I look forward to the typical detailed review on this one, it checks a lot of the right boxes.
Questions:
1) Now that Motorola Mobile is owned by Google, are they likely to get faster OS updates? Or, can I dream, stock Android, effectively making the whole Moto lineup the 'Nexus' phones going forward?
2) A good overview of non-Blur please.
3) It might be useful going forward to test with 64GB SDXC cards. So far only Samsung supports them officially in the SGS3 but I've used a 64GB SD in other android devices, even with Gingerbread, by just formatting the card within the device itself. Flash keeps getting cheaper, and although 64GB is expensive in $/GB having all that storage expansion in one card is nice for media. Especially in the US where streaming data is held back by bandwidth caps.
Can't wait for a FULL review from Anandtech on this one.
Notice the pricing?
Its not a flagship phone for at&t. But if it meets the stats of the HTC One at almost half the price... I think I'll get it. $100... very good deal. Both the Galaxy S3 and HTC One X are are $200~230 locally.
$100 over a two-year contract isn't that big of a deal imo. It's the features that matter. As a One S competitor (since it's not top of the line?) it has some good specs, especaiily SD expansion. It really makes me sad that HTC left SD expansion out of both the One X and One S. The only decent mid-range or high-end phone that isn't from last year with SD expansion is the SGS3 :(
Atrix line has always been a good value. I have the 2 and my wife the OG, and this would be a great upgrade, I love the $99 price point. I wish it had 2GB RAM instead of 1 but otherwise it's great.
1 - Because I like the interface. 2 - Its a bit more advance in some ways over WP7 and WP8 = It rotates with your phone orientation, custom tile colors for individual tiles. 3 - GS3 and other Android phones have better and newer hardware. 4 - Microsoft does a bad job supporting mobile tech... they murdered Kin/WP6.5 quickly. WP8 and its apps will never run on todays WP7 hardware, etc, etc. 5 - WP7 launcher is free
6 - The best looking WP7 is the Lumia900, but I want the 800... 7 - limited multitasking abilities.
I need to see how ICS interacts with Launcher7 thou... Some phones have a dedicated Task-switching button.
I do like the physical HOME button on the SGs3 phone. But I like this motorola design in that I can quickly tell which way is up. But it has a stupid rubber cover over the USB port which could be a problem for me.... I HATE those. I tried out the SONY phone today, I can't open the damn thing. Older Samsungs had a sliding plastic door (YES!) but now forgo anything like that.
I don't like the look of it. I have the "Atrix 4G" and it just looks slicker. They made htis one look more like a cheap phone. I dont like the bump on one side.
I do like the bump on the top rear side. That is its selling point. On the HTC ONE and SGS3, the cameras are still raised.
I like the HTC One over the SGS3 in every way except it has the ON button on top, rather than the side.... which is easier for me to use. Only Sony has a a dedicated camera button.... but that stupid plastic cover is a bitch to take off and when it comes to modern phones, daily charging is a must.
Avoided the last couple generations of Motorola phones because of their Pentile screens. Motorola used the worst implementation of an unpleasant technology (to those with sensitive eyes, at least)
From what I can tell, this is a true 720p RGB stripe screen. This phone has 2.666 times the subpixels of their last generation phone. (1280*720*3 vs 960*540*2), giving it the potential to match any phone screen on the market.
I liked the RAZR design visually and texturally, though it wastes bezel space. Unfortunately, this screen wastes bezel space even worse - the off-screen buttons are replaced by... an AT&T logo. Not too helpful. Removable battery is a plus, though.
This is the first Motorola phone in a couple generations that didn't feel to be a few steps below the competition, and it's a midrange phone - excited to see their next high end device!
No thanks, Motorola. Locked bootloader, no physical buttons, and then the ultimate insult of 8gb nand (6 usable, I'm sure) put this off my radar.
Remember, even adding an SD card isn't much help when most apps either cannot be moved to that external card or must install their downloaded data files to internal memory. Just watch, the internal memory will be partitioned to have something called SD or something like that. Moving to SD card will move apps to that partition. Sweet.
I just don't see value at $100 when there are other much more compelling options on AT&T for $199. You're stuck with it for 2 years and I know plenty of unhappy Atrix 1 and 2 owners.
There is a difference between a $200 price and a $100 price. Its slightly smaller than todays mammoth sized phones.
Its resolution and feature set is pretty much the same as other top end phone.
The HTC One is 16GB period. And personally, I prefer a smaller memory anyway... Its good to take off PHOTOS and videos... in case your phone is stolen.
I like the design of this phone. I wish the overall dimensions were smaller. Also, I wish Motorola would stop with the 1/8" side bezels. For the purpose of utility the bezels could be half the size (I'm not sure the panel would fit though). If there are any 720p panels out there at 4.0" or 4.3", that would be better as well. Looks like I will have to wait a little longer for a reasonably sized smart phone with the latest hardware specs.
A friend of mine once told me that for a device to be really successful, it needs to appeal to both men and preteen girls. This is a major reason why Apple has been successful without having to come out with half a dozen phones per year. I think the max screen size should be at 4.0" (Possibly 4.3" with smaller bezels).
If the screen size war continues, guys will have to start carrying purses just for their smartphone. If you want your phone to be your personal computer, that's what integrated pico-projectors and laser keyboards are for. I'm sure the integration of both into a smartphone is only a few years away.
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MadMan007 - Tuesday, July 10, 2012 - link
I look forward to the typical detailed review on this one, it checks a lot of the right boxes.Questions:
1) Now that Motorola Mobile is owned by Google, are they likely to get faster OS updates? Or, can I dream, stock Android, effectively making the whole Moto lineup the 'Nexus' phones going forward?
2) A good overview of non-Blur please.
3) It might be useful going forward to test with 64GB SDXC cards. So far only Samsung supports them officially in the SGS3 but I've used a 64GB SD in other android devices, even with Gingerbread, by just formatting the card within the device itself. Flash keeps getting cheaper, and although 64GB is expensive in $/GB having all that storage expansion in one card is nice for media. Especially in the US where streaming data is held back by bandwidth caps.
Belard - Tuesday, July 10, 2012 - link
Can't wait for a FULL review from Anandtech on this one.Notice the pricing?
Its not a flagship phone for at&t. But if it meets the stats of the HTC One at almost half the price... I think I'll get it. $100... very good deal. Both the Galaxy S3 and HTC One X are are $200~230 locally.
MadMan007 - Thursday, July 12, 2012 - link
$100 over a two-year contract isn't that big of a deal imo. It's the features that matter. As a One S competitor (since it's not top of the line?) it has some good specs, especaiily SD expansion. It really makes me sad that HTC left SD expansion out of both the One X and One S. The only decent mid-range or high-end phone that isn't from last year with SD expansion is the SGS3 :(extide - Tuesday, July 10, 2012 - link
Atrix line has always been a good value. I have the 2 and my wife the OG, and this would be a great upgrade, I love the $99 price point. I wish it had 2GB RAM instead of 1 but otherwise it's great.Belard - Tuesday, July 10, 2012 - link
Because this version of ICS has the basic buttons onscreen, how does it (and other Android phones of the same setup) work with Launcher 7?Its a very nice looking phone. I was looking at the HTC ONE X.
Patflute - Wednesday, July 11, 2012 - link
Why would you use Launcher 7??????????????????????????Why wouldn't you get a Windows Phone if you wanted the WIndows Phone OS...
DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERP
geniekid - Wednesday, July 11, 2012 - link
Because you want to use Android apps???????????????????????Belard - Wednesday, July 11, 2012 - link
1 - Because I like the interface.2 - Its a bit more advance in some ways over WP7 and WP8 = It rotates with your phone orientation, custom tile colors for individual tiles.
3 - GS3 and other Android phones have better and newer hardware.
4 - Microsoft does a bad job supporting mobile tech... they murdered Kin/WP6.5 quickly. WP8 and its apps will never run on todays WP7 hardware, etc, etc.
5 - WP7 launcher is free
6 - The best looking WP7 is the Lumia900, but I want the 800...
7 - limited multitasking abilities.
I need to see how ICS interacts with Launcher7 thou... Some phones have a dedicated Task-switching button.
I do like the physical HOME button on the SGs3 phone. But I like this motorola design in that I can quickly tell which way is up. But it has a stupid rubber cover over the USB port which could be a problem for me.... I HATE those. I tried out the SONY phone today, I can't open the damn thing. Older Samsungs had a sliding plastic door (YES!) but now forgo anything like that.
LumbergTech - Tuesday, July 10, 2012 - link
I don't like the look of it. I have the "Atrix 4G" and it just looks slicker. They made htis one look more like a cheap phone. I dont like the bump on one side.Belard - Wednesday, July 11, 2012 - link
I do like the bump on the top rear side. That is its selling point. On the HTC ONE and SGS3, the cameras are still raised.I like the HTC One over the SGS3 in every way except it has the ON button on top, rather than the side.... which is easier for me to use. Only Sony has a a dedicated camera button.... but that stupid plastic cover is a bitch to take off and when it comes to modern phones, daily charging is a must.
themossie - Wednesday, July 11, 2012 - link
Avoided the last couple generations of Motorola phones because of their Pentile screens. Motorola used the worst implementation of an unpleasant technology (to those with sensitive eyes, at least)From what I can tell, this is a true 720p RGB stripe screen. This phone has 2.666 times the subpixels of their last generation phone. (1280*720*3 vs 960*540*2), giving it the potential to match any phone screen on the market.
I liked the RAZR design visually and texturally, though it wastes bezel space. Unfortunately, this screen wastes bezel space even worse - the off-screen buttons are replaced by... an AT&T logo. Not too helpful. Removable battery is a plus, though.
This is the first Motorola phone in a couple generations that didn't feel to be a few steps below the competition, and it's a midrange phone - excited to see their next high end device!
Belard - Wednesday, July 11, 2012 - link
This Motorola phone has ICS/ Android 4.0. It doesn't have any off-screen buttons... you use the screen instead. See the bottom of the screen?I'll try it out in the store when it comes out in 4 days... but I still hope to see a review here about this phone.
bjacobson - Thursday, July 12, 2012 - link
Disagree, Atrix 4G from >1 year ago already has 1GB RAM, dual core 1Ghz processor, larger battery. Larger screen lost on me.omgimsofull - Wednesday, July 11, 2012 - link
specifically the xperia Ion, which can be had around for $50 and has a larger battery and "more megapixels"I don't know android, as I've only had iPhones but the ion seems decent, granted it is somewhat dated.
johnf440 - Thursday, July 12, 2012 - link
No thanks, Motorola. Locked bootloader, no physical buttons, and then the ultimate insult of 8gb nand (6 usable, I'm sure) put this off my radar.Remember, even adding an SD card isn't much help when most apps either cannot be moved to that external card or must install their downloaded data files to internal memory. Just watch, the internal memory will be partitioned to have something called SD or something like that. Moving to SD card will move apps to that partition. Sweet.
I just don't see value at $100 when there are other much more compelling options on AT&T for $199. You're stuck with it for 2 years and I know plenty of unhappy Atrix 1 and 2 owners.
Belard - Thursday, July 12, 2012 - link
There is a difference between a $200 price and a $100 price. Its slightly smaller than todays mammoth sized phones.Its resolution and feature set is pretty much the same as other top end phone.
The HTC One is 16GB period. And personally, I prefer a smaller memory anyway... Its good to take off PHOTOS and videos... in case your phone is stolen.
Crazy1 - Thursday, July 12, 2012 - link
I like the design of this phone. I wish the overall dimensions were smaller. Also, I wish Motorola would stop with the 1/8" side bezels. For the purpose of utility the bezels could be half the size (I'm not sure the panel would fit though). If there are any 720p panels out there at 4.0" or 4.3", that would be better as well. Looks like I will have to wait a little longer for a reasonably sized smart phone with the latest hardware specs.A friend of mine once told me that for a device to be really successful, it needs to appeal to both men and preteen girls. This is a major reason why Apple has been successful without having to come out with half a dozen phones per year. I think the max screen size should be at 4.0" (Possibly 4.3" with smaller bezels).
If the screen size war continues, guys will have to start carrying purses just for their smartphone.
If you want your phone to be your personal computer, that's what integrated pico-projectors and laser keyboards are for. I'm sure the integration of both into a smartphone is only a few years away.