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Meet the drop-resistant Moto Z2 Force and its crazy mods

Moto's newest phone gets dual cameras, and a bunch of mods that work with it. We got to play with it.

Scott Stein
I started with CNET reviewing laptops in 2009. Now I explore wearable tech, VR/AR, tablets, gaming and future/emerging trends in our changing world. Other obsessions include magic, immersive theater, puzzles, board games, cooking, improv and the New York Jets. My background includes an MFA in theater which I apply to thinking about immersive experiences of the future.
Scott Stein
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Meet the Moto Z2 Force. Arriving in the US August 10, it's the new top dog in the Z series. Attached is the new 360-degree camera mod, sold separately for $300.

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The Z2 Force has two rear cameras, and new camera tricks like depth-of-field effects.

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They're both 12-megapixel cameras. One's color, one's monochrome.

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Motorola claims you get a truer black and white photo with these cameras.

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Trying for a B&W shot of the ceiling.

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The Z2 Force runs Android 7.1.1, and has a pretty clean interface.

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It's really thin. USB-C onboard, but no headphone jack (an adapter is included).

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6.1mm is super thin. One downside to that: The battery, at 2,730mAh, isn't as big as in last year's Force.

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Giving the Moto Z2 Force a test drop: Motorola says it will survive drops of 4-5 feet. It did, but the case started to get scuffed.

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The 360 Camera mod pops out the top, like an eye.

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The mod, sold separately, is actually attached to a full back plate.

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It snaps onto the back of any Moto Z phone.

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360-degree photos and videos can be captured instantly, and edited in-camera. 4K video is supported, plus 150-degree "ultrawide angle" photos.

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It was pretty easy to use in a quick demo.

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Lens cap comes included.

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A view from the back.

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Do you need a 360 camera, though? And if you do, do you need one this expensive?

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What you see when you snap on the 360 camera mod.

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The mod detached from the Z2 Force.

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This Moto GamePad is another new mod coming this summer for $80. It's a snap-on game controller.

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Full buttons and analog sticks make it feel like a little game handheld.

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It makes the phone much longer, but at least it's comfy to hold.

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There are trigger buttons, which feel a little stiff.

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The GamePad mod from the back. Notice the Lenovo gaming logo glowing red?

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