Forget selfies — you need to take a Bothie with your Nokia. Here’s how

You’ve heard of the selfie. Of course, you have, and you’ve doubtless taken a few in your time, even if you’re not prepared to admit it. Now, you’re ready to graduate, and a groufie — that’s a selfie with lots of people in it — isn’t enough. You want a bothie.

What on Earth is a bothie? It’s the name given to a special camera feature found on some new Nokia phones, and despite the slightly silly name, it’s actually really fun — and it can be surprisingly creative too. It lets you take a picture with the front and rear camera at the same time, and the two images appear alongside each other in a specially created photo.

There’s considerable software trickery involved in getting this exactly right, and Nokia has nailed the final product — which works with both stills and video. Now, it’s time to get out and take some Bothies. This is how to make the most of this cool feature.

Which phones can take a Bothie?

This is a feature that you’ll find only on modern Nokias — by which we mean those created under license by HMD Global and that run Android. You can’t dig out that Lumia 1020 or Nokia N95 and expect to take a Bothie.

While the photo itself is known as a Bothie, the camera feature is actually called Dual Sight, and it’s this you’ll need to find in your camera app. If you own phones including the Nokia 8 (on which the feature was introduced), Nokia 8 Sirocco, Nokia 7 Plus, or the Nokia 6.1, it should be available for you to use. Like we said, older Nokia phones, including the 2017 Nokia 6, don’t have the feature.

Find the Dual Sight mode

Open the camera app on your Nokia phone and look along the top menu in portrait orientation for an icon resembles a person in a white square. Tap this and you’re presented with three options — pick the one marked Dual. This automatically switches the phone to Dual Sight, with views from both cameras showing on the screen at once.

To exit Dual Sight, tap the same menu button again and select Single. The third option, named P-I-P for picture-in-picture, is better-suited to video, as the view from the front camera is much smaller than in Dual Sight.

Stills

Now you’re ready to take a Bothie. Doing so is as simple as hitting the shutter button. However, the skill resides in framing the images correctly. You can grab great reaction shots, selfies with your surroundings, and ensure you’re properly in the photo each and every time. Alternatively, have fun with the creative opportunities.

Why not go Live?

Most Bothies will be stills, but the Dual Sight camera mode can operate in video too. Plus, if you link up your Facebook or YouTube account, you can livestream using the Dual Sight camera. First, activate the Dual Sight mode as described above, and then to switch to video by tapping the video camera icon alongside the shutter button.

At the top of the screen. look for the button marked Live. It may be crossed out at this time, but tap it anyway, and you’ll be presented with the choice of YouTube or Facebook livestreams. Tap your preference and follow the instructions for entering your account details. If you’ve already got Facebook and YouTube set up on your phone, this should be straightforward, with all details filled in.

Select your livestream platform and return to the camera view. Make sure you’re in video mode and tap the record button. Here, you’ll be asked to give your livestream a name — just tap OK, and you’ll be live. This is a fun feature that’s more interactive and personal than a normal livestream video.

If you want video, but don’t want to livestream, simply make sure the Live button in the top menu is crossed out. When you tap record, your Bothie video will record as usual and be saved to your camera roll. It works in both portrait and landscape.

Swap sides

There will be times when you may want the left image to be on the right of the screen, and vice versa. Nokia has thought of this, so look at the top menu and tap the top right button when in Dual Sight mode. This switches the two onscreen views around, letting you get the desired view.

Sharing

Sharing photos online is half the fun, and Bothies lend themselves very well to sharing with friends on social networks. Aside from livestreaming videos directly to Facebook and YouTube, the stills can be shared without issue to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For the latter, just make sure you tap the button to expand the picture to its native aspect ratio before posting, otherwise, it will be cropped down into a square format.

That’s about all you need to know about Bothies, so go out and try taking some. They’re way better than the slightly silly name suggests, and a distinct and unique feature of the new Nokia phones.

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Notion productivity app can now turn even Android users into serial notetakers

Brenda Stolyar/Digital Trends

App Attack is a weekly series where we search the App Store and Google Play Store for the best apps of the week. Check out App Attack every other Sunday for the latest.

Traditional notebooks seem to be a thing of the past; it’s much easier to jot down important notes on a smartphone or tablet rather than worrying about carrying around an extra item. But for those who find notes scattered in random places throughout their devices, we have an app that can help you stay extremely organized.

Notion is a productivity tool that’s been around for both iOS and on desktop, but has recently been released on Android. With Notion, you can take notes, create to-do lists, and keep tabs on tasks or projects. But it does so in a way that gives users what seems like an endless amount of possibilities, offering tons of different customization options and capabilities. Each part you tailor within a specific document is referred to as a “block” — such as block color or transformative block.

As wirh other note-taking apps like Evernote, Bear, and Onenote, I wouldn’t recommend Notion for casual notetakers. When I first downloaded it on Android, it felt intimidating. While it does take you through a tutorial, it still took a bit of time to adjust to the all the different features. As I explored all the layouts, color options, calendars, and spreadsheets, I couldn’t help but think back to those people in high school who would color code their planners with all six colors of the rainbow on a daily basis.

To start, you can either choose to fill in your own empty page or pick from one of the many templates Notion has to offer. Since I’m not the type to pay too much to detail when it comes to my notes, I chose to keep track of everything through templates. They’re all separated into different categories: Notes & Docs, Knowledge Base (mainly for office teams), Tasks & Projects, and Database & Spreadsheets.

I specifically used Notion to keep track of all my to-do lists, both work and personal. Under my “Weekly Agenda,” I listed all of the errands I wanted to get done before the end of the week and under “Work To-do’s,” I wrote down the assignments I had on my plate. It was also fun to be able to customize it with different cover photos, or choose what kind of list (bulleted, toggle list, sub header, etc.) I wanted under each day. By the end of the week, I started to realize why it was so important to have these options — it makes those dreaded long lists a bit more enjoyable and soothing to look at when every minor detail is aesthetically pleasing.

The interface is also a refreshing change from some note-taking apps on the market that can look a bit bland and washed out. When you create specific documents, they’re all saved in a sidebar separated by emoji-like icons. For instance, under Weekly Agenda there’s a bright yellow notepad and the Work Agenda document has an adorable blue backpack. Navigating the app can be a bit frustrating at first since there’s so many things you can customize and tap through, but I was able to get the hang of it after a while. After tapping through and making yourself aware of all that there is to offer, you’ll eventually start to memorize the steps and will have a clear idea of what you want to add as soon as you open the app.

You’re also able to use drag and drop or Force Touch to rearrange your content, which came in handy when I wanted to switch certain tasks around to different days. Users can sync with Mac, Windows, and the desktop app in order to keep all of your notes and lists easily accessible no matter what device you log into it on. For times where you’re on the go and don’t have access to internet, pages are also downloaded for access when you’re offline.

While it is available for everyone to download, I’d definitely enjoy using it more if it was for work as well — which would then make more sense for me to also incorporate my personal life into. Templates are available to make workflows easier — ranging from ones that allow you to organize tasks and the status of bugs or one where you can create an entire database complete with color codes. With a collaboration feature, you can also share pages, edit at the same time as others, add comments, and mention people by tagging them on certain documents. You can also attach  documents you make in Notion into other ones on the app to keep everything compact and in one space. As an office productivity tool, it’s a great and intuitive way to keep everyone on task and organized even when there’s a lot going on.

For personal use, I think I’ll stick to Google Tasks, which isn’t too feature-packed but gets the job done when I want to quickly jot down notes. Since it’s stripped away of any complex customization options, I have no choice other than to type in the information and tap “done.” Whereas with Notion, just when you think you’ve reached the end of all that you can add to one document, you find even more.

Notion is free to download on the Google Play Store as well as on iOS and desktop. But if you want unlimited storage along with additional features and permissions, Notion offers a variety of plans starting at $4 per month.

Editors’ Recommendations

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How to prep your PlayStation 4 for sale

Selling your PlayStation 4? Here’s what you need to do to get ready.

The time has come for you to let slip the firm grasp you have had on your PlayStation 4 for the last few years. Perhaps you are upgrading to a PlayStation Pro or maybe it’s just time for you to move on. No matter the reason you are planning to sell your PS4 and you need to know what to do in order to get it ready to hand off to its new owner.

You’re probably going to want to make sure that your console is clean and you have all the parts together. Making sure that everything is in proper working order is probably important as well. However, the most crucial thing you must do is to ensure that your console is a blank slate upon which its new owner can build their gaming world.

Here’s how to wipe your PlayStation 4 so it’s a fresh as the day you took it out of the box.

Backing up your data

If you are planning on moving over to a newer model of PlayStation, you may want to back up your data to an external hard drive. If you need an external drive to save your data on, check out this handy guide on hard drives. Once you are armed with an external storage device, plug it in to your PS4 and the transfer can begin!

From the home page on your PS4, go to Settings.

In the Settings menu, select System.

From System, scroll down and select Back Up and Restore.

Finally, select Back Up PS4.

Deactivate as primary PS4

The first thing you need to do is make sure that your PlayStation account is no longer linked to the system that you intend to sell.

From the home page of your PS4, go to the Settings menu.

Scroll down and select Account Management.

Select Activate as Your Primary PS4.

From the Activate menu, choose Deactivate.

Initializing your PS4

From the home page of your PS4, go to the Settings menu.

Scroll down and select Initialization at the very bottom.

Select Initialize PS4

Select Full initialization

This is going to take a few hours but it’s going to ensure that all your data is wiped clean like you were never there.
This is a great point in the lifecycle of the PS4 to sell. It has an incredibly robust library of games which makes it desirable for those who have been aching to check out the titles they have been missing. And with the Slim and Pro versions of the PlayStation out it is also a great time to upgrade.

Happy reselling!

Updated June 2018: This article was updated with information on how to back up your PlayStation data!

Why are we talking about PlayStation 4 on Android Central? Let us explain.

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Amazon

Portable SSDs, app-controlled droids, Community on Blu-ray, and more are all discounted today

Whether you’re looking for new tech gear or household items, we’ve got you covered.

We found plenty of great deals today that include big discounts on the Samsung T5 portable SSD, an app-controlled R2-D2, the Community Blu-ray box set, and more! Time’s running out to take advantage of these prices, so hurry!

View the rest of the deals

If you want to know about the deals as soon as they are happening, you’ll want to follow Thrifter on Twitter, and sign up for the newsletter, because missing out on a great deal stinks!

Crown is a new dating app that looks a lot like your March Madness bracket

These days, if you’re hating the player but loving the game, there’s a new dating app that may just be your dream come true — or come to think of it, your worst nightmare. That’s because this app gamifies the entire process of online dating (though some might just say that it’s calling a spade a spade). Meet Crown, the latest dating app from Match Group, otherwise known as the parent company of Match, Tinder, and OkCupid. Rather than giving you a never ending roster of potential mates to pick from, Crown gives you a curated list that you then eliminate, tournament-style on a daily basis. Think of it as an even faster version of The Bachelor(ette) meets your March Madness bracket.

At noon each day, users will see 16 matches that have been selected for you by some proprietary algorithm. You’ll make your way through these matches by seeing two folks at a time, and “crowning” a winner. You’ll keep going through this process until you’re down to just four potential matches — aka the “Final Four.”

Those individuals will then be notified of your interest, and can elect to send you a message, or to pass. Of course, you’ll also likely be one of the Final Four for other users, which gives you more opportunity to interact with other potential matches.

As Andy Chen, Vice President of Match Group explains, Crown’s process of elimination “helps users choose between quality over quantity.” Indeed, if you’re a “match” on Crown, it probably indicates a higher level of at least physical attraction (to a photo) than a match on Tinder — after all, on Tinder, you’re not being directly compared to another person. Still, you’re still being judged exclusively on the photos that you choose to share, so it’s not as though Crown is making more meaningful matches than any of the other dating apps on the market.

While Crown has been in a limited beta for the last few months, it has recently made its official debut in Los Angeles, and more cities are said to be coming soon. As it stands, the app is free but only available on iOS. Android users, however, should soon be getting their own version, too.

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Amazon, Microsoft, Uber donate to oppose the California Consumer Privacy Act

Amazon, Microsoft, and Uber have made large contributions to a group attempting to prevent a privacy act from becoming law in California. As per state disclosure records, the three tech giants join a number of other well-known companies, including Facebook, Google, AT&T, and Verizon, which are all working against the proposed California Consumer Privacy Act by donating to the Committee to Protect California Jobs.

The proposed legislation would require companies to share the sorts of data they collect on their users, including how they target ads, and would force these firms to give users the option of opting out of having their information sold to the highest bidder. Obviously, this wouldn’t bode well for many tech companies’ revenue streams, and as a result, they’re spending a lot to ensure that it doesn’t come to pass.

Amazon and Microsoft recently donated $195,000 each to the Committee, while Uber has offered up $50,000. Facebook, Google, AT&T, and Verizon, on the other hand, have all contributed $200,000,  though after  Mark Zuckerberg faced tough questions from Congress about Facebook’s privacy practices, Facebook has pledged to withdraw support from the group.

A spokesperson for the tech-friendly group called the privacy act “flawed,” and pointed out that while tech giants are opposed to the legislation, they’re not the only ones. “Credit unions, grocers, and car manufacturers are among the many recent additions to the coalition and are the top of the iceberg,” spokesperson Steven Maviglio noted. He added that the “workability” of the proposal is also problematic, saying, “Anyone who orders anything from Amazon can request where their information went, and that can not only overwhelm a large company like Amazon but also smaller ones too.”

So what exactly are the big tech companies’ reservations about the act? An Amazon representative told The Verge, “While we share the initiative’s overarching goal of protecting consumer privacy, we are concerned by unworkable requirements that would hinder our ability to innovate on behalf of our customers.”

Microsoft echoed these sentiments in a statement of its own, writing, “We believe the California measure could have unintended consequences for both businesses and consumers and that there is a better way to give consumers the privacy rights they deserve.”

But regardless of efforts against the legislation, the Californians for Consumer Privacy Act has already collected the requisite number of signatures needed to appear on the November ballot. That doesn’t mean that it’ll be signed into law, but that it’ll at least be up for greater debate. And given the money already pouring into at least one side of the fight, we’re sure that there’s plenty of drama yet to come in the privacy fight.

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Want a VPN for life? Get Ivacy for only $40!

We all value our privacy, and when have so much of our lives online, that privacy and security is paramount. It’s far too often that people are the victims of identity theft, doxing, and worse, so having a quality VPN to protect the anonymity of your online browsing habits is a great idea.

Ivacy VPN is a highly reviewed service that offers person-to-person file sharing at blazing fast speeds, while completely protecting your identity, and right now you can get a lifetime subscription for only $39.99. With a regular retail price of $1,194, you save 96% through Android Central Digital Offers. The other wonderful benefit of a VPN is the ability to stream tens of thousands of movies, TV shows, sports events, and more from around the world. Having a quality VPN can help you completely bypass geo-restrictions, so you can get to the content you want now. You’ll even get a dedicated VPN add-on for Kodi.

Ivacy VPN lets you connect to more than 450 servers in over 100 locations around the world, and its an official partner of the National Cyber Security Alliance, helping to promote privacy education and awareness. If you’re worried about the state of net neutrality and your internet speeds going forward, Ivacy VPN can help you overcome throttling and port blocking.

No more region-blocking the content you want to see; no more hacking, spyware, or government surveillance; no more worry that your privacy is at stake. Check out Ivacy VPN at Android Central Digital Offers and get a lifetime subscription for only $39.99.

See at Android Central Digital Offers

Grab a Black & Decker string trimmer and sweeper together for $61

Better together.

This Black & Decker LCC221 String Trimmer and Edger Plus Sweeper combo is down to $60.99 on Amazon. It normally sells for around $75. While we’ve seen this bundle go as low as $70 in the past, it has never gone as low as today’s sale. The string trimmer by itself is usually $59.

The bundle includes a string trimmer, which has an automatic feed spool, and a sweeper that’s perfect for clearing decks, driveways, and sidewalks. They are both lightweight and battery powered, and the combo comes with one 20V Max battery. Users give it 3.9 stars based on 271 reviews.

If you’re buying this trimmer brand new, you probably won’t need a replacement spool right away, but it never hurts to have some just in case. You can get a 3-pack on Amazon for just $19.80.

See on Amazon

Best Chromebook for Students in 2018

• Best overall
• Best for younger students
• Best on a budget

Best overall

Lenovo Chromebook 500e

See at Lenovo

A student needs a laptop that is reliable, affordable and robust. The Lenovo Chromebook 500e is all that and more. The Chromebook 500e was designed for students to carry back and forth to class without worry because of its rugged build. Features like a 360-degree hinge and excellent pen support make it the best Chromebook for any student. This is a deal at around $300.

The bottom line: The Chromebook 500e is great for any student. Chrome and Android app support, an excellent keyboard and screen optimized for pen input make it our best pick overall for students.

One more thing: Lenovo makes a 100e and 300e, both of which offer nearly as much for a little bit less money.

Why the Lenovo Chromebook 500e is the best

The Chromebook 500e was designed to go through life with you and survive it all. It’s built like a tank with a reinforced shell and rubber bumpers that make it MIL-STD 810G compliant so it’s going to survive banging around in a backpack or messenger bag and be ready to get to work when it needs to be. Lenovo’s long history of making excellent laptops shines through with the keyboard and trackpad and the display is specially bonded to work excellent with the built-in Wacom EMR pen.

Inside, you have plenty of power to get things done with an Intel processor and ample 64GB or storage. And Android app support is an added bonus that means a student will be able to find the app they need to be productive in class.

The Chromebook 500e is designed for educational use but still has the options we want to see in our best pick. It’s exactly what a busy student needs.

Best for younger students

Acer Chromebook Tab

See at CDW

Younger students can benefit from using a tablet. It’s light and easy to hold, is great for more interaction with learning materials, and helps young students learn spelling and grammar by being more hands-on. While many Chromebooks can fold into a tablet, the Chromebook Tab 10 is a tablet.

It has the same features you would find in any suitable Chromebook: Android app support, Wacom pen support, a quad-core CPU and 32 GB of storage and an excellent 2048×1536 display. Grab it for just under $340.

Bottom line: If you are shopping for a younger student or anyone who might prefer a tablet experience, the Chromebook Tab 10 is the right way to go.

One more thing: Because this is a tablet, you’re going to want a great Bluetooth keyboard, and the Logitech K480 is our recommendation.

Best on a budget

2018 Acer Chromebook 11

See at Amazon

Acer’s new Chromebook 11 is an affordable and dependable Chromebook that has no aspirations to be anything else. The beautiful blue body doesn’t flip over into a tablet, there is no touch display or pen input — it’s a Chromebook. A darn good one, especially when you consider that it retails for $269 and has the same Intel CPU and 32 GB of storage you’ll see in more expensive models.

The bottom line: If you want a Chromebook for a student and have placed yourself on a budget, you’re in luck. Acer’s Chromebook 11 has you covered.

One more thing: There are so many Android apps that make your Chromebook experience even better.

Conclusion

There are plenty of great Chromebooks for students right now, but the Lenovo Chromebook 500e finds the right balance between productivity and style. If you want something a bit more budget-minded, the Acer Chromebook 11 is a great Chromebook that retails well under $300. And for the youngster who is just starting out, the Acer Chromebook Tab 10 is a perfect way to start learning how to learn as only a tablet can.

Best overall

Lenovo Chromebook 500e

See at Lenovo

A student needs a laptop that is reliable, affordable and robust. The Lenovo Chromebook 500e is all that and more. The Chromebook 500e was designed for students to carry back and forth to class without worry because of its rugged build. Features like a 360-degree hinge and excellent pen support make it the best Chromebook for any student. This is a deal at around $300.

The bottom line: The Chromebook 500e is great for any student. Chrome and Android app support, an excellent keyboard and screen optimized for pen input make it our best pick overall for students.

One more thing: Lenovo makes a 100e and 300e, both of which offer nearly as much for a little bit less money.

Update, June 2018: The Lenovo Chromebook 500e is the best choice for a student because it’s tough and offers excellent performance

Chromebooks

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• Join our Chromebook forums

Moto Z3 Play vs. Honor View 10: Which midrange phone should be in your pocket?

If you’re looking to find a powerful phone that doesn’t hit your wallet too hard, then it’s a safe bet you’re looking to get yourself a midrange phone. The Moto Z3 Play is Motorola‘s latest entrant into that market, and the industry veteran has revealed a phone that’s razor-thin, powerful, and has access to Motorola’s full complement of Moto Mods.

But it’s not the only phone in the market vying for your attention. Honor has a solid record with midrange phones, and the Honor View 10 is another great example of a phone that balances power, looks, and costs. But which is better for you? We took a look to find out.

Specs

Moto Z3 Play
Honor View 10

Size
156.5 x 76.5 x 6.8 mm (6.16 x 3.01 x 0.27 inches)
157 x 75 x 6.97 mm (6.18 x 2.95 x 0.28 inches)

Weight
156 grams (5.50 ounces)
172 grams (6.07 ounces)

Screen size
6.01-inch Super AMOLED display
5.99-inch IPS LCD display

Screen resolution
2,160 x 1,080 pixels (402 pixels per inch)
2,160 x 1,080 pixels (403 pixels per inch)

Operating system
Android 8.1 Oreo
EMUI 8.0 (over Android 8.0 Oreo)

Storage space
32GB, 64GB
128GB

MicroSD card slot
Yes, up to 2TB
Yes, up to 256GB

Tap-to-pay services
Google Pay
Google Pay

Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 636
HiSilicon Kirin 970

RAM
4GB
6GB

Camera
Dual 12MP and 5MP rear, 8MP front
Dual sensor 16MP & 20MP rear, 13MP front

Video
Up to 4K @ 30 frames per second, 720p @ 120 fps
Up to 4K @ 30 frames per second

Bluetooth version
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 4.2

Ports
USB-C
3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C

Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Yes

Water resistance
Splash-resistant coating
No

Battery
3,000mAh

TurboPower charging

3,750mAh

App marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store

Network support
Sprint, U.S. Cellular
T-Mobile, AT&T

Colors
Deep Indigo
Navy Blue, Midnight Black

Price
$500 (with battery mod)
$500

Buy from
Motorola
HiHonor

Review score
Hands-on review
4 out of 5 stars

Performance, battery life, and charging

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

The Moto Z3 Play’s Snapdragon 636 is a good midrange processor, and we didn’t have any issues with performance during our initial tests on the device. It should hold up well for most people, with the exception of power users. However, it’s not going to be the equal of the View 10’s flagship-level Kirin 970, which will deliver tons more power and similarly fantastic performance. While both phones are fast and smooth, the Honor View 10 is simply more powerful.

It’s a tougher call to make in terms of battery. The Z3 Play comes with a 3,000mAh battery, but the battery mod adds another 2,200mAh, so it’s capable of two days’ worth of battery life, much like the Z2 Play. The View 10 is equipped with a 3,750mAh monster, and it’s possible to get it to last for two days — though the Z3 Play will have an easier time reaching that goal. There’s similarly fast charging on both devices, with Motorola promising a day’s worth of power in half an hour, and Honor promising a 50 percent charge in 30 minutes — roughly the same.

It’s a tough call to make here, and though the Z3 Play edges out the Honor View 10 in terms of battery life, the View 10’s powerful processor takes the day.

Winner: Honor View 10

Design and durability

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Despite all its power, the Honor View 10 is something of a “plain Jane”. The metal body has a matte finish, and something of a minimalist design, but it’s lacking in any real character, especially when compared to other Honor phones. On the other hand, the Moto Z3 Play has a real Motorola-style design, and between the two, we think most people will find the Z3 Play to be more attractive.

There are significant camera bumps on both of these phones, and the Z3 Play’s is positioned so that the phone rocks when laid on its back. Not great. The View 10 is the only of these two phones to come with a headphone jack, and though the Z3 Play comes with an adapter, the lack of the port may be worth keeping in mind if you like your wired headphones.

You’ll want a case for both these phones, due to the slippery nature of the View 10 and the fragile glass on the Z3 Play. There’s no real water-resistance on these phones either, though the Z3 Play does boast a “water-resistant coating”.

For two phones with highly differing designs, these two have a lot in common — and though the Z3 Play is the better-looking of the two, we’re partial to the View 10’s minimalist design and headphone jack. This is a tie.

Winner: Tie

Display

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Both phones are running 2,160 x 1,080-pixel resolutions on 6-inch displays with 18:9 aspect ratios, and it’s just the actual screen tech that differentiates the two. The View 10’s display is an IPS LCD, and it’s bright and colorful enough — but it’s just not capable of beating the Super AMOLED display on the Z3 Play. While the View 10 has a good-looking screen, it just can’t match the deep blacks and rich colors that the Z3 Play’s AMOLED screen is capable of. This one’s clear.

Winner: Moto Z3 Play

Camera

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Moto Z3 Play is packing a 12-megapixel and 5-megapixel lens around the back, and an 8-megapixel selfie lens on the front. The camera has always been something of a weak point in Motorola’s past midtier offerings, but the addition of an extra lens means that the Z3 Play is offering a pretty capable main camera. We haven’t had a chance to test it fully, but it has performed well in our initial tests, and we’re looking forward to seeing how it holds up in other circumstances.

We’re not sure it’ll be able to beat the Honor View 1,0 though. You’ll find 16-megapixel and 20-megapixel lenses on the back of the View 10, accompanied by a 13-megapixel selfie shooter around the front. Simply put, the View 10 takes great photos. The Kirin 970 helps out here too, and there’s a specific part of the processor dedicated to A.I. assistance that selects options based on your subject. We’re still not sure how big of an impact it has, but it doesn’t change the fact the View 10 is an excellent all-around performer.

The video capabilities of each phone are similar, and you’ll be able to capture footage in 4K regardless of the phone you pick. The Moto Z3 Play has slow-motion capabilities too, but we’re not letting that weigh too heavily on the outcome. The Honor View 10’s camera is likely to be the stronger performer.

Winner: Honor View 10

Software and updates

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You’ll find Android Oreo on both of these devices, but you might not realize it. The Z3 Play runs Android 8.1 Oreo, and it’s mostly stock Android, with a few Motorola additions. In terms of updates, Motorola has promised that the Z3 Play will receive at least two major Android updates — so that’s Android P and Android Q. You may have to wait for it, though — the Moto G5S Plus is still waiting for its upgrade to Android 8.0 Oreo.

The Honor View 10 is different. It’s still running Android 8.0 Oreo, but with Huawei’s Emotion UI (EMUI) laid over the top. EMUI has improved a lot, and the look isn’t as divisive as it once was — but it still divides opinion. If you’re a fan of stock Android, EMUI might come as something of a shock. In terms of updates, Honor hasn’t dedicated itself to any number of Android updates, and it’s not much faster than Motorola when it comes to update schedules — but it has succeeded in updating the last generation of phones.

There’s a lot to differentiate the two phones here, but it’s tough to pick a winner. While the Z3 Play wins points for stock Android, Motorola’s update speed is too slow compared to Honor. This is another tie.

Winner: Tie

Special features

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Despite running stock Android, Motorola has crammed some great special features into the Moto Z3 Play. First is the new navigation bar, which uses directional swipes to perform actions, similar to the planned navigation method in Android P. There’s also the usual suite of Motorola apps, including Moto Actions to access certain apps and Moto Voice to trigger device-specific actions, and the integration of Google Assistant and Google Lens into the camera app. Lest we forget — the Z3 Play also has support for the entire range of Moto Mods, which can boost the speaker, revamp the camera, or just boost battery life.

The View 10 has similar Google Assistant functionality built in, but the star for Honor’s phone is the Kirin 970’s NPU processing unit, which handles on-device A.I. it’s not something you’ll be able to point to much though, as it generally speeds up tasks in the background, processing images faster, running Microsoft’s Translator app, and handling the A.I. functions in the camera app.

The Moto Z3 Play runs away with this, thanks to the strength of its Moto Mod offerings.

Winner: Moto Z3 Play

Price

The Moto Z3 Play is making its way to U.S. Cellular and Sprint in the summer, and it’ll cost $500 — though that price also includes a battery mod. The Honor View 10 is currently available for $500 too, and it will only work with T-Mobile and AT&T, thanks to a lack of CDMA network support.

Overall winner: Honor View 10

It’s a tough battle, and both phones have a lot going for them. If you’re really into the idea of the Moto Mods, then the Moto Z3 Play is a great choice for you. However, if you value a solid camera and high performance, then the Honor View 10 wins every time. It’s not perfect — the display isn’t as nice as the Z3 Play’s and the design is lacking — but it’s a fantastic phone that will serve you well.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Moto Z3 Play: Everything you need to know about Motorola’s modular phone
• Moto Z3 Play vs. Moto Z2 Play vs. Moto Z Play: Should you upgrade?
• Moto Z3 Play vs. OnePlus 6: Can Motorola’s latest beat our midrange pick?
• Play nice and play safe with the best Moto Z3 Play cases
• Moto Z3 Play hands-on review