Motorola XT390 Unveiling Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of the Motorola XT390

The Motorola XT390 is a smartphone released in the fourth quarter of 2012. Developed by Motorola, a company known for its historical contributions to mobile technology, this device featured a range of specifications that made it a budget-friendly option for many users during its time. Though the XT390 is now discontinued, its impact on the smartphone market during its availability was notable. In this article, we will delve into the XT390’s features, specifications, and the user experience it offered.

Design and Build

The Motorola XT390 sports a compact design with dimensions of 116 x 63.5 x 11 mm (4.57 x 2.5 x 0.43 in) and weighs approximately 110 grams (3.88 ounces). Its relatively lightweight build made it convenient for users who preferred portable and easy-to-carry devices. The device was crafted with a dual SIM (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by) setup, catering to users who required separate lines for personal and business use without having to carry two phones.

Display

Featuring a 3.5-inch TFT display with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels, the XT390 delivered a modest viewing experience. With a screen-to-body ratio of around 49.5% and a pixel density of approximately 165 ppi, the display was adequate for basic mobile tasks such as browsing, text messaging, and media consumption. It supported 256K colors, providing a decent color output for the era.

Performance

Under the hood, the Motorola XT390 is powered by a Mediatek MT6573 chipset built on a 65 nm process, with an 800 MHz Cortex-A9 CPU and a PowerVR SGX531 GPU. While these specifications are modest by today's standards, they were suitable for handling essential smartphone tasks and applications of its time. The device ran on Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread, which was a popular operating system version in 2012, offering users access to a variety of apps through the Google Play Store.

Memory and Storage

The smartphone came equipped with 512 MB of internal storage and 512 MB of RAM. Although the internal storage was limited, users could expand this via a microSDHC card slot, which provided a cost-effective way to augment storage capacity for music, photos, and applications. The RAM offered a reasonable performance for running basic applications and multitasking.

Camera

The Motorola XT390 featured a single 3.15 MP main camera. While it lacked advanced features like autofocus and flash, it was capable of taking decent photos under well-lit conditions, which was expected from a budget-oriented device. The camera also supported video recording at 480p@30fps, suitable for capturing basic video content. The device did not have a front-facing camera, reflecting its primary use as an entry-level smartphone.

Battery Life

One of the key aspects of any mobile device is its battery life. The XT390 houses a removable Li-Ion battery, offering users the flexibility to replace it as needed, thus extending the device's lifecycle. It provided up to 220 hours of standby time and up to 6 hours of talk time, which was relatively competitive within its price range, ensuring that users could stay connected throughout the day with moderate usage.

Connectivity and Network

The XT390 supported GSM / HSPA technology, with 2G bands covering GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900, compatible with both SIM 1 and SIM 2. For 3G, it included HSDPA 850 / 2100 bands. Users could experience HSPA internet speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps for downloads and 5.76 Mbps for uploads. The device also featured essential connectivity options such as Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot capability, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP and EDR, GPS with A-GPS, and a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.

Additional Features

Designed to cover the basics, the XT390 was equipped with a set of fundamental sensors including an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. The inclusion of a 3.5mm audio jack was a user-friendly feature, allowing users to connect traditional headphones. However, it is important to note that the device did not come with an FM radio, a feature that could be found on some contemporary phones.

Price and Availability

Upon its initial release, the Motorola XT390 was priced at around 210 EUR. This positioned it as an affordable smartphone option, particularly appealing to those looking for an entry-level Android device without investing in more expensive models. Although officially discontinued, the phone may still be available in some markets second-hand or through refurbished phone retailers.

Conclusion

The Motorola XT390 served as a useful device in its time, providing users with a basic yet functional smartphone experience at a reasonable cost. Despite lacking some modern features, its compact design, dual SIM capability, and expandable storage made it a practical choice for many. Though technology has since advanced significantly, the XT390 remains a notable part of Motorola's storied history in mobile communications.