Moto Z (2017) Image Leaks With New Fingerprint Sensor; Snapdragon 835 SoC Expected

After launching the Moto Z smartphone with Moto Mods last year, it looks like Motorola is ready with its next iteration of the premium smartphone. The company reportedly gave a sneak peek of the Moto Z (2017) at the recent MWC 2017 when it was showcasing new Mods and more recently was hinted at during Sprint's Gigabit Class LTE service display on Thursday.

One of the most notable changes seen from the images that have circulated online is the new oval shaped fingerprint sensor. Meanwhile, the form factor largely remains the same, which is expected since it has to support current and future Moto Mods. This means that you can expect the next flagship to sport a 5.5-inch display similar to last year's model. An image from the MWC event, complete with a Gamepad mod, was spotted by Android Central, while another image from the Sprint launch was tweeted by WirelessWorld editor Diana Goovaerts,With the device expected to fall in the premium category, the upcoming Moto flagship will look to boast of top-of-line specifications that include Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 835 SoC. The device will also look to maintain the slim metal slab design of the original.

The device that was used to showcase Sprint's Gigabit LTE service was pictured running Snapdragon 835. The alleged Moto Z (2017) smartphone was encased and covered from the edges making it difficult to confirm whether it was in fact the Moto Z (2017).

Sprint, however, did let out the the device used in the testing was of a forthcoming flagship in a 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."The carrier also stated that it used a combination of "three-channel carrier aggregation and 60 MHz of Sprint's 2.5 GHz spectrum in combination with 4X4 MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) and 256-QAM higher order modulation to achieve incredible Category 16 LTE download data speeds on a TDD network."

To recall, last year's Moto Z featured a 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED display, and was powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 SoC coupled with 4GB of RAM. The device was touted as the thinnest premium smartphone in the world at 5.2mm. The flagship came with 13-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS) and laser autofocus, and 5-megapixel front-facing camera with a wide-angle lens and a front flash.(gg)

Motorola Returns to China Today - It Feels Good to Be Back>>MYBLOG

Today was a wonderful day for Motorola fans and employees in China. A day that we’ve imagined for more than two years, and have been waiting for since Lenovo acquired us nearly three months ago. Today we officially brought Motorola smartphones back to China.

GADGET IN>>Hello China! Motorola returns to China with Moto X, Moto X Pro and Moto G>>MYBLOG

With the Lenovo acquisition complete, Motorola is returning to China -- one of the world’s fastest-growing smartphone markets -- in triumphant fashion, introducing three of its latest devices. The new Moto X, new Moto X Pro and new Moto G with 4G LTE will all go on sale in early 2015.

Motorola has a long history in China and we are pleased that smartphone fans there continue to be passionate about our brand and products. Chinese consumers have long been at the leading edge of smartphone use, blazing trails in mobile messaging, media and more. Motorola's pure Android based devices will give them new choices in how they connect to the world.

Moto X: Choose how it works. Choose how it looks. (Available early February)

Widely hailed by reviewers around the world as one of the best Android smartphones on the market, Moto X features a stylish design with a refined metal frame and a vivid 5.2” HD display, as well as backs made using authentic materials such as FSC® certified woods and genuine Horween® leather.

Starting in early February, just in time for Spring Festival, Moto X will be available to purchase in several different designs. In the spirit of choice, we want the people of China to vote on what colors and materials they would like to see featured first. Visit motorola.com.cn on January 7, Beijing time, to learn more and to let your voice be heard! After Spring Festival, people will be able to design their own Moto X through our Moto Maker design tool.

Moto X Pro: Choose to go big. (Available after Spring Festival)
Designed by Motorola and providing the latest Android, Moto X Pro gives you bigger images and better sound with a 6-inch Quad HD display and front-facing stereo speakers for immersive sound. A 13-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization takes high-quality photos in all lighting. Top it off with the latest 2.7GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 805 processor and a 3220 mAh battery that delivers more than 24 hours of power.

Moto G: Choose a phone that keeps up with you. (Available after Spring Festival)
Moto G was designed with you in mind, focusing on what you’ve said you value most. The curved design fits comfortably in your hand and nicely in your pocket, with colorful Motorola Shells included so you can switch to match your style. Surf the Internet quickly and multitask with ease as Moto G offers 4G LTE and quad-core processing speed, incredible call quality, dual-SIM capability, a brilliant 5” HD display and stereo sound.

We’re eager to build a direct relationship with Chinese consumers and empower them by bringing the mobile Internet to millions of people. With the new Moto X, new Moto X Pro and new Moto G with 4G LTE, the people of China will have the power to choose.