Dubai: With Samsung and Apple dominating the premium smartphone market, there is no clear third player and Motorola’s ultra-thin Moto Z is expected to gain a foothold.
Moto Z is an Android smartphone developed by Motorola Mobility, a division of Lenovo, and it is based on modular concept.
The pre-bookings for the device will start from Wednesday at Jacky’s Electronics and SharafDG.
The modular smartphone concept was first started by Google — Project Ara — but it did not see the light and Google seems to have shelved the project for time being.
The first phone to come out was LG’s G5 with clip-in modules and accessories called “Friends” which enables the G5 to transform into a digital camera with its Cam Plus, a Hi-Plus module adds a Bang & Olufsen 32-bit audio DAC (digital-to-analogue converter) with an amplifier, a 360 degree camera and a virtual reality headset with its 360 VR.
What Motorola is doing is adding the magnetic snap-on attachments called ‘Moto Mods’ to the back of the device to enhance the phone’s features such as a 10x Optical Zoom Hasselblad camera lens, an Insta-Share projector with battery backup, a JBL SoundBoost speaker, power bank and covers.
The 5.5-inch Quad HD AMOLED display (1440 x 2560 pixels) device is powered by 2.15GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor with 4GB RAM and 32GB internal storage capacity, a 13MP primary camera, a 5MP front snapper and a 2,600mAh battery.
The TurboPower charging feature, claims to be better than the quick wireless charging, gives around 8 hours of battery life in 15 minutes.
Mahesh Chotrani, assistant vice-president of Jacky’s Electronics, told Gulf News that the phones are expected to be available between October 11-15. The offer is till October 15.
The device coasts Dh2,599 and the pre-booked customers will get a JBL SoundBoost speaker and a cover free till October 15.
The camera can be purchased separately for Dh999, JBL speaker for Dh399, powerbank for Dh299, Insta-Share projector for Dh1,299 and cover for Dh99.
Chotrani said that Moto Z can be a game changer as there is no brand to give a real fight in the premium price range.
“The Motorola brand is so loved in the US, according to reports. Motorola is not new to the market and it was selling well, expect for the last two years. In 2008 Gitex Shopper, Motorola was the fast selling smartphone brand,” he said.
Pankaj Kumar, vice-president at SharafDG, said that the product is a clear differentiator in the mobile space. Currently, there is no innovation happening in the segment and there is no differentiator between the brands.
“Motorola is adding a variety to the segment and this is the first time I am seeing an innovation in the smartphone category. Moto Z should do well in the UAE and it is a loved brand here,” he said.
Chotrani expects the brand to challenge one of the top two players in the next three or four quarters.
“It is easy to change accessories in seconds and Lenovo is lining up more partners for accessories,” he said.
