Motorola One Action Specs Prices Features & Flaws Unveiled

Design and Build

The Motorola One Action sports a sleek design with a glass front, plastic back, and a plastic frame. Its dimensions are 160.1 x 71.2 x 9.2 mm, and it weighs 176 grams, making it relatively lightweight for a smartphone of its size. The phone is available in three attractive colors: Denim Blue, Pearl White, and Aqua Teal. The build quality gives it a premium feel, although it lacks the premium materials like aluminum or glass back that are found in some competitors.

Display

With a 6.3-inch IPS LCD display, the Motorola One Action offers a resolution of 1080 x 2520 pixels, which translates to a 21:9 aspect ratio and a pixel density of approximately 432 pixels per inch (ppi). This high aspect ratio is particularly favorable for watching movies and gaming, as it provides an immersive widescreen experience. The display's nominal contrast ratio of 1237:1 ensures vibrant colors and decent blacks, although it may not match the depth of an AMOLED screen.

Performance

The device is powered by the Exynos 9609 chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU with four Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.6 GHz. This setup, coupled with a Mali-G72 MP3 GPU and 4GB of RAM, delivers a satisfactory performance for day-to-day tasks and moderate gaming. It scored 148748 on the AnTuTu benchmark (v7) and 5271 on GeekBench (v4.4), indicating competitive performance for its category.

Camera

Motorola One Action distinguishes itself with a unique triple-camera setup. The primary camera is 12 MP with an f/1.8 aperture, providing good performance in adequate lighting conditions. A standout feature is the 16 MP ultrawide camera dedicated to video, capable of recording 1080p, which is ideal for action shots as it comes with GoPro-like abilities. Additionally, there's a 5 MP depth sensor for enhancing portrait shots. The rear camera setup includes features like Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, and panorama, while the front 12 MP selfie camera also supports HDR and 1080p video recording.

Operating System and Software

The Motorola One Action runs on Android One, offering a clean, bloatware-free Android 9.0 (Pie) out of the box, upgradable to Android 11. The Android One program promises regular security updates and a consistent user experience. The UI is intuitive and should appeal to Android purists who appreciate minimal customization and software stability.

Battery Life

The smartphone is equipped with a non-removable Li-Po 3500 mAh battery. While this capacity might not be the largest, it provides decent battery life due to software optimizations and the energy-efficient Exynos processor. It supports 10W wired charging, which is rather basic compared to the fast-charging capabilities of some newer models. The endurance rating is 66h, which might require users to charge the phone daily or every alternate day depending on usage.

Connectivity and Extras

For connectivity, Motorola One Action includes a vast array of options such as Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NFC, FM radio, and USB Type-C 2.0 with OTG support. Additionally, it supports a hybrid dual SIM, allowing for enhanced usability in terms of network management.

Sound and Audio Quality

The device includes a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, catering to users who prefer wired audio solutions. Audio quality is decent with noise levels at -93.4dB and crosstalk at -93.7dB. The speakers provide good volume; voice sits at 67dB, noise at 71dB, and ring at 84dB, enough for hands-free calls and media consumption.

Sensors and Security

For security, the Motorola One Action comes with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for quick unlocking. It also includes other essential sensors like an accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass for an enhanced smartphone experience.

Connection and Mobile Network

The phone supports multiple network technologies including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, and LTE with various band support for improved connectivity worldwide. The data speeds are respectable, supporting HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps and LTE Cat6 speeds of 300/50 Mbps.

Conclusion

In summary, the Motorola One Action represents a compelling mid-range smartphone option, particularly for users who emphasize video recording features. Its robust performance, clean software experience, comprehensive connectivity options, and attractive price point make it suitable for many users. However, the battery life could be a concern for power users, and the build may not feel as premium as some metal or glass counterparts. Nonetheless, for its targeted demographic, it provides both value and functionality that are hard to beat.