Moto Z looks like a fragile piece of aluminum chassis technology, one that can barely withstand being dropped on a cushion of cotton silk.
However, thanks to the perseverance (and sadism) of YouTuber JerryRigEverything, we get a broader perspective of what Motorola's flagship can cope with. To curb the anticipation, take note that the Moto Z showed praiseworthy resilience to the harsh treatment it was subdued to.
Jerry notes that he expected for the world's thinnest smartphone to break like chocolate under the bending test. Instead, the Moto Z flexed "like the world's most expensive banana," and got back into its original shape in no time. The reviewer praises Motorola for building the slimmest handset in history with a high durability score and reminds users about catastrophically bendable devices, such as the Nexus 6P or Nextbit.
The Moto Z managed to stay under direct flame for more than 50 seconds before some of its pixels started calling it quits. For good measure, you should know that the Galaxy S7's screen lasted a mere 15 seconds during the same heated conditions. Both phones get back to normal temperature only seconds after the heat source is removed.
Thanks to its Gorilla Glass 4 protection of the screen, the smartphone scored a decent level 6 on the screen-scratch test, putting it on par with most flagship devices. Jerry points out that in normal conditions, no screen gets to level 6 by just being carried around in the pocket.
The YouTuber commends the phone for its sides and side buttons, which are made out of metal. However, Jerry easily took away the smartphone's finish, which seems a bit too easy to peel off.
As with all mobile devices, the Motorola flagship has a weak spot. The handsets' Home button is devoid of any protection. This means that once Jerry scratched it with determination, it rendered its fingerprint sensor useless. What makes matters worse is that the fingerprint scanner can actually be inadvertently scratched by objects in your pockets, such as coins or keys.
The fingerprint scanner is not the only easily scratch-prone part of the Moto Z, as the LED flash module shows the same vulnerability. The same can be said about the smartphone's back panel, which was severely scratched during the torturous process. Luckily, the main camera lens of Moto Z is made of glass, which gives it increased anti-scratching strength.
The Moto Z and the Moto Z Force rolled out earlier this year, and Tech Times compared and contrasted the two handsets so you know which one is best for you. The Moto Z that was recently tested by Jerry wins in form factor, but loses in battery capacity. The Moto Z Force has the upper hand when it comes to mobile photography due to its features and more powerful sensors, and sports an improved screen protection. When it comes to processing power, storage and OS, both devices pack the same specs.
To get a better idea of what your Moto Z can go through until it becomes unrecognizable or dysfunctional, take a peek at the video below. Enjoy the mayhem!
