Unveiling Motorola FIRE XT311 Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of Motorola FIRE XT311

The Motorola FIRE XT311 is a smartphone that was released in September 2011, and while it has been discontinued, it remains a model of interest for technology enthusiasts and collectors. Known for its modest specifications and entry-level positioning, the FIRE XT311 was one of the devices that characterized the transition phase of mobile technology in the early 2010s. It is a great example of the compact and functional devices that laid the groundwork for the modern smartphones we see today.

Design and Build

The Motorola FIRE XT311 features a practical and straightforward design aimed at users seeking both touchscreen and physical keypad input. The dimensions are measured at 116.5 x 58 x 13.5 mm, and it weighs 110 grams, making it lightweight and easy to handle. The incorporation of a QWERTY keyboard beneath its display was a significant feature for those who preferred physical keys for typing.

The device was built with a removable back cover that housed the battery, SIM slot, and microSDHC card slot, a common practice at the time which allowed for easy swapping of SIM cards and batteries.

Display

The device comes with a 2.8-inch TFT display. Although small by today’s standards, at the time of its release, it was a reasonable size for an affordable smartphone. The display supports 256K colors and has a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, with a pixel density of approximately 143 ppi. These specifications were typical for budget smartphones and provided an adequate visual experience for basic tasks and casual usage.

Performance and Hardware

Powering the Motorola FIRE XT311 is the Qualcomm MSM7227-1 Snapdragon S1 chipset, which includes a 600 MHz ARM 11 CPU and an Adreno 200 GPU. While these specs are quite basic by contemporary standards, they were sufficient for running the Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) operating system efficiently enough, supporting basic applications and functions.

The device comes with 512MB of internal storage and 256MB of RAM. Though this limits the phone's ability to run more demanding applications, it was adequate for the common apps and functionalities available at that time. The inclusion of a dedicated microSDHC card slot allows users to expand storage, which was a necessary feature due to the limited internal memory.

Camera

On the camera front, the Motorola FIRE XT311 is equipped with a single 3.15 MP rear camera capable of capturing images and 480p video at 24fps. Though basic, this camera served general photographic needs for users, from snapping quick photos to recording brief videos. There was no front-facing camera, which is expected for phones from this era.

Battery Life

The phone comes with a removable Li-Ion 1420 mAh battery. This battery size, combined with the power-efficient hardware, provided reasonable battery life. It offered up to 720 hours of standby time on 3G and up to 9 hours and 16 minutes of talk time on 2G, or 8 hours on 3G. Such battery performance was considered decent and reliable for daily use.

Connectivity

The Motorola FIRE XT311 supports 2G GSM and 3G HSDPA networks, providing flexibility in network connectivity for voice and data. The device also includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, enabling internet access through wireless networks, and Bluetooth 2.1, allowing wireless communication with other Bluetooth-enabled devices.

Additional connectivity features include GPS, A-GPS for location services, stereo FM radio with RDS for listening to broadcasts, and a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.

Audio and Sensors

Audio options on the Motorola FIRE XT311 include a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users to enjoy audio through both wired headphones and the phone’s speaker. As for sensors, the device is equipped with an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, which enhance the device's usability through features like screen orientation detection and location-based services.

Conclusion

Though the Motorola FIRE XT311 might seem underpowered compared to today's smartphones, it remains an intriguing piece of mobile history. It serves as a snapshot of the transitional period of smartphones, providing functionality and performance that met the needs of its time. Designed with practicality and affordability in mind, the FIRE XT311 was a viable choice for users looking for a compact device with a physical keyboard and basic smartphone capabilities. Its straightforward design and fundamental features continue to be of interest in discussions about the evolution of mobile technology.