The key thing that sets the recently launched Moto Z4 smartphone apart is its support for Moto Mods that can add features like speakers, batteries, or 360-degree cameras.

But it turns out there’s at least one other unusual thing about Motorola’s latest phone: it’s compatible with any stylus that supports the Microsoft active pen protocol.

In other words, you can use a Surface Pen (or a cheaper alternative) to write or draw on the screen.

The Moto Z4 website doesn’t currently mention stylus support, but a Google Cached version of the page shows that Motorola had listed the feature at one point.

I have no idea why it was removed, but redditor jjsaturday has a Moto Z4 and “a few Surface Pens.” Apparently the pens work with the phone. Pressure sensitivity is supported. And the eraser button on the pen works as a back button.

Update: Stylus support is back on the official Moto Z4 website.

Moto Z4 website (via Google Cache)

The Moto Z4 offers an interesting mix of mid-range and premium specs. On the one hand, it has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 processor, which is an upper mid-range chip. On the other, it has 128GB of storage, a 48MP rear camera, and  25MP front camera.

Other features include a 6.4 inch, 2340 x 1080 pixel OLED display, 4GB of RAM, a 3,600 mAh battery, a USB 3.1 Type-C port and 15 watt TuboPower charger. The phone also has an in-display fingerprint sensor and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

via xda-developers

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5 replies on “Moto Z4 supports the Surface Pen (and other styluses)”

  1. Brad, the Motorola web site does mention
    support for an active stylus. If you click on
    “View all specifications”, you will see under
    “Experiences” the following

    Stylus
    Compatible with Microsoft active pen protocol

    Saw this the day of the Moto Z4 availability
    announcement, and this spec hasn’t changed.

    1. That section was missing when I wrote this article yesterday, which is why I went to the Google cached version of the page. Xda-developers also noted that it had disappeared. It seems to have returned since then though, so I’ll update this article.

  2. Finally, an article that talks about the Moto Z4
    supporting MPP (Microsoft Pen Protocol). I’m
    sick and tired of other reviewers completely
    ignoring this feature that puts the Z4 in the class
    of the Samsung Galaxy Note, instead of being
    considered an also-ran. Is this cross-pollination
    between the laptop group and the Moto group?

    1. Agreed. I like being able use my phone to sketch on the go with apps like ArtRage and SketchBook. Next time I upgrade my phone I’m going to look for an off-contract Z4.

  3. That’s… actually kind of cool. Makes me wonder if they had initially planned for this phone to be a lot more significant than it turned out to be. With the (cancelled) keyboard case it could have been a great mobile note taking device.

Comments are closed.