Motorola RAZR i XT890 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview and Design

The Motorola RAZR i XT890 is a smartphone that was introduced in September 2012 and released in October of the same year. As a part of the RAZR family, known for its sleek designs and high-performance devices, the XT890 brought a lot to the table at the time of its release. The design of the device is a distinguishable characteristic, with its slim profile measuring 122.5 x 60.9 x 8.3 mm and weighing just 126 grams. It was available in classic black and white colors, maintaining a simple yet elegant appearance. The body of the device houses a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Advanced display, which is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, ensuring durability against scratches and impact. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 68.3%, which was quite impressive for a device from that era. The build quality is robust, and the device feels comfortable to hold, marking a perfect balance between form and function.

Display

The display of the Motorola RAZR i XT890 is one of its standout features. The 4.3-inch screen with a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels provides vibrant colors and excellent contrast. With a density of around 256 pixels per inch (ppi), the images and text are crisp and clear, making for a pleasant viewing experience. The Super AMOLED technology is known for its deep blacks and bright colors, which enhances the overall quality of the display. The protection of Corning Gorilla Glass adds to the resilience of the phone, safeguarding it against everyday wear and tear. The display's performance is further highlighted by its ability to adapt in sunlight, with a contrast ratio of Infinite (nominal) / 2.366:1 (sunlight), allowing users to view content comfortably even under direct sunlight.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Motorola RAZR i XT890 is powered by an Intel Atom Z2460 processor, clocked at 2 GHz, coupled with a PowerVR SGX540 GPU. This combination was quite powerful for its time, providing smooth and efficient performance across various tasks. With 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage (around 5GB user-available), the device was compatible with moderate multitasking and application use. For users requiring more storage, the phone includes a dedicated microSDHC slot, allowing expansion to accommodate apps, media, and other data.

When it comes to the battery, the RAZR i XT890 is equipped with a non-removable Li-Ion 2000 mAh battery. Despite its modest capacity, the phone offers a decent talk time of up to 20 hours, owing to its optimized software and efficient hardware. The endurance rating of 64 hours reflects its capacity to last through daily use without frequent recharging, which was beneficial for users on the go.

Software

The Motorola RAZR i XT890 initially ran on Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich but was later upgradable to Android 4.4.2 KitKat. This upgrade brought with it numerous improvements, including enhanced user interface, better performance, and additional features that leveraged modernized Android capabilities. Motorola's UI overlay is light, preserving the stock Android experience, while adding useful enhancements to improve usability and user experience.

Camera

One of the key features of the Motorola RAZR i XT890 is its camera. The device comes equipped with an 8-megapixel autofocus rear camera capable of capturing sharp images with good color reproduction. It also includes an LED flash for low-light scenarios and HDR capabilities to improve image quality in challenging lighting conditions. The camera supports video recording at 1080p@30fps, ensuring clear and detailed videos. On the front, there is a VGA camera suitable for basic selfies and video calls, though it is not comparable to the more sophisticated front-facing cameras available on more recent devices.

Connectivity

Regarding connectivity, the Motorola RAZR i XT890 supports a range of modern communication technologies. The device includes Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n support with dual-band, DLNA, and hotspot capabilities, ensuring fast and reliable internet connections. Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, EDR, and aptX assures seamless audio streaming and data transfer. For navigation, the device is equipped with GPS, A-GPS, and S-GPS functionality, ensuring accurate and quick location tracking. The inclusion of NFC expands its ability to perform wireless transactions and data exchanges. However, the device lacks a radio feature, which might be a limitation for users who prefer FM radio.

The device uses a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer, which was typical for smartphones during that period. This allows users to connect to various peripherals and accessories, enhancing the device’s functionality.

Audio and Additional Features

The Motorola RAZR i XT890 includes a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users to connect their favorite headphones without the need for adapters. The audio quality is satisfactory, with acceptable noise and crosstalk levels. The loudspeaker performance produces sound levels of 76dB for voice, 71dB for noise, and 68dB for ring tones, capable of providing clear audio in various environments.

Additional sensors include an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, which contribute to enhanced functionality and user interaction. These sensors support features like auto-rotate, proximity detection during calls, and navigation services.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Motorola RAZR i XT890, despite being discontinued, was a remarkable device for its time, offering a blend of design elegance and solid performance. It catered to users looking for a reliable smartphone with a robust build, efficient performance, and a good camera. While the technological landscape has evolved significantly since its release, the RAZR i XT890 remains a testament to Motorola's commitment to combining style and functionality in their devices. Even today, it holds historical significance as a notable member of the RAZR series, reflecting the advancements in mobile technology during the early 2010s.