Unveiling the Motorola FLIPSIDE MB508 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Design and Build Quality

The Motorola FLIPSIDE MB508 exhibits a practical and sturdy design typical of early Android smartphones. Measuring 109.5 x 57.5 x 15 mm and weighing 145 grams, it features a relatively compact form factor that is easy to handle. One of its standout design elements is the slide-out QWERTY keyboard, which offers tactile feedback for users who prefer physical keys over on-screen typing.

With a black color scheme, the device maintains a professional appearance. The choice of materials provides durability, although the build may seem somewhat bulky by today's standards. The inclusion of a mini-SIM slot is consistent with the period's mobile technology.

Display

The Motorola FLIPSIDE MB508 sports a 3.1-inch TFT display, with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels. While this resolution is quite modest when compared to modern smartphones, it provided adequate clarity and color reproduction for its time. The display's 3:2 aspect ratio and approximately 186 ppi density ensured text and images were reasonably sharp, although not as vivid or crisp as contemporary screens.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the device is powered by the TI OMAP 3410 chipset, a 720 MHz Cortex-A8 processor, and a PowerVR SGX530 GPU. While modest by today's standards, this hardware combination was capable of running the Android 2.2 (Froyo) operating system smoothly for basic apps and tasks.

The FLIPSIDE was also equipped with 512 MB of RAM and an internal storage of 512 MB. Though limited, the inclusion of a microSDHC card slot allowed users to expand storage, crucial for handling multimedia files and additional apps.

Camera Capabilities

Featuring a single 3.15 MP camera, the Motorola FLIPSIDE captured photos with satisfactory quality for casual photography. Capable of CIF@25fps video recording, the camera was suitable for simple video clips but lacked the sophistication of modern smartphone cameras with advanced features and higher resolutions.

Notably, the device does not include a front-facing camera, reflecting the period's limited emphasis on selfies and video calls.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 1170 mAh battery, the Motorola FLIPSIDE offered decent battery life for its range. Users could expect up to 288 hours of standby time and talk times of up to 7 hours 20 minutes on 2G networks and 5 hours 20 minutes on 3G networks. The removable nature of the battery was a convenient feature, allowing users to carry a spare for extended usage.

Connectivity and Networks

The device supported GSM/HSPA technology, providing 2G and 3G connectivity across various bands. The inclusion of HSPA technology meant speeds of up to 7.2/2 Mbps, adequate for mobile browsing and app usage at the time. Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP support further enhanced its connectivity options, enabling wireless data transfer and internet access.

GPS and A-GPS support equipped the device with reasonable navigational capabilities, essential for location-based services. The FM radio feature provided entertainment options beyond its media player capabilities.

Software and User Experience

The Motorola FLIPSIDE was released with Android 2.2 (Froyo), a significant version at the time offering features like the ability to install apps on the SD card and support for Adobe Flash Lite, enhancing web browsing experiences. Despite the limited processing power and memory, the device managed basic functionality fairly well, aligning with typical usage demands of that period.

The physical QWERTY keyboard was a significant boon for users who were accustomed to typing on a real keypad, though the on-screen interface was still usable for touchscreen aficionados.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Motorola FLIPSIDE MB508 was a device that catered to users seeking a blend of tactile feedback with the convenience of an Android operating system. Its robust build, coupled with a practical keyboard and adequate connectivity features, made it a versatile choice for its time. While its specifications may seem outdated by current standards, the FLIPSIDE was indicative of the early 2010s era in mobile device development, balancing affordability, functionality, and style.