there are also options for a camera with optical zoom, a JBL speaker, a projector and a car-mount dock. There are also functionless mods that add a different material or color to the phone.

Display size

Display size
Display size

The Moto G5 Plus' screen is about 11-percent smaller than the Moto Z's.

Display resolution

Display resolution
Display resolution

Being a budget phone, the G5 Plus naturally gets a lower-res (but still sharp) 1080p display, compared to the ultra-sharp QHD screen on the Z.

Display type

Display type
Display type

Motorola went with IPS over AMOLED in its mid-ranged phone.

Processor

Processor
Processor

The G5 Plus has a mid-ranged (but still capable) Snapdragon 625, while the Moto Z uses Android's early-2016 high-end silicon.

RAM

RAM
RAM

Depending which storage tier you choose for the G5 Plus, you get either 2 GB or 4 GB of RAM.

Storage

Storage
Storage

Internal storage options are identical.

microSD

microSD
microSD

Both also have a microSD slot.

Camera megapixels

Camera megapixels
Camera megapixels

Camera resolutions are similar, though we'd be surprised if the mid-ranged G5 Plus' camera were as good as the Z's high-end one.

Camera aperture (rear)

Camera aperture (rear)
Camera aperture (rear)

The Moto G5 Plus does, however, have a slightly wider aperture. This can often mean better low-lit photography.

OIS

Optical Image Stabilization
Optical Image Stabilization

Lenovo left Optical Image Stabilization out of the G5 Plus.

Battery

Battery
Battery

The Moto G5 Plus has a 15-percent bigger (higher-capacity) battery, which, when combined with its lower-resolution screen, could bode well for battery life.

Remember, though, that the Moto Z gives you the option of snapping on a battery mod for a big boost (at cost).

Fast charging

Fast charging
Fast charging

Both have quick-charging tech baked in.

Water resistance

Water resistance
Water resistance

Both have some light water resistance, but neither has a significant IP rating.

Fingerprint sensor

Fingerprint sensor
Fingerprint sensor

Both have fingerprint sensors below their screens.

NFC

NFC
NFC

One compromise in the cheaper Moto G5 Plus is a lack of NFC, which means no Android Pay.

Software

Software
Software

Both run mostly-stock versions of Android Nougat.

Release

Release
Release

The G5 Plus launches this month, while the Z was introduced last (Northern) summer, so it may be due for an update announcement within 3-4 months.

Starting price (full retail)

Starting price (full retail)
Starting price (full retail)

Motorola keeps pushing the boundaries of how good a $200-300 phone can be, and the Moto G5 Plus looks like it could raise that bar higher. Stay tuned for more in our full review.

For more, you can check out New Atlas' MWC hands-on with the Moto G5 Plus (and its Moto G5 twin, which won't be sold in the US) and our full review of the Moto Z.

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