Table of Contents
amazon BlackBerry Motion reviews
Over the seemingly endless months, the BlackBerry is now confident in its future with the launch of smartphones. Typically, KEYONE and Motion have proven to be the back of the BlackBerry.
Motion – A name that has a lot of meaning here, as perceived by the individual as the movement towards positive, towards a bright future that CEO John Chen of BlackBerry is aiming for.
Design and Build Quality
Materials and Construction
The BlackBerry Motion stands out with its robust and functional design, reflecting BlackBerry’s commitment to durability and enterprise readiness. The device features an aluminum frame and a textured back panel, designed to offer a secure grip and withstand everyday wear and tear. The use of high-quality materials ensures that the Motion feels solid and well-built, making it a reliable companion for both professional and personal use.
The front of the device is dominated by a 5.5-inch display, with minimal bezels, creating a modern and sleek appearance. The back panel, with its soft-touch texture, is designed to resist fingerprints and provide a comfortable feel in hand. The design of the BlackBerry Motion is practical and functional, aligning with its focus on productivity and security.
Ergonomics
With dimensions of 155.7 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm and a weight of approximately 167 grams, the BlackBerry Motion is ergonomically designed to offer a comfortable grip and ease of use. The device’s form factor is well-balanced, and the textured back ensures that it does not slip easily from the hand. The placement of buttons and ports is intuitive, allowing for easy access to essential functions.
The power button and volume rockers are positioned on the right side of the device, within easy reach of the thumb. The fingerprint sensor is integrated into the home button on the front, providing quick and secure access to the device. Overall, the ergonomics of the BlackBerry Motion are well-executed, contributing to a pleasant user experience.
Durability
One of the key features of the BlackBerry Motion is its IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. This rating means that the device is protected against dust ingress and can withstand immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. This level of protection enhances the phone’s durability, making it suitable for use in various environments, including outdoor and industrial settings.
When the Home key is not just the Home key
For those of you who already own a BlackBerry, you probably miss the trackball that would later be upgraded to a trackpad. Now with Motion, once again the trackpad on BBOS has been brought back and docked on Android.
You can use the Home key to navigate like a swipe directly on the screen. For example, when you’re on the home screen, you can swipe down the Home key to show and hide the notification bar. While viewing the photo, you can swipe left (right) to transfer the photo, … This feature will make sure that BBfan enjoy and feel like BB is used in the old days.
In addition to the built-in fingerprint scanner, you can also customize the touch to back (works as the Back key).
BlackBerry’s first smartphone is water resistant
Not to be out of the trend of the market, it seems that water resistance has become a “must have” standard on high-end smartphones and is growing into the middle. Equipped with IP67 Water Resistance for Motion shows that BlackBerry is on the right track when rebuilding its smartphone brand.
With the IP67 standard, Motion can be immersed in water at a depth of one meter for 30 minutes, meaning that if it rains or falls on a bathtub, there is no serious damage.
With such a seemingly normal feature, BlackBerry proved to be more of a concern to users than to the disadvantage of other smartphones.
Convenience Key is also convenient
According to many BBfan said, this button Convenience Key has appeared on the old BBOS and has been lost since the BB10 launch has led many users to “forget” a feature BB gadgets. And since the DTEK50, DTEK60, KEYONE and Motion, respectively, added Convenience Key, which makes using these smartphones faster and more efficient.
In particular, the Convenience Key utility has now been significantly enhanced on Motion. Not only is the ability to assign applications for fast startup, quick actions such as displaying notifications, … but now the utility key also allows switching in the mode: Home, Car, Office and User.
Example: When you are driving, press the utility key to launch the music player application. At home, click to launch Youtube or at work, to open a web browser, …
Display
The BlackBerry Motion features a 5.5-inch Full HD IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 403 ppi. The display is designed to provide clear and vibrant visuals, making it suitable for a range of activities, including browsing, multimedia consumption, and productivity tasks.
Screen Quality
The IPS LCD panel on the BlackBerry Motion delivers accurate color reproduction, good contrast, and wide viewing angles. The display’s brightness is adequate for most lighting conditions, including direct sunlight. While it may not be as vibrant as AMOLED panels, the IPS LCD provides a balanced and reliable viewing experience.
The Full HD resolution ensures that text and images are sharp and detailed, making it suitable for everyday use. The pixel density of 403 ppi contributes to a crisp and clear display, enhancing the overall user experience.
Display Performance
The 5.5-inch size of the display strikes a good balance between screen real estate and portability. The Full HD resolution provides sufficient clarity for most tasks, including reading, gaming, and watching videos. The display’s performance is consistent with its mid-range positioning, offering a satisfactory experience for general use.
Performance
The BlackBerry Motion is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU with eight Cortex-A53 cores clocked at up to 2.0 GHz. The device comes with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, expandable via a microSD card up to 256GB. The Snapdragon 625 is designed to provide a balance of performance and power efficiency.
Day-to-Day Performance
In everyday use, the BlackBerry Motion performs adequately for a mid-range device. The Snapdragon 625 chipset, combined with 4GB of RAM, ensures smooth handling of common tasks such as web browsing, social media, and productivity applications. The phone’s performance is reliable, with applications opening quickly and multitasking functioning smoothly.
For more demanding tasks, such as gaming or intensive multitasking, the BlackBerry Motion manages reasonably well but may not offer the same level of performance as higher-end devices. While the Snapdragon 625 is capable of running popular games, users may experience occasional stuttering or lower frame rates in more graphically demanding titles.
Benchmarks
In benchmark tests, the BlackBerry Motion performs within the expected range for its class. In Geekbench 4, the device scores around 800 in single-core performance and 4,000 in multi-core performance. These scores reflect the phone’s mid-range performance and place it in line with other devices featuring similar specifications.
In 3DMark tests, the BlackBerry Motion achieves respectable scores, indicating that the GPU is capable of handling casual gaming and multimedia tasks. The Adreno 506 GPU provides adequate graphics processing power for most users, though it may not be the most powerful available.
Locker Mode security
Your private photos, documents, files, folders … are protected by a password in Locker Mode. You can safely put data here because they will not be affected by external applications as well as shared outside.
In addition, other features such as DTEK, BlackBerry Hub, BlackBerry Calendar, BlackBerry Boost, … also appear on BlackBerry Motion.
If KEYONE comes with a 3,505mAh battery, for a continuous mix of more than 12 hours, how much will the Motion with the 4000mAh battery last? Surely this will be verified when Motion is sold officially on the market. However, we can say and hope that Motion will live up to 2 days of use.
With the USB Type C technology comes with Quick Charge technology Quick Charge 3.0, the charging of this 4000 mAh battery will not spend too much time.
Battery Life
The BlackBerry Motion is equipped with a 4000mAh battery, which is a substantial capacity for a device of its size. The battery life of the phone is an important aspect of its overall performance and plays a significant role in the user experience.
Battery Performance
In typical usage scenarios, the BlackBerry Motion provides excellent battery life, easily lasting a full day with moderate to heavy use. Users can expect to get through a day of activities such as web browsing, social media, multimedia consumption, and productivity tasks without needing to recharge.
For more intensive use, such as gaming or extended video streaming, the battery will deplete faster but still offers strong endurance. The 4000mAh battery ensures that the device can handle demanding tasks while maintaining a good level of power throughout the day.
Charging Speed
The BlackBerry Motion supports Quick Charge 3.0, allowing for faster charging compared to standard chargers. The inclusion of Quick Charge 3.0 means that users can recharge the battery more quickly, reducing downtime and ensuring that the device is ready for use in less time.
Charging the battery from 0% to 100% typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the charger and usage conditions. The fast charging capability is a notable advantage, providing convenience for users who need to quickly top up their device’s battery.
Software Experience
The BlackBerry Motion runs on Android 7.1 Nougat, with BlackBerry’s custom software enhancements. BlackBerry’s approach to Android focuses on security, productivity, and enterprise features, while maintaining a clean and efficient user experience.
User Interface
The software on the BlackBerry Motion is designed to be user-friendly and productivity-oriented. The interface is based on Android Nougat, with BlackBerry’s customizations providing additional features and enhancements. The user experience is generally smooth and responsive, with the BlackBerry UI adding value through its focus on security and productivity.
BlackBerry Launcher
One of the key features of the BlackBerry Motion’s software is the BlackBerry Launcher. This custom launcher provides a range of productivity-focused features, including customizable home screens, quick access to frequently used apps, and efficient app management. The BlackBerry Launcher also includes a productivity tab, which aggregates important information and tasks for easy access.
Security Features
BlackBerry has a long history of emphasizing security, and the BlackBerry Motion continues this tradition with a range of security features. The device includes BlackBerry’s DTEK (Data Encryption Technology) app, which provides real-time monitoring of the device’s security status and offers recommendations for improving security.
The fingerprint sensor integrated into the home button provides quick and secure access to the device, adding an extra layer of protection. The BlackBerry Motion also includes security enhancements such as secure boot and encryption to safeguard user data.
Performance and Usability
The software experience on the BlackBerry Motion is designed to be efficient and productive. The combination of Android Nougat and BlackBerry’s customizations provides a smooth and responsive user experience, with a focus on productivity and security. The phone handles daily tasks and app management effectively, offering a reliable and enjoyable experience for most users.
Productivity Tools
The BlackBerry Motion includes a suite of productivity tools designed to enhance the user experience, particularly for those in business or professional environments. Some of the key tools and features include:
BlackBerry Hub
The BlackBerry Hub is a unified communication center that aggregates emails, messages, social media notifications, and calendar events into a single interface. This feature allows users to manage multiple accounts and communication channels from one place, streamlining their workflow and increasing productivity.
Calendar and Contacts
The Calendar app on the BlackBerry Motion is designed to be comprehensive and intuitive, offering features such as event reminders, scheduling options, and integration with various calendar services. The Contacts app provides an efficient way to manage and organize contacts, with options for grouping, tagging, and searching.
File Management
The file management system on the BlackBerry Motion is user-friendly, with a file manager app that allows for easy navigation and organization of files. Users can access internal and external storage, manage documents, and perform basic file operations such as copying, moving, and deleting.
Keyboard and Input
The BlackBerry Motion’s virtual keyboard is designed to be efficient and responsive, offering features such as predictive text, auto-correction, and swipe typing. The keyboard provides a comfortable typing experience, and users can customize it to suit their preferences.
Pre-installed Apps
In addition to the core Android apps, the BlackBerry Motion comes with several pre-installed applications and tools. Some of these include:
- BlackBerry Password Keeper: A secure app for storing and managing passwords, ensuring that sensitive information is protected.
- BlackBerry Privacy Shade: A feature that helps protect the screen from prying eyes by allowing users to apply a privacy filter.
- BlackBerry Device Search: An advanced search tool that helps users find files, apps, and information quickly on their device.
- Google Apps: Standard Google apps, including Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, and Google Drive, are also included, providing access to essential services and cloud storage.
Connectivity and Features
The BlackBerry Motion is equipped with a range of connectivity options and features to support various user needs.
Connectivity Options
The BlackBerry Motion supports a range of connectivity options, including:
- 4G LTE: The device supports 4G LTE networks, providing fast and reliable mobile internet speeds for browsing, streaming, and other online activities.
- Wi-Fi: The Motion includes Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, allowing for stable and high-speed wireless internet connections on compatible networks.
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.2 is available for pairing with wireless accessories, such as headphones, speakers, and smartwatches.
- GPS: The phone includes GPS support for accurate location tracking and navigation.
NFC and Other Features
One notable absence from the BlackBerry Motion is NFC (Near Field Communication), which is often used for mobile payments and certain file-sharing applications. This omission may be a drawback for users who rely on NFC technology. However, the device includes other standard features such as a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is appreciated by users who prefer wired audio connections.
Audio Quality
The BlackBerry Motion features a single bottom-firing speaker, which delivers audio for calls, notifications, and media playback. While the speaker provides adequate sound quality for general use, it may lack the depth and richness of stereo or high-end audio systems. For a better audio experience, users may prefer using headphones or external speakers.
The 3.5mm headphone jack offers good audio quality and supports various types of headphones. The device also includes basic audio settings for adjusting sound profiles according to user preferences.
Final Thoughts
The BlackBerry Motion represents a significant evolution for the BlackBerry brand, combining the company’s focus on security and productivity with the flexibility and app ecosystem of Android. The device offers a well-rounded package with a durable design, good performance, and a range of features aimed at enhancing productivity and security.
Strengths
- Design: The robust and practical design, with a textured back panel and aluminum frame, provides durability and a secure grip.
- Display: The 5.5-inch Full HD IPS LCD display offers clear and vibrant visuals, suitable for various activities.
- Performance: The Snapdragon 625 chipset, combined with 4GB of RAM, delivers adequate performance for everyday tasks and moderate use.
- Battery Life: The 4000mAh battery provides strong endurance, easily lasting a full day with moderate to heavy use.
- Security Features: BlackBerry’s security enhancements, including DTEK and secure boot, offer added protection for user data.
Weaknesses
- NFC: The absence of NFC may be a drawback for users who rely on mobile payments and certain file-sharing features.
- Camera Performance: While the camera system performs well, it may not offer the same level of detail and quality as higher-end models.
- Software Updates: The device may not receive frequent software updates or the latest Android versions, impacting long-term usability and security.
Overall, the BlackBerry Motion is a solid choice for users who value design, durability, and productivity features at a competitive price. While it may not match the capabilities of newer flagship models, it remains a relevant option for those seeking a reliable and functional mid-range smartphone.
where can you get a BlackBerry Motion online
BlackBerry Motion GSM Unlocked Android Smartphone (AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket) – 4G LTE, 32GB (U.S. Warranty): Buy it now
BlackBerry Motion BBD100-1 32GB Single-SIM 5.5″ inch Android Factory Unlocked 4G/LTE Smartphone (Black) – International Version: Buy it now
BlackBerry Motion BBD100-1 32GB Single SIM 5.5″ inch Android Factory Unlocked 4G/LTE Smartphone (Black) – International Version – GSM ONLY, NO CDMA – No Warranty in the US: Buy it now
