Tech Check #2: All you need to know about Moto Mods

The Moto Mods aim to change the experience of smartphone use

Modularity is a buzzword. With the demise of project ARA, our hopes to get a truly modular phone have been dashed. But the once Google owned Motorola is taking a step on its ex-parent's path by the release of Moto Z, which supports Moto Mods.

Moto Z is an excellent device in itself, but it is the mods that put it ahead of the competition. Lets try to understand how these add-ons work.

What are Mods and how do they work?

Moto-Mods is essentially an integrated magnetic device that snaps on the back of your Moto Z to add and/or improve the functionality of the device. It fits on perfectly and there's no need to fiddle around the edges or even remove the battery. There are 16 golden contact points on the back that connect and transmits the data between the Mods and the device which means that USB port still remains free and unused.

You put on the Mods, and with some quick taps and a walkthrough, you are set.

Moto Mods have their own separate battery:
Moto Mods need to be charged from time to time. The Mods have a USB type-C port (the same as in the Moto Z) which can be used to charge the device or charge the Mods along with the phone itself ( note that the phone will be charged first before the Mod starts charging).

To make sure they have enough juice to work, you can see their battery levels in the notification drop down menu or the settings subsection for the Mods.
The firmware updates can be checked in there too.

There are a few settings that can be tweaked depending on the Mods that you put on like altering the brightness while using the projector Mod etc.

You don't need a seperate app for Mods to work but there is a Moto Mods manager app ( Play Store Link) to check the latest update for the Mods.

Are Moto Mods worth the investment right now?

Bottom Line:
The Mods is not a standalone product which works only for the Moto Z right now. So you need to have a Moto Z to even experience the Mods, let alone the ₹20k price for just the Mods. The Hasselblad True Zoom and Moto Instashare cost Rs. 19,999 each. A sensible argument would be that with each mod, you raise the price of your investment, and a fully loaded Z could cost as much as a Google Pixel, or even IPhone 7 for that matter. We appreciate the efforts and expertise of Lenovo and Moto but unless the prices go down and they become compatible with more devices, it is an all flash and no show gadget. Even Moto realizes the brunt of competition and the company has hinted bringing down the prices.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.