The Motorola Backflip is a different style of phone. The means of control for most phones is found on the front of a touch-style smartphone. Not this jewel. Take a look at the special abilities of this Motorola phone and see if you think it is superior to the current trend.
This phone is an engineering marvel that uses innovation to get its job done. The Motorola Backflip is powerful, handsome and fast. It comes with a manual keyboard and a great screen and is still only 15.3 millimeters ( .6 inches ) thick. How did Motorola do that ? It was rather simple. They put the manual keyboard on the back side of the reverse flip. It opens like a book with the keyboard on the back being exposed at all times. Will this be the sign of things to come ? With the newness of this phone, time will have to tell. The keys on the keyboard have good tactile feedback and seem to have been made strong.
The screen is also a big part of the Motorola Backflip, of course. It has a capacitive touch screen that comes in at 3.1 inches. This is an average size for a screen on a smartphone now. The physical resolution of the display is 320 by 480 or HVGA. It is not the AMOLED style. It still uses the TFT LCD style that can chew up battery time a little quicker than the AMOLED. The Backflip does come with an accelerometer to change the mode of the screen from portrait to landscape and back again automatically. This is handy for texting and for viewing web pages.
The camera is a five megapixel model with LED flash, autofocus, geotagging and video. The Backflip can record at 25 frames per second in the MP4 ( MPEG-4 ) format. This is nothing to write home about but is acceptable. For audio you get stereo speakers and a 3.5 millimeter head phone jack.
The google android operating system is a real jewel on the Motorola Backflip. It can do just about any social networking job you ask of it. It has many applications ( apps ) that can track your friends, get you special prices and a host of other jobs. When you think about the fact that apps on an android phone are free, you can see the appeal that this phone has over Apple products, where you have to pay a fee to download most of them. If you ever lose your Backflip, you can delete ( called “wiping” ) the contents of the smartphone from a distance. This especially comes in handy if your Backflip is stolen. Your credit card information is still secure. The android system is represented by the special user interface called “Motoblur” that improves the looks of things over a generic android installation.
For data network connections, you have all the goodies, including WLAN ( Wi-Fi ), bluetooth, a web browser ( Webkit ) and a microUSB port. You also have a memory card slot for your MicroSD card and can pump up the memory capability by up to 32 gigabytes. That is a ton of music files or video. For regular network connections on the Motorola Backflip you have GSM in the quad band variety and WCDMA in quad band connections.
The mode of navigation for the screen on the Backflip is the back of the touchscreen. You open the unit, and apply your finger behind the screen and access menus or other things. This is called “Backtrack” by Motorola and is a neat trick. It takes your finger out of the way of the screen so you can see it all without your finger blocking anything.
Overall, this Motorolola smartphone is a capable fighter in the ever-changing world of technology. It can do a lot and still fit in your pocket. Experience touch screen features with Sony Erickson xperia x10 phone. Access web pages with speed using Motorola Atrix phone.
I am so looking foward to buying this phone in May when my contract is up. Is this better than the LG Xenon? I have that phone and I dont like it that much. It turns off for no reason . SO im hopeing the BACKFLIP will impress me more than my current phone.
Already ordered mine. Release date is March 7 with AT&T.
Jason, Yes, this is in a different catregory that the LG Xenon is in. First the Xenon is not a smartphone, the Backflip does require the $30 data plan, dont forget about this. Second the Backflip is made with quality, I’d say. I have had the BackFlip for the last couple days and it is pretty cool. I do like some of the features as far as doing multiple things without having to close out of everything first. But overall I still like my iPhone better.
‘engineering marvel’…? Sounds like engineering idiocy… So the protective case is nice and safe on the inside? More money than brains.
is this mobile phone is already out in the market in philippines manila? and what will be the exact price of this phone? if its not in plan or line…
JUST GOT MY BACKFLIP TODAY!!! I have to say this is an awesome phone i have had everything. The track phone, flip, pay as you go, blackberyy, and the touchscreen. I have to say this is by far the best, has an extremely responsive touch screen which seems to be heat sensitive because it does not respond to pressure from in inanimate objects like a pencap. The Keybored is strong and responsive. It is also a full eice so no dust or crumbs can get stuck inside of it like it happens to the blackberry. The Camera and video quality are some of the best i have ever seen on a phone. The trackpad is a cool feature that wworks the same way it would on a lap top. Scroll the screen with it or double tap to select. The apps are great I downloaded the background, and mabilo ringtone apps. They give you access to well over 2,000 ringtones and wallpapers respectively. Not just stupid ones either. REAL SONGS FOR FREE, and great wallpapers that would have been dowloaded anyways. The Internet is fast and responsive. Overall greatest phone out, plus it comes with a complimentary 2 gig micro sd card. Whats not to like
wicked crazzzzzy phone way better then the iphone, and where does the memory card go im confused by that?
I just currently broke my iphone and wanted to know if this phone is a considerable downgrade from the iphone. Is the backflip sluggish, and what software does it use for music?
I wanted to know the same things as Chris…I broke my iphone too by letting it fall in a milkshake! OMG! I saw that wirefly has it for upgrading your contract…so I was going to get that or put out money and get the HTC Tilt2. What about the apps!???
Is the $30 plan monthly?
I have used this phone for 2 weeks.. I have read reviews where the authors think other phones are better, ie Samsung impression. The Backflip is not PLASTIC!… The Backflips screen is glass and again not plastic, the keyboard is SEALED so no dust or dirt can get into it. After reading the negative reviews I found myself liking the phone more and more. Plastic scratches very easily like the body, or the screen.. I don’t see how these phones got a higher rating?. I have dropped this phone in 5 inches of water for about 30 seconds and it still works!!! Negatives… The phone has ‘rebooted’ several times for no apparent reason.. The battery life is fairly short… If you plan to use it eight hours and surf the web, bring another battery…I was going to trade it for the iphone, however, like I said, the longer I use it, the more I like it…
I have had the Backflip for like 2 weeks now, and at first I hated it but now I love it. The camera is great and it has a flash, and unlike iphones most of the apps is the amarket are free. What I do not like is the battery life but I have a car charger so it doesn’t really bother me. For the most part I would say its a good smart phone for 100 bucks.
Like ken above a was skeptical to buy this phone because it was not rated too high. I wanted the android phone and this is the only one AT&T offered. I decided to grab it this weekend and I like it so far. It is easy to use. Yes the design is odd – not sure I like the keyboard on the back. However how many other keyboards are exposed all the time – blackberry, blackjack (my previous phone), etc. So I don’t think that should be a concern to many out there as there are already phones that have the exposed keyboard 24/7!!! Like I said I’ve only had it for a couple days but love it over the Blackjack II I had before – that one sucked. I was holding out for AT&T to get more android but since I have not heard any solid release dates I decided to pull the trigger on this one. I’d say 4 out of 5 stars so far.
I.really.like.this.phone.like. my.uncle.ordered it already.&ndd i cant.wait !!! But doo uu know if,,like when your textinq does it look as you was on aim ?im really in love with this phone..pleace answer back.THANK YOU
i also have the LG xenon and im not satisfied with it. im interested in buyin this fone when i get the money
i can’t wait to get this phone on tuesday it is gonna be so exciting i can’t wait
My husband bought the backflip and I used it for like 5 minutes and I cant stand it. I think its a piece of shit and a waste money.
Wow Alisha, a WHOLE 5 minutes? Way to give it a chance. Wife just got one delivered to my work today, as an upgrade from her current samsung POS… We’ll see how it does. No harm no foul, if she doesn’t like it, it was only $0.01 from amazon wireless.
Scott
I just bought the phone. It seems really fantastic, but I have to wait for 3 days according to the salesperson. I’m not taking chances so I’m waiting. But I’ve tried the phone and it was really cool. I just hope that 3 days will be over soon!
I recently just switched from sprint to at&t… as I was choosing a phone my mother tried her best to convince me to purchase the iphone. I myself am not a fan of the iphone for many reasons. I also like to have original things and everyone and there grandma has an iphone… boring. the lady who was helping suggested the backflip. well me judging by its name blew it off and turned to blackberrys. the lady beside me (who also worked there) showed me the backflip and stated she owned one and also had an iphone for work calls. she preferred the backflip.. so after playing with it I finally decided I wanted it. I could have never chosen a better phone. free apps. sealed keyboard. touch screen. its perfect. it also has some features that the iphone has such as slide to answer your calls. the phone also hooks up into my car and I can talk through my stereo. the only negative thing is it doesn’t come in many colors. but the have protective cases and I highly suggest you get one if interested in the phone. I would recommend this phone to everyone I know. but I try not to so I’m the only one around with a cool phone:)
hate it with a passion!! when it, and its apps work appropriately, its awesome. keyword is: when! i’m having constant problems with FB and email apps. i got it the first week of april, and i’ve gone back to the techies @ the store about 6 times..which rounds out to weekly trips. hate it!
I have to say at first I had a hard time getting use to the backflip, but after playing with the phone for a while and understanding how it works, I have to say it was one of the best choices I had ever made as far as a cell phone is concerned. my husband suggested an iphone, I wanted something that a lot of people arn’t using and works just as good if not better. I love it, love it, love it! I hope there are more covers for that particular phone is under development.
This phone looks awesome
I can’t wait to get it… and alot of people seem to really like it..
for the people that are used to smartphones think its crap.. well I think that your wrong to slash this phone just becuz of its design .. its really nice looking too !
CAfter losing my iphone I had decided to go with a motorola backflip. At first I hated the phone constantly comparing it to the iPhone and finding small flaws with the phone. After getting use to the droid os this phone has its advantages over the iPhone. I like the keyboard with droid keyboards as well. This phone runs well but it suffers at time when app just close or wait for them to respond. The screen for this phone is very responsive and at the back of the screen it has a mousepad that is great for reading books, emails, and webpages. The phone runs hot using up a lot of battery so its nice to have a extra battery. The phone like all motorolas is built well mine already dropped a dozens time on various surfaces. At first I hated the backflip but it slowly grew on me now I love it….but the 4th generation iPhone will blow this phone out of the water. If you are a social whore this phone is for you works well with social networks and email. I use to hate my backflip but I saw all the pros and I will stick with this phone on June 24th.
I recently got the backflip. I love this device, it does eveything i want it to do. If it doesn’t do it, i go get the app for it. I love being able to use the 32gig micro sd card. The free apps are awesome.
hey…
juzz wanted to knw…..if i cn use this phone widout any kind of data plan???
ok so i have this phone and it’s a piece of crap, not only does my internet not work half the time, it is VERY slow, you can’t text more than one person without it taking forever to switch from one text to another, I was looking forward to this phone, not anymore, so for all you people that want it I strongly suggest you go with the 4th generation i-phone that comes out at the end of July.
I got this phone and i hated it!!!!! it is really laggy and slow, and the keyboard and touch screen suck!! both me and my friend had it, hated it for the same reasons, so we got a iphone.
So I have an Iphone, and fromt he start it was the greatest thing ever. I loved it and thought it was the best phone i’ve ever owned. After having the phone for longer then a year, i’ve had nothing but problems with it. I’m looking to switch to a new phone. At&t does not have very many different options for phones. The phone that caught my eye was the Backflip. I’ve read over 100 reviews, and tried the phone out myself and from just that in it’s self i loved it! I was just wondering if this phone was going to be a downgrade from my iphone or if its a switch i should deffiently do?
Hey!. I have only had the phone for a few days and this is my first smartphone so I have alot to learn. But I did a pile of research and asked all of my brain friends about thier favorite phones i-phone, blackberry, etc. I just love it. It is solid well built no problems yet, kow. And the bedside clock which think is so cool. Works very well with my cement paws for texting. It feels good in your hands. What is not to like.
just ordered mine today…did my research on the phone…i was going to get the tilt2 2 but after reading the specs and reviews on both phones i decided to go with the backflip…should be here by tomorrow…cant wait ..i hope it lives up to all the hype!
I really want the backflip! But, a lot of the reviews have not been so great! I am a BIG txter! So it really needs to be good for that. Also is it good for teenagers? Because, I dont want anything too big, and I dont want something so complicated. But, overall, is this a good phone to buy? I have done A LOT of research and there mixed reviews! I need help! Please right back! Need to know! Quick!
I’ve had this phone for 4 days now, took some getting used to after the blackberry pearl but so far I absolutely love it! The pictures are sooo clear, sound is loud, love the free apps! I have the fb, myspace, twitter shortcuts on the homescreen love it all YOU CAN EVEN Skype on this phone<3 I am a fan! Touch screen when texting is a little small but I dont mind, I just use it for short messages… Flip it open for the longer texts haha! I really love the flat keyboard my blackberry was filled with dust and other junk so its nice to know that this keyboard won't have the same problems!! BUY THIS PHONE, GET USED TO IT && YOU WILL LOVE IT!
i got this phone about a week ago, love the phone i don’t know if anyone else is having this problem but the phone really lags at times and it really annoying, has anyone else had this problem, please tell me i am not the only one, other then the lag this phone is awesome because i like the android system.
i got the backflip in the beginning of may and i thought it was a cool phone but i have to say i really really hate this phone i wanna throw it in the street and run it over the text is sooo slow if im in the mids of texting and someone elses texts me it freezes and takes like 20 minutes half of my messages dont send and its just piece of crap. my mom has the HTC tilt 2 and thats another piece of junk. i loved my blackberry and im thinking of taking this back and getting another blackberry or the iphone i would say the best two phones from at&t.
OK !!!! i need help i know this mobile is great but i am feeling like i just need a YES or NO answer so hear me out:
i am turning twelve and i am wondering if this phone is right for me and if u r thinking (she is way to young to get this phone it will be to hard for her)
well it wont i am very mature for my age and i have had a mobile since i was 9 sooooooo …… should i get this mobile YES or NO
@ Bridgite: YES the backflip is awesome you should get it
this phone is GREAT! EXCEPT for texting! i cant send 2 texts in a row, it freezes for at least 20 min, and if you are trying to ask something important like, i need directions, well, you are screwed. It absolutley sucks more then any phone i have ever had for texting, including my phone that would shut it self off half way through texts, that was less frustrating then this one!
As an electrial engineer, I am used to figuring out work arounds for cranky hi tech equipment, but there is no work around for poor quality no matter how good the concept. DO NOT BUY THE BACKFLIP. I have had the phone for only two months and am looking at my SECOND warrenty replacement. The first phone died when using the keyboard resulted in spontaneous reboots. The second phone arbitrarily will not let me answer calls. DO NOT BUY a BACKFLIP
just want to know how much it is in Hong Kong?
Ok first off all of these apple fans….get over the fact that google is competing with Apple! I guess you can tell already imma android gooroo ha. I tlkd multiple ppl out of getting a iPhone and not one of them aren’t satisfied with the andoid os at all. Anyhow me (The Backflip) I wlkd my brother out of getting the iPhone and he has never been more satisfied with any other phone he’s ever had! Anyhow android is where its at and its such a common sense os I dopnt think I’m ever gonna get anything besides another backflip phone: I absolutely love the looks of it, I like. The fact that the keyboard is better that any other keyboard I’ve ever used on a phone…and just so you know this phone gets 0 pocket lent on it like tons of ppl think it will! There’s no reason to cut this phone down in anyway but I do belive that this is my first and last smartphone ever…I’m totally content with this phone its awesome I’ve Never seen a cell phone that can Multi-task like the backflip can…well thee android os can I just happen to like the backflip A lot! But I recommened this phone to anyone that thinks the iphone is better just so you can eat your own wrds lol like I just know you will but this is my opinion on the backflip( I love it) and the androud os is where its at….plus the backflip is upgrading to os 2.1 here in the next month or so so that we will have pinch to zoom which I can’t wait on! And anyone wanna get back at me about this awesome phone my email is thill96968@gmail.com…
Get an HTC aria instead. sick little phone that has the most responsive touch screen of any of the android devices I’ve used. And i sell At&t, sprint and verizon, so i know android phones. Great little phone, though a bit pricier than the backflip. 129.99 at radioshacks.
so i went to at&t yesterday and i was going to get the backflip…next thing i know is they dont have it in stock so im supposed to be getting a call when i can pick it up…wondering if i should get it because the demo in the store is slowish and i dont know what to do…should i look into over phone….any suggestions???
I have had about every phone available. Sidekick, Blackberry, iPhone, Behold…too many to list. First off, you can’t compare this to the iPhone. It’s comparing apples and oranges. (HA!) My 17 year old son needed a new phone and wanted this one. I wasn’t quite sure why; until I played with his. Went out and got it for myself the next day. There are millions of free apps! I will admit, it takes some getting used to, but so did the Sidekick and iPhone. The keyboard on the back is not akward like I thought it would be. When holding the phone, you don’t even realize it’s there. I live out in the country and often couldn’t access the internet on my iPhone. On the Backflip, it’s very fast. Same carrier- AT&T. I don’t agree with the complaints that it’s slow. GREAT camera! It’s a tiny little phone. I need to tether it to my wrist.
Hey, im really in need of a new phone, and this one really caught my attention. Well i was wondering what the internet was like on the motorola backflip, and is it free to connect to the internet, also does it have wifi so i can connect to the wireless rooter in my home. I was also wondering, does it have a built in gps? And what is it like for ringing and texting people? I really want this phone, but is it really the phone im looking for? Please help me
Ok. I’ve had this phone for a week now. (Got FREE refurb with my ATT 2 year upgrade!!!). It is quite awesome. It does take a bit of getting used to.
So many cool features and apps to download it’s a bit overwhelming at first. Note: If you don’t explicitly lock the screen by quickly pressing the power button, your pocket will open apps and call people. I had a lot of problems with this at first, but then this is my first touchscreen phone. It has a nice USB charging system that will charge from the AC plug, a computer, or any USB power source.
Positive: It runs android. So you essentially have a tiny Linux PC in your pocket. How cool is that? TONS of free apps in the market. This phone seamlessly swiches from 3g to WIFI on the fly and always prefers WIFI. It clearly displays on the top of the screen what type of network you are using. Very nice peace of mind when downloading apps or surfing the web.
This phone is built for the internet. With MotoBlur, all of your Contacts and even emails are securely backed up online. If you lose your phone, you can go to your MotoBlur account online and “find” your phone using it’s GPS. If it get stolen, you can “wipe” all of your personal data online with MotoBlur.
In addition to 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, and accelerometers, this phone also has a magnetometer! This means the phone can act as an accurate compass and metal detector with the right apps installed.
Negative: ATT has hobbled the android. The version you get is not the complete open-source android the phone was built with. They don’t quite understand open-source i guess. In their defense, I suppose they are trying to protect thier network. For example, out of the box, you cannot write your own apps or use unsigned third-party apps. There are PLENTY of free apps in the market so this is probably not an issue for most. (If you are techy, you can download the source OS, compile it, install, and have a fully open rooted android. Risky if you are not 100% sure of what you are doing though)
Oh also, with the phone plugged in, you can open the backflip about 45 to 90 degrees and set it on a flat surface. The phone then defaults to clock mode displaying a visually appealing digital clock that along with the alarm is perfect for bedside use.
After 3 or 4 days with it, I can’t imagine NOT having this phone. I highly recommend this phone especially if you can get it for free.
@ Jerry Frank and all the other naysayers. I’m thinking you do not know how to use the phone. Multiple warranty replacements? Just does not make sense to me. This phone is solid and reliable.
Another cool feature: It has a touchpad on the back of the screen that works like the touchpad on your laptop! This get;s your fingers out of the way while using the keyboard, genius.
RE: Spontaneous reboots. Are you people sure you’re not accidentally pressing the power button on the side of the phone?
BUY THIS PHONE! I’m pretty sure ATT offers 30-day money-back gaurantee, see for yourself if you are at all interested. You’ve nothing to lose.
I was so excited when my parents bought me the backflip for my birthday. But after having the phone for less than a month, I now hate it and regret asking for it. It turns off automatically, freezes, and three of my buttons don’t work for no reason. I love the idea of having a smart phone but the backflip is simply the worst phone I’ve ever had, no joke. Total waste.
Hi, I’ve been deciding on the Iphone or the Blackflip. I currently have a blackberry pearl which I love but am getting bored with. I text a whole lot. And I was wondering how is this phone for texting?
Hello i also have the LG Xenon and i HATE it!
I really would like to get the Backflip. It seems really nice and very cool.
But i was wondering if you could change the background on it?
i have the LG neon lol
good phone. i like the flip out option so i don’t have to text on the screen. processor is fast enough for my business and the recorder and camera are good enough to catch my family up on my business trips. pretty good unlocked gsm phones. wifi, email, web browser are great for my business and company and my partner loves his for the gps helps us get around new york. my wife loves hers for the games and facebook, a lot more fun than our old unlocked verizon phones. also got our unlock codes and htc unlocking for free! speaker phone is loud enough for our meetings and web browser is great for my fantasy football and espn. got our last couple unlocked android phones at unlockthatphone.com 2 thumbs way up I really like my backflip
I think they should use 8 MP camera, double the battery size and release Motorola Backflip 2 – it will just throw iphone out of the game
@mikayla yes of course u can change the back round at any time. the only thing is that one of the screens will stay the same for social purposes, but lucy for you there are 5 screens so thats no problem.
I also agree with Sanju but there is nno need for blowing it out of the game since its the same company. but yes apple will still survive with everything they have on the market.
I have the iphone 3gs right now and I hate it. So im thinking about getting the motorola backflip with an upgrade. Should i get it now or wait til the other new 4g android phones come out? Please help!!=(
Got the Backflip for free with a 2 year extension through a deal posted at Babycouponmom.com.
Love the phone, and the keyboard to type in rather than typing on the touch screen. Lots of cool features, and you can go on the web without their plan wherever you have Wifi.
So far, no complains.