Moto Z3 Play makes a pit stop at the FCC – with a spec sheet in tow

Moto Z3 Play in 2025: A Retro Phone Worth Revisiting?

By TechReders – May 2025

The Moto Z3 Play made waves in 2018 with its ultra-thin design and support for Moto Mods. Fast-forward to 2025, and I decided to test this once-revolutionary phone to see how it compares to newer Motorola devices like the Moto G Power and Moto G Stylus 5G.

Quick Summary: The Z3 Play is still sleek and fun to use, but unless you're into modular nostalgia, newer budget Moto phones offer better value.

Design: Slim, Sleek, and Still Unique

In 2025, the Z3 Play still feels futuristic in hand. Its 6-inch Super AMOLED display, aluminum frame, and razor-thin body (6.75mm) make it a pleasure to hold. However, the lack of high refresh rate and chunky bezels remind you of its age.

Display: Decent for Its Time

The 1080p AMOLED panel offers deep blacks and vibrant colors. But with today’s standards of 120Hz and higher brightness, it does feel dated when placed next to the G Power (2024).

Performance: Fine for Basics Only

The Snapdragon 636 with 4GB RAM handles lightweight tasks decently, but struggles with modern multitasking and heavier apps. Even basic games feel laggy compared to newer MediaTek Dimensity-powered Motos.

• Geekbench (2025): 295 single-core / 1050 multi-core
• Storage: 64GB (expandable)
• OS: Android 9 (official) / Android 13 (custom ROM)

Battery Life & Charging

The 3000mAh battery is simply not enough in 2025. With light use, it barely lasts a day. Thankfully, Moto Mods can help, but they're hard to find. Charging is slow (15W).

Camera: Aging Gracefully?

The dual rear 12MP + 5MP camera setup still produces okay photos in daylight but falls short in dynamic range and low light. The 8MP front camera is soft but usable for video calls.

Comparison: Moto Z3 Play vs Moto G Power (2024)

Feature	Moto Z3 Play	Moto G Power (2024)
Display	6.0" AMOLED (60Hz)	6.7" LCD (120Hz)
Processor	Snapdragon 636	Dimensity 7020
RAM	4GB	6/8GB
Battery	3000mAh	5000mAh
Software	Android 9 (max)	Android 14 + updates

Verdict: Worth It in 2025?

Buy it if: You love Moto Mods or want a backup phone with a beautiful AMOLED display.
Don't buy it if: You care about speed, battery life, or software support.

Despite its charm, the Moto Z3 Play in 2025 feels like a collector's piece. If you're looking for a reliable daily phone, go for the Moto G series instead.

Reviewed after real-world testing in 2025. Written by a Motorola user since the original Moto G.