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Motorola Defy review

7.3/10 AVG.
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Motorola Defy
Motorola Defy
Motorola Defy
Motorola Defy
...


7.3/10
Informr score
The Motorola Defy currently has an Informr score of 7.3 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 5 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

Motorola, the cell phone company with nine lives, delivers to the market yet another Android-powered smartphone for review. Proudly named the Motorola Defy, this touchscreen candybar phone would make Captain Kirk blush, if only he had this kind of technology.

While the Defy offers an alarming number of powerful features, it’s 3.7 inch, 480 x 854 pixel resolution display really puts it in the top tier of what is currently available for crystal clear, crazy crisp colors, sharp edges and clean lines. In short, this display will do everything from render a web page proper to making reading a downloaded book a true pleasure, to battling aliens in your favorite game more fun!

The capacitive touchscreen is responsive and tough, due to the proprietary Gorillia Glass, which was developed by Corning and can take a serious beating, including running your car keys right across the screen without injury.

Throw in an 800MHz processor running Android’s now famous OS, 512MB of internal RAM and expandable memory via microSD and microSDHC of up to 32GB, and you have a genuine powerhouse.

Shoppers will be happy to know that the Defy also offers Wi-Fi, a 3.5mm headphone jack, 5MP camera with LED flash and video record, an MP3 player, FM radio, dedicated YouTube player and true web browsing.

If you want your phone to be fun, productive and have access to thousands of apps at the touch of a button, take a look at the Motorola Defy.


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
800 MHz
Processor
Processor
800 MHz
3.6"
Screen Size
Screen Size
3.6"
5+ MP
Camera
Camera
5+ MP
1540 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


GSMArena
GSMArena

We’ve always known Androids to be friendly creatures. And the Motorola DEFY gives us no reason to think otherwise. The whole rugged thing is purely for self defense – protection from the elements. And the best thing is it’s tough but doesn’t look it. Compact and friendly, you...

- GSMArena Team, GSMArena
Engadget
Engadget

At $99.99 on contract at launch, it'd be easy to write off the Defy as a forgettable midrange device -- after all, Motorola has yet to really prove its muster making decent Android phones that aren't high-end $200 monsters. Happily, this thing is genuinely good. Seriously! We're not going to pre...

- Chris Ziegler, Engadget
Digital Versus
Digital Versus

It's solid but still offers the multimedia services we'd expect from a smartphone.

- Florence Legrand , Digital Versus
PhoneArena
PhoneArena

After having a decent amount of time with the Motorola DEFY, it's quite apparent that it almost afflicted with some kind of personality disorder. On one hand it seems to want to be regarded as a high-end model with its detailed display, but then at another, it wants to be known more for its rugg...

- PhoneArena Team, PhoneArena
Phone Scoop
Phone Scoop

This isn’t your father’s rugged waterproof phone, big and covered in rubber and steel plate. This phone is sleek and attractive and light, but still tough enough to withstand an occasional dunk or being dropped on the trail. Best of all, the Defy is a real smartphone. It doesn&rsquo...

- Philip Berne, Phone Scoop


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Motorola Defy user manual here.


Motorola backs up the Defy with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Defy has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Motorola support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Motorola's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




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Quick view

Screen Size
3.6"

The Motorola Defy's screen size is 3.6 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
800 MHz

There is a Texas Instruments OMAP 3610 800 MHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
5+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 5+ MP camera.

There's no secondary front camera.

Storage
2 GB

Internal memory is 2 GB. An external, MicroSD (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
1540mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1540 mAh battery. Motorola's performance ratings are 16.5 days standby time, 400 minutes.

Motorola Defy Specs

Overview
Release Date November 3, 2010
Regions Available USA
Operating System No

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Texas Instruments OMAP 3610 800 MHz
Internal Storage 2 GB
RAM 512 MB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation No
SAR Head: 1.52 W/kg
Body: 1.53 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Headset, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA 7.2, HSUPA
Mobile / Cellular Data
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
Yes
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 2.1
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot No
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD (up to 32 GB)
NFC No
Data Tethering Compatibility No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
5+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Geotagging, Image stabilization
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, 3G2 / 3GPP2, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel Density Unknown
Size 3.6 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer
Multi-Touch No
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features -
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1540 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Unknown
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Unknown
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 400 minutes
Standby Time Up to 16.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Colors Black, White
Dimensions [H x W x D] 10.7 x 5.9 x 1.3 cm (4.2 x 2.3 x 0.5 in)
Weight 118 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design Yes
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers No
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, MMS, IM, Yahoo, Google Talk
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Yes
Themes: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Voicemail Key: Yes
Voice Commands: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
DLNA Support: Yes
Java Application: Yes
Audio Formats: MP3, eAAC+, eAAC, AAC+, AAC, AMR-WB, WAV, OGG
Video Playback Formats: 3G2 / 3GPP2, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: No
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Haptic Feedback: Yes
Radio: Yes (FM/RDS)
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable
Included Software / Apps: -
To-Do / Task List, Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Calculator, Maps, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Motorola MB525, Motorola ME525

2 GB card included
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Motorola Defy Reviews
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