[Update: Actually Rolling Out] Motorola Moto Z3 on Verizon gets the Android Pie update with 5G Moto Mod support

Update 1 (4/3/19 @ 5:47 PM ET): For some reason, Motorola published the release notes for an update they weren’t going to roll out until over 2 months later. Well, finally, the Android Pie update is rolling out for the Motorola Moto Z3 on Verizon on the same day that Verizon flips the switch on 5G in its first markets. More details below. The original article follows.

Last Summer, the Moto Z3 was announced on Verizon along with support for a yet-to-be-released 5G Moto Mod. The phone itself launched with Android 8.1 Oreo, but Motorola promised it would receive Android Pie. We like the device a lot in our full review, so we’re happy to see the Android Pie update is finally rolling out now for Verizon users and it prepares the device for the upcoming 5G Moto Mod.

It’s no secret that 5G is going to be a big buzz word in 2019. We’ve heard a lot about phones that will launch with 5G support this year, including the Samsung Galaxy S10. Moto Mods allow Motorola to add 5G to a device without launching a separate phone with 5G support built-in. We’re still waiting for the 5G Moto Mod to go on sale, but in the meantime, the Moto Z3 is preparing for it with Android Pie.

The Moto Z3 runs a relatively clean version of Android Pie, so you can expect the usual array of goodies. Motorola has included the new navigation gestures and recent app switcher, along with adaptive battery, adaptive brightness, updated notifications, and other UI changes. The update also includes the January 2019 security patches. You can check for the OTA update by going to Settings > System > System updates. Hit the link below for the full changelog.

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Update 1: Android Pie is finally (really) rolling out, as Verizon enables 5G in 2 cities

As reported by Droid-Life, the Android Pie update is rolling out to Moto Z3 users and it brings support for the 5G Moto Mod which recently went on sale for $350. In a press release, Verizon also announced that they’ve enabled their 5G Ultra Wideband network in Chicago and Minneapolis. Verizon claims customers will see “typical download speeds of 450 Mbps, with peak speeds of nearly 1 Gbps, and latency less than 30 milliseconds.” Although Verizon didn’t share a coverage map, they did announce areas in each city where 5G coverage is concentrated. If you step outside of these areas, the 5G Moto Mod will hand off the connection to Verizon’s 4G LTE network. Verizon’s postpaid customers on any of their unlimited plans can get 5G coverage for an extra $10 per month, though the company is letting users try 5G for the first 3 months for free.

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