Moto Z2 Force Review: Shatterproof, Modular Android

Next up is GFXBench, which gives the Moto Z2 Force a chance to flex is GPU-muscle. We are only interested in comparing the Offscreen test results, which removes resolution as a limiting factor. We’re specifically testing the phones GLES 2.0 and 3.0 rendering performance in the T Rex and Manhattan benchmarks.

3D Graphics Benchmarks: 3DMark & GFX Bench Pushing The Pixels

Here the Moto Z2 Force is the new performance champion in the GFXBench T Rex benchmark. It beats out the Samsung Galaxy S8+ by 6% using the same SoC, which is impressive. The lead continues in GFXBench Manhattan, too. Perhaps Motorola’s restraint with making Android OS tweaks is giving it a small edge over the Samsung Galaxy S8 series.

Futuremark’s 3DMark benchmark has been a staple of HotHardware reviews for over a decade. We’re running the 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited benchmark offscreen, so resolution doesn’t affect the score. Ice Storm Unlimited stresses the GPU and its OpenGL ES 2.0 and targets a resolution of 720p.


The Moto Z2 Force enjoys a minor lead over the Samsung Galaxy S8 family and is the fastest Android phone we’ve tested in Ice Storm Unlimited and Sling Shot Extreme. However, the Adreno 540 GPU is no match for the custom PowerVR GT7600 GPU found in the iPhone 7 when it comes to Ice Storm Unlimited.

3DMark Sling Shot was recently added to the mobile benchmark suite. The test targets rendering resolutions of 1440p and requires OpenGL ES 3.1. The test includes volumetric lightning and particle illumination advanced rendering techniques. We run this test in offscreen mode as well, to eliminate resolution as a factor in cross-phone comparisons.


When OpenGL ES 3.1 and the rendering resolution is bumped up to 1440p, the Moto Z2 Force shows the iPhone 7 who’s boss with a 43% performance lead. It also continues to be the fastest Android phone we’ve tested so far.