Motorola MWC 2019 – A snap on 5G Moto Mod, and a new G7 series.

Motorola MWC 2019

Motorola MWC 2019 announcements showed off Motorola’s Z3 and the Moto Mod 5G snap on, as well as its new g7 series.

The batwing Motorola is alive and well under new owners Lenovo and is starting to make money and kick goals again. Motorola MWC 2019 announcements were practical – and we think right on the money.

Z3 plus snap-on 5G – smart

Let’s get the Z3 out of the way – it is/was a fine flagship using a Qualcomm 835 (two generations ago) processor. It and the lower cost Z3 play are the platforms for the innovative Moto Mods. The 5G mod  (for the US only at this time) simply clips on adding the modem, antenna and an extra 2,000mAh battery. Sound like a great idea.

Motorola MWC 2019

Moto G7 series

 The Motorola G7 series follow the good, better, best and even better again scenario with three models using the Qualcomm 632, one with the Qualcomm 636, and adding larger screens, memory and camera.

Motorola MWC 2019
Category Play Power G7 Plus
Operating System Android 9 same same same
Display 5.7-inch IPS LCD
1512×720
19:9 aspect ratio
6.2-inch IPS LCD
1520×720
19:9 aspect ratio
6.2-inch IPS LCD
2270×1080
19:9 aspect ratio
same
Processor Qucalcomm 632 1.8GHz octa-core
Adreno 506 GPU
same same Qualcomm 636
Ram Storage 2/32GB plus mciroSD 3/32GB same 4/64GB same 64 or 6/128GB same
Rear Camera – Main 13MP, ƒ/2.0, 1080p@30fps 12MP, ƒ/2.0, same 12MP, ƒ/1.8 Dual Autofocus Pixel, 4K@30fps 16MP ƒ/1.7, OIS same
AI software
Rear Camera – Secondary N/A N/A 5MP (for depth) 5MP (for depth)
Front Camera 8MP
selfie light
8MP 8MP 12MP
Connectivity 802.11 a/b/g/n dual band
Bluetooth 4.2
same 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
Bluetooth 4.2
same plus
Bluetooth 5.0
Battery 3000mAh 5000mAh 3000mAh same
Charging USB-C
10W TurboPower charging
same USB-C
15W TurboPower charging
USB-C
27W TurboPower charging
Water resistance Water-repellant nano-coating same same same
Security Fingerprint sensor (rear) same same plus
Face unlock
same
NFC No same same Yes
Dimensions 148.7 x 71.5 x 8.2 mm x 151g 159.4 x 76 x 9.3 mm x 198g 157 x 75.3 x 8 mm x 172g 157 x 75.3 x 8.3 mm x 176g
Audio Front speaker same same Stereo front speakers, Dolby Audio,
Colours Starry Black, Deep Indigo Marine Blue Ceramic Black, Clear White Deep Indigo, Viva Red
US Price $199 $249 $299 May be Europe only

Motorola says, “Since Moto g redefined the smartphone market in 2013, more and more consumers are interested in premium phones at affordable prices. Generation after generation, we remain focused on our main consumer commitment: offering phones that have the premium features you deserve, without sacrificing the quality, affordability and dependability you expect.”

Motorola also hinted that the foldable Razr was more than a pipedream.

Anthony Barounas, Motorola vice president and general manager, said,

“If you go around the stores today, for me the phones all look the same. It’s difficult to see if it’s a Motorola, or [another brand]. How we differentiate to the consumer, show them something really different, that’s where foldables comes in. And that’s where Motorola also has a very big investment. I can’t say much, but we have one franchise that will have a very big impact there.”

Motorola MWC 2019
Artists impression only

Barounas added that there is a shift to affordable phones and that is what the G7 is about. 5G may dominate the discussion but its still a year or three away. “Every ten years you get one that will change everything,” he added.

All GadgetGuy can say is that these models offer everything Joe and Jane Average needs and should sell very well.