Motorola A1600 Unveiling Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of the Motorola A1600

The Motorola A1600, released in August 2008, is a smartphone that exemplifies innovation and functionality during its time. Discontinued now, this device was lauded for its distinct blend of technology and ease of use, presenting features that were quite ahead of its time, especially considering the evolving industry standards back then.

Design and Build

The A1600 boasts a unique and compact design, measuring 98.9 x 53.5 x 19.6 mm and weighing 128 grams. This made it quite portable while also ensuring it was robust enough for daily use. The body of the device was crafted to accommodate a mini-SIM, maintaining the trend of the era.

Display Characteristics

A critical highlight of this device is its display. The Motorola A1600 features a 2.4 inches TFT resistive touchscreen with 256K colors, providing clear visuals with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. Despite being only 33.7% screen-to-body ratio, the display was sufficiently bright and colorful for comfort during usage, whether in bright outdoor conditions or dim indoor settings.

Operating System and Performance

One of the fascinating aspects of the Motorola A1600 is its use of the Linux operating system. During a time largely dominated by other operating systems, the choice of Linux provided users with a different interface experience, alongside flexibility and customization potential. Internal storage capacity was limited at 27MB, but the inclusion of a microSDHC slot allowed users to expand storage and save more files, music, or photos, critical for effective functioning. However, specific details on the processor and RAM are unavailable.

Camera Features

For photography enthusiasts, the A1600 came equipped with a 3.15 MP rear camera featuring autofocus, allowing for higher-quality images compared to other phones in the segment at that time. Users could also capture videos, which was a sought-after functionality back in 2008. Although it lacked a selfie camera, the rear camera sufficed for most snapshot needs.

Audio and Connectivity

The device supported a variety of audio features including a loudspeaker and multiple alert types, with downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones, adding a personal touch to how notifications were received. While it lacked a 3.5mm jack, the Bluetooth 2.0 A2DP capability ensured that users could enjoy wireless audio. On the connectivity front, the A1600 included GPS, A-GPS, and a stereo FM radio, though it did not support WLAN. The microUSB 2.0 port facilitated data transfer and charging.

Network and Communication

The Motorola A1600 was equipped to handle GSM technology across the four main 2G bands (GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900), rendering it versatile for international usage. It supported both GPRS and EDGE Class 10, allowing for reasonably fast data transfer speeds for the time.

Battery Life

The battery was a removable Li-Ion 930 mAh, which was standard for that period. It offered a standby time of up to 180 hours and a talk time of up to 6 hours. This balance between battery life and device performance ensured that users could rely on their phones throughout the day for basic communication needs without frequent recharges.

Browser and Sensors

The Motorola A1600 included a browser capable of handling WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML content. This allowed users basic internet browsing capabilities. Regarding sensors, the specifications do not indicate specific sensors, which aligns with the expectations and common offerings of mobile phones at the time.

Pricing and Value

At the time of its release, the Motorola A1600 was priced around 120 EUR, positioning it as a valuable choice for users seeking a balance between innovative features and affordability. Its unique offerings and robust construction represented a unique blend that continued to make it memorable among technology enthusiasts.

Conclusion

The Motorola A1600 came at a pivotal time in mobile technology development and showcased features that were impressive for its time. Its compact design, coupled with a camera, Linux operating system, and sufficient connectivity options, made it a comprehensive solution for users in 2008. Although it has been discontinued, the device remains a testament to Motorola's innovative approaches during the era of significant technological advancements.