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Motorola FlipOut Unveiling Specs Price Pros & Cons

Release Date
2010, June
Camera
3MP
Battery
1130mAh
Processor
TI OMAP 3410
Screen
2.8"
Storage
512MB 512MB RAM , microSDHC slot
Ram
512MB RAM
Operating System
Android 2.1

Design and Build

The Motorola FlipOut comes in an unconventional square design that sets it apart from the typical rectangular smartphones of its time. With dimensions of 67 x 67 x 17 mm and a weight of 120 g, the device is noticeably compact, almost like carrying a small wallet in your pocket. The build is sturdy, and the materials used give it a slightly premium touch while maintaining its playful and youthful allure.

Display

The FlipOut features a 2.8-inch TFT display with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. Although the display might seem small by contemporary standards, it was fairly adequate for its time, providing vibrant colors and reasonable clarity with a density of 143 pixels per inch. This screen, while limited in size, was sufficient for basic smartphone operations, including navigation, messaging, and casual web browsing.

Keyboard

A standout feature of the FlipOut is its physical QWERTY keyboard, which slides out with a distinct snapping mechanism. This keyboard catered to users who preferred tactile feedback over touchscreen typing, offering a more traditional text input method. Despite the device's small size, the keys were designed to maximize usability, allowing for relatively comfortable typing.

Platform and Performance

Running on Android 2.1 Eclair, the Motorola FlipOut is powered by a 600 MHz Cortex-A8 CPU from the TI OMAP 3410 chipset, complemented by the PowerVR SGX530 GPU. This hardware provided a moderate performance level for its time, enabling multitasking and supporting a wide array of applications available on Android’s then-burgeoning app store. While it wasn't the most powerful device on the market, it was capable of handling day-to-day tasks efficiently.

Memory and Storage

Outfitted with 512MB of RAM and 512MB of internal storage, the FlipOut offered expandable storage via a dedicated microSDHC slot, with a 2 GB card included. This feature was quite useful for users needing additional space for media files and apps, considering the limited flash storage that came built-in. Memory management was adequate for the applications and multimedia of its time, though heavy users might find it necessary to expand the capability with an external card.

Camera Capabilities

The device sports a 3.15 MP rear camera capable of capturing still photos and video recording at CIF@26-30fps. While camera performance was not its selling point, the FlipOut did provide a basic level of functionality for casual photography and video recording, suitable for sharing quick snapshots on social media platforms.

Network and Connectivity

The FlipOut supports GSM/HSPA technology, with 2G and 3G network bands ensuring adequate connectivity in various regions. The internet speeds, at HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps, were sufficient for browsing and streaming services available at the time. For local connectivity, it includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, GPS with A-GPS, and a USB 2.0 port, delivering a comprehensive suite of connectivity options for users.

Battery Life

Equipped with a removable 1130 mAh Li-Ion battery, the FlipOut offered up to 365 hours of standby time on 2G and about 380 hours on 3G, while providing talk time of up to 6 hours on 2G and 4.5 hours on 3G. This ensured users a decent battery life, aligning well with the typical usage patterns at its release time. The removable nature of the battery also allowed for easy replacement, enhancing its longevity.

Sound and Multimedia

The device incorporates a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, providing standard sound output functionality. It was also equipped with a stereo FM radio with RDS, adding to its multimedia capabilities. While the speaker quality was average, it sufficed for clear voice calls and listening to music or the radio.

Sensors and Additional Features

The FlipOut included essential sensors such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, enabling basic interaction enhancements and user convenience. The device’s browser supported WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML, making mobile internet browsing possible, albeit with limitations given the era’s technological constraints.

Colors and Aesthetic Appeal

The FlipOut came in a variety of colors, including White, Fairway Green, Poppy Red, Raspberry Crush, Brilliant Blue, Licorice, and Saffron. This wide array allowed users to pick a device that best suited their personality and style preferences, contributing to its appeal among younger demographics.

Market Position and Legacy

Announced and released in June 2010, the Motorola FlipOut was designed to cater to a niche market segment that valued unique design and physical keyboards. Despite being discontinued, its legacy is remembered fondly by many as a novel experiment in mobile design during an era of rapidly evolving smartphone technologies.

Conclusion

In retrospect, the Motorola FlipOut may not have brought groundbreaking innovations in terms of technology, but it certainly captured attention with its distinctive concept and colorful approach. It served as a reminder that diversity in design can coexist with functionality, offering an intriguing alternative to the norm that, while not universally appealing, certainly had its fans.

Key Features of Motorola FlipOut

  • 3G HSPA connectivity with speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps
  • Compact and unique square design with dimensions of 67 x 67 x 17 mm
  • QWERTY keyboard for easy typing
  • 2.8-inch TFT display with 256K colors
  • Packed with Android 2.1 (Eclair) OS for smart functionality
  • 600 MHz Cortex-A8 processor for decent performance
  • Expandable storage with microSDHC card slot, 2 GB card included
  • 3.15 MP main camera for basic photography
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n for wireless internet connectivity
  • Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP for wireless audio streaming
  • GPS with A-GPS support for navigation
  • Stereo FM radio with RDS for broadcast radio listening
  • Removable Li-Ion 1130 mAh battery for adequate battery life
  • Available in multiple vibrant colors like White, Fairway Green, Poppy Red, Raspberry Crush, Brilliant Blue, Licorice, and Saffron

Drawbacks of Motorola FlipOut

  • 3G Speed: Limited to HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps, which is relatively slow by modern standards.
  • Discontinued: The device is no longer supported or available for purchase new.
  • Display Size and Quality: Small 2.8-inch display with low resolution of 320 x 240 pixels (~143 ppi), providing a less sharp viewing experience.
  • Operating System: Runs on the outdated Android 2.1 (Eclair) with limited app availability and security updates.
  • Processor: Powered by a 600 MHz Cortex-A8 CPU, which offers limited performance capability for modern applications.
  • Camera: Basic 3.15 MP main camera with low-quality video recording at CIF resolution.
  • No Selfie Camera: Lacks a front-facing camera for selfies or video calls.
  • Internal Memory: Limited internal storage of 512MB and RAM, constraining app usage and storage space without relying on the microSDHC slot.
  • Battery Capacity: Equipped with a relatively small 1130 mAh battery, potentially leading to shorter usage times.
  • Audio Quality: Average loudspeaker output and audio quality with some noise interference.
Network
Technology GSM / HSPA
2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands HSDPA 900 / 2100
Speed HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps
Launch
Announced 2010, June. Released 2010, June
Status Discontinued
Body
Dimensions 67 x 67 x 17 mm, 76 cc (2.64 x 2.64 x 0.67 in)
Weight 120 g (4.23 oz)
Keyboard QWERTY
SIM Mini-SIM
Display
Type TFT, 256K colors
Size 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~54.1% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 320 x 240 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density)
Platform
OS Android 2.1 (Eclair)
Chipset TI OMAP 3410
CPU 600 MHz Cortex-A8
GPU PowerVR SGX530
Memory
Card slot microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included
Internal 512MB 512MB RAM
Main Camera
Single 3.15 MP
Video CIF@26-30fps
Selfie camera
Sound
Loudspeaker Yes
3.5mm jack Yes
Comms
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 2.1, A2DP
Positioning GPS, A-GPS
Radio Stereo FM radio, RDS
USB microUSB 2.0
Features
Sensors Accelerometer, proximity, compass
Browser WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML
Battery
Type Removable Li-Ion 1130 mAh battery
Stand-by Up to 365 h (2G) / Up to 380 h (3G)
Talk time Up to 6 h (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G)
Misc
Colors White, Fairway Green, Poppy Red, Raspberry Crush, Brilliant Blue, Licorice, Saffron
SAR 1.16 W/kg (head)     1.09 W/kg (body)
SAR EU 0.62 W/kg (head)
Price About 90 EUR
Tests
Camera Photo
Loudspeaker Voice 69dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 69dB
Audio quality Noise -89.0dB / Crosstalk -89.9dB

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