Motorola MOTO XT615 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview

The Motorola MOTO XT615 is a smartphone that was launched in November 2011 and released in March 2012. It is a device that exemplifies Motorola's approach to delivering functional and reasonably priced phones. Although the phone has been discontinued, it remains a part of Motorola's legacy of smartphones aimed at balancing performance with affordability.

Design and Build

The MOTO XT615 features a classic design typical of smartphones from the early 2010s. It measures 117.7 x 60.5 x 9.9 mm, making it compact and easy to hold in one hand. The build quality is robust, with a weight of 123.6 grams, offering a solid feel without being overly heavy. It uses a Mini-SIM slot and was available in two color options: Licorice and Ultra white.

Display

The device comes with a 4.0-inch TFT display with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 245 ppi. While not the highest resolution available, during its time, the display quality was sufficiently clear for everyday tasks like browsing, messaging, and media playback. The screen-to-body ratio stands at 61.9%, which was standard for phones of its era.

Performance

The MOTO XT615 is powered by a Qualcomm MSM7227A-0 Snapdragon S1 chipset with an 800 MHz Cortex-A5 CPU and an Adreno 200 GPU. While these specifications seem modest by today's standards, they were adequate for standard smartphone activities at the time, such as social media, email, and simple gaming. The device offers 512MB RAM, which is adequate for managing basic multitasking demands that were typical at the time of its release.

Operating System

The phone runs on Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread, offering access to a wide array of apps available through the Android Market (now Google Play Store). Gingerbread was known for being user-friendly and stable. However, users seeking features of more recent Android versions would find this OS lacking due to its age.

Storage

With an internal storage of 1GB and 512MB RAM, the MOTO XT615 was not designed to store vast amounts of data. However, the presence of a microSDHC dedicated slot supports expandable storage, alleviating some concerns by allowing users to store additional media and apps externally.

Camera

The device comes equipped with an 8 MP rear camera featuring autofocus and an LED flash capable of capturing photos and videos at 480p resolution at 30fps. It includes a VGA front camera, suitable primarily for video calls. While not high-end, the camera capabilities were decent enough for casual photography, especially in well-lit environments.

Connectivity and Networking

The MOTO XT615 supports GSM and HSPA technologies, making it capable of operating on 2G and 3G networks. It offers HSPA speeds of 7.2/5.76 Mbps, which were adequate for browsing and streaming light content during its time. The smartphone is also equipped with Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, and a hotspot feature, alongside Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP and EDR for seamless wireless connectivity.

Additional Features

The inclusion of GPS and A-GPS provides location services, while the stereo FM radio with RDS allows for listening to broadcast radio. Its sensors include an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, providing essential functionality for various applications. Audio output is via a loudspeaker or through the standard 3.5mm headphone jack.

Battery Life

The smartphone contains a removable Li-Ion 1390 mAh battery. In terms of battery life, it delivers a standby time of up to 110 hours and a talk time of up to 5 hours. These durations align with typical usage patterns of the era, making it a reliable companion for a day of normal use.

Market Position and Pricing

At the time of release, the Motorola MOTO XT615 was priced at approximately 120 EUR. It occupied the lower-midrange segment, targeting users who required a functional device without the premium cost associated with high-end alternatives. Although production has ceased, it remains a testament to Motorola’s strategy of delivering cost-effective solutions to their consumer base.

Legacy and Impact

Though discontinued, the Motorola MOTO XT615 is remembered for its straightforward design and reliable performance. During its availability, it catered to a demographic that desired practicality over cutting-edge technology, and it succeeded in achieving a balance that was appreciated by its users. The device serves as a historical piece in understanding the evolution of smartphones leading up to the more technology-intensive models seen today.