Motorola A768i Complete Specs Prices Pros & Cons Review

Overview of the Motorola A768i

The Motorola A768i, released in early 2004, was a groundbreaking device for its time, known for integrating a Linux operating system into a mobile handset. It featured a classic clamshell design with a TFT resistive touchscreen that supported 65,000 colors, making it visually pleasing and user-friendly for its era.

Design and Build

Weighing 120 grams and measuring 100 x 53 x 21 mm, the Motorola A768i was compact and manageable compared to today's smartphones. The device was designed to fit comfortably in the user's hand while maintaining a sleek and professional appearance. It included a mini-SIM card slot, a common feature at the time, and was presented in an elegant color known as "Mr. Black."

Display

The A768i boasted a TFT resistive touchscreen with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, providing a 4:3 aspect ratio. This configuration offered adequate clarity and color depth, which was quite advanced for mobile phones in 2004. However, it lacked the responsiveness of modern capacitive touchscreens because the technology was still in its infancy.

Operating System and Performance

One of the standout features of the Motorola A768i was its use of the Linux operating system, giving it robust performance capabilities for the time. The phone was powered by a 206 MHz CPU, which, while modest by today's standards, delivered satisfactory performance for handling basic applications and functionalities effectively in 2004.

Memory and Storage

Internal storage on the A768i was limited to 96MB, with no option for expandable memory via card slots. This storage capacity was intended to accommodate the phone's basic OS, built-in applications, and some additional user data - a standard limitation for devices of this early mobile era.

Camera Capabilities

Equipped with a CIF main camera, the Motorola A768i was capable of capturing images at a resolution adequate for simple photo-taking. It also included the capability to record video at QCIF resolution, although the quality was limited, reflecting the early stages of mobile imaging technology.

Sound Features

The phone featured downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones with no built-in loudspeaker or 3.5mm audio jack, indicating that it was designed primarily for communication and business rather than media consumption. For auditory notifications, it utilized vibration and tone alerts.

Connectivity

The Motorola A768i supported Bluetooth 1.1, allowing for wireless connections with compatible devices, albeit with limited data transfer speeds and range compared to newer versions. The phone also featured an infrared port for data exchange, a feature that has since been superseded by Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies.

Network and Communication

The A768i operated on GSM networks and supported GSM 900, 1800, and 1900 bands, providing good global connectivity at the time. GPRS Class 10 offered basic mobile internet access, though it did not support the EDGE technology, which limited data speeds.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 780 mAh battery, the Motorola A768i offered up to 180 hours of standby time and up to 6 hours of talk time. This was fairly standard for devices during this period, though users today might find this battery life limiting.

Additional Features

The phone came with a WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML browser, which allowed users to access a basic version of the internet. However, features such as Wi-Fi and advanced GPS were not present, reflecting the technological limitations and consumer expectations of the early 2000s.

Overall Impact and Legacy

The Motorola A768i was a pioneering device for integrating Linux into mobile phones, showcasing the potential of open-source software in the mobile arena. Despite its technological constraints by today's standards, it played a crucial role in the evolving landscape of mobile communications and software development.