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Motorola One Zoom
Motorola One Zoom
Motorola One Zoom
Motorola One Zoom
Motorola One Zoom
Motorola One Zoom
Motorola One Zoom
...


7.9/10
Informr score
The Motorola One Zoom currently has an Informr score of 7.9 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 17 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The "1-Minute" Review

Verdict

Offering a nearly stock Android experience, good everyday performance, and a powerful camera, the Motorola One Zoom offers a compelling camera phone option in the mid-tier price bracket. Just don’t mistake it for an Android One device.

What's good

  • Excellent battery life
  • Interesting design
  • Bright, punchy OLED display
  • Plenty of storage
  • MicroSD support
  • Good camera
  • Fast charging

What's bad

  • Price
  • Weak audio
  • Not actually an Android One device

Motorola’s latest line up of phone each try to offer a solid mid-tier experience with one exceptional feature. As you might guess from the name, the Motorola One Zoom offers a 3x optical zoom and an impressive -- at least on paper -- quad rear camera. But a camera alone doesn’t make a great phone. Does everything else line up to make the phone worth buying?

Design

Reviewers loved the phone’s design with its aluminum chassis with satin glass rear panel. Many thought the grain on the rear panel added an interesting touch with a feeling similar to brushed metal. They also liked the rectangular camera bump and the Motorola logo which doubles as a notification LED.

However, there were a few complaints as well. If you don’t plan to use a case with the phone, it won’t sit flat on your table or desk thanks to the camera bump. It’s also not IP rated with Motorola opting for a “water-repellent nano-coating” instead. So be sure to steer clear of the pool or downpours.

GSM Arena also describes the phone as “very, very, very slippery.” However, other reviewers found the phone grippy and comfortable. So if you’re prone to dropping your phone, you’ll want to use the included clear case.

AndroidPit praised the phone’s design, saying, “I think Motorola's One Zoom has created a coherent look that doesn't look like a copy of an Apple, Samsung or Huawei smartphone. One could almost say that Motorola has conjured the small rectangular into the large rectangular.”

Display

Around front, you’re greeted by a 6.4-inch OLED display running at 1080-by-2340 pixels. Bezels aren’t the thinnest around but thanks to an in-screen fingerprint sensor and a teardrop front camera notch, they’re still quite thin. Motorola reports an 85% screen-to-body ratio.

Overall, while colors were not wholly accurate, reviewers found the display plenty bright for outdoor use and detailed enough to make everything from reading to movie watching enjoyable.

Android Authority loved the display, saying, “It’s a fine screen. I found it to be bright, crisp, and accurate. Viewing angles were great, and it was easy to read outdoors. Web sites, Instagram, and video content all looked good on the screen.”

Performance

Paired with 4GB of RAM, you’ll find a 2Ghz octa-core Snapdragon 675 processor powering the phone. Reviewers are quick to point out that the processor won’t top benchmark charts any time soon. However, they found the phone perfectly usable in most situations. It gets a little warm when gaming, but not overly so.

T3 notes, “Those aren't top level specs, but we must say we didn't notice any lag or slowdown in most phone operations – this has plenty of power for all the standard day-to-day phone operations.”

Software

The Motorola One Zoom runs Android Pie (9.0) with a few Motorola customizations. Unlike the rest of the phones in the Motorola One series, it’s not technically an Android One phone. Reviews speculate this is so they could offer an Amazon-exclusive model with Alexa integrations.

Unfortunately, this means you’re left relying on Motorola to keep software up to date. So expect a single major Android update which is likely delayed before they drop official support for the phone.

Storage

All versions of the phone include 128GB of internal storage with microSD support for cards up to 1TB. This should be more than enough space for anyone.

Cameras

Motorola heaps praise on the phone’s rear quad camera with a 48MP main lens, a 16MP ultra-wide lens, an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 5MP depth sensing lens. Reviewers tend to agree -- at least for the price.

The phone won’t keep up with the latest top-tier phones -- but it costs less than half as much. Considering that point, reviewers found the camera more than acceptable. Low-light shots aren’t amazing -- though still plenty usable -- and the HDR feature is weak at times. However, most reviewers had no problem whipping out the camera, taking quick shots, and seeing pleasing results.

If you’re a fan of streaming, vlogging, or selfings, the 25MP front-facing camera should also please.

DXOMark notes, “With an overall DXOMARK Camera score of 87, the One Zoom ranks as the best Motorola device we’ve tested to date… The One Zoom’s quad-camera setup with its ultra-wide, telephoto, and depth-sensing sensors makes Motorola’s latest device an attractive proposition for budget-conscious smartphone photography enthusiasts.”

Battery Life

WIth a 4,000mAh internal battery, reviewers had no issue hitting a full day on a single charge with many noting you might not need to charge it every night. USB Type C 18W fast charging also provides a full recharge in just shy of two hours.

Stuff was amazed by the battery life, saying, “You've got to have a serious Pokemon Go addiction to drain it in one sitting, and even a Netflix binge should still see you have plenty of juice by bedtime. Stick to your usual routine and you might not even need to plug in overnight. It's among the longest-lasting phones you'll find at this price.”

Audio

Audio sees things take a step back, as the phone only includes a mono speaker. Fortunately, there is a 3.5mm headphone jack for those times when you really want to sink in the audio experience.

GSM Arena says, “... It can pump out some decibels. But, you probably don't want to listen to it blasting at max volume since there is plenty of distortion. It gets quite screechy.”

_

The Takeaway

Overall, reviewers fine the phone an excellent mid-tier option -- especially if you can catch it on sale. Their only questions revolved around pricing and long-term performance.

GSM Arena states, “... There is plenty to love about the Motorola One Zoom. It offers a solid build, an ergonomic body, and a clean Android experience. It's just not realistically competitive at this price point.”

Android Authority highlights exactly who they think will love the phone, saying, “If you’re looking for a big screen that’s wrapped in really nice hardware, the Zoom has you covered. If you want a standard, telephoto, wide-angle camera setup, the Zoom has you covered. If you want good battery life, rapid charging, and lots of storage, the Zoom has you covered. If you prefer near-stock Android and like Motorola’s software tools, the Zoom has you covered. These are all reason enough to consider the Zoom."


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2 GHz
Processor
Processor
2 GHz
6.4"
Screen Size
Screen Size
6.4"
48+ MP, f/1.7
Camera
Camera
48+ MP, f/1.7
4000 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


DxOMark
DxOMark

Accurate autofocus, nice exposures in well-balanced lighting, and a pleasant blur effect in bokeh shots ensure that it’s capable of some nice results, too. However, improvements to the performance of the zoom and ultra-wide cameras, as well as better color rendering and dynamic range, are needed bef...

- Paul Carroll, DxOMark
Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor

The Motorola One Zoom is a good mid-range phone which you can buy for under £400. In return, you get the mid-range Snapdragon 675 processor, a good screen and great cameras. It's possible that the design doesn't suit everyone, but if you can be convinced and are looking for a powerful phone with goo...

- Sara Piquer Martí & Anyron Copeman, Tech Advisor
GSMArena
GSMArena

There is plenty to love about the Motorola One Zoom. It offers a solid build, an ergonomic body, and a clean Android experience. It's just not realistically competitive at this price point.

- GSMArena
Notebookcheck
Notebookcheck

While the One Zoom might not offer all the previously available One-series benefits, it certainly offers a lot. However, not at its current MSRP of more than $400. Like Google’s Pixel 3a smartphone the One Zoom also suffers from Motorola’s choice of a comparatively slow mid-range SoC. In return, Goo...

- Marcus Herbrich, Notebookcheck
Android Authority
Android Authority

The Motorola One Zoom is an appealing piece of hardware and looks to entice shutterbugs with its four-camera setup. The mid-range processor, however, holds the phone back in terms of performance despite the good battery life and other positives.

- Eric Zeman, Android Authority


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Motorola One Zoom user manual here.


Motorola backs up the One Zoom with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your One Zoom has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Motorola support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Motorola's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.



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Quick view

Screen Size
6.4"

The Motorola One Zoom's screen size is 6.4 inches with 1080 x 2340 pixels resolution.

Processor
2 GHz

There is a Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 Octa-core 2 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 9.0 Pie operating system (OS).

Camera
48+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 48+ MP, f/1.7 camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 25+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
128 GB

Internal memory is 128 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 128 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
4000mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol), 4000 mAh battery. Motorola's performance ratings are 1847 minutes, 678 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

One Zoom Specs

Overview
Release Date September 6, 2019
Regions Available USA, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 9.0 Pie

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 Octa-core 2 GHz
Internal Storage 128 GB
RAM 4 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 1.26 W/kg
Body: 1.39 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Yes
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Yes
SIM card size
Nano-SIM
Dual SIM Yes
Connectivity
USB USB Type-C
USB OTG Support Yes
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC, aptX HD
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 128 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
48+ Megapixels, f/1.7
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (Dual LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, ISO, Multi-shot, Night mode, Panorama, Self-timer, Smile detection, White balance, 2nd camera feature (16 MP, ultra-wide), 3rd camera feature (8 MP, telephoto, 3x optical zoom), 4th camera feature (5 MP, depth sensor), HDR, Time lapse mode, Slow motion recording
Video Recording Formats
MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
25+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
ISO, Aperture F2.0, Time lapse mode
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology OLED
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1080 x 2340 pixels
Pixel Density 403 pixels
Size 6.4 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touchscreen, 2.5D Panda King glass, In-screen fingerprint
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity 4000 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging Yes
Video Playback Time Up to 919 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 678 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 1847 minutes
Standby Time Up to 15.8 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Aluminium
Colors Electric Gray, Cosmic Purple, Brushed Bronze
Dimensions [H x W x D] 15.8 x 7.5 x 0.88 cm (6.2 x 3 x 0.3 in)
Weight 190 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof No
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA):
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Motorola One Zoom Reviews
Where to buy Motorola One Zoom
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