Motorola ThinkPhone Review: Why shouldn’t you buy it?

Introducing the Motorola ThinkPhone, a groundbreaking device announced on January 5, 2023, and made available to the public on January 29, 2023. This smartphone redefines excellence by offering an exceptional combination of cutting-edge features, durability, and high-performance capabilities. In this comprehensive review, we will delve into the various aspects of the Motorola ThinkPhone, exploring its design, display, performance, camera system, and unique features. We will also highlight its strengths and weaknesses.

Design and Durability

The Motorola ThinkPhone boasts a sleek and durable design. With dimensions of 158.8 x 74.4 x 8.3 mm and a weight of 188.5 grams, it strikes a balance between screen real estate and comfort. The device features a Gorilla Glass Victus front, ensuring protection against scratches and minor impacts. The aramid fibre back, combined with an aluminum frame, not only enhances its aesthetics but also offers excellent durability.

Moreover, the ThinkPhone is rated IP68 for dust and water resistance (up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes). It also excels in durability, with drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.3 meters and MIL-STD-810H compliance. This makes it suitable for users who require a robust and reliable smartphone.

Display and Visual Excellence

The Motorola ThinkPhone features a remarkable 6.6-inch P-OLED display with 1 billion colors, HDR10+ support, and an impressive 144Hz refresh rate. The screen offers a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 399 ppi. The P-OLED technology delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and exceptional contrast, ensuring a visual experience that is second to none. The inclusion of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides an extra layer of protection for the display.

With a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 89%, users are treated to a generous display area, perfect for multimedia consumption, gaming, and multitasking.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Motorola ThinkPhone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, built on a 4nm process. The device’s octa-core CPU comprises a powerful Cortex-X2 core clocked at 3.19 GHz, three Cortex-A710 cores at 2.75 GHz, and four Cortex-A510 cores at 1.80 GHz. The Adreno 730 GPU ensures smooth graphics performance.

The smartphone runs on Android 13, delivering a user-friendly interface and a robust app ecosystem. With 8GB or 12GB of RAM and internal storage options ranging from 128GB to 512GB, the ThinkPhone offers excellent multitasking capabilities and ample storage for apps, media, and files. The UFS 3.1 storage standard further enhances data transfer speeds.

Camera Capabilities

The Motorola ThinkPhone features a triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50-megapixel wide-angle lens with multi-directional PDAF and OIS, a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens with a 120-degree field of view, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. These cameras are equipped with LED flash, panorama, and HDR, delivering high-quality images. Video recording capabilities include 8K at 30fps, 4K at 30/60fps, 4K at 30fps with HDR10, and various slow-motion options at 1080p resolution.

For selfies and video calls, the ThinkPhone features a 32-megapixel front-facing camera (for the ROW model) or a 16-megapixel front camera (for the PRC model). Both variants offer HDR support and high-resolution video recording.

Battery Life and Charging

The device is powered by a substantial 5000mAh non-removable Li-Po battery. This large battery capacity, coupled with efficient power management, ensures extended usage without the need for frequent recharging. The ThinkPhone supports 68W wired charging for rapid replenishment of the battery. Additionally, it offers 15W wireless charging for added convenience.

Connectivity and Special Features

The ThinkPhone provides comprehensive connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e with tri-band support, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.2, and a range of satellite positioning systems, including GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO. NFC support is included for convenient wireless transactions.

The device features a USB Type-C 3.1 port with OTG support for fast data transfer and charging. It also includes a range of sensors, such as an under-display optical fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, and barometer (North America only).

Pros

  • Durability: The ThinkPhone excels in durability with IP68, drop resistance, and MIL-STD-810H compliance.
  • Exceptional Display: The P-OLED display with 144Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support offers stunning visuals.
  • High-Performance Hardware: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, ample RAM, and fast UFS 3.1 storage deliver top-notch performance.
  • Versatile Camera System: The triple-camera setup and high-resolution front camera cater to various photography needs.
  • Long Battery Life: With a 5000mAh battery, the device offers extended usage.

Cons

  • No 3.5mm Jack: The absence of a 3.5mm audio jack may inconvenience users who prefer wired headphones.
  • Premium Price: The ThinkPhone’s premium features are reflected in its price.

Conclusion

The Motorola ThinkPhone is a flagship smartphone that stands out with its exceptional durability, display, camera capabilities, and performance. Its robust design, high-quality materials, and top-tier hardware make it an excellent choice for users who demand a premium smartphone experience. While the lack of a 3.5mm audio jack may disappoint some, the device’s strengths far outweigh this limitation. If you seek a smartphone that offers a balance of style, durability, and performance, the Motorola ThinkPhone is a compelling option.

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