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Morph your Moto phone with Mod accessories

Motorola's Moto Z and Z Force phones have magnetic covers that work with snap-on modules, so you can add the extra power and style you need.

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).
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CNET editor Dong Ngo has been involved with technology since 2000, starting with testing gadgets and writing code for CNET Labs' benchmarks. He now manages CNET San Francisco Labs, reviews 3D printers, networking/storage devices, and also writes about other topics from online security to new gadgets and how technology impacts the life of people around the world.
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1 of 22 Sarah Tew/CNET

One of the neatest things about the Motorola Moto Z and Z Force (which you can now pre-order in the US through Verizon) has nothing to do with the phones themselves. In fact, it's all about the Moto Mods accessories that work with it.

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2 of 22 James Martin/CNET

But let's back up for a minute. The Moto Z (left) and Moto Z Force are Motorola's newest pair of flagships. They have a 5.5-inch display, a Snapdragon 820 processor, and run Android Marshmallow.

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3 of 22 James Martin/CNET

On the back of the devices are an array of pins that you can use to help magnetically snap on modules, or swappable components.

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4 of 22 James Martin/CNET

Like this one! It's a Kate Spade-branded external battery pack built by Incipio.

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5 of 22 James Martin/CNET

And this pico projector add-on that latches onto the devices to beam the contents of your phone onto any surface, such as a wall or ceiling.

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6 of 22 James Martin/CNET

There's also this JBL speaker that pumps out impressively loud audio -- essential for pool parties and BBQs. And it has a kickstand!

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7 of 22 James Martin/CNET

Not every item magnetically attracted to the phone's backing is a high-powered Mod. There are also a ton of slim cases in finishes and styles that cater to your self-expression.

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8 of 22 James Martin/CNET

Some are simple plastic. Others evoke leather and wood.

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9 of 22 James Martin/CNET

Collect them all!

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10 of 22 James Martin/CNET

You don't need these aftermarket covers to use the phones, either. But they do add a little something and are fun to snap on.

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11 of 22 James Martin/CNET

Taking them off isn't hard. But they're connected with four strong internal magnets, so you'll need to find a grip or slide a nail into a seam and gently pull.

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12 of 22 James Martin/CNET

Both phones are splash-resistant, and the magnetic attachments are made of gold to cut down on corrosion.

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13 of 22 James Martin/CNET

After you connect a Mod for the first time, you'll hear a chime and see some sort of message to confirm that the Mod and phone have synced.

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14 of 22 James Martin/CNET

Another look at the pico projector Moto Mod.

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15 of 22 James Martin/CNET

I snapped it onto the gold phone so you can really see its contours while you're using it. Luckily, you can quickly pull it off when you're done without turning off the phone.

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16 of 22 James Martin/CNET

A pretty loud speaker sits on the right side of this projector Mod.

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17 of 22 James Martin/CNET

JBL is one early supporter of Motorola's Moto Mod ecosystem, which gives this add-on an extra advantage.

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18 of 22 James Martin/CNET

But it won't be long before Motorola pulls in other third-party partners to expand its snappy offerings for the Motorola Moto Z and Z Force.

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19 of 22 James Martin/CNET

Here's a concept mod that projects the screen of the phone on a surface and lets you tap on the projected icons to interact with the phone.

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20 of 22 James Martin/CNET

Another concept mod, which shows that you can have another screen attached to the Moto Z and Moto Z Force.

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21 of 22 James Martin/CNET

In the US, the two phones sell exclusively through Verizon (hence that Droid Edition branding on the camera), but an unlocked version of the Moto Z is slated to come to the US and the rest of the world as well around the fall.

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22 of 22 Sarah Tew/CNET

Though the Mods aren't the most portable and compact accessories, they help achieve a more fully realized version of the modular phone (unlike, say, the LG G5).

For a full analysis of the handsets, check out our Moto Z review and Moto Z Force review.

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