The Motorola brand was back in the South African spotlight last night for the first time in four years when Lenovo launched its latest smartphone, the Moto Z.
Motorola last had a phone offering in the local market in 2012 when it launched the Razr Maxx.
Graham Braum, GM for Mobile Business Group, Lenovo Africa, says the Moto Z, with its snap-on Moto Mods heralds a new era in innovation for smartphones. The new devices will be available in South Africa from 1 November.
“We are excited to be launching the flagship Moto Z smartphone in South Africa, as we believe that there is a definite gap in our cellular phone market for smartphones that are truly innovative, and don’t merely make small improvements to existing models,” Braum says. “The Moto Z empowers users to choose the capabilities of their smartphones so that they can instantly transform their mobiles into whatever they need, whenever they need it.
“Ultimately, we believe this new Moto Z ecosystem is the future of mobile and will come to define a new era of consumer expectations,” Braum adds. “The pioneering Moto Mods enable users to reach the maximum potential in a snap. Whether users are into photography, music, videos or fashion, we have teamed up with experts in each industry to provide our customers with a device that meets all expectations.”
The Moto Mods Family includes the JBL SoundBoost speakers so users can take the party with them, the Insta-Share Projector so they can share content as and when they want, power packs from Incipio so consumers are never out of battery, and the Hasselblad True Zoom, that will enable aspiring photographers to capture precious moments on the go.
Made from military aircraft-grade aluminum and stainless steel, the new Moto Z is durable, yet razor thin – just 5.2 mm – and ultra-light with a 5.5″ Quad HD AMOLED display. The smartphone is equipped with a powerful Qualcomm SnapdragonTM 820 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB or 64 GB of storage inside. Those looking for even more storage for pictures, videos and apps can add a microSD card up to 2 TB.
Moto Z has a high-resolution 13 MP camera with optical image stabilisation and laser autofocus, which helps users take beautiful, true-to-life pictures in any light and condition. The front-facing 5 MP camera includes a wide-angle lens, which is great for fitting friends in the picture. Moto Z also includes an extra flash on the front camera to ensure users look their best, even in low light.
The smartphone comes with a water-repellant coating, which shields the phone from rain, splashes or spills. With the fingerprint reader, a touch is all it takes to instantly wake up the phone. Moto Z supports up to 30 hours of battery, so people can go all day and well into the night without needing to stop and recharge their phones. When in need, the TurboPower Mod provides up to 8 hours of power in just 15 minutes.
Moto has teamed up with Hasselblad, who has been at the forefront of the imaging industry, to design an imaging experience that completely transforms mobile photography. Add advanced imaging capabilities to the phone in a snap, and create and share like never before. Featuring 10x Optical Zoom and a Xenon flash, all is needed is to just focus on getting the shot – lighting and distance will never stand in the way of capturing the perfect image. Customers can expect even more control and flexibility with the ability to shoot in RAW format, in addition to the physical shutter and zoom controls, guaranteeing a great handling experience. With True Zoom, users will also get free access to Hasselblad’s Phocus software for streamlined editing control and the highest quality output. Users will also be able to share beautiful results with family and friends while still in the moment with automatic backup and unlimited free storage for two years with Google Photos.
For those who enjoy listening to loud music, the Moto Z offers a high-quality JBL SoundBoost that will give the smartphone a boost with powerful stereo sound in a snap. The Mod includes a built-in kickstand that is guaranteed to make videos and music more immersive.
The JBL SoundBoost also includes 10 hours of battery life that allows people to listen longer without using their phone’s battery. The speakerphone also ensures that calls come in loud and clear no matter the location
The Moto Insta-Share Projector snaps easily onto the Moto Z phone and enables instant sharing of photos and videos. The Mod projects up to 70″ on any flat surface so the big screen is with users every step of the way. With the integrated kickstand, people can project at any angle which allows friends and families to gather together to watch their favorite pictures, shows, and even games.
The Insta-Share Projector comes with built-in battery that provides users with up to one extra hour of screen time before using the phone’s battery.
The pricing will start from:
Moto Z (comes with Moto Style Shell) | R12,999 |
Moto Insta-Share Projector Mod | R 4,699 |
Incipio offGrid Power Pack Mod | R 1,199 |
JBL SoundBoost Mod | R1,699 |
Hasselblad True Zoom Mod | R 4,299 |