Motorola PHOTON 4G review

By on Jul 29, 2011 at 9:00 AM
mobile July 29, 2011

The Motorola PHOTON 4G is the company’s first 4G handset on Sprint, and even more, it is the first high-end Motorola device set to launch on Sprint’s network in a very long time. It’s packed to the brim on paper — specifically, with features such as a 1GHz dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2  processor, 1GB of RAM, a 4.3-inch qHD display, an 8-megapixel camera with dual-LED flash and a VGA front-facing camera, 16GB of built-in storage, plus global-roaming and 4G WiMAX connectivity. In short, it’s probably the most feature-packed phone to ever launch from Sprint. I have been using the Motorola PHOTON 4G for a few days now and the question I really wanted to answer was: is this Sprint’s best smartphone? Hit the break to find out.

Hardware / Display

The Motorola PHOTON 4G has an extremely futuristic design identity, and I love it. Instead of having rounded corners, the phone has angled edges that give it a very futuristic and almost Star Trek-like vibe. Motorola has spared no expense even with little touches like the grooved texture on the volume up/down and camera buttons on the device. On the top you’ll find the phone’s power/lock/unlock button and 3.5mm headset jack, and on the left side you’ll find a microUSB port and a mini-HDMI port. On the right side you’ll see the aforementioned volume up/down rocker in addition to a dedicated camera button.

On the rear of the device there’s a foldout kickstand that many Sprint EVO owners will be pleased to find. There’s a nice touch as well — as soon as you extend the kickstand, the phone will switch into landscape mode.

While the PHOTON isn’t the slimmest phone, it has a great weight to it and the device’s thickness is countered by perfectly rounded edges, giving the smartphone a perfect feel in your hands when it’s in use.

As far as the display goes, well, it looks like the same exact qHD screen Motorola is using in all of its recent devices, like the Motorola ATRIX 4G and Motorola DROID 3. However, I noticed less of an issue with the display on the Motorola PHOTON 4G than on other Motorola devices because of some UI changes. For instance, instead of scrolling left and right in the app drawer, the PHOTON’s app drawer simply allows you to scroll up and down, and the blurring text effect found on the Motorola DROID 3 is not present here. The display itself has fairly decent color reproduction, good black levels, and is bright as well. Due to the PenTile display, pixelation is still an issue for people that really pay attention to it, but other than that, the display on the Motorola PHOTON is rock solid.

Software

The PHOTON runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and while it features Motorola’s custom UI that includes MOTOBLUR elements, the phone features less customizations and custom elements than a smartphone like the Motorola DROID 3. On the home screen, widgets are straight forward with no outlandish animation effects. The app drawer simply scrolls up and down, and phone performance is very snappy. It’s almost amazing to see how two devices like the DROID 3 and PHOTON 4G, both of which match relatively evenly in the specs department, can perform and act so differently.

Besides running the latest version of Android, there aren’t too many other new features software-wise in the Motorola PHOTON 4G when compared to past versions of Motorola’s high-end Android devices. It features Motorola’s custom interface and apps like Motorola’s email app, browser, widgets, lock screen, keyboard, and more. All in all, I prefer Motorola’s custom UI to HTC’s heavy Sense UI, and in the case of the PHOTON it doesn’t seem to slow the handset down at all.

Phone / Speakerphone / Battery

Talking on the Motorola PHOTON 4G was a decent experience. Calls weren’t crystal clear, but weren’t garbled either — though the ear speaker seemed to cut in and out at times. Volume was very good overall; I actually had to turn down the volume now and again. On the other hand, you really have to hold the phone’s ear speaker just right against your ear because the opening for the speaker above the screen is extremely small. Callers on the other end could hear me pretty clearly, but they did note that the audio often sounded very rough and lacked low-end. The speakerphone performed well; the volume was good and audio reproduction sounded very accurate and not tinny whatsoever.

Battery life on the Motorola PHOTON is incredible on 3G, though on 4G the phone takes quite a hit. There’s a 1,700 mAh battery included with the PHOTON, one of the largest standard batteries I’ve seen in recent memory. All in all, battery life with a mix of 3G and 4G signals can easily power you into a day, though on just 4G, you’ll have to start looking for a charger after a few hours of heavy usage.

Conclusion

The Motorola PHOTON 4G is Motorola’s first real 4G handset, and it’s a winner. It easily trumps Sprint’s other flagship device for the summer, the HTC EVO 3D. From the phone’s styling and feel, to speed and functionality, the PHOTON 4G is one of my favorite Android devices in a long time, and easily my favorite smartphone that Sprint currently offers. It combines next-generation specifications into a reasonably slim and full package, and offers business customers and frequent travelers the ability to roam internationally — something not found on many 4G devices currently. If you can get over the fact that the Motorola PHOTON 4G doesn’t feature a physical keyboard, then this is going to be your favorite smartphone on Sprint, by a wide margin. It’s available for purchase starting July 31st for $199 with a two-year agreement.

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  • http://profiles.google.com/kstagg Kevin Stagg

    I love the Photon too. I traded in the EVO3D I bought for it. But here’s are a couple quick quotes from JSG at BGR:

    RE: the EVO 3D:  ”I can confidently say this is my favorite Sprint phone, hands down.”
    RE: the Photon 4G: “ It easily trumps Sprint’s other flagship device for the summer, the HTC EVO 3D. From the phone’s styling and feel, to speed and functionality, the PHOTON 4G is one of my favorite Android devices in a long time, and easily my favorite smartphone that Sprint currently offers.”

    Three guesses what he is going to say about the Sprint Within (aka Samsung Galaxy S II)? I’m thinking he’s going to give it 2 thumbs up.

    Now, is Geller just a huge Sprint fanboy (of which I am guilty myself) or are the phones today across the industry just going that much better, that much quicker? Or, is it that he just needs to temper his enthusiasm when he writes his reviews?

  • luis.larrea

    Photon has a Market update. It’s insane!

  • Funkyfreshfrank

    I just got this phone today and for being a long time fan of the EVO 4G, let me tell you. This phone blew the EVO 4G out of the water. What was failed to be mentioned on this review was that the Photon has a very impressive reception. Compared to other HTC phones that I had before this (Hero and EVO Shift), where I would only get 1 bar reception, the Photon gives me an amazing 3 to 4. I simply can not explain it. And don’t get me wrong I have loved my previous HTC phones but using the Photon has made me change to a new favorite. I love the new Motorola Photon.

  • Pgf00

    I just got the photon yesterday its ok but it has no light to show when phone is charging and to silent the phone u have to go into settings i like the 3d better not to. Mention u have to go back in 4g mode manually

    • Pierrethepan1

      hit power button … not to turn  off just to close screen.  when u go back in where you swipe to open it up there is a speaker icon you can sweep to silent phone… very simple

  • Pierrethepan

    i just got a photon last week and i love it.. is there something better out there?  probably.   who cares?   this phone is fabulous!

  • Anonymous

    Reviews such as this that just skim the phone in real life operation do a great disservice to folks depending on them to make a decision on purchasing.

    I went through two Photons in 4 days and a friend three…all purchased from different retail outlets.

    All 5 exhibited the random reboots, silence on calls, 15-20 delay in dialing and reboot when answering calls. Sprint and Motorola both admit there is a problem and nobody has an answer for it yet.

    Reports of these issues are on all major forums including Motorola and Sprints.

    My guess is Motorola and Sprint knew of the issue…they had to if they tested them at all.

    Does BGR not stay in touch with what’s going on with a device once they review it and update their reviews with notes accordingly? All sites such as this certainly see to it to post over tidbits about things that haven’t even been announced yet. How about doing the public a favor and reporting on things that are and aren’t as they should be?

    • Pierrethepan

      mine is still working great.  no reboots.  no delay on calls!

    • SunnySD92101

      I have had my Photon for 3 weeks and HAVE in fact installed the MR5 Photon 4g update. Although this may have fixed a few issues, it has not repaired the most important one, The “Sleep of Death”. My Photon 4g randomly reboots and frequently will not wake up, thus requiring a battery pull. All the basic troubleshooting tricks have been tried, even the tape on the battery and other mythical cures (that don’t work).
      Don’t be fooled by Sprint and Motorola, get ANY other phone, but don’t get the Photon 4g!

  • Mr. Nelson

    Brought mine Friday and I love it. Really good battery life and it seems to get a better signal than my evo 4G. I do hate motoblur, but it doesnt brother me as much as i thought it would. Even though I still put on Launcher Pro

  • rcn

    Just saw this so I’m a little late to the party but the comment about this being Moto’s first real 4G phone is incorrect. I’ve been using the Atrix 4G (with ATT’s backhaul) since March and I’m very happy with it. Also, the reviewer’s recent memory is faulty: the Atrix has  a higher capacity 1900 mAh battery. This phone is basically an Atrix with a slightly bigger screen, a somewhat higher res camera and a smaller battery.

  • NStar

    Had the Photon for a week and I LOVE IT. Has everything I need and more. Sprint’s customer service has been excellent so far – no complaints at all. As for their service I don’t have enough experience to comment.

  • Anonymous

    Great device that is a perfect deal for sprint..BUT let’s get this straight BETTER THAN THE HTC EVO 3D …DEFINATELY NOT….The EVO 3D is sprints flagship device THAT WILL ALWAYS BE..HTC/SPRINT is not new to the smartphone game and if you want the PROPER SUPPORT FOR YOUR ANDROID DEVICE YOU PURCHASE HTC….NOT MOTOROLA…Htc is proven that they not only support there handsets with industry standard updates but sprint has all the best android devices at the best prices…QUESTION when was the last time MOTOROLA UPDATE ANY OF THERE DEVICES PROPERLY OR QUICKLY???? I laugh at people how want to hop on the bandwagon I applaud moto they have brought a good device to sprint for a change but until they can prove they know how to provide UPDATES IN A TIMELY MANNER I WOULD WANT A MOTOROLA PRODUCT FOR FREE…The evo 3d PIMP SLAPS THIS DEVICE ALL DAY LONG

    • Anonymous

      Aside from the screen, if you are looking for a real communication device, the Photon exceeds the 3D (I have had both) as the call quality is superb earpiece wise and the rear speaker is loud and clear.

      I certainly had my issues with the Photon with it’s silent call issues but assuming that the MR5 that was released today fixes that issue and given that it is actually able to obtain and hold a signal unlike the 3D which couldn’t when I had it at least, I will have to take another hard try on the Photon.

      If the SG2 has good earpiece acoustics and a loud rear speaker, the Photon and 3D will become irrelevant anyway.

    • Pierrethepan

      the 3d function on the evo is horrible… i tested both phones out before deciding on the photon… if you like getting headaches and having your eyes goof up then mess around with the evo 3d for a minute!  i’m not into using a device that makes me feel like i’m gonna have a seizure…. all hail the photon!!!! lol

  • http://twitter.com/HoguyBlog Hoguy

    the battery life is really bad, the foto above shows the battery low, even on the red.

  • Redline2183

    I just upgraded to this phone and it is far the best phone ever thats all i have to say This review from BG  Explains it love it preforms awesome 

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_B5AA3QFPMOTKTEINVWAMEWKFHQ Eus

    Nearly a month with my Photon now and no complaints. This device (and Sprint versus AT&T) is a big upgrade from the iPhone 3gs  I had before. The phone and the platform feel like a grown-up device compared with the strictures of the Apple platform.

  • SunnySD92101

    I, and many others are experiencing what’s called the SOD (Screen of Death). Several times a day, the phone will either stay locked in a “sleep mode”, or continuously reboot. Most of us have called Motorola, Sprint and have blogged about it on the Motorola User Forums. After many different troubleshooting steps and still no word from Motorola or Sprint, MY SUGGESTION TO YOU IS TO FORGET ABOUT THE MOTOROLA PHOTON 4G FROM SPRINT.

    • Photon User

      Did you do the system update? Once I got my phone, I went to setting>about phone > system updates.
      Update the system and see if you still have the issue, and I am not sure system update will solve this problem, but worth for a try, and hope this helps.

  • Pierrethepan

    still loving my photon!

  • Tim guy

    I like your review and it help me a lot
    so i wint and got me a photon and i love it
    Ty

  • JAAsh

    I’ve been using the photon for about 3 weeks. While it’s faster and smarter than any phone I’ve ever owned, I miss my htc.  I had the MyTouch 4g and loved it without end.  My issue was with T-mobile (‘s customer service and limited service area).  Oddly, the only two negative things I have to add (about the photon) is that the screen is just slightly too large and  I would love an unlock button on the bottom front like an IPhone or the Mytouch.  When I reach across the screen my palm hits the soft “search” key.  Oh…and I don’t get service in my house.  Something I’m accustomed to, but sprint is sending me an airave signal booster for free. I still have a week to decide if I’m keeping it and I’m confident that I will.  The battery life on this moto is sooooo much better than my htc ever was.  I was barely getting through work with minimal use as far as battery life goes with my htc… Now, with this moto, I get about a day and half.  

  • Tglass

    This is the best phone I’ve ever owned. I love the voice to text is so much faster. iphone speed that’s on the singer credible source of this phone that there is a loan or better in this annapolis for the price this phone is it all does it all can do it all. you lookin at 6 700 dollars are we go or least 200 on a contract so lost a lot of money the phones expensive ill no matter what you say the phone is expensive.

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