Motorola BACKFLIP review: Back and forth Tweet

Gsmarena have posted their review of the Motorola BACKFLIP. Here are the phone's key features, main disadvantages and their final impression.

Key features

* Unique form factor and sturdy build quality
* Quad-band GSM and quad-band 3G support (7.2 Mbps HSDPA)
* 3.1" 256K-color 320x480 pixel capacitive touchscreen
* Android OS v1.5 (upgradeable to later versions) with MOTOBLUR UI and Live Widgets
* Folding four-row QWERTY keyboard
* BACKTRACK touchpad at the back of the screen
* Qualcomm MSM7201A 528 MHz processor; 256 MB of RAM
* 5 MP autofocus camera with LED flash and geotagging
* CIF (352 × 288 pixel) video recording @ 30fps
* Wi-Fi and GPS with A-GPS
* 512MB storage, microSD slot, bundled with a 2GB card
* Accelerometer and proximity sensor
* Standard 3.5 mm audio jack
* microUSB port (charging) and stereo Bluetooth v2.1
* Noise cancellation with a dedicated microphone
* Office document viewer

Main disadvantages

* Poor sunlight legibility
* No multi-touch
* One-finger zoom works only on the BACKTRACK touchpad
* No smart and voice dialing
* Limited camera features, lens on the QWERTY keyboard
* No free GPS navigation solution
* No Flash support for the web browser
* No FM radio
* No DivX and XviD video playback
* Below par audio quality

We can almost hear some users say thinking out of the box is overrated. We understand that and – more importantly – the Motorola BACKFLIP can get over people doubting it. It’s a bold design, eccentric indeed, but it works. The Motorola BACKFLIP will tease you to give it a try. Though obviously not everyone’s cup of tea, it has what it takes to sustain that interest.

It is certainly not the best QWERTY phone in terms of ergonomics but Motorola went creative with the communicator form factor with a certain target audience in mind.

Inside that unusual body is a first generation Android – but upgrading to later versions is reportedly on the way. The MOTOBLUR on top is the right thing to give the younger crowd. That is the kind of audience by the way to best appreciate a keyboard folding the other way. Besides, in everyday use the Motorola BACKFLIP is hardly as different as one might imagine at first.

Now, is this the best choice for you? Considering proper alternatives is always a wise thing to do, but the unique BACKFLIP concept makes that harder this time around. Let’s check out some of the alternatives to put things in proper perspective.

The device to come closest to the BACKFLIP is Motorola’s own DEXT MB220. Running on the same OS version and UI, the DEXT is pretty much the same package in a more conventional side-slider form factor. So if the strange fold is all that bothers you here, the DEXT is a definite must consider. You lose the trackpad at the back of the screen but you might save a few bucks too.

Those of you with a few extra dollars to spare – do check out the Motorola MILESTONE. One mean Android, it’s among the best QWERTY communicators. The MOTOBLUR UI won’t be badly missed as long as you are getting a screen so much better and a superior keyboard. Not to mention the latest version of the Android OS.

Finally, the LG GW620 is hardly as exciting but a viable alternative for the ones not completely convinced by the Motorola approach to Android.

There seems to be a near perfect match – both specs and spirit – outside the Android realm too. The Nokia N97 mini is going after the same market too but obviously isn’t as willing to experiment. The young Finn has a higher-res resistive screen and better multimedia performance. The BACKFLIP has its unique shape and superior keyboard to boast. In the end, it’s Symbian vs. Android, different ammo, same goal.

So, to wrap it up: the Motorola BACKFLIP is good enough and few phones out there are creative enough to match it. You know, it’s a phone that will have you wonder which way is up. But if you’re willing to think different, no way is down.

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