Table of Contents
amazon Motorola Milestone 2 reviews
Design and Build Quality
a. Premium Build and Materials
The Motorola Milestone 2 was a high-end device at the time of its release, featuring a sturdy build and a sleek design. It retained the distinctive look of its predecessor but with several enhancements. The phone features a solid plastic body with a matte finish that feels durable and premium.
The front of the device is dominated by a 3.7-inch TFT display with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels, which was quite standard for smartphones of its era. The phone also has a full QWERTY keyboard that slides out from under the screen. The keyboard is one of the key features of the Milestone 2, designed to offer an excellent typing experience for users who prefer physical keys over on-screen keyboards.
The build quality of the Milestone 2 is robust, with a solid and reassuring feel in hand. The device’s design is functional and stylish, with clean lines and a sleek profile.
b. Ergonomics and Handling
The Motorola Milestone 2’s dimensions are 116 x 60 x 13.7 mm and it weighs around 169 grams. While it may be considered bulky compared to modern smartphones, the design was intentional to accommodate the full QWERTY keyboard. The device is reasonably comfortable to hold, with a well-balanced weight distribution.
The physical keyboard slides out smoothly, providing tactile feedback that many users appreciate for typing. The device’s overall ergonomics are designed to enhance usability, particularly for those who frequently use their phones for texting or emailing.
c. Display
The 3.7-inch TFT display of the Motorola Milestone 2 is complemented by a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels. While this was quite adequate for the time, it falls short compared to modern displays with higher resolutions and better color accuracy. The TFT technology used in the Milestone 2 provides decent color reproduction and brightness, but it is not as vibrant as the AMOLED displays found in newer smartphones.
The display is responsive to touch, although the touch sensitivity might not match the standards of contemporary devices. The screen is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass, which provides a layer of protection against scratches and minor impacts.
d. Design Aesthetics
The Motorola Milestone 2 has a clean and functional design, with a focus on practicality. The full QWERTY keyboard is a standout feature, and its ability to slide out adds a unique element to the device. The front of the phone is dominated by the screen and the keyboard, while the back is relatively simple, with a camera module and Motorola branding.
Overall, the design of the Milestone 2 is both practical and aesthetically pleasing, catering to users who value a physical keyboard in addition to a touchscreen.
Performance and Hardware
a. Processor and Memory
The Motorola Milestone 2 is powered by a 1 GHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor, paired with the TI OMAP3630 chipset. This processor was capable of handling most tasks efficiently at the time of release. The device also features 512 MB of RAM, which supports smooth multitasking and app performance.
In terms of storage, the Milestone 2 comes with 8 GB of internal storage, expandable via a microSD card slot. The expandable storage is a valuable feature for users who need additional space for apps, media, and other data.
b. Battery Life
The Motorola Milestone 2 is equipped with a 1400 mAh removable battery. For its time, this battery capacity was sufficient, providing a full day of usage under normal conditions. The removable battery allows users to carry a spare or replace it when needed, adding a level of convenience that is less common in modern smartphones.
Battery life on the Milestone 2 is generally good, although it may vary depending on usage patterns and settings. The device’s power management features help optimize battery performance, ensuring that users can make the most of the phone’s capabilities throughout the day.
c. Performance and Usability
The Motorola Milestone 2 offers solid performance for its time, with the 1 GHz processor and 512 MB of RAM handling most tasks efficiently. The device runs Android 2.2 Froyo, which was a capable operating system at the time. The user experience is generally smooth, with responsive touch input and effective multitasking capabilities.
The full QWERTY keyboard enhances usability, particularly for tasks such as texting, emailing, and writing documents. The physical keys provide tactile feedback and ease of use, which many users find preferable to on-screen keyboards.
Overall, the Milestone 2 delivers a reliable performance with good usability, although it may not compete with modern smartphones in terms of raw power and speed.
Camera and Multimedia
a. Camera Performance
The Motorola Milestone 2 features a 5 MP rear camera with an LED flash. The camera is capable of capturing images with a resolution of 2592 x 1944 pixels. The camera performance is decent for its time, providing satisfactory image quality with good detail and color reproduction.
The device also supports video recording at 720p resolution, delivering high-definition video footage. The camera software includes basic features such as autofocus, digital zoom, and a range of shooting modes.
The front-facing camera is a VGA camera, suitable for basic video calls and selfies. While it may not offer high-resolution images, it serves its purpose for simple tasks.
b. Multimedia Capabilities
The Motorola Milestone 2 supports a range of multimedia formats, including MP3, AAC, and WAV for audio, and MP4, AVI, and WMV for video playback. The built-in media player handles these formats effectively, providing a good multimedia experience.
The 3.7-inch display, while not as advanced as modern screens, offers a decent viewing experience for videos and images. The device’s audio quality is good, with clear sound output from the built-in speakers and the standard 3.5mm headphone jack.
c. Audio Quality
The Milestone 2’s audio quality is satisfactory, with stereo speakers providing clear and loud sound. The speakers are well-positioned to deliver sound without obstruction. The device also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack for connecting headphones, offering a more immersive audio experience.
The overall audio performance of the Milestone 2 is in line with expectations for its time, delivering good sound quality for multimedia consumption and phone calls.
Software and User Experience
a. Operating System
The Motorola Milestone 2 originally shipped with Android 2.2 Froyo, which was a significant update from earlier versions of Android. Android Froyo introduced several new features, including improved performance, better app management, and enhanced support for multimedia.
The operating system provides a smooth and user-friendly experience, with access to the Android Market (now Google Play Store) for downloading apps and games. Froyo also includes features such as improved multitasking, Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, and enhanced browser performance.
b. User Interface
The user interface of Android 2.2 Froyo is straightforward and easy to navigate. The home screen features customizable widgets and shortcuts, allowing users to personalize their experience. The device’s physical keyboard provides an alternative input method, which is particularly useful for typing-intensive tasks.
The Milestone 2’s interface is responsive, with smooth transitions and animations. The combination of the touchscreen and physical keyboard offers flexibility in how users interact with the device.
c. Performance and Usability
The Motorola Milestone 2 delivers a smooth performance with Android 2.2 Froyo, providing a responsive and user-friendly experience. The 1 GHz processor and 512 MB of RAM are capable of handling most tasks and applications efficiently.
The physical keyboard enhances usability, particularly for users who prefer tactile feedback over on-screen typing. The device’s overall performance and handling contribute to a positive user experience.
Connectivity and Features
a. Connectivity Options
The Motorola Milestone 2 supports a range of connectivity options, including 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1, and GPS. The inclusion of 3G allows for decent internet speeds, while Wi-Fi connectivity provides access to high-speed networks for browsing and downloads.
Bluetooth 2.1 enables wireless connections to various devices, such as headphones and speakers. GPS functionality offers accurate location tracking for navigation and location-based services.
b. Additional Features
The Milestone 2 includes several additional features that enhance its functionality. These include a removable battery, expandable storage via microSD, and support for various multimedia formats. The device also features a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, providing flexibility for audio connections.
c. Durability and Protection
While the Motorola Milestone 2 is not marketed as a rugged device, its build quality and design contribute to its durability. The plastic body and Gorilla Glass protection offer resilience against scratches and minor impacts. The removable battery adds convenience, allowing users to carry a spare or replace it when needed.
Pros and Cons
a. Pros
- Good Performance for Its Time: The 1 GHz processor and 512 MB of RAM deliver solid performance for everyday tasks and applications, making it a capable device for its era.
- Removable Battery: The ability to replace or carry a spare battery adds convenience and extends usage time, a feature that has become less common in modern smartphones.
- Decent Camera Quality: The 5 MP rear camera and 720p video recording offer satisfactory image and video quality for the time, with decent performance for casual photography and video capture.
- Expandable Storage: The microSD slot allows users to increase storage capacity, which is useful for those with large media collections.
b. Cons
- Outdated Hardware: The hardware, including the 1 GHz processor and 512 MB of RAM, is considered outdated compared to modern smartphones, which feature more powerful processors and higher RAM capacities.
- Limited Internal Storage: With only 8 GB of internal storage, the device may not be sufficient for users with extensive app and media libraries, though the microSD card slot helps alleviate this issue.
- Old Operating System: Running Android 2.2 Froyo, the Milestone 2 lacks the latest features and security updates found in more recent versions of Android, potentially affecting compatibility with modern apps.
- Bulky Design: The physical keyboard and overall design contribute to a bulkier device, which may be less convenient compared to sleeker, more modern smartphones.
- Limited Screen Resolution: The 480 x 854 resolution of the 3.7-inch display falls short compared to contemporary screens with higher resolutions and better color accuracy.
Conclusion
The Motorola Milestone 2 stands as a significant device in the early history of Android smartphones. Its blend of a full QWERTY keyboard, solid performance, and premium build quality made it a standout choice for users who valued tactile typing and a robust design. While the Milestone 2’s hardware and software may seem outdated compared to modern smartphones, it remains an important part of Motorola’s smartphone legacy.
For users seeking a device with a physical keyboard, expandable storage, and a durable build, the Motorola Milestone 2 offers a nostalgic glimpse into the past of mobile technology. Its impact on Motorola’s strategy and its contribution to the Android ecosystem underscore its importance in the evolution of smartphones.
In conclusion, while the Motorola Milestone 2 may not compete with today’s high-end smartphones, it represents a valuable piece of technology history. For collectors and enthusiasts, the Milestone 2 offers a unique perspective on the development of smartphones and serves as a reminder of the diverse and ever-changing nature of mobile technology.
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