Motorola PHOTON 4G Review
Share:
Not too long ago Motorola was teetering on the brink of viability, but along came a little green robot and the company’s fortunes have changed drastically. Sprint’s situation isn’t quite as bleak, but its hoping that their renewed partnership with Motorola helps turn the tide for the nation’s number three carrier. They’re kicking things off with a bang with the Motorola Photon 4G, a beastly phone with a massive spec sheet. Some of the highlights include a 4.3” qHD display, 1GHz dual core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, 8-megapixel camera with 720p video capabilities and a kickstand. The Photon is also a world phone with support for Sprint’s WiMAX 4G. Included accessories are light: you simply get a microUSB cable and the AC adapter.
Design:
To be honest, the Photon 4G takes a lot of its design cues from the RAZR V9m. From the dark gunmetal housing around the 4.3” display to the soft touch feel of the battery door the Photon 4G resembles the RAZR a lot. Being one of the most beautiful flip phones ever it is not a bad source of inspiration. The Photon 4G is definitely its own phone though. It is large an unapologetic, but very well constructed and comfortable to use.
 |  |  |
The Motorola Photon 4G feels well-balanced and natural in the hand | ||
 |
You can compare the Motorola Photon 4G with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.
There once was a time that a 4.3” display would turn heads, but these days it has become passé. Luckily the Photon 4G’s qHD display will still grab your attention by being brilliantly vivid, bright and crisp. It has an above average viewing angle and we didn’t have much of an issue using it in direct light.
 |  |
The Motorola Photon 4G packs a qHD display | |
Motorola Photon 4G is very large, but feels well-balanced and natural in the hand. Though angular at first sight, the back of the phone is rounded and that makes it more comfortable to hold. The volume rocker and camera key are both ribbed, which makes them easy to find by touch and feedback is good when you activate the buttons.
 |  |  |
The volume rocker and camera key are both ribbed | ||
Left and right sides of the Motorola Photon 4G | ||
 |  |  |  |
Back | |||
 |  |  |
The Widget Clock app | ||
Motorola has included a kickstand on the Photon 4G | ||
 |  |
Top | Bottom |
Share:
Related phones
67 Comments
1. The_Miz posted on 01 Aug 2011, 06:41 14 4
Wow, an Android phone that may actually be worth owning and *GASP* it's made by Motorola.
34. Thump3rDX17 posted on 02 Aug 2011, 10:07 4 1
that Motorola made a phone on Apple's level before.
41. JayQ330 posted on 05 Aug 2011, 12:14 4 1
uh oh, here comes iphone man! always ready to throw iphone into the mix. even when a comment has nothing to do with the iphone! your a hero to all fanboys all over the nation mr.The_Miz... **smh**
19. snowgator posted on 01 Aug 2011, 11:53 7 0
That was both respectful and unexpected. Thanks for the open mind, Miz.
23. rican posted on 01 Aug 2011, 12:57 3 1
i played with phone today and its by far the best phone ive ever played with. its smooth and very very well built, ive never liked blur but launcherpro fixes that, i would get this over the 3d anyday but im still waiting on the galaxy s
This comment has been moderated, because it doesn`t meet the discussion rules. Show
71. jake (unregistered) posted on 30 Aug 2011, 14:55 2 0
I fail to see your excitement over any apple phone. I looked at the iphone4 and came to the conculsion that it was really just an ipod touch, both incapable of making calls. I suspect the iphone5 will remain the same dimensions and the "big" improvement will be that the phone will actually be able to make calls....................
2. Deacz (unregistered) posted on 01 Aug 2011, 06:51 0 1
Yea maybe not since its a Motorola and that = horrible customer support. Slow updates on the software.
8. KingK (unregistered) posted on 01 Aug 2011, 08:05 5 1
Actually they have quick software updates just depends on the carrier. Verizon is always fast with theirs for Droids.
You must be in some non-US country to complain.
3. Immolate posted on 01 Aug 2011, 07:06 2 6
A 9? Wow. It doesn't look that impressive from the specs. Doesn't even do 1080p. Are we prepping the battlefield so that you can give the iPhone 5 a 10 in the event that its numbers aren't cutting edge?
4. xenover posted on 01 Aug 2011, 07:12 3 1
I'd give it a 8.5 for 720p video recording. An 8 mpx camera SHOULD be able to do it not to mention it has a dual-core processor.
5. Sniggly posted on 01 Aug 2011, 07:24 8 1
What do you want to bet that the 1080p recording will come in a software update like it did for the Atrix?
12. remixfa posted on 01 Aug 2011, 09:47 3 0
it probably will, but at this stage in the game it shouldnt be an Update. Especially since its so far after the Atrix and that has already gotten the update.
That said, I like the way the phone looks.. just enough to be different without looking nutty.
BTW, the kickstand issue is easily fixed, u had the phone upside down on the kickstand.. it actually goes the other way. :)
14. ngo2dd posted on 01 Aug 2011, 10:34 2 0
with a 4.3 screen you will not tell the different between 720p and 1080p. 720p on a DSLR will a 100x person then one on a camera phone. So what is the point of having some like that?
24. Immolate posted on 01 Aug 2011, 15:12 4 0
HDMI mirroring to your HDTV will take advantage of 1080p. Agreed it's a small thing, but curious for a beasty phone from a manufacturer that has shipped many models with 1080p.
29. ngo2dd posted on 01 Aug 2011, 21:34 1 0
You better have a TV better then 32 in. HD recording suck big time compare to real camera. My friend DSLR take great look 720p video and I will put money that his 720p video is better then any 1080p video on a camera phone.
