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Motorola FIRE XT Unveiling Specs Pricing Perks & Pitfalls

Release Date
2011, September
Camera
5MP
Battery
1540mAh
Processor
Snapdragon S1
Screen
3.5"
Storage
512MB 512MB RAM , microSDHC slot
Ram
512MB RAM
Operating System
Android 2.3.4

Overview of Motorola FIRE XT

The Motorola FIRE XT, released in September 2011, stands as a representation of Motorola's attempt to capture a segment of the smartphone market with an affordable yet functional device. It offers a comprehensive set of features suitable for the average user looking for basic functionalities, enriched with Android's flexibility.

Design and Build

The MOTOROLA FIRE XT is designed to be both compact and lightweight, with dimensions measuring 114 x 62 x 12 mm and a weight of only 84.3 grams. This makes the device easy to carry, fitting comfortably in hand or pocket. It comes with a classic black finish, exuding an understated elegance that appeals to a wide array of users. The use of durable materials ensures longevity while the mini-SIM slot harkens back to a now older standard, showing its place in the timeline of mobile evolution.

Display

The device sports a 3.5-inch TFT display with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels. While it may not compete with modern high-definition displays, it delivers a pixel density of approximately 165 ppi, which was reasonable for its time. The display covers around 51.6% of the phone's front area, providing users with adequate space for navigation and media consumption, albeit with modest clarity.

Performance

Equipped with a Qualcomm MSM7227T-1 Snapdragon S1 chipset, the FIRE XT runs on an 800 MHz single-core CPU and an Adreno 200 GPU. These internals are supported by 512MB of RAM, ensuring that the device can handle simple multitasking and basic applications. This hardware configuration suits users not requiring intense computational power but looking for a reliable device for everyday tasks.

Software

Motorola FIRE XT operates on Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread, an early version of Google's operating system known for its user-friendly interface and access to the growing ecosystem of apps on the Android Market (now Google Play Store). While not the latest in OS design, Gingerbread offers essential smartphone features, including basic notifications, multitasking, and customization capabilities, providing a satisfactory experience for first-time smartphone users.

Camera Capabilities

The smartphone comes with a 5MP rear camera featuring autofocus and LED flash, allowing for decent photography under good lighting conditions. It supports video capture at 480p@24fps, sufficient for casual videos. The VGA front camera caters to basic video calling and selfies, a feature still novel at the time of its release.

Storage

Internally, the FIRE XT offers 512MB of storage, which is minimal by today's standards. However, it includes a dedicated microSDHC slot, allowing users to expand storage capacity and accommodate more apps, music, and photos. This ability to expand storage reflects its adaptability despite limited internal space.

Networking and Connectivity

The device supports GSM and HSPA networks, allowing for connections to 2G and 3G bands (GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and HSDPA 900/2100). Maximum internet speeds reach up to HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps. In terms of local connectivity, the phone features Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot capabilities, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR, and microUSB 2.0 for data transfer and charging. These options ensure a comprehensive suite of connective possibilities, bridging the device with the expanding internet landscape of the early 2010s.

Battery Life

The Motorola FIRE XT is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1540 mAh battery. This power unit offers a standby time of up to 504 hours on 2G or 480 hours on 3G, along with a talk time of up to 7 hours on 2G or 5 hours on 3G. The removable nature of the battery suits those who may wish to carry a spare or replace it should its performance degrade over time.

Audio and Additional Features

The phone is equipped with a loudspeaker and a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, facilitating music listening and hands-free calls. It also integrates a stereo FM radio with RDS support, appealing to users who enjoy traditional broadcast media. Sensor-wise, it includes an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, providing necessary feedback for various applications and user interactions.

Pricing and Availability

At launch, the FIRE XT was priced at approximately 100 EUR, positioning it as an affordable option within the market. Since its discontinuation, the device remains a historical piece, representative of early affordable smartphones trying to incorporate touchscreen and Android functionalities.

Conclusion

The Motorola FIRE XT is not a device designed to compete with flagship models, but rather provides an entry point into the smartphone ecosystem for a broader audience. Its balance of basic performance, camera functionality, and expandability, paired with a modest price point, made it an appealing choice for cost-conscious consumers during its time.

Key Features of Motorola FIRE XT

  • Network Technology: GSM / HSPA
  • Compact Dimensions: 114 x 62 x 12 mm, Lightweight: 84.3 g
  • 3.5-inch TFT Display with 320 x 480 pixels resolution
  • Powered by Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) OS
  • Qualcomm MSM7227T-1 Snapdragon S1 Chipset, 800 MHz CPU
  • Expandable memory with microSDHC slot, 2 GB included
  • 5 MP Main Camera with autofocus and LED flash
  • Front VGA Camera for Selfies
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot capability
  • Includes Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, EDR
  • GPS with A-GPS support
  • Stereo FM radio with RDS
  • Removable Li-Ion 1540 mAh Battery
  • Available in Black

Disadvantages of Motorola FIRE XT

  • Outdated Android OS version 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), limiting app compatibility and features.
  • Low screen resolution of 320 x 480 pixels, resulting in less sharp display quality.
  • Low processor speed of 800 MHz, leading to potential performance issues with modern apps.
  • Limited internal memory of 512MB RAM, restricting multitasking capability.
  • VGA front camera with low quality for selfies and video calls.
  • Main camera only supports 480p video recording, which is lower than current video resolution standards.
  • Lacks 4G LTE support, providing slower internet speeds with 3G only.
  • Weighs only 84.3 g, which might imply a compromise on build quality or robustness.
  • Discontinued model, resulting in lack of official updates and customer support.
Network
Technology GSM / HSPA
2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands HSDPA 900 / 2100
Speed HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps
Launch
Announced 2011, August. Released 2011, September
Status Discontinued
Body
Dimensions 114 x 62 x 12 mm (4.49 x 2.44 x 0.47 in)
Weight 84.3 g (2.96 oz)
SIM Mini-SIM
Display
Type TFT
Size 3.5 inches, 36.5 cm2 (~51.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~165 ppi density)
Platform
OS Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread)
Chipset Qualcomm MSM7227T-1 Snapdragon S1
CPU 800 MHz
GPU Adreno 200
Memory
Card slot microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included
Internal 512MB 512MB RAM
Main Camera
Single 5 MP, AF
Features LED flash
Video 480p@24fps
Selfie camera
Single VGA
Video
Sound
Loudspeaker Yes
3.5mm jack Yes
Comms
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot
Bluetooth 2.1, A2DP, EDR
Positioning GPS, A-GPS
Radio Stereo FM radio, RDS
USB microUSB 2.0
Features
Sensors Accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Type Removable Li-Ion 1540 mAh battery
Stand-by Up to 504 h (2G) / Up to 480 h (3G)
Talk time Up to 7 h (2G) / Up to 5 h (3G)
Misc
Colors Black
Models XT530, XT531
SAR 1.15 W/kg (head)     1.13 W/kg (body)
Price About 100 EUR

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