Anyone got or used one of these? Looks pretty good value and I like the durability of it plus it’s an android phone so can add apps and track my rides.
Main concerns would be how it would compare to other smart phones. I use my phone a lot for email and Internet.

I have one, its ok but the battery life is not amazing (my Wife’s iPhone 3gs is much better). They have just been updated to Android 2.2 which is supposed to improve battery life but I find I still need to charge it every night.

Having said that for me it is not a problem to charge every night and I do like the fact if my baby gets a hold I know that it will be ok. It can also can be washed off in the sink to keep it clean. I use a case and screen protector with mine as I don’t trust that the screen will not be scratched.

The phone has the swype keyboard which once you are use to it makes a lot of sense for typing. I find the screen easy to read and works well in all light conditions. I also like the way that you can customise the screens and the notification lights.

For me it was the only choice mainly due to it being waterproof.

Hope that helps.

Nick

PS There are a few other threads on this if you search back up to about one year.

I rate it, but I don’t have anything to compare it to as it’s the first modern phone I’ve owned. Well, it’s miles better than my wife’s LC effort but that’s about the breadth of my experience.
I use the k9 app for email which is fine for me – there is a facility which comes with the phone to synch various accounts, friendface etc if you use a lot of social media. Don’t think I’ll ever be happy writing a lengthy email on a touchscreen, but I can’t see how they could do it better – the predictive word choice works very well.
Durability seems good so far – lash it in the jersey pocket for a ride. Mine has one or two foibles with re-booting but I get the impression that smartphones are a few years behind pcs, say, for overall reliability – they seem a bit buggy in comparison.

It’s an Android phone with a custom (bypassable) front end, easy to use, tons of apps and mine has taken loads of hammer so far. Wouldn’t have gone for a smartphone if the Defy wasn’t available. There are more bling and faster phones out there. You can choose any browser and email client you want so you won’t have a problem there. I can get just about two days of battery on mine. I never got on with swype, but like most things Android you just find something that works for you, the standard choice on the Defy is swype or multi-touch. Tracking rides is a doddle with Endomondo and lots of others.

I think its great value only the orange san francisco is better value but the defy is slightly faster and definitely more durable

heres a comparison of the two

http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=3514&idPhone2=3391

I’ve got one and love it! Just one MAJOR downside though….

When I was talking to the sales lass (T-Mobile) I was told it is waterPROOF and shockPROOF – not resistant. She gave examples of 10 minutes in a pint of water and being thrown against a wall.

Mine stopped working (wouldn’t charge) and I took it into the shop where they said it wasn’t covered because the moisture-exposure tab indicated liquid had entered the phone. I had to shout, scream and threaten OFCOM & mis-selling before they sent out a replacement.

Love it though!!

Thanks for the comments.

Blade – Is it the same sort of size as your wife’s iphone? Looking at a bike mount and there are loads available for the iphone. Would be great to have on the bars with the viewranger maps.

I’ve ordered it so will see how I get on with it.

i have one. for £15 a month its unbeatable. works really well. not crazy fast in the modern computing world. but probably works better than a desktop pc from a few years ago!

I took it into the shop where they said it wasn’t covered because the moisture-exposure tab indicated liquid had entered the phone

Isn’t it IP rated? I’m sure I read here somewhere that it’s IP67.

The ‘7’ means you can submerge it in water up to a metre. That’s ‘not as described’ under the SoG Act, right there.

Isn’t it IP rated? I’m sure I read here somewhere that it’s IP67.

Isn’t it only IP67 if all the little rubber plugs that cover the connectors are correctly in place?

Been happy with mine. Can’t be bothered with a case or screen procector as touchscreen never seem to work as well with one and they are harder to see in sunlight but despite that the screen seems tough enough – only a couple of minor scratches.

It feels robust and has taken a few knocks and survived.

It seems to work a little faster since I completed the 2.2 upgrade.

I’d get another if this one got lost.

Isn’t it IP rated? I’m sure I read here somewhere that it’s IP67

I believe it is and

they said it wasn’t covered because the moisture-exposure tab indicated liquid had entered the phone.

is guff. If moisture had enteered the phone, then the waterproofing is faulty
Mine’s has survived a couple of drops, one on concrete from about 2 metres, but no submersion (yet). 3 or 4 months old, glass still wipes clean with no scratches or apparent damage.

neninja is there any chance you coupld post a link to, or do some instructions on the 2.2 upgrade?

My daughter has just killed her 2nd one

This one is now stuck on “bootloader 9.0, low battery, unable to update” – or something like that

Reflash it. And, y’know, charge it up first.

They’re remarkably difficult things to brick permanently, you have to try particularly hard.

Just doing an update on mine. you need to download the motorola software updater. From here: http://direct.motorola.com/hellomoto/motosupport/source/SoftwareUpdateSelect.asp?country=USA&language=ENS

Then follow the on screen prompts I think it only works if you have registered your phone…

I’ve got a Defy too – has a problem with the sound not working after about a month but got it all sorted.

If you’re going out on the bike you can just put it in your bag without worrying about knocking or scratching it and it does everything you need it to do.

Oh, and you can fit it in your pocket, unlike an iphone!

😉

Reflash it. And, y’know, charge it up first.

won’t charge, it’s going back to the Vodafone shop ASAP

that link doesnt work for me… the defy doesnt seem to be listed?

“country=USA” might be your issue there.

Updates to 2.2 are slowly rolling out; https://supportforums.motorola.com/thread/50132

The correct link is http://direct.motorola.com/ENG/SoftwareUpdateSelect.asp?country=GBR&language=ENG

Note that this is for retail handsets; if you’ve bought it on contract, you’ll need to go to your carrier’s website instead.

Does the Defy not support OTA updates?

Got one, nice phone, great value, experienced most of the positives above.
T-Mobile UK slow in getting 2.2 through though.
I get a good two days + from a charge with some GPS tracking of my commute and a bit of wireless. Usually these are turned off.
It falls and doesn’t break up into it’s component parts unlike daughter’s Galaxy S.

I got one on Orange yesterday, under menu ‘about phone’ it says firmware V2.2.2 – is that the Android version?

nice one team. i am all up to date and on 2.2 thanks to you lot.

decent phone just got better.

The correct link is http://direct.motorola.com/ENG/SoftwareUpdateSelect.asp?country=GBR&language=ENG

Note that this is for retail handsets; if you’ve bought it on contract, you’ll need to go to your carrier’s website instead.

Does the Defy not support OTA updates?

I used the Motorola software update as above. It does work for contract phones once set up with the provider – I’m on Vodafone and they went live for updates this week.

As I understand it Vodafone will be rolling out OTA updates over the next week but I’m impatient so used the Motorola system to get it now.

Sadly no 2.2 update for T-Mobile users yet.

I got one on Orange yesterday, under menu ‘about phone’ it says firmware V2.2.2 – is that the Android version?

Yes – mine is showing 2.2.2 as the Firmware version now.

Just waiting for mine to arrive now. I am going to be on orange too so hopefully it’ll have the latest software on. I keep looking out the window everytime I hear a car pull up. Even put the number plaque up that’s been sat in our porch since we moved in.

ummm. im on t-mobile and updated today!

follow birky’s link.

For t-mobile it depends on the handset I think – if you have a retail MotoBlur one you will be able to upgrade to 2.2 if it is a T-Mobile branded one I understand that hasn’t been released yet.

mine is contract t mobile. its not t mobile branded mind, its a standard looking handset.

on t mobile network tho.

anyone trashed one yet ? Mine’s still going strong despite a 3 foot drop onto concrete last week !

Found this topic through the search function, any updated views??

someone was asking last week, and it all came up in that thread. search again for ‘ screen spazzing on defy ‘

ha ha

I bought one a couple of months ago, very pleased. Battery lasts about 48 hours of regular use.

I think there is a new version coming out soon and there is also the Defy+ which I think is slightly more powerful.

Mine has CyanogenMod 7 installed on it from the point I bought it (2nd hand). This seems to work very nicely and has none of those manufacturer or network annoyances.

I looked at one, but despite reports and reviews to the contrary it isn’t either waterproof or IP67 certified – check their website, you’ll see no mention of it anywhere. They just say its “life proof”.

http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/XW-EN/Consumer-Products-and-Services/Mobile-Phones/ci.MOTOROLA-DEFY-PLUS-XW-EN.alt

Hi,

I think you will find it is water resistant (1 hour under 1 metre of water is the spec).

I can testify to my Defy plus surviving a dip in the bath and many bike rides in rain and mud mounted on the bars in a case thats not waterproof.

Regards

In addition there are a few threads out there in geek world about the IP67 thing. I think basically it is more or less designed to that level. However Motorola at some point removed mention of it in specs after getting warranty returns where submerged phones died.

I think that over time the battery cover may lose its sealing ability which would allow water to get in it.

It depends on how you want to use the phone, personally I avoid submerging it but I am happy to use it in the rain etc.

Regards

I’ve cooled on mine since I posted earlier in this thread – I do think it’s very good as a durable, mountain biking phone though.

I encounter a lot of minor problems with the phone being slow and laggy – like an under-powered pc with too many windows open. No one big problem, just minor irritations. I don’t know if this is something to do with the phone’s processor in general or if there’s something more specifically awry with my one.

If your priority for the phone is to use it outdoors on rides etc then it’s probably a good bet. If you’re a heavy phone user on top of that I could see it being a bit aggravating.

If your priority for the phone is to use it outdoors on rides etc then it’s probably a good bet. If you’re a heavy phone user on top of that I could see it being a bit aggravating.

I think that would be a stopper for me then.