Ultimate Guide to Motorola ROKR E2 Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of the Motorola ROKR E2

The Motorola ROKR E2 was launched in January 2006 as a successor to the original ROKR E1. This device marked a significant step forward in the integration of mobile phones with music technology. Although discontinued now, at its time, it was revolutionary, offering a wide array of features packed into a sleek design that catered to music lovers.

Design and Build Quality

The Motorola ROKR E2 presents a compact and solid design with dimensions of 106 x 49.5 x 18 mm and a weight of 107 grams. The phone is comfortable to hold and fits well in the hand, making it convenient for everyday use. The exterior is available in classic silver and black colors, appealing to users who preferred a sophisticated look. Its robust build ensures durability over time, which was a significant advantage during its era.

Display Features

The ROKR E2 is equipped with a 2.0-inch TFT display supporting 256K colors and a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. With approximately 200 ppi pixel density, the screen provides reasonably clear images and vibrant colors, enough for basic viewing needs and navigating through menus. Although not extensive by today's standards, the display was adequate for its time, especially for a music-focused device.

Camera Specifications

The device includes a single 1.3 MP main camera complemented by an LED flash feature, allowing for basic photography under low-light conditions. Capable of video recording, the camera offers modest imaging functionality suitable for capturing everyday moments. However, there is no front camera, which aligns with the primary focus of the device as a music-centric phone rather than a multimedia hub.

Performance and Operating System

Powered by a 32-bit Intel XScale PXA270 processor clocked at 312 MHz, the Motorola ROKR E2 runs on a Linux-based operating system. This setup delivers reasonable performance for communication, music playback, and basic application use. Users appreciated the Linux OS for its stability and efficiency in managing the phone's tasks, significantly enhancing the device's utility as a music player.

Storage and Memory

Offering 10 MB of internal storage, the ROKR E2 comes with a card slot that supports SD cards up to 2 GB, allowing users to expand storage considerably—enabling them to carry more music and data. This flexibility was crucial for music enthusiasts who required more space for their growing music collections.

Connectivity Options

The ROKR E2 includes a variety of connectivity options. Notably, it features Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, enabling wireless streaming of audio to compatible devices. The phone also has miniUSB 2.0 for data transfer and charging, although it lacks WLAN and GPS capabilities. Additionally, users can enjoy FM radio, expanding their music options beyond digital files.

Sound and Music Capabilities

At its core, the Motorola ROKR E2 is a music phone, equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack and a high-quality loudspeaker for clear audio. The device supports various audio formats and downloadable polyphonic, MP3, AAC ringtones, allowing personalization and a rich listening experience. These features underscore Motorola's aim to redefine the music phone experience during that era.

Battery Life

With a removable Li-Ion 850 mAh battery, the ROKR E2 offers up to 200 hours of standby time and approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes of talk time. This battery life is relatively satisfactory given the technological standards of the mid-2000s, ensuring users can enjoy extended periods of music playback alongside regular phone functions.

Network and Communication

The Motorola ROKR E2 is designed for GSM networks, supporting 2G bands (GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900) with GPRS Class 10 and EDGE Class 6 for internet browsing. While it lacks the high-speed connectivity options available in later models, its browser capabilities through WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML (Opera 8) allowed users to access basic web services.

Value and Pricing

Upon launch, the Motorola ROKR E2 was priced at about 130 EUR, offering value primarily through its music capabilities and solid build quality. Even though it was discontinued, the device laid the groundwork for future developments in the fusion of mobile telephony and digital music.

Conclusion

The Motorola ROKR E2 serves as an important milestone in mobile technology history. By emphasizing music integration and connectivity, Motorola successfully created a device that appealed to music lovers. Despite its eventual discontinuation, the ROKR E2 remains a testament to Motorola's innovative spirit and enduring influence on the genre of music-centric mobile phones.