Motorola ROKR W6 Specs Prices Pros & Cons Revealed

Overview of the Motorola ROKR W6

The Motorola ROKR W6, released in May 2009, is a feature phone that represents Motorola's commitment to providing user-friendly and reliable mobile communication devices. While it may not compete with today's smartphones, the ROKR W6 offered a blend of functionality and simplicity that was appealing to many users at the time.

Design and Build

The ROKR W6's design is compact, measuring 99 x 46 x 17.5 mm and weighing just 107 grams. This made it highly portable, fitting easily into pockets without being cumbersome. It used a classic candy-bar style that was both ergonomic and practical. The build quality reflected Motorola's standard at the time, presenting a durable phone able to withstand the rigors of daily use.

Display

Featuring a 1.9-inch TFT screen, the Motorola ROKR W6 offered a display resolution of 176 x 220 pixels. Supporting 256K colors, it was adequate for viewing text messages, basic browsing, and previewing photos taken with its camera. Although it didn't provide the vivid displays seen on modern smartphones, it was sufficient for its purpose as a feature phone.

Camera Capabilities

With a 1.3 MP camera, the ROKR W6 was not designed for professional photography, but it provided users with the means to capture everyday moments. The camera could also record videos, catering to users who wanted minimal but functional media capabilities in their phones. The lack of a selfie camera highlighted the device's focus on simplicity rather than advanced multimedia features.

Network and Connectivity

The phone supported GSM technology, operating on 2G bands across GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 frequencies, ensuring broad compatibility across different regions. For data transmission, it supported GPRS and EDGE class 10, which sufficed for basic mobile internet needs at the time. Connectivity was rounded out with Bluetooth 2.0 for wireless file transfers and a miniUSB port for physical connections to other devices.

Memory and Storage

The ROKR W6 came equipped with an internal storage capacity of 20MB, which was expandable via a dedicated microSD card slot. This allowed users to store additional photos, music, and other data when the internal storage reached its limits. The phone's phonebook could store up to 1000 entries, and it provided detailed call records for 40 dialed, received, and missed calls.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 880 mAh battery, the ROKR W6 offered a reasonable battery life, providing up to 350 hours in standby mode and up to 6 hours and 40 minutes of talk time. This longevity was adequate for users who needed a dependable phone for day-to-day communication without frequent recharging.

Operating System and User Interface

The ROKR W6 operated on a feature phone platform, which meant it was designed primarily for calling and messaging rather than the myriad of applications found on smartphones. Its user interface was intuitive, focusing on providing easy access to its core functions—calls, SMS, EMS, MMS, and Email. Although it lacked access to extensive app stores, it supported Java applications (MIDP 2.0), allowing for some customization and expansion of its capabilities.

Sound and Audio

The phone did include a loudspeaker and supported audio playback, though it lacked a 3.5mm jack, which required users to use alternative solutions for private listening. Despite this, it enabled a decent audio experience for calls and media playback, suitable for a feature phone of its era.

Browser and Applications

Equipped with a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser, the ROKR W6 allowed users to access basic internet features and browse light content. While not comparable to today's advanced browsing experiences, it provided necessary connectivity for news, email, and simple web interactivity. Additionally, it came pre-installed with games and supported Java-based applications, offering some degree of entertainment.

Launch and Availability

Announced in April 2009 and released in May of the same year, the Motorola ROKR W6 was positioned in the market as an affordable, reliable, and straightforward phone option. Its affordability—priced at around 70 EUR—made it accessible to a wide range of users, from those seeking a secondary device to those entering the mobile market for the first time.

Conclusion

The Motorola ROKR W6 holds its place in mobile phone history as a dependable feature phone that catered to a market looking for efficiency and reliability over the advanced capabilities smartphones offer today. Its combination of essential features, practical design, and standby efficiency made it particularly popular among users who prioritized these attributes over luxury technology. Despite being discontinued, the ROKR W6 serves as a reminder of the simpler times of mobile communication, valued for focusing on basic, essential functionalities.