Motorola Moto Z3

Thoughtful software features ; Solid performance ; Pleasant screen

No ShatterShield or IP-rated water resistance ; Annoying fingerprint sensor placement ; It’s exclusive to Verizon ; The best feature isn’t available yet

Video - Camera & Editor: Brian Oh

Great performance ; Good display ; Day-long battery life ; Capable camera, no shutter lag ; Promise of 5G

Thick camera bump, uninspiring design ; Unavailable to non-Verizon customers ; Poor low-light camera

The Moto Z3 brings strong performance, an all-day battery, and an affordable price tag. The potential of 5G aside, it’s the best option for Verizon subscribers looking for a sub-$500 phone.

Significant price drop since launch ; Mods are intriguing if limited-utility ; Cheaper 5G option than flagships

Dated specs and design ; Cost of MotoMods adds up

The Moto Z3 won't turn heads with its simple design and lack of flagship features, but it's a surprisingly powerful phone at a bargain price. Which would be enough to recommend the phone – but it's also Verizon's secret weapon to get folks in the 5G...

Slim. Extensible with Moto Mods. Solid overall performance.

Dated processor. Below average low-light camera. Some carrier bloatware. Promised Mods are slow to appear.

The Moto Z3 Play isn't a flagship phone. With last year's processor, a 1080p screen, and an average camera, it can't compete with the latest and greatest like the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 or the OnePlus 6. Fortunately for Motorola, it's not meant to. The...

Big, vibrant display ; Fast performance ; Very appealing price

Awkward, unergonomic design ; Average camera and battery life ; 5G promise requires a leap of faith ; Exclusive to a single carrier

Big screen, old parts, and a far-off promise of 5G

Great hardware and value for the price ; Looks sleek and feels good in the hand ; Will be 5G compatible (someday)

The 5G Moto Mod - the real star of the show - isn't out until 2019 ; A little too similar to the Moto Z3 Play ; No headphone jack

Great screen, sleek build, solid power ; Very good camera for a mid-ranger ; Ready for the 5G Mod

Uses year-old flagship tech ; Still no essential Moto Mods today ; The 5G Mod isn't out until 2019

There are more compelling ~$500 handsets today, but the Moto Z3 is a very good phone that could become fantastic with the 5G Moto Mod

This is the same basic Z3 design but still nice ; Really nice build quality and materials ; AMOLED display is still killer ; Performance is even better than the Z3 Play ; Moto gestures are still great ; Battery life is amazing ; Android runs great here...

Left mounted power button ; Camera could be better ; Single speaker ; No headphone jack (for those who care) ; Glass design could lead to breaks without protection ; No OIS

The Z3 Verizon is another very solid mid-tier phone from Motorola that is really challenging the idea that everyone needs a flagship phone. The power button placement is irritating and the camera could be a bit better but for the price you get good...

Camera that produces solid results ; Unique, good looks ; Good battery life ; Moto Mods!

Verizon exclusive ; Only “splash-proof” ; Jumpy stabilization in videos