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When it comes to mobile phones, one name tends to come out the most often: Samsung. Samsung’s Galaxy phones pretty much dominate the android market and are an excellent choice for a high-end smartphone. There are definitely other options, though, and we thought it would be useful to shed some light on two less popular but still excellent models, the OnePlus3 and Moto Z.

After Motorola’s acquisition by Lenovo, they’ve been making great strides and progress. They’ve been unable to post significant sales numbers, but this isn’t due to a flaw with their handsets. Rather, Apple and Samsung are so dominant that it’s far more likely to see someone with a Galaxy or iPhone than another manufacturer’s device. OnePlus also has some great models too. I think it’s important to have a view of some other players in the field so that consumers can make informed decisions, so we’ll be taking a look at Motorola’s Moto Z as well as OnePlus’s OnePlus3. First we’ll review a quick list of the phones’ specifications.

OnePlus 3

Dimensions: 152.7 x 74.7 x 7.4 mm, 158g
Display: 5.5in Super AMOLED 1080 x 1920 pixels (~401 ppi pixel density)
OS: Android Marshmallow + Oxygen OS UI
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820
Memory: 6GB
Storage Options: 64GB
SD-Support: No
Primary Camera: 16MP, f/2.0, OIS, phase detection autofocus, dual-LED flash, 1/2.8″ sensor size, 1.12 µm pixel size
Secondary Camera: 8MP, f/2.0, 1/3.2″ sensor size, 1.4 µm pixel size
Battery: Non-removable Li-Po 3000 mAh battery

Update: Android 7.1.1 is now officially available on OnePlus 3 &3T

OnePlus3 1

Moto Z

Dimensions: 153.3 x 75.3 x 5.2 mm, 136g
Display: 5.5in AMOLED 1440 x 2560 pixels (~535 ppi pixel density)
OS: Android Marshmallow (Stock)
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820
Memory: 4GB
Storage Options: 32GB/64GB
SD-Support: Up to 256GB
Primary Camera: 13 MP, f/1.8, OIS, laser autofocus, dual-LED flash
Secondary Camera: 5MP, f/2.2, LED flash
Battery: Non-removable Li-Po 2,600 mAh battery

Moto Z

These lists are a little jargon-filled and it may be hard for the non-technologically inclined to draw conclusions from these lists, so we’re going to go over some categories that are easier to draw comparisons in.

Design

With Motorola’s Moto Z, the company has opted for a more premium look than with the phone’s predecessors. The Moto Z features “aircraft grade” aluminum and stainless steel construction for the frame, and reinforced Gorilla Glass 4 panels for both front and back. The phone is also lighter and thinner than the OnePlus 3. It’s available in a selection of metallic finishes as well as either a white or black front fascia. The back also features an interesting and classy striped design.

The Motorola also allows users a huge amount of customization which gives it an advantage over the OnePlus3. The Moto Z is modifiable with a series of MotoMods, a range of magnetised clip-on back panels designed just for the Moto Z and the Moto Z Force. Some of the MotoMods allow just visual customization, but there are also some that add functional advantages. Regardless, since this is the display section, know that the Moto Z allows you to really make the phone your own with different finishes in the clip on panels.

Moto z 1

The OnePlus3 features an all-metal aluminium unibody design, without the older design interchangeable back panels. Even though they’ve forgone customizability it’s definitely an upgraded and more luxurious handset. The OnePlus3 is a little heavier than the Moto Z but only slightly. It’s also available in a selection of metallic color choices.

Oneplus3 2

Both mobile phones feature a 5.5 inch display, but the Moto Z has an AMOLED panel with a QHD resolution at 535ppi, while the OnePlus 3 has a Super AMOLED with a 1080p Full HD at 401ppi. The pixel density will probably not make a difference to the naked eye, but the Super AMOLED on the OnePlus3 provides a notable increase in color, contrast, and overall image quality.

Hardware

Both phones feature the same processor, though the OnePlus3 features 50% more RAM than the Moto Z which is a pretty big amount. There have, however, been hardware tests that place phones with 4G of RAM as “faster in speed” than the OnePlus3. That’s not to say that the OnePlus3 won’t be faster than Motorola’s model, just that the RAM difference might not make as big of a deal as it seems. The Moto Z also features stock android so it might run a little faster than the OnePlus3 which is heavily customized.

The OnePlus3 only comes with one option, 64 GB. That’s a decent amount of storage, but the fact that the Moto Z is available in both 32 GB and 64 GB with support for micro SD expansion gives users a lot more options. Motorola’s phone definitely pulls ahead in this regard.

The Moto Z has a 2,600mAh battery cell which is significantly smaller than the OnePlus3’s 3,000mAh setup. That said, Moto Z owners have the option to customize the battery life further via MotoMods or upgrade to a slightly thicker Moto Z Force with a 3,500mAh cell.

Price

The Moto Z is priced around $700 dollars while the OnePlus3 is significantly less expensive at around 380. This is really a huge deal when the phones are in such close running and the Moto Z suggests different mods to match some of the OnePlus3’s features. This is a field that really sets the two phones apart.

Verdict

The Moto Zblank and OnePlus3blank are relatively close in terms of specs, with each phone having pros and cons over the other in different categories. Because they’re so close, it should be pretty difficult to choose a model, but the fact of the matter is that the Moto Z is twice as expensive as the OnePlus3. I cannot in good conscience recommend the Moto Z when the race is so close and it’s so much more expensive. The OnePlus3 comes out on top.

OnePlus3 winner

OnePlus 3 – Buy nowblank
Moto Z – Buy nowblank

As Editor here at GeekReply, I'm a big fan of all things Geeky. Most of my contributions to the site are technology related, but I'm also a big fan of video games. My genres of choice include RPGs, MMOs, Grand Strategy, and Simulation. If I'm not chasing after the latest gear on my MMO of choice, I'm here at GeekReply reporting on the latest in Geek culture.

Mobile Devices

3 Video Games About Women’s Health

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Video games have transcended entertainment to become powerful tools for promoting health and wellness. One notable genre in this realm is fitness gaming, exemplified by titles like Hatsune Miku Fit Boxing, which motivates players to engage in physical activity to enhance their fitness levels. Building on this foundation, developers have ventured into women’s health with games designed to raise awareness and empower players to take control of their well-being. Here are 3 video games on women’s health that provide valuable health information and foster a sense of agency to uplift women around the world.

Tampon Run – Menstrual health

Created by Girls Who Code alumnae Andrea Gonzales and Sophie Houser in 2014, Tampon Run is an old-school 8-bit online game where the main character, Luna, lobs tampons to destroy enemies, who will confiscate the tampons if she lets them pass by. Interestingly, the concept of weaponized tampons is based on a real incident that occurred in 2013, where Texas state troopers confiscated tampons as potential projectiles, but not guns, from visitors observing a vote on abortion restrictions at the Texas State Capitol. The goal of Tampon Run is to destigmatize periods and menstrual products, which, up until recently, have not been properly studied to measure their absorbency, which underscores the need to address menstrual health so that women can get better care.

In between tossing tampons, Luna shares empowering messages about how periods are a natural part of women’s lives and should not be a source of shame or embarrassment. The game is available to play on the Tampon Run website and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store for iOS users.

PCOS Vitality – PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex hormonal condition and the leading cause of female infertility that affects approximately 5 to 6 million women in the US, according to the Endocrine Society. Common features of the condition include having irregular menstrual periods, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. Additionally, some studies estimate that up to 88% of women with PCOS are overweight or obese. While there are weight loss programs helping women tackle PCOS, focusing on aspects like lifestyle, symptom management, diet, and other tips for how to lose weight with PCOS, the condition itself remains grossly under-researched. For some women, it may take years to confirm that they have PCOS, as there are other disorders that mimic PCOS signs and symptoms that must be excluded.

The lack of research has extended to a lack of awareness among the general population and is what clinicians from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland are trying to address with the 2023 game PCOS Vitality. Essentially a learning tool, the game takes users through a simple obstacle course. As you click toward the finish line, you are asked simple trivia questions about PCOS. The game is free to play on Focus Games’ website.

Bound by Blood – Period poverty

Period poverty refers to the lack of regular access to period products, painkillers, or underwear during a menstrual cycle. In the US, where 16.9 million menstruating women live in poverty, two-thirds cannot afford basic menstrual products. Period poverty has also been associated with mental health issues and urinary tract infections.

Available to play on the itch.io website, Bound by Blood was created by Jessica Gates in 2017 and aims to educate players about the reality of period poverty. Users take the character of Beth, a homeless woman who wakes up in her car and realizes that she’s started her period. Players then make a series of choices to try to stay as hygienic as possible in spite of lacking resources such as menstrual products and clean restrooms. There isn’t really a way to “win” the game, and it is instead a peek into the reality of life where period products are inaccessible and how this affects women’s quality of life.

Through these games, players not only gain valuable insights into various aspects of women’s health but also find themselves actively engaged in their own well-being. As developers continue to explore this emerging field, the potential for video games to serve as educational tools and catalysts for change in healthcare remains promising

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Consoles

Despite popular belief, PS4 sales in the UK skyrocketed last year

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PS4 sales in the UK climbed by a shocking 633 percent year-over-year in 2023, so apparently the old system isn’t dead yet. The previous year’s very limited supply of the system is likely a major factor in this figure, since the console’s lifespan was drastically reduced because of chip shortages caused by the pandemic. Still, it’s proof that PlayStation’s original platform has unmet demand.

With the very low prices of PS4 software (both in-store and online at the PS Store), this strategy makes a lot of sense. Plus, it’s future-proof, so there’s no harm in stocking up on PS4s while new-gen pricing is still high, since if you decide to switch to a PS5 in the future, you can transfer all of your purchases across. Not to mention that the majority of new releases still come out on the PS4, with several offering free PS5 upgrades.

While the percentage rise may seem huge, real PS4 sales will probably be much lower. It’s a sign that the gadget, which is now a decade old, isn’t completely dead yet, and we expect it to keep receiving maintenance for a while longer. Of course, this is great news for Sony, because the company would rather have PS4 players playing on its last-gen gadget than none at all, even if it would love to have them upgrade to PS5.

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Consoles

New PS5 firmware is available for download!

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A PS5 firmware update on a cold winter morning is unmatched. The latest PS5 system software update is 23.02–08.40.00 from Sony. Does this one add useful features or just boost system performance?

Though closer to the latter, it’s more than Sony’s favorite patch note. It fixes security issues, improves messages and usability, and boosts system software performance. Official patch notes for this 1.185GB update:

  • We updated system software security
  • We improved system software stability and performance
  • Some screens now have better messages and usability

That’s it. PS5 gets another win to recover from its midweek slump. Do you share our enthusiasm for this firmware update? Comment below. To spice things up, make your comment rhyme.

 

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