Motorola Admiral XT603 The Ultimate Specs Price Pros & Cons Guide

Network

The Motorola Admiral XT603 supports a range of cellular technologies that were standard for its time. It operates on CDMA and EVDO networks, making it suitable for users in regions where these technologies were predominant. The device is equipped with 2G bands that include CDMA 800/1900 frequencies and 3G capabilities via the CDMA2000 1xEV-DO standard. It offers decent data speeds up to EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, providing satisfactory browsing and download speeds in the context of its era.

Launch

The Motorola Admiral XT603 was announced and released in October 2011. Despite its early discontinuation, the device made a significant impact, especially among business professionals who favored its robust design and QWERTY keyboard. The lifespan of the device in the market reflected its transition phase as mobile technology advanced rapidly around that time.

Body and Design

The device has dimensions of 119 x 62 x 12.2 mm, coupled with a weight of 134 grams, making it relatively compact and portable. Its design includes a physical QWERTY keyboard, appealing to users who prefer tactile feedback over touch input. This keyboard feature marked a transitional era where many were still shifting from text-centric interfaces to touchscreen-centric ones. The SIM card slot is of Mini-SIM type, aligning with the standards of that period.

Display

The Motorola Admiral XT603 sports a 3.1-inch TFT display. While not particularly large by current standards, it was adequately sized for its time. The screen has a resolution of 480 x 640 pixels, offering a 4:3 aspect ratio which was common then. The display provided a pixel density of approximately 258 ppi, ensuring reasonably sharp images and text. The front of the device is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, which enhances its durability against scratches and minor impacts.

Platform and Performance

The phone operates on Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread, which was popular at the time but is not upgradeable to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The device is powered by a Qualcomm MSM8655 Snapdragon S2 chipset with a 1.2 GHz Scorpion CPU and an Adreno 205 GPU. This configuration was suitable for moderate multitasking and running essential applications efficiently, although it would struggle with more recent software requirements.

Memory and Storage

The Motorola Admiral XT603 comes with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage. While the onboard storage is quite limited, the inclusion of a microSDHC card slot allows users to expand storage capacity to accommodate more media and applications, a feature that provided additional flexibility for users needing extra space.

Camera Capabilities

Main Camera

The device is equipped with a 5 MP autofocus camera, complete with an LED flash for improved low-light photography. Although basic by today’s standards, this camera was adequate for casual photography and capturing essential images during its time. The video capability allows recording at 480p@30fps, which suffices for simple video recording needs.

Selfie Camera

There is no front-facing camera available, which reflects the period’s primary focus on main camera sensors over front-facing options.

Audio and Connectivity

It features a loudspeaker for hands-free audio and includes a standard 3.5mm headphone jack. For connectivity, the Motorola Admiral XT603 supports Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) with DLNA functionality and the ability to function as a hotspot. Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR support is available for wireless connections, and it is equipped with GPS and A-GPS for navigation. The device, however, lacks a radio feature which some users might miss. For wired data transfer, a microUSB 2.0 port is included.

Sensors

Incorporating an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, the device offers a variety of sensor-driven functionalities. These sensors contribute to auto-rotate features, power-saving during calls, and basic navigational assistance.

Battery

The device is powered by a removable 1860 mAh Li-Ion battery. The standby time is approximately 79 hours with a talk time capability of up to 9 hours, offering decent battery life which is suitable for day-to-day usage with moderate activity levels. The removable aspect of the battery allows users to carry spares for extended use over prolonged periods without access to charging facilities.

Miscellaneous Features

Available in classic black, the device gives off a professional appearance that aligns with its functionality-oriented design. The Motorola Admiral XT603 has a SAR rating of 1.06 W/kg for the head and 0.73 W/kg for the body. At the time of its release, the device was priced approximately at 160 EUR, positioning it as a mid-range offering in the smartphone market.

Overall, the Motorola Admiral XT603 served its purpose well for its target audience. It catered to business users and individuals who valued communication efficiency, tactile input through its QWERTY keyboard, and durability in a rugged form factor. Despite being phased out as newer and more advanced models appeared, it remains a noteworthy device for those interested in smartphone technology transitions.