Credit: Verizon
LG will soon have company in the modular device space.
Lenovo on Thursday said it will launch a new modular smartphone line from Motorola this summer exclusively on the Verizon network.
Headed by the Moto Z and the Moto Z Force, the new lineup will feature interchangeable “smart backs” that can snap on to the devices to boost and add capabilities. The packs, called “Moto Mods” will enable a number of functions including movie projection, enhanced audio and longer battery life.
“We wanted to work with Motorola to introduce something entirely new that would inspire customers to get excited about smartphones again,” Verizon’s vice president of wireless devices Jeff Dietel said. “This groundbreaking new modular system will revolutionize the smartphone landscape and Droid brand for years to come.”
The smartphones will both feature a 5.5-inch Quad HD display, 32 GB of storage, a 5 mp front camera, USB-C connectivity, a water-repellent coating and a fingerprint reader. Both devices will run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 processor and support Verizon’s Advanced Calling with HD Voice.
The Moto Z will also feature a 2,600 mAh battery, 13 mp rear-facing camera and turbo charger that offers up to 8 hours of battery from 15 minutes of charging. The Moto Z Force improves on those specs with a 3,500 mAh battery, 21 mp rear camera and turbo charger that offers 15 hours of battery from 15 minutes of charging.
The Moto Z will be offered in black/lunar gray and white/fine gold, while the Moto Z Force will just be available in black/lunar gray.
The phones will be released alongside three initial Moto Mods, including the JBL SoundBoost Speaker to provide stereo sound, the Moto Insta-Share Projector that includes up to 70-inch projection and Power Packs from TUMI and Kate Spade New York for up to an additional 22 hours of battery life.
Though Verizon and Lenovo did not provide an exact launch date or pricing for the devices, they did say pre-orders for the Moto Z and Moto Z Force will open next month.
The devices will rise the total of modular devices in Verizon’s lineup to three.
In February, the carrier announced it would carry the new LG G5 device. Like the new Lenovo devices, the G5 is offered alongside a number of companion devices that can expand the smartphone’s capabilities.
Verizon is currently offering the LG G5 for $624 retail or $26 per month for 24 months.
Filed Under: Devices
