Motorola Droid Bionic smartphone

Photo: Eugene via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Motorola

Motorola Droid Bionic

September 8, 2011 7/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The Motorola Droid Bionic was a pioneering Android smartphone, notable for being one of the first devices to combine a dual-core processor with Verizon's 4G LTE network. It featured a 4.3-inch qHD display and an 8MP camera, aiming to deliver a powerful mobile experience for its time.
Display4.3-inch qHD (960x540) TFT display with Gorilla Glass.
ChipsetTI OMAP 4430 dual-core 1 GHz processor.
Main Camera8 MP with 1080p HD video recording.
Battery1735 mAh removable Li-Ion battery.
Starting from $55

💰 Motorola Droid Bionic Price

The Motorola Droid Bionic lowest price is $55, based on current retailer listings.

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📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeTFT capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size4.3 inches
Resolution540 x 960 pixels (qHD, ~256 ppi density)
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass

Platform

OSAndroid 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean)
ChipsetTI OMAP 4430
CPUDual-core 1.0 GHz ARM Cortex-A9
GPUPowerVR SGX540

Memory

Card slotmicroSDHC, up to 32 GB (16 GB card often included)
Internal16 GB storage, 1 GB RAM

Main Camera

Single8 MP, autofocus
FeaturesDual-LED flash
Video1080p@30fps

Selfie Camera

SingleVGA
VideoYes (for video chat)

Battery

TypeRemovable Li-Ion 1735 mAh
Stand-byUp to 195 h
Talk timeUp to 10 h 40 min

Body

Dimensions127.5 x 66.9 x 10.9 mm (5.02 x 2.63 x 0.43 in)
Weight158.8 g (5.6 oz)
SIMMini-SIM

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot
Bluetooth2.1, A2DP, EDR
PositioningGPS, A-GPS
USBmicroUSB 2.0
HDMIYes (output)

Launch

AnnouncedJanuary 2011 (CES 2011)
StatusReleased September 8, 2011

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Blazing fast 4G LTE speeds for its era.
  • Speedy dual-core processor for multitasking.
  • Sharp and vibrant 4.3-inch qHD display.
  • 8MP camera with 1080p HD video recording.
  • Webtop functionality with optional accessories for a desktop-like experience.
  • Good call quality and audio performance.
  • Durable build featuring Corning Gorilla Glass.

Cons

  • Battery life could be inconsistent, especially with 4G LTE usage.
  • Camera performance, while high resolution, sometimes lacked color contrast and had slow focus/shutter.
  • Expensive at launch, priced at $299 with a two-year contract.
  • Design included a slight 'hump' on the back.
  • Initial software had some bugs, though many were addressed with updates.
★ Our Verdict

The Motorola Droid Bionic was a highly innovative and powerful device for its time, but faced challenges with battery life and camera performance, which were common for early 4G LTE smartphones.

The Motorola Droid Bionic, released in 2011, was a groundbreaking smartphone, being one of the first to combine a dual-core processor with Verizon's nascent 4G LTE network. While its specifications were top-tier over a decade ago, it is now an obsolete device. Modern applications and operating systems are far too demanding for its 1GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM. The Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS (upgradable to 4.1.2) is no longer supported, meaning security vulnerabilities and incompatibility with current apps. Therefore, it is not recommended for purchase or daily use in today's smartphone landscape. If you encounter one, it would primarily serve as a collector's item or for nostalgic purposes, rather than a functional communication device.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Motorola Droid Bionic Handset
  • Removable Battery (1735 mAh)
  • Wall Charger
  • USB Cable
  • 16GB microSD card (often included)
  • Quick Start Guide

Typically, new smartphones at the time came with a standard one-year limited manufacturer's warranty.

❓ Questions & Answers

When was the Motorola Droid Bionic released?

The Motorola Droid Bionic was officially released on September 8, 2011, after being announced at CES 2011.

What operating system did the Motorola Droid Bionic run?

It originally launched with Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread and was upgradable to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.

Was the Motorola Droid Bionic a 4G phone?

Yes, it was one of the first smartphones to support Verizon's 4G LTE network, offering significantly faster data speeds than 3G at the time.

What was the main camera resolution of the Droid Bionic?

The Motorola Droid Bionic featured an 8-megapixel main camera with autofocus and a dual-LED flash, capable of recording 1080p HD video.

Is the Motorola Droid Bionic still usable today?

Due to its outdated hardware and unsupported software, the Motorola Droid Bionic is not recommended for daily use in today's smartphone environment. It lacks modern app compatibility and security updates.

What was unique about the Motorola Droid Bionic?

The Droid Bionic was notable for being a trailblazer in combining a dual-core processor with 4G LTE connectivity, and for its Webtop application that allowed it to connect to docks for a desktop-like experience.