Motorola MB865 leaks again from the AT&T system, complete with an LTE tracking code

posted by Daniel P. / Aug 01, 2011, 5:31 AM

Motorola MB865 leaks again from the AT&T system, complete with an LTE tracking code

That mysterious Motorola MB865 handset we've been hearing for a while now, is shaping up to indeed be one of the first handsets for AT&T's upcoming 4G LTE network.

We had this model number leak from the AT&T system last week, but at the time the only thing clear from the screenshot was that it will most likely feature Motorola's own Android interface overlay. The LTE part was just a speculation based on the fact that a model number XT865 used to identify the scrapped version of Motorola DROID BIONIC, which would have been the company's first LTE handset, but is now redesigned.

Now a tipster sent us a screenshot from the XDM system, which AT&T's Tier 2 support uses to push MMS, APN and system updates via the IMEI and phone number to individual handsets. Such numbers, he confirms with the screenshot below, have already been assigned to Motorola MB865 handsets in the hands of field testers, with area codes mostly from places where AT&T's LTE network is about to be rolled out first. In his words, the phone "is definitely an LTE device since it has been provisioned with an LTE tracking code in the billing system".

Meanwhile, last week images of a new Motorola phone appeared in a Chinese forum , and the leaker has confirmed for AnandTech that this is a test Motorola MB865. The device, however, seems to be more of a sequel to the Motorola ATRIX 4G in its shapes, rather than having the "hump" of the DROID BIONIC Targa. Moreover, the ATRIX 4G carries the MB860 codename, so MB865 being an LTE-equipped update is highly likely.

The source also states that the Motorola MB865 has a dual-core chipset of which he doesn't know the maker, but says it might be dual-core Texas Instruments, extrapolating from what we've heard about the refreshed version of the DROID BIONIC. He also speculates about the screen resolution possibly being HD, i.e. 720x1280 pixels, but admits the suggestion is based purely on rumors about upcoming phones with HD displays from Samsung, Motorola, HTC and others, so we are most likely going to still have a qHD screen here.

So, for all it's worth, we might be looking at one of AT&T's initial LTE launch handsets, hiding behind the Motorola MB865 codename, which will finally shoot Full HD 1080p video, and resemble more the Motorola ATRIX 4G exterior, rather than the upcoming DROID BIONIC handset for Verizon, despite the similar (or same) specs.

Thanks for the tip!

source: IT168 via AnandTech

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21 Comments

1. Striker unregistered

Yeah, whatever. Moto used to be a very innovative brand 5 years ago. Now they release just another stupid phone with Android. Poor loss for the hardware. It should be a WP phone!

posted on Aug 01, 2011, 5:53 AM 0

2. krysis

Posts: 76; Member since: Dec 14, 2009

cause you know SO much about this phone

posted on Aug 01, 2011, 6:07 AM 0

3. cheetah2k

Posts: 2288; Member since: Jan 16, 2011

I loved my Atrix, but Moto drove me bananas waiting for Gingerbread to come along... I ended up ditching it after the 7 month wait (right before Gingerbread was released to AT&T handsets) and picked up the Galaxy S II. Kicked myself long and hard as I should have thrown the Atrix against the wall and got the SGSII earlier! While I still have my 3G Xoom, I don't think I could do Motorola again..

posted on Aug 01, 2011, 6:19 AM 2

4. Sniggly

Posts: 7305; Member since: Dec 05, 2009

Ouch. I like my Atrix, especially with Gingerbread. :(

posted on Aug 01, 2011, 7:29 AM 0

14. Tao unregistered

7 months, so you got your Atrix late last December?

posted on Aug 01, 2011, 2:43 PM 0

18. matistight

Posts: 1008; Member since: May 13, 2009

So you're yin-yang, with Verizon and AT&T? I would love to be making the money you make with your ~$250 montly payment to verizon and att

posted on Aug 01, 2011, 10:15 PM 0

5. Irad123

Posts: 32; Member since: Aug 01, 2011

Atrix 2? Kal - El? I can't keep up with this - I'm gonna buy Atrix 3...

posted on Aug 01, 2011, 7:29 AM 0

6. cheeseycheeser

Posts: 413; Member since: Mar 24, 2011

Am i the only one that remembered hearing something about the Atrix being LTE upgradeable? Or did I make that up? (I'm not confusing it with the Xoom)

posted on Aug 01, 2011, 10:15 AM 0

9. Carlos unregistered

Yeah i heard the same thing, i read an article in ATT web site about there 4g network and it said something that it will be the first carrier to offer HSPA+ and 4g LTE in the same network so i was kid of skeptical and talked to some ATT Salemen and workers and they sayed that Atrix will be able to use 4g LTE when available in you area. Not really sure, but i heard a couple of people say the same thing.

posted on Aug 01, 2011, 11:54 AM 0

11. attdave unregistered

I work in an ATT store and and have not heard anything about an LTE update for the Atrix. If you look at the LTE phones on verizon you will also notice they are considerably thicker than their 3G counterparts. The Atrix does not have the girth that I would expect from an LTE capable or upgradable device. The only device that we carry that has been listed as LTE upgradable is a USB modem and it is about twice the size of a typical USB modem that only supports HSPA+.

posted on Aug 01, 2011, 12:21 PM 0

7. ibet unregistered

So when does this ship if it even has LTE? I'm guessing Feb/March. At least a year after original Atrix.

posted on Aug 01, 2011, 11:03 AM 0

8. osanilevich

Posts: 287; Member since: Sep 29, 2009

did anyone else noticed how it says Sony Ericsson followed by a model number (which I can't read) on top of the device? If someone can read it, please post it would be interesting to see if the model has a link to this device somehow

posted on Aug 01, 2011, 11:26 AM 0

13. calamazoo unregistered

Cause the front pics were first posted on IT168's huge Sony Ericsson forum, which watermarks everything, that's why it says sony ericsson v611 on each pic, that was discussed when these first surfaced last week. other than that, the phone has nothing to do with SE :-)

posted on Aug 01, 2011, 2:05 PM 0

10. dafad unregistered

Possibility of this being the AT&T's version of the droid bionic? (question, not a statement)

posted on Aug 01, 2011, 12:18 PM 0

12. freakonaleash unregistered

I wNt this phone I don't care what anybody says. I been with at&t for 3 years I never ever had a problem with there service in California were I live in los Angeles and in many more places like san diego and even san Francisco yes san Francisco. I do not have an iPhone I have an infuse 4g I admit I was afraid to go to san Francisco cuz I heard at&t service can be bad over there but then again I dnt have an iPhone. I only read people with iPhones have problems. I was actually quite pleased with att service in san Francisco on my infuse no dropped calls at all I admit data acted funky but to me what matters the most is calling and I didn't have a problem with calls. So yea.I'm happy with att. Bu if this phone came out with att Lte I would give my infuse to my sister cuz she wants it and get this phone.

posted on Aug 01, 2011, 1:04 PM 1

15. Jeradiah3

Posts: 1149; Member since: Feb 11, 2010

i thought about getting the atrix when I was ready yo go back to AT&T, but the screen is too small and i dont like MotoBlur. although im happy with the Inspire, this upcoming LTE phone sounds like the next phone i will upgrade it to

posted on Aug 01, 2011, 2:51 PM 0

16. Cinnamon

Posts: 87; Member since: Jun 16, 2011

No motoblur, It might actually work...

posted on Aug 01, 2011, 3:59 PM 0

19. xenover

Posts: 174; Member since: May 27, 2011

I believe that the screencaps prove you wrong. Seems like MotoBlur to me.

posted on Aug 02, 2011, 12:48 AM 0

17. superguy

Posts: 469; Member since: Jul 15, 2011

Never fear, folks. This phone, too, will be late. Take a guess and add 6 months to it.

posted on Aug 01, 2011, 5:43 PM 0

20. HackNet unregistered

What's all this Motoblur talk? Have you people heard of custom roms??? You can overwrite the current motoblur rom with another rom of your choice. Don't forget that we're talking about an Android device, not Apple. Customization are welcome on Android. If you need directions on how to apply custom roms to your Atrix 4G, visit us on www.xda.com