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After a long wait, Motorola has finally released details on the launch of its Droid Bionic smartphone. The device, which will come with Android and a 4.3-inch display,will be available to customers on Sept. 8 for $299.99 with a two-year contract with Verizon.
The device will be available exclusively to Verizon Wireless customers, which means those hoping to get their hands on the latest and greatest Motorola handset will need to head to that carrier’s stores to get it.
The excitement surrounding the Droid Bionic is palpable. Since it was revealed at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, the device has been exciting consumers who have been looking for an Android-based device that could effectively compete against the iPhone 4. On paper, the Droid Bionic looks to be just what those folks had been hoping would come to stores.
But is that all that excitement warranted? Should consumers and even some enterprise users really get excited about the Droid Bionic?
You bet. Read on to find out why:
1. The Dual-core processor is important
With dual-core processors becoming all the rage in the mobile space, it’s easy to overlook them. However, when one considers that Apple is currentlynot offering a dual-core processor in the iPhone 4, the Droid Bionic’s 1GHz dual-core option becomes all the more appealing. With the processor along with 1GB of onboard RAM, consumers can expect to surf the Web, check email and open applications with ease.
2. The right OS version
The Android ecosystem has been criticized over the years for being too fragmented. Some people get devices running the latest OS version, while others are forced to wait an inordinate amount of time to get the latest release. The Droid Bionic will come with the latest version of Google’s mobile platform, Android 2.3.4 “Gingerbread.” That means Droid Bionic users will get the very best of what Android has to offer at this point. Although it might not be iOS 4 quality, it’s quite close.
3. 4G Connectivity
As carriers continue to invest in their 4G networks, it’s nice to know thatthe Droid Bionic is capitalizing on that. The device will allow users to connect to the Web via Verizon’s high-speed network, which Motorola claims, will deliver download speeds of 5M bps to 12M bps. Considering the iPhone 4 can only connect to 3G, the Droid Bionic’s 4G addition is quite welcome.
4. Design, design, design
Apple has shown that handset design matters immensely in today’s mobile marketplace. The company’s iPhone 4 offers an exceedingly slick design that folks around the world respond well to. But it’s not alone. The Droid Bionic has a thin footprint and prominent 4.3-inch screen. It’s by no means on the same level as the iPhone 4 in terms of design quality, but it’s close. And in the mobile space, being close to the iPhone 4 in any way is a victory.
Winners Are Worth Getting Excited About
5. It justifies its price
Some have criticized the Droid Bionic’s $299.99 price tag with a two-year agreement. The critics say that the device should be priced at $199, so it can match Apple’s baseline 16GB-equipped iPhone 4. However, those people need to realize that the Droid Bionic has a bigger display than the iPhone 4, comes with 4G connectivity, and thanks to a 16GB microSD card, offers a total of 32GB of storage out of the box. For $299.99, it’s a good deal.
6. The Verizon element is important
Verizon Wireless is simply the best carrier in the business. The company has superior coverage, and as the latest customer-service reports have shown, it does one of the best jobs of taking care of its customers. That’s why Motorola’s decision to bring the Droid Bionic to Verizon store shelves is an important element in its appeal. Simply put, if the Droid Bionic was running on Sprint or T-Mobile’s network, it wouldn’t be as worthwhile of a purchase.
7. The verdicts are in
Some reviewers have already gotten their hands on the Droid Bionic. So far, the vast majority of those people have been quite impressed. In fact, one reviewer, Mark W. Smith, at the Detroit Free Press, said that the device is definitely “worth buying.” That’s a good thing for consumers to keep in mind. TheDroid Bionic has captured the attention and the respect of reviewers, which means it’s a winner. Winners are worth getting excited about.
8. Superior camera quality
The iPhone 4 has been heavily criticized for its comparatively sub-par camera quality. However, that won’t happen with the Droid Bionic. Motorola’s handset offers 8-megapixel resolution, complete with autofocus and flash. For those that want to capture video, the device supports 1,080p recording, which means they can connect their Droid Bionic to a 1,080p HDTV and watch that content on the set in all its HD glory. People looking to capture their family’s special moments will like that.
9. Don’t forget the Google element
Google recently announced plans to acquire Motorola in a $12.5 billion acquisition. That’s something that consumers considering buying the Droid Bionic or any other Motorola device should keep in mind. If regulators approve the deal, Google could help Motorola become an even more successful Android handset maker. And it might not be long before Motorola offers the best versions of Android (and perhaps even the top devices) in that ecosystem. The Droid Bionic was in the works long before Google acquired Motorola, but it might be a good time to buy the device and see what comes of it after the search giant completes its acquisition.
10. An enterprise option?
Android-based devices aren’t typically cited as worthwhile enterprise choices, but the Droid Bionic might just be different. According to Motorola, the device will ship with Citrix GotoMeeting, as well as Citrix Receiver for Android. In addition, the device will offer “advanced security policies” for IT staff to tinker with. Admittedly, there are better enterprise handsets already available, namely from RIM, but companies willing to take a look at an Android phone might find a winner in the Droid Bionic.
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