Sprint Photon 4G

Metascore

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 14 expert reviews

Excellent:

3
Good:

9
Average:

2
Bad:

0

Pros:

Striking screen.
Dual-core processor.
Clear voice quality.

Cons:

Tons of preloaded bloatware.
Webtop mode is sluggish.

Last revision on January 29, 2013

Editors Liked

Striking screen
Dual-core processor
Clear voice quality
Good battery life
Can convert into a laptop PC
Smooth and responsive performance
Even with images loaded, it's butterysmooth
As with the X2, Motorola's PenTile displays can be extremely bright
4.3-inch qHD display
World-roaming capabilities
8-megapixel camera
HDMI port
Built-in kickstand
Great design and feel

Editors Didn't Like

Tons of preloaded bloatware
Webtop mode is sluggish
No 4G
The especially annoying stuff can't be
Motorola's custom user interface isn't for everyone
The handset is on the larger side
Camera quality wasn't that great
Poor screen quality
Can't charge and use kickstand
NinjaBlur is bland
Sprint doesn't have 4G LTE
Awkward microUSB port placement

Expert reviews and ratings

By PC Mag on November 02, 2011 90

The Motorola Electrify is U.S. Cellular's best smartphone, with a fast dual-core processor and gorgeous 4.3-inch screen....

By Pocketnow on September 21, 2011 70

The battle is hard fought, and it is far from over. But in the case of the Motorola Photon 4G, it certainly is quite the performer, especially when you start tweaking the system to be more efficient. Considering the camera is average, and the Pentile...

By PC Advisor on September 02, 2011 80

Despite its fairly pedestrian hardware design, the Photon 4G should appeal to anyone looking for an Android smartphone that stands a good chance of being allowed access to the corporate network - but you do need to be something of a propeller head to...

By InfoWorld on September 01, 2011 75

Follow @MobileGalen There's new hope for Android aficionados who want IT to let them use their preferred mobile OS for work, thanks to Motorola Mobility's four business-oriented smartphones: the Photon 4G and Xpert for Sprint, Atrix 4G for AT&T...

By Digital Trends on September 01, 2011 75

If you're in the market for a new wireless carrier, the Photon 4G gives you a good reason to consider Sprint. Unlike the EVO 3D, Motorola's new phone doesn't rely on crafty...

By Engadget on August 15, 2011 80

With its stunning display, impressive battery life and solid performance, the Photon 4G comes very close to dethroning Samsung's mighty Galaxy S II as king of the Android hill. This is simultaneously Motorola's and Sprint's best handset ever...

By BrightHub on August 09, 2011 80

Overall the Motorola Photon 4G ranks in as a solid 'Good' smartphone. Some would think that the Photon 4G is simply a remodeled version of its sibling, the Atrix 4G on AT&T, due to the similar specs and abilities, but the Photon really does...

By MobileBurn on August 08, 2011 84

Sponsored links, if any, appear in green. The Motorola PHOTON 4G is a phone of many firsts. It is the first high-end Motorola smartphone to grace Sprint's network in longer than one would care to remember. It is the first 4G WiMAX phone produced...

By cnet on August 02, 2011 87

With a dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, 4G speeds, enterprise-level security, and world phone credentials, the Motorola Photon 4G is a top-notch Android phone for Sprint...

By Wired on August 02, 2011 70

A photon moves at the speed of light, shines brightly and has a resting mass of zero. That said, it’s a damn good name for Motorola’s latest Android phone.The Photon brings 4G speeds and dual-core processing power to Sprint customers. An...

By LaptopMag on July 29, 2011 80

The Motorola Photon 4G is one powerful and versatile smartphone, boasting a first-rate industrial design, brilliant display, excellent gaming performance, and a sharp (albeit sluggish) camera. The HDMI mirroring works smoothly, and those looking for...

By PCWorld on July 29, 2011 80

Of all the Motorola phones we've seen this year, the Photon is definitely the best of the pack. The design is one-of-a-kind, and the Tegra 2 processor paired with Sprint's 4G network is hard to beat. But the Photon 4G suffers from some issues...

By HotHardware on November 16, 2011

The Motorola Photon 4G is a good-looking phone with angled corners and a vibrant 4.3-inch qHD (Quarter High Definition) display. It also has all of the internal specs you'd expect from a high-end phone that's on the market today, including a...

By SlashGear on September 23, 2011

To sum things up nicely this is a great all around smartphone. With enough internal storage to last through most users needs no matter how many apps they install, a powerful dual-core processor, top of the line camera all with a bright and brilliant...

By Android Police on September 15, 2011

I have to admit, the Photon exceeded my expectations. So much so, in fact, that I'd undoubtedly recommend it to friends and family as a great alternative to the EVO 3D or Epic 4G Touch - certainly no mean feat. It's a solid package that delivers...

By CellPhoneQuick on August 31, 2011

The Motorola Photon 4G earns its spot in Sprint’s high-end Android phone lineup with a blazing fast dual-core 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, dual-mode GSM/CDMA chipset, and impressive 4G speeds. We’re also fans of the flip-out kickstand, and...

By Ars Technica on August 23, 2011

When I think of Sprint, I don't think of performance phones; I think of BlackBerries and ruggedized flip phones meant for use on construction sites, despite the launch of the HTC Evo 4G on the network over a year ago. With the Motorola Photon 4G...

By Phone Scoop on August 02, 2011

After spending more than four days with the Photon 4G, I am confident in recommending it as Sprint's top smartphone. It hits a home run in almost every department. The hardware is excellent, the wireless performance top-notch, the voice quality...

By PhoneDog on August 01, 2011

The PHOTON 4G is an all-around fantastic smartphone with a wireless radio that bests anything on Sprint at the moment. If you need a great phone with a killer specifications list, the PHOTON is the device to get.Motorola PHOTON 4G Review by... -...

By Android Central on July 29, 2011

Motorola may well have Sprint's best 4G phone yet Oh, Moto. What is this little piece of sexy you've dropped off in front of us? OK, maybe little isn't the right word. We're looking at yet another 4.3-inch black slab smartphone in...

Load More Reviews…