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The Moto Z3 Play looks a little naked without its Mods

What Motorola's midprice phone looks like right out of the box.

Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Sarah Tew Senior Editor / Photography
I'm a visual storyteller, working primarily in the medium of photography and photoshop. I listen to more podcasts than I can keep up with and enjoy gardening, cooking, reading, and am striving for a sustainable lifestyle. A big-picture thinker, I am always trying to put the pieces together, and though things are scary these days, I believe humanity will pull through.
Jessica Dolcourt
Sarah Tew
Moto Z3 Play
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The latest Moto Z phone is here: the Moto Z3 Play.

Moto Z3 Play
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A midrange effort, this year's Z3 Play has the typical look of the Moto Z family. You get a slim device with a flat backing.

Moto Z3 Play
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You can see how planar it is.

Moto Z3 Play
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Magnet backing

The sheer design is in service of the pogo pins on the back of the phone, which connect Moto Mods magnetically to the phone.

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A 2,200mAh battery pack comes in the Z3 Play's box.

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This will extend the phone's battery life to run two days on a single charge.

Moto Z3 Play
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The Z3 Play runs Android 8.0 Oreo.

Moto Z3 Play
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Motorola's interface is one of my favorites.

Moto Z3 Play
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The Z3 Play loses its headphone jack, a change from last year's Z2 Play.

Moto Z3 Play
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Without a mod to soften the edges, the Z3 Play feels a little bony.

Moto Z3 Play
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Check out the fingerprint reader on the phone's right side.

Moto Z3 Play
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There's a dual-camera setup that can take portrait photos with those 12- and 5-megapixel lenses.

Moto Z3 Play
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Adding a case or other mod minimizes the starkness of that camera bump.

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This opens the door for customized shells.

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An 8-megapixel camera rides on the front.

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Camera modes are minimal, but you'll find a few extras.

Moto Z3 Play
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The family of Moto Mods is mostly made up of shells ("cases") and battery packs, but you'll also find Mods from Polaroid...

Moto Z3 Play
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...and these snap-on speakers.

Moto Z3 Play
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For the best and worst of this phone, see our fully rated Moto Z3 Play review.

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