AT&T Android Phone #3: The Motorola Backflip
The unusual form of the Motorola Backflip, AT&T's first Android phone, has made it the butt of plenty of jokes. Even if you like its oddly positioned keyboard and backward-flipping display, the Backflip leaves a lot to be desired.
In terms of hardware, the Backflip has a 3.1-inch, 480-by-320 HVGA display -- similar to the Aria's, only slightly smaller. It runs on a 528MHz processor, also a step down from the Aria, and has a single 5-megapixel camera. The Backflip sells for $50 with a two-year contract.
Aside from AT&T's standard software restrictions, the Backflip is currently limited to running Android 1.5 as its operating system. Motorola says the phone is scheduled to receive the upgrade to Android 2.1 sometime in the third quarter of this year. Given the fact that the 2.1 upgrade is still pending, there's no telling if or when the Backflip will receive Android 2.2.
• The bottom line: The Backflip is miles behind other Android phones in almost every measure. Unless price is a major factor in your decision, there's really no reason to get this device.
AT&T's Android Future
AT&T has made it clear that it plans to offer more Android phones in the months to come. Already, the carrier is preparing to launch the Dell Aero, billed as the "lightest Android smartphone ever." Other as-of-yet unannounced devices are likely in the hopper, too.
For now, you certainly won't find the most complete Android experience or the most compelling Android selection on AT&T -- but you can find something worth owning, at least relative to the network's other smartphone options. Plus, as an added bonus, you can always chuckle to yourself knowing that your carrier's CEO is a dead-ringer for Stephen Colbert.
Hey, that's gotta be worth something.
JR Raphael writes about smartphones and other titillating technology. He's on both Twitter and Facebook; come say hello.
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