Lenovo ThinkPhone by MotorolaThe Motorola ThinkPhone is smooth, highly effective, and secure. The Google Pixel 7 can be a greater buy for most individuals, particularly in the event you worth nice pictures, however enterprise prospects in search of wonderful reliability ought to hold this one in thoughts.Lenovo has been the steward of the enduring ThinkPad model for nearly 20 years, and the Motorola division it picked up in 2014 has its personal historic significance because the inventor of the cellular phone. Mix these two manufacturers, and you’ve got the ThinkPhone. It’s each bit a contemporary smartphone on the within, however it’s acquired a refreshing ThinkPad vibe on the skin. Motorola is aiming this machine at enterprise, however even the common smartphone consumer ought to pay attention to the ThinkPhone — it’s among the finest telephones from Motorola because the firm grew to become a part of Lenovo. Discover out extra in Android Authority’s Motorola ThinkPhone evaluation.
In regards to the Motorola ThinkPhone evaluation: I examined the ThinkPhone over a interval of two weeks. It was operating Android 13 on the April 2023 safety patch. The unit was offered by Motorola for this evaluation.Motorola ThinkPhone evaluation: What you must knowRyan Whitwam / Android Authority
Motorola ThinkPhone: $699.99
One of the simplest ways to explain the ThinkPhone’s vibe is “mature.” It doesn’t attempt to impress with a visually attention-grabbing however finally awkward design like the corporate’s Motorola Edge telephones. The ThinkPhone solely comes within the Volcanic Grey colorway, however as an alternative of the customary glass rear panel, the ThinkPhone adjustments it up with a grey Aramid fiber again. That’s the identical materials Lenovo makes use of on ThinkPads.Regardless of the totally different look and the awkward official “Lenovo ThinkPhone by Motorola” moniker, that is nonetheless a Motorola cellphone. The model of Android 13 has some minor modifications to the interface and settings, however it’s a lot much less heavy-handed than Samsung and even Google nowadays. Motorola is pushing its ReadyFor capabilities as a boon for enterprise prospects. This software program lets the cellphone hyperlink along with your Home windows PC for file sharing, app streaming, and notification administration. You possibly can even use the ThinkPhone as a high-quality webcam with ReadyFor. This characteristic works on all Home windows 10 and 11 machines, however you’ll must get the ReadFor app from the Microsoft Retailer.The ThinkPhone is a mature-looking machine that is priced barely decrease than Motorola’s mainline flagship telephones.
Moto additionally emphasizes its ThinkShield safety suite, which is enabled by default on the ThinkPhone. The system claims to stop malware and phishing assaults, whereas additionally hardening the system in opposition to knowledge theft. Nonetheless, Motorola is coy about offering particulars or evaluating ThinkShield to the safety features of different Android telephones. The identical options are energetic on the corporate’s non-Assume-branded telephones, too.The ThinkPhone is priced barely decrease than Motorola’s mainline flagship telephones, however it’s not constructed on a funds cellphone platform. It has a Qualcomm chipset; Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 as an alternative of the newer Gen 2. There’s additionally 8GB or 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. There’s no microSD card slot, and Motorola doesn’t provide further SKUs with extra space.We’re beginning to see telephones launch with Wi-Fi 7 help, however the ThinkPhone tops out at Wi-Fi 6E. Likewise, it doesn’t have the quickest millimeter wave 5G. These networks have very restricted protection and require further antennas, so loads of non-carrier telephones skip it. Sure, the ThinkPhone doesn’t have a service companion to push it, which is uncommon for Motorola.You possibly can decide up the ThinkPhone from Motorola for $699.99. Enterprise prospects can even get the cellphone by enterprise channels. It will likely be supported with software program updates for as much as three years and can obtain safety patches for 4 years.
What I like concerning the Motorola ThinkPhoneRyan Whitwam / Android AuthorityMotorola has launched a number of the slipperiest telephones in historical past with its Edge sequence, however the ThinkPhone is a pleasure to carry. The Aramid fiber again is tender and grippy, however it received’t take up pores and skin oils. Aramid is a sturdy materials that resists scuffing and reducing, and better of all, it received’t shatter when dropped like a glass panel. There’s no 3.5mm headphone jack, however the stereo audio system (earpiece and down-firing) are completely serviceable.There’s nonetheless loads of glass on the entrance that might break in the event you drop the ThinkPhone. Below the Gorilla Glass Victus panel is a big 6.6-inch OLED, clocking in at 2,400 x 1,080 with a 144Hz refresh price. It seems sharp, vibrant, and has good viewing angles. You possibly can inform it’s solely 1080p in the event you’ve acquired a 1440p or 4K display to match side-by-side, however I used to be by no means too fussed concerning the decision contemplating the general high quality. Outside brightness isn’t any drawback, both, and it will get suitably dim in a darkish room. Nonetheless, the low-brightness distinction takes a success in comparison with Samsung telephones.The ThinkPhone is a pleasure to holdThe ThinkPhone has a flat OLED, versus the curved OLEDs Motorola continues to make use of on its Edge flagship telephones. Meaning fewer unintentional touches whereas holding the cellphone, and it’s possible to achieve a lot of the show on the ThinkPhone because of the slim bezels — they’re additionally near symmetrical all the way in which round.Beneath the show is an optical fingerprint reader. It is going to mild up a darkish room like all different telephones utilizing this sort of sensor, however we discovered the ThinkPhone’s to be very quick and dependable. In the event you place a finger over the optical sensor whereas selecting the cellphone up, the cellphone will in all probability be unlocked earlier than you’ve even raised all of it the way in which.Ryan Whitwam / Android AuthorityThe fingerprint sensor is a bit decrease than we’d desire, however it leaves room for Motorola’s Peek Show. This characteristic has existed because the first Moto X a decade in the past, however it’s nonetheless improbable. As a substitute of waking up your cellphone and taking a look at notifications, you’ll be able to raise or faucet the display to get the Peek interface. It exhibits you the present notifications with the choice to develop, open, or dismiss them with a fast swipe gesture. Motorola’s construct of Android 13 consists of different helpful options, most of that are virtually as outdated as Peek Show. I acquired plenty of mileage out of the short flashlight gesture — a fast chop-chop movement turns it on and off. I additionally recognize that Motorola helps Materials You colours in Android 13 for some good UI customization choices.Consistent with the ThinkPad model, there’s a shiny purple facet key close to the highest of the cellphone. You possibly can configure this button to launch any app or shortcut with a single press, however double-press is devoted to turning ReadyFor on or off. The important thing isn’t in essentially the most handy place, however it provides a enjoyable pop of coloration, and we’re not going to argue about simpler entry to necessary options.The ThinkPhone is super-reliable. The one time it wanted a restart in additional than two weeks of testing was after an OTA replace.
The ThinkPhone is a rock-solid machine, due maybe to its deal with enterprise and using an older chipset. It’s greater than quick sufficient for all of your normal smartphone duties, and regardless of its business-ready exterior, it could run all the newest video games with aplomb. I didn’t encounter any critical bugs, app slowdowns, or crashes. The one time the cellphone wanted a restart in additional than two weeks of testing was after an OTA replace.The ThinkPhone has a typical 5,000mAh battery, however the battery life is unusually sturdy. The cellphone will simply final two days, even with heavier utilization. It ought to handle eight to 9 hours of display time in a single day in the event you run it particularly exhausting, however it’ll recharge quick because of the bundled 68W charger. So few telephones include plugs anymore that it’s refreshing when one seems, and this one could be very quick. You may get utterly recharged in lower than an hour, and I had good luck hitting the marketed speeds with third-party USB Energy Supply plugs.
What I don’t like concerning the Motorola ThinkPhoneRyan Whitwam / Android AuthorityWe’ll get into the middling digicam efficiency later, however the imaging {hardware} hints at what’s in retailer. You get a 50MP major with a 13MP ultrawide. These are the one helpful cameras, however there are three again there. The ThinkPhone additionally has a 2MP depth digicam when most telephones get by with out one. We often see these primary third sensors when OEMs simply need to have three lenses on the again to make a cellphone look costlier.Most of ReadyFor’s options are replicated within the Microsoft Cellphone Hyperlink app, which works on all Android smartphones.
Motorola is aiming to make ReadyFor a core a part of its smartphone expertise, and there are some helpful options below this umbrella. I appreciated having the ability to ship recordsdata and clipboard contents between a PC and the cellphone, and notifications labored very properly. Nonetheless, most of ReadyFor’s options are replicated within the Microsoft Cellphone Hyperlink app, which works on all Android smartphones. So, ReadyFor isn’t a lot of a differentiator. I additionally had hassle getting the ReadyFor consumer put in on one in every of my take a look at machines (the Retailer simply provides a generic error message).Maybe the most important drawback for the ThinkPhone is value. It’s not objectively overpriced — $699 is honest for the specs, options, and software program you get. Nonetheless, Motorola wasn’t capable of match the Pixel 7‘s value of $600, and that makes the Moto a troublesome promote. The ThinkPhone does have some benefits, just like the 144Hz display and 68W charging, however the Pixel has higher software program, sooner updates and longer help, and a significantly better digicam.
Motorola ThinkPhone digicam reviewRyan Whitwam / Android AuthorityMotorola says the ThinkPhone has a very redesigned digicam cellphone expertise, however in the event you’re hoping for a giant soar in high quality, suppose once more. The 50MP major digicam can take some decently detailed pictures (binned to 12.5MP), offered you might have ample mild. We have been pleased with a lot of the photographs we took exterior, and even these in shiny indoor lighting appeared good total.Dynamic vary is an issue for the ThinkPhone. Whereas a equally priced Pixel or Samsung Galaxy S can carry out element in mild and darkish areas to an virtually supernatural diploma, the ThinkPhone’s pictures often look a lot “flatter.” Publicity occasions additionally skyrocket indoors, making it troublesome to seize shifting topics. The ISO goes fairly excessive (over ISO 1000) in most indoor photographs, too, however the cellphone does handle to maintain noise to a minimal.
The 13MP ultrawide digicam does its job, with a large 120-degree area of view, good colours, and little or no edge distortion. We applaud Motorola for including autofocus to the ultrawide digicam, which makes it appropriate for macro photographs. These prove surprisingly properly in comparison with photographs shot with devoted macro cameras, which are sometimes tacked onto funds telephones for no purpose apart from to extend the variety of cameras.
That’s to not say there aren’t any throwaway sensors — this machine sports activities a 2MP depth sensor subsequent to the first and ultrawide cameras. This module is meant to help in portrait mode pictures, however a cellphone on this value vary shouldn’t want a devoted sensor for that. Regardless, the portrait mode photographs aren’t something to put in writing house about. The Pixel, which doesn’t have a depth sensor, produces higher outcomes.Video tops out at 4K and 30fps, and the story is way the identical as nonetheless pictures. Video recording is competent, however it’s not going to wow anybody, particularly at such a uneven body price. In good mild, you’ll get satisfactory readability and considerably muted colours, however you’d count on to see 4K/60fps at this value as commonplace.
Motorola ThinkPhone specs
Lenovo ThinkPhone by MotorolaDisplay
6.6-inch pOLED
Full HD+
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1
RAM
8GB
LPDDR5
Storage
256GB
UFS 3.1
No expandable storage
Energy
5,000mAh battery
68W wired TurboPower charging
15W wi-fi charging
Cameras
Rear:
– 50MP huge, 1/1.5-inch sensor, OIS, f/1.8
– 13MP ultrawide, 1/2-inch sensor measurement, f/2.0Selfie:
– 32MP, f/2.45
Audio
Twin audio system
Dolby Atmos help
No 3.5mm headphone port
SIM
NA: single SIM
Worldwide: 2 nano-SIM
Sturdiness
Aramid fiber again panel
Gorilla Glass Victus show
Aluminum body
IP68 score
MIL-STD-810H
Biometrics
In-display fingerprint reader
Software program
Android 13
3 years of Android updates
4 years of safety patches
Dimensions and weight
158.7 x 74.4 x 8.2mm188.5 grams
Colours
Volcanic Grey
Do you have to purchase the Motorola ThinkPhone?Ryan Whitwam / Android AuthorityThe evolution of flagship smartphones has converged on a confirmed system: a metallic body, a giant glass panel on the again with a number of digicam cutouts, and a giant glass display on the opposite. There’s nothing unsuitable with this, however it may be a bit yawn-inducing. The Motorola ThinkPhone has a distinct vibe because of its ThinkPad roots. Add to that tremendously secure software program and helpful Home windows integrations, and you’ve got a cellphone that largely lives as much as the proud custom of the ThinkPad.Whereas it’s not totally ruggedized, Motorola touts MIL-STD-810H compliance. There’s no established commonplace for that time period, so it’s as much as firms to check as they see match. That stated, the ThinkPhone has held up properly, with no seen injury to the Aramid fiber again. The display and aluminum body are additionally flawless. There’s additionally IP68 certification, which does have agency testing requirements: the ThinkPhone will survive half-hour below 1.5m of water with out drowning.The Lenovo ThinkPhone by Motorola lives as much as the proud custom of the ThinkPad and is a superb purchase for enterprise prospects in search of sensible seems and reliability.
It’s widespread for brand-new smartphones to have a glitch right here and there — an app won’t work proper, the system UI can bug out, or issues simply get laggy for no purpose. It’s not the top of the world, as a fast reset will repair most points. That was pointless with the ThinkPhone, which was rock strong your complete time I examined it. In reality, as I sat right down to work on this evaluation, I spotted I hadn’t needed to restart the cellphone in any respect your complete time I used to be testing it (greater than 300 hours of uptime). Enterprise prospects worth reliability, however that type of secure expertise is sweet for anybody who runs their life from a smartphone.For an enterprise buyer, mediocre cameras received’t be an issue, both. They’re greater than adequate for informal use, however you hardly ever get a very memorable picture from this machine. For common smartphone customers who need to have the ability to snap nice pics, the ThinkPhone can be a disappointment.In reality, maybe the worst factor concerning the ThinkPhone isn’t an issue with the cellphone itself; it’s what this cellphone is just not. It’s not the Google Pixel 7 ($599 at Amazon), which is $100 much less at MSRP. Whereas the ThinkPhone may need a pleasantly understated design and nice battery life, Google has Moto beat in the case of software program help and digicam efficiency.
Lenovo ThinkPhone by MotorolaLenovo ThinkPhone by MotorolaAttractive, sturdy ThinkPad-style design • Glorious battery life • Clear, quick Android buildWorth fascinated by.The Lenovo ThinkPhone by Motorola lives as much as the proud custom of the ThinkPad and is a superb purchase for enterprise prospects in search of sensible seems and reliability.Motorola ThinkPhone evaluation: FAQs
Is the Motorola ThinkPhone an enterprise-only cellphone?Nope, Motorola will promote the unlocked ThinkPhone to anybody with $699.99
Do I want a ThinkPad to make use of ReadyFor with the ThinkPhone?No, ReadyFor and “Assume 2 Assume” options are supported on all Home windows 10 and 11 computer systems.
Is the ThinkPhone waterproof?Does the ThinkPhone have wi-fi charging?Does the ThinkPhone have dual-SIM card help?The US model of this cellphone solely helps a single nano-SIM, however there’s a dual-SIM worldwide model.
Which carriers will the ThinkPhone work on?The ThinkPhone is an unlocked 5G cellphone and can work on any main US community, however it lacks mmWave 5G.
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