The next-generation Moto Z (2017) has leaked again, and this time the leaked image comes directly from Motorola.
Companies typically go through a great deal of trouble to keep their upcoming products under tight wraps, but some leaks always seep through the cracks and in some cases, they come straight from the source.
That seems to be the case with the new Moto Z (2017), as Motorola apparently posted an image of the device by accident (or not?). Either someone at Motorola had a big slip and might lose their job over it, or Motorola is not all that keen on keeping the Moto Z (2017) a surprise.
Either way, a new image from Motorola now offers a glimpse of the upcoming Moto Z (2017) with a GamePad Moto Mod attached. In fact, Motorola apparently wanted to show off the Moto Mod rather than the smartphone.
More specifically, Motorola showed off its new Moto Mods at a press conference last month at the Mobile World Congress 2017, and it seems that one of those Moto Mods was attached to none other than the upcoming Moto Z (2017).
Moto Z (2017) With GamePad Moto Mod
At first, the photo might seem like it's showing the Moto G5 judging by the shape of the fingerprint scanner and the home button. However, the Moto G5 doesn't support Moto Mods and the smartphone leaked in this image has a GamePad Moto Mod attached, which suggests that we're actually looking at the Moto Z (2017) rather than the G5.
Moto Mods are only compatible with the Moto Z line, so this image indicates that Motorola is planning a slight design change for the upcoming Moto Z (2017) that would make it look more similar to the Moto G5.
Moto Z (2017) Headed To Sprint
The leaked image from Motorola is just the latest, but it's definitely not the only one. Sprint recently had some leaks of its own and spilled the beans on its collaboration with Motorola on a smartphone packing the X16 Gigabit-class LTE modem of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor.
Considering that the Snapdragon 835 is a top-of-the-line processor set to power high-end flagships, we can only assume that Sprint leaked the Moto Z (2017). Further bolstering such assumptions, Sprint also mentioned its collaboration with Motorola in a press release.
"Motorola showcased the blazing-fast, high-bandwidth capability of a forthcoming flagship smartphone based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 mobile platform with an integrated Snapdragon X16 LTE modem, supporting Gigabit Class LTE," said Sprint.
The leaked Sprint image purportedly showing the Moto Z (2017) features a device with tape masking elements of the design, but it could be the same smartphone leaked by Motorola.
Here's the mystery Motorola phone coming later this year with four antennas. In a case and taped over. pic.twitter.com/vjrz3XnEAN
— Diana Goovaerts (@DiaMariesbeat) March 9, 2017
Moto Z (2017) Release
When it comes to the Moto Z (2017) release date, however, it could take a while before the smartphone is ready to hit the market. The Samsung Galaxy S8 is expected to be the first smartphone to rock the latest Snapdragon 835 and it's not set to debut until mid-April or so. With that in mind, the Moto Z (2017) will likely arrive sometime after that.
Motorola has yet to make any comments regarding its Moto Z plans, but we'll keep you up to date if we learn more.
