How much does the Motorola Photon 4G cost?

The Motorola Photon 4G costs around $1,899 at the lowest verified shop; the prices shown on the page adjust to where you are browsing from, based on current retailer listings.

Photo: Michael van Strien via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Motorola

Motorola Photon 4G

July 31, 2011 6/10 Rating Updated Sep 6, 2026

In brief: The Motorola Photon 4G was a high-end Android smartphone released in July 2011, exclusively for Sprint. It featured a 4.3-inch qHD display, a dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, an 8MP main camera, and 4G WiMAX connectivity, making it a powerful device for its era.

Display4.3-inch qHD (540x960) TFT with Gorilla Glass.

ChipsetNVIDIA Tegra 2 AP20H dual-core 1.0 GHz.

Main Camera8 MP with autofocus and dual-LED flash.

BatteryRemovable 1700 mAh Li-Ion.

Starting from $14

💰 Motorola Photon 4G Price

The Motorola Photon 4G lowest price is $14, based on current retailer listings.

Mercari Lowest Price $14 Visit →

📌 Full Specifications

Display

Type	TFT capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size	4.3 inches
Resolution	540 x 960 pixels (qHD)
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass

Platform

OS	Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 2.3.6
Chipset	NVIDIA Tegra 2 AP20H
CPU	Dual-core 1.0 GHz ARM Cortex-A9
GPU	ULP GeForce

Memory

Card slot	microSDHC, up to 32 GB (dedicated slot)
Internal	16 GB
RAM	1 GB LPDDR2 RAM

Main Camera

Single	8 MP, autofocus, dual-LED flash
Features	Digital zoom
Video	720p@30fps

Selfie Camera

Single	VGA (0.3 MP)
Video	Used for video chat

Battery

Type	Removable Li-Ion 1700 mAh
Talk time	Up to 10 hours (CDMA), 9.1 hours (WCDMA), 10.4 hours (GSM)
Stand-by	Up to 13.1 days (WCDMA), 12.2 days (GSM)

Body

Dimensions	126.9 x 66.9 x 12.2 mm (5.00 x 2.63 x 0.48 in)
Weight	158 g (5.57 oz)
Build	Front glass (Corning Gorilla Glass), plastic back
SIM	Mini-SIM
Other	Built-in kickstand

Comms

WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz)
Bluetooth	2.1, A2DP, EDR
Positioning	GPS, A-GPS
NFC	No
Radio	No
USB	microUSB 2.0
HDMI	microHDMI port

Launch

Announced	Q3 2011
Status	Discontinued
Release Date	July 31, 2011

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

Powerful dual-core processor for its time
"World phone" capabilities with multiple network support
Durable display with Corning Gorilla Glass
Useful built-in kickstand and Webtop feature
Expandable storage via microSD

Cons

Runs an older version of Android (Gingerbread)
Relatively thick and heavy by modern standards
VGA front camera is low resolution
WiMAX 4G technology is now obsolete
Removable battery capacity is small by today's standards

★ Our Verdict

The Motorola Photon 4G was a strong contender in its era, offering advanced features like a dual-core processor, 4G connectivity, and a durable display, but its software quickly became outdated, and its WiMAX technology was superseded.

The Motorola Photon 4G is an extremely outdated smartphone, originally released in 2011. It runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, which is no longer supported by most modern applications and services. Its WiMAX 4G connectivity is obsolete, meaning it will not connect to current 4G LTE or 5G networks. While it was a powerful device in its prime with a dual-core processor and a decent camera for its time, it lacks the performance, security updates, and app compatibility required for daily use in 2026. Therefore, purchasing this phone today is not recommended for practical use, but it might appeal to collectors or those interested in smartphone history. If you're looking for a functional smartphone, even on a budget, consider much newer entry-level Android devices.

Reviewed by the infozme.com Editorial Team — see how we research & rate phones.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

Motorola Photon 4G Handset
Battery
Charger
USB Cable
Documentation (User Manual, Warranty Card)

Standard manufacturer warranty at the time of purchase, typically 1 year.

❓ Questions & Answers

What is the Motorola Photon 4G?

The Motorola Photon 4G was a high-end Android smartphone released by Motorola in 2011, known for its dual-core processor and 4G WiMAX connectivity on Sprint's network.

When was the Motorola Photon 4G released?

The Motorola Photon 4G was officially released on July 31, 2011.

What operating system did the Motorola Photon 4G run?

It launched with Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread and was upgradable to Android 2.3.6.

Does the Motorola Photon 4G support modern 4G LTE networks?

No, the Motorola Photon 4G supported WiMAX 4G, which is an older and now obsolete 4G technology. It does not support modern 4G LTE or 5G networks.

What were the key features of the Motorola Photon 4G?

Key features included a 4.3-inch qHD display with Gorilla Glass, a dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, an 8MP main camera, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, and a built-in kickstand.

Is the Motorola Photon 4G still a good phone to buy today?

No, the Motorola Photon 4G is not recommended for purchase today for practical use due to its extremely outdated software, lack of app compatibility, and obsolete network technology. It is primarily a collector's item.