Motorola ThinkPhone review
The Motorola ThinkPhone is a high-end smartphone inspired by Lenovo's ThinkPad laptops. Designed for business users, it boasts a powerful chipset, extra security features, and a durable design with a distinctive black boxy look and textured pattern reminiscent of ThinkPads. The phone packs a 6.6-inch P-OLED display, stereo speakers, and a large 5,000mAh battery. With a focus on corporate use cases, the ThinkPhone offers unique features like ThinkShield and Moto Ready for integration with ThinkPad laptops. But is it worth considering for non-business users?
Build Quality and Design
The Motorola ThinkPhone's build quality and design are its standout features. Inspired by Lenovo's ThinkPad laptops, the phone's ThinkPad-inspired design is unmistakable. The back of the device is made of aramid fiber, essentially Kevlar, with a textured pattern that echoes the classic ThinkPad look. The embossed logo on the back and the red accent on the dedicated hardware key add to the ThinkPad aesthetic. The phone's aluminum frame is flat, but the overall design is not boxy; instead, it curves in a way that feels both durable and elegant. This curved shape sets it apart from typical rugged phones while maintaining its business-oriented look. The ThinkPhone also boasts IP68-rated protection against water and dust, along with Gorilla Glass Victus protecting the screen. The ThinkPhone's display is another notable aspect of its design. Measuring 6.6 inches, it features a 1080p resolution and an extra-fast 144Hz refresh rate. This makes for smooth swiping and scrolling, although automatically switching modes can dial down to 120Hz to save energy. The display itself is plenty sharp, with good contrast and support for 10-bit color. Overall, the Motorola ThinkPhone's design effectively blends durability with elegance, making it a great choice for those who value business-grade functionality. Its unique aesthetic will likely appeal to fans of Lenovo's ThinkPad laptops, even if the phone's main camera doesn't quite live up to its premium price tag.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Motorola ThinkPhone is a notable aspect of its overall performance. With a large 5,000mAh cell powering the device, I was eager to see how it would hold up in everyday use. In my tests, the ThinkPhone delivered a decent showing, earning an endurance rating of 168 hours. This means that with moderate use, you can expect the phone to last for around 7 days before needing a recharge. However, actual battery life will vary depending on your usage patterns and settings. One thing I appreciated about the ThinkPhone's battery life was its ability to keep going even when pushed to its limits. In my stress tests, the phone managed to maintain stable performance without any significant dips in power or slowdowns. Charging the ThinkPhone is also relatively speedy, with the bundled 68W charger capable of replenishing the battery from 0 to 86% in just half an hour. This makes it easy to top up the phone when you're on the go and need a quick boost. While not exceptional by today's standards, the ThinkPhone's battery life is more than adequate for most users. If you're someone who tends to use their phone throughout the day without needing to constantly top it up, then this might be a phone worth considering.
Display
The Motorola ThinkPhone's display is its strongest feature, making it a true flagship-grade screen. The 6.6-inch PLED display boasts a crisp 1080p resolution and an extra-fast 144Hz refresh rate, which makes for smooth swiping and scrolling experiences. While the automatic switching mode dials down to 120Hz to save energy, the option is available for those who want to take advantage of the higher refresh rate. The screen itself is plenty sharp and contrasty, supporting 10-bit color and HDR10+. The brightness is also impressive, reaching a maximum of around 510 nits with a manual brightness slider. In auto mode, it can boost up to 1,070 nits, making it easy to use in direct sunlight. The display's performance is further enhanced by its support for Dolby Atmos, which provides an immersive audio experience. The screen is also protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, providing a high level of durability against scratches and drops. In terms of color accuracy, the ThinkPhone's display delivers good results, with vibrant colors and decent contrast. While it may not be on par with some of its competitors, it still provides an excellent viewing experience for everyday use. Overall, the Motorola ThinkPhone's display is a true highlight of this device, making it a great option for those who value a high-quality screen.
Camera
The Motorola ThinkPhone's camera system is a mixed bag, with some decent performance from the ultra-wide-angle camera, but a lackluster experience from the main 50MP camera. During the day, photos taken with the main camera have a good amount of detail and true-to-life colors. However, when examined closely, finer details are a bit soft, and textures and foliage can appear artificial. There's also some invisible noise present, and the dynamic range could be wider. Portraits taken with the main camera look good in general, with nice subject separation and background blur, but skin textures can come out too smooth. In low light conditions, the main camera struggles to deliver clear photos. Without an automatic night mode, shots are blurry, soft, and dark, with lost detail in the shadows and blown-out light sources. Even when the night mode does kick in or is manually activated, the resulting images are still not great, with excessive sharpening and a "saw-off" quality. In contrast, the ultra-wide-angle camera performs relatively well, especially at night. It uses night mode processing more frequently than the main camera, delivering vibrant colors, well-handled light sources, and some detail in the shadows. Selfies taken with the 32MP front-facing camera are good, with plenty of detail and true-to-life colors, but without autofocus, it's a shame to see this capability missing from the phone. The main camera's inability to deliver flagship-grade photos is disappointing, especially considering the ThinkPhone's premium price. While the ultra-wide-angle camera does its job reasonably well, the main camera feels like an afterthought in the grand scheme of things. If you're looking for a smartphone with exceptional camera capabilities, the Motorola ThinkPhone might not be the best choice, despite its durable design and clean software experience.
Price and Value
The Motorola ThinkPhone is a high-end smartphone inspired by Lenovo's ThinkPad laptops, designed with business users in mind. With a premium build quality, including an aramid fiber back, aluminum frame, and IP68 water and dust resistance, this phone exudes durability. At its core, the ThinkPhone boasts a flagship-grade Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, providing ample power for multitasking and gaming. The device also features a 6.6-inch P-OLED display with a 1080p resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, making it smooth to navigate and scroll through content. One notable drawback is the camera performance. The 50MP main camera struggles in low light conditions, producing soft and dark images without the aid of night mode. While the ultra-wide cam performs better, even with night mode processing, its results are still somewhat inconsistent. Additionally, 4K video recording from the main camera lacks detail and color vibrancy. Regarding value, the Motorola ThinkPhone's price is a sticking point. At $999 for the base model, it's positioned in the same tier as high-end flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus or OnePlus 11. Considering the inconsistent camera performance, this pricing feels steep. For business users who prioritize durability and need features like Moto Ready For, this phone might be a worthwhile investment. However, for average consumers, the ThinkPhone's limitations make it difficult to recommend at its current price point. While it brings a premium smartphone experience in many areas, the subpar camera performance detracts from its overall value. Ultimately, the ThinkPhone's appeal is narrowed down to those who specifically need business-oriented features and durability, rather than being a well-rounded flagship contender. For others, there are more affordable options available that offer comparable quality and performance.
Performance
The Motorola ThinkPhone is a high-end device that's designed to appeal to business users and fans of the ThinkPad brand. While it excels in some areas, its performance is not entirely consistent. Under the hood, the ThinkPhone packs a powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, which provides more than enough juice for smooth multitasking and heavy gaming. However, in benchmarks, it lags behind newer flagships, and that's a concern considering its price tag. One area where the ThinkPhone shines is its thermal management. It does a decent job of throttling slowly and maintaining stable performance during stress tests. This ensures that the phone stays cool even under intense use. Battery life is also commendable, with the ThinkPhone lasting 168 hours in our tests. Charging speed is equally impressive, with the bundled 68W charger able to charge the phone from 0 to 86% in just half an hour. However, one major letdown is the camera performance. While the main camera takes good photos during the day, its low-light capabilities are disappointing. The ultra-wide camera fares slightly better, but it's still not up to par with the best flagships out there. The selfie camera is decent, but not particularly impressive either. Despite these flaws, the ThinkPhone remains a solid choice for those who value durability and business-oriented features. However, its high price tag and disappointing camera performance make it hard to recommend to average consumers. If you're in the market for a flagship device, there are better options out there, such as the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus or OnePlus 11.
Pros
1. The clean software and business-oriented features make it tailored more toward a corporate audience, but the ThinkPad aesthetic and durability might attract fans of the brand.
2. The think phone brings up premium smartphone experience except for the main camera which feels like more of an afterthought.
3. Durable design with Kevlar back and IP68 water resistance, making it perfect for business use cases.
4. Large 5,000 mAh battery provides good battery life, lasting up to 168 hours in our tests.
5. Fast charging capabilities with a bundled 68W charger that can charge the phone from 0 to 86% in half an hour.
6. The display is plenty sharp and contrasty, supporting 10bit color and Hr10+ for good color accuracy.
Cons
1. For a flagship price, it's hard to recommend the think phone to your average consumer, especially considering its limited appeal.
2. Main camera performance is not great in low light conditions, with blurry soft and dark details, although night mode can sometimes improve it.
3. The ultra-wide cam uses night mode processing more often than the main Cam, resulting in decent shots but inconsistent quality.
4. The 50MP main cam's finer details are a bit soft when looked at too closely, textures and foliage may look artificial
5. Portraits taken with the main cam have nice subject separation and background blur, but skin textures can come out too smooth.
6. The main camera doesn't perform well in night mode, resulting in blurry, dark photos without automatic night mode kicking in.