Motorola CLIQ: first hands-on impressions
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Sep 10th 2009 11:59PM
posted Sep 10th 2009 11:59PM
- Despite the MSM7201a core, the UI is definitely faster than any factory ROM we've used before on any Android device. A good test of this is to quickly swipe open the app drawer -- the action's smooth on the CLIQ, whereas most Magic ROMs would stutter.
- The screen is glass capacitive, and it feels that way. There's no "give" like you've got on a G1 or Magic, for example.
- Expanding on the glass screen, the device feels absolutely fantastic overall. Through Motorola's thick and thin, you've got to admit that the company has a reputation for building ridiculously rock-solid phones, and we're pleased to say that the trend is continuing with the CLIQ. Pictures don't do it justice -- the white model looks particularly cheap at a glance -- but in the hand, it feels like it's fashioned from a solid block of metal.
- The camera button has a focus detent, which makes it a heck of a lot easier to properly harness the power of your 5 megapixel autofocus optics. The jury's still out on photo quality, but it seems promising and focusing is relatively quick (though our disappointment in QVGA 24fps video still runs pretty deep).
- This probably blew Google's mind, but MOTOBLUR has five home screen panels along with a small indicator similar to the iPhone's to show you which one you're currently on. Who knew that someone might want more than three? [Yes, we know HTC's bringing additional panels to the table in Sense as well -- thing is, stock Android doesn't, which a majority of Android phones in circulation still run. It'd be nice to see Google take something like this into the trunk in Donut or Eclair. -Ed.]
- The keyboard feels great. Truly stellar, actually -- and we don't think there's much room for complaints about layout, unless you're really into the dedicated horizontal number row.
Update: More screenshots of CLIQ and MOTOBLUR UI, including the back panel designs and some comparison shots. Interesting to note that the keyboard aspect of the device is just slightly thinner than the iPhone 3GS.
Update 2: Now with more video!
See more video at our hub!
I sure wasn't expecting this kind of Quality out of MOto, I think its a good start back for them. Step in the right direction.
Im really looking forward to this phone coming out. I will definatley leave my sidekick for this phone because the Cliq has better feature and a nice keyboard display better than the sidekick. The sidekick is always crashing which sucks.
I may have to leave my beloved Sidekick for this little buddy .......
I knew Moto could do it. Almost makes me wanna be on T-Mobile. Almost..
For the iPhone haters, this is what a game-changing product gets you: better products from other companies. :)
Does this phone have 3.5mm audio jack? If it does, and priced right, I'm buying.
Yeah, it has one. Near the end of the video
wow motorola am surprised. lets c d scholes if its awesome am stuck with verizon
That keyboard looks good, near laptop like.
That D-pad on the left looks like the perfect gaming set up.
Wish this was coming to Sprint.
Might get this just for the potential emulator controls. My G1 is pretty lackluster in that department, though I still love it.
Just wish the ram/processor were bumped up a bit.
sold!!! i want one now damn it !!!
htc hero also have 5 home screens
Correction: Hero has seven homescreens.
Does anyone know if T-Mobile's 3G is good in the Hollywood Hills area?
I use Verizon and AT&T and they're both pretty bad up here. I really like this device.
If it had that WiFi calling feature I'd buy one and switch in a heartbeat since I could just make calls using my WiFi network at home.
Very nice looking device and I really like the integrated social networking UI.
wow, its back on the tmobile website, and for some reason on my account page, I get the temporary unavailable message when I try shopping for phones. Idk what it is but I want this phone now
That's nice, more Android expansion =).
Can't wait to see if the rumors about Touch HD2 coming with Android are true.
What about UMA - see no mention and I thought it cleared for TMob at FCC with UMA.
UMA is severely lacking in all TMob offerings especially Android phones - if on this one it would be game changer.
No, actually Hero has 7 home screens.
Nice to see yahoo mail on an Android phone. I miss my free yahoo mail from my previous WM phones.
The number row setup is terrible, it should have been in keypad format on the right side of the keyboard, with the ALT or FN button on the left so that you can easily type in numbers..Trust me on this one, I've owned the 8125 from Cingular that had a similar setup, and it was terrible in comparison to the 8525, TILT, and FUZE with a keypad layout.
Really? Mind blowing to Google that it has 5 screens? Lol. Google are the ones who made Android customizable like that. When the G1 first came out and no widgets were released then there was no need for more than 3 screens. And besides, shortly after it's release home replacement apps let you add screens. aHome lets you add up to 7 if I remember correctly, and dxTop offers you 5 with it's own swiping scheme leaving each screen only one swipe away.
Come on Engadget... Why would Google make a phone with 5 screens and nothing on them?
Exactly.
Is it just me, or does the UI seem VERY laggy? I thought it was supposed to be snappy, yet everything the guy is demoing stutters.
@Jason: I think its just you
I noticed that too. Yeah, everyone was saying how smooth and nice it seemed. however, I noticed tons of lag.
I just did a search on the t-mobile site for Motorola Cliq and my search resilts show that the the Cliq will be $399
link to screen shot.
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/6081/87569353.jpg
*result
Im sure this is before rebates or discounts... I'm thinking 149.99 - 199.99
399.00 is also the price for the MyTouch 3g and with a 2 year contract, its 199.99
He seems rather hesitant answering the question about whether or not the UI will be sped up to back off the lag .... hmmm.
I WANT IT !!!
I love my G1... having said that, this is the first Android phone since the G1 I've seen that I would seriously consider as a replacement (going on looks at least).
I came. Definitely getting this.