Moto Z3 and Moto Z3 Play were 2018’s flagship devices for Motorola. Both were launched with Android 8.0 Oreo but have been updated to Android 9 Pie. So, will they get a second OS update in Android 10? When launching the Moto Z4 in June 2019, the company made it clear that the Z4 will receive only one OS update but thankfully, that doesn’t apply (not confirmed, BTW) to the Z3 sets. Let’s find all we know about the Moto Z3 Android 10 update and the recently released security updates.

Will Moto Z3 get Android 10 update?

• Motorola now has a single OS update policy for the Moto Z series, starting with Z4
• Z3 sets shall get two OS updates, the second one being Android 10

Motorola recently moved to a single-update-only policy even for its flagship devices, making it clear when they released the Z4, whose only OS update will be Android 10. But thankfully, they didn’t say anything about applying the policy to Motorola Z3 an Z3 Play both of which have already received their an OS update in Pie.

So, even though Motorola hasn’t revealed a release date plan yet, it seems both the Moto Z3 and Moto Z3 Play are on course to receive Android 10 update.

→ Moto Z4 Android 10 release date

When will Motorola Z3 get Android 10?

• Z3’s Android 10 update shouldn’t be delayed much, unlike Z2’s Pie
• Q1 2020 release looks likely (unconfirmed)
• Z3 Play may get Android 10 a month after Z3

Well, the Z3 is not the first device in the line anymore for the latest OS update as that status now goes to this year’s Moto Z handset, the Z4. In fact, even the Moto G7 series may get the Android 10 update before it’s available for the Verizon Z3 users in the US.

Moto released the Android Pie update for the Z2 Force (for Verizon only, ignoring other carriers) only by July 25, which is about 10 months after Google released the update. But we hope that this time, the Android 10 update for the Z3 would arrive much sooner than Z2’s Pie, mainly because Android 10 release is happening at a much faster pace compared to any previous OS update, many thanks to Google for holding a larger Android Q (10) beta program. More on this in the section right below.

We expect Motorola to begin the Z3 Android 10 rollout sometime in January 2020. But even if luck is not on our side, Q1 2020 seems appropriate enough for Motorola to come up with at least Android 10 soak test program both in the US and globally.

As regards Moto Z3 Play, it will receive Android 10 update only after it’s rolling out for the Z3 first. The delay could be of a month, most probably.

Why Z3 Android 10 update won’t be delayed like last year’s OS update?

Last year, Z2 received Pie only after a lot of delays. But things could change this year., They should be. While there’s a still a long wait for Z3 Android 10 update, the good thing is that this year, with Android 10, OEMs look like releasing the OS update much more quickly than any time in the history. Here’s why we say that. OnePlus has already released Android 10 for its OnePlus 7 Pro and OnePlus 7 as beta, while Samsung looks all set to release the Android 10 update anytime now for the S10, or even the Note 10.

Even Xiaomi has released Android 10 for one device (Redmi K20 Pro) in its large portfolio, and not to be left behind, Huawei is also ready to begin the Android 10 beta rollout with EMUI 10.

But, except Samsung, most of the OEMs we mention above part of the Android 10 beta program (Android Q beta program, then). Something which, like Samsung, Motorola skipped. But that doesn’t mean Motorola must be lagging behind. As Samsung’s Galaxy S10 Android 10 leak shows that the development has been steady for the device, we can say all the same about Moto Z4, which means rollout should be earlier than usual.

If Motorola is able to release Android 10 for its first device sooner than usual, that is good news for Moto Z3 users too as they can expect less delay.

Related: The best Motorola phones

Moto Z3 Android 10 soak test

We fully expect Motorola to launch an Android 10 soak test program to enable a limited set of users to apply for beta testing the update on their Z3. This will help Motorola test and build a better stable build before releasing it to the public.

We expect the Android 10 soak test program for Moto Z3 to go live anytime in December 2019/January 2020.

Software update timeline

Moto Z3

Verizon Moto Z3

Moto Z3 Play

Sprint Moto Z3 Play

What are your thoughts on Motorola’s software updates? Think Motorola will release Android 10 for Moto Z3 by Q1 2020?