Motorola Defy Android smartphone

Motorola Defy review: Motorola's latest smartphone is the first Android handset to be dust, water and scratch resistant

Good Gear Guide

Motorola has released the world's first rugged Android smartphone, the Motorola Defy. The Motorola Defy is surprisingly stylish and light for a phone that is claimed to be dust, water and scratch resistant.

Pros

  • Dust, water and scratch resistant
  • Lightweight and attractive design
  • Swype text-entry

Cons

  • Text is a little small
  • Display feels sticky
  • Touch-sensitive menu keys

Bottom Line

Motorola deserves plenty of credit for producing an Android smartphone that's rugged but still has an attractive design. The Motorola Defy may not be the fastest Android smartphone on the market, but we recommend it for active users; it is also excellent value for money.

Would you buy this?

  • Price

    $ 600.00 (AUD)

More details about the Motorola Defy Australia launch.

See how the Motorola Defy handles being submerged in water.

Check out our guide to other top Motorola phones.

Motorola Defy: Design

Motorola has described the Defy as "Australia's first summer-proof smartphone". Surprisingly, given it is a ruggedised handset, the Motorola Defy is one of the lightest Android smartphones we've reviewed; it is a little wide, but it features an edge-to-edge display, a stylish rubber back and curved edges that make it comfortable to hold and use. Aside from the industrial-looking screws around the side of the casing, the Defy looks like a regular Android smartphone, so Motorola really does deserve a lot of credit for its design.

Motorola has emphasised that the Defy is not "waterproof" per se, but it is described as water resistant, and can handle being submerged in up to a metre of water. You'll need to make sure the plastic flaps covering both the headphone jack and the microUSB port are closed before you attempt to drown the phone; both are a little annoying to open, but effectively seal the ports from leaking water when correctly closed.

Motorola Defy review

The Motorola has a stylish rubber back and curved edges, making it comfortable to hold and use.

We tested the Motorola Defy's water resistance in various situations, including holding it under a running tap and completely submerging it in a glass of water — and it did not skip a beat. We also dropped the Defy onto concrete surfaces, and the phone was undamaged apart from a few small scratches on the rear casing.

Motorola has used 'Gorilla Glass' for the Defy's display, which the company claims is difficult to scratch or crack. The screen is 3.7in when measured diagonally, but it is not as wide as the iPhone 4, which only measures 3.5in. Like the Motorola Milestone 2's screen, the display is bright and clear and has excellent resolution. However, text is smaller than on most other Android smartphones; some users may find it a little hard to read. We also aren't a fan of the touch-sensitive buttons that sit below the display. While the menu, home, back and search keys are backlit and generally responsive, they are easy to accidentally bump. They can't be used to wake the Defy when the screen is locked.

User Comments

1

LizTue 11/01/2011 - 07:39

I bought my Defy 18 days ago and last night the screen cracked. Yes, that's right, the unbreakable phone has broken. The kicker is, It cracked while charging. I plugged it in, set in on my bookshelf where it charged for several hours. Upon retrieving the phone, there was a large crack across the bottom of the screen. I called my carrier who referred me to Motorola. There, I got the run around. I was told that the company would not cover a cracked screen, but that I could send the phone in for an evaluation to determine if it had physical damage. I asked what counted as physical damage and was told (among others) a cracked screen. What, I asked, was the point of sending it in? *sigh* When I explained that I had only owned the phone for 18 days, I was flat out told that it did not matter. Cracked screen = no repair. So, there you go. My carrier tells me that this is a Motorola problem and Motorola refuses to take responsibily for their faulty product.

2

DeborahWed 12/01/2011 - 19:13

I'm just wondering when Motorolla are going to come into the 21st century and be compatable with Mac. This is my 4th motorolla in 10 years and still no Mac???

3

PietSat 15/01/2011 - 14:23

I was considering the Defy, but thanks to the comment by Liz regarding poor warranty support it is now off my list. Thank you Liz for sharing.

4

AndrewTue 01/02/2011 - 04:26

Ditto.
I have enough trouble dealing with Telstra. Why would I want to add to the experience!! Thanks for the heads up.

5

DarrenWed 02/02/2011 - 14:58

I had a similar problem to Liz (mine lasted 12 days, also on charge at the time).

I had the same runaround with Telstra and Motorola. After making a formal complaint with Telstra I was able to evenly split the cost of repairs between myself and Telstra, I figured paying half was much better than paying the whole thing.

I'm currently waiting to see how much it will cost.

It's worth noting that Telstra staff have been quite good about the whole thing once you get on to the right people, but Motorola just will not take responsibility for their own product.

6

mickSun 06/02/2011 - 01:32

thanks for your posts . I WAS about to contact telstra & order my new phone . Im not impressed by motorola's response to several people having the same issue - this seems like a MANUFACTURERS defect . Maybe you should all contact the communications ombudsman , they are fantastic at advising and fixing these type of matters

7

Paul WhiteFri 11/02/2011 - 11:17

I have to agree with some of the comments above I had my defy for 3 weeks and every body was complaining that they could not hear me, I ttok the phone back to Telstra at Hornsby and they told me it had dust in the microphone and told me to go to a phone repair shop in the same shopping centre,who in turn said it would have to go back to motorola and if I was lucy,I would get it back in a week or two ,that was 3 weeks ago and have since rang them and they said it could be another month as they are witing for parts.
So how is that for the so called unbreakable phone,also I am appalled at Telstra`s after sales service farming me off to some phone repair company and not even offering me a loan phone to run my business.
I am under contract with this phone for two years otherwise I would be finding another carrier anybody would be better than this mob.

8

sharonSun 13/02/2011 - 20:22

dont put up with that Paul, if you are on a plan, DEMAND a replacement phone. Customers have got to stop being bound by these ridiculous claims. GO TO THE OMBUDSMAN - it worked for me... Tip when ringing Telstra, and asked which department ALWAYS say complaints, you get answered by someone in Australia, and I think this is the only department that can make decisions!!!!!

9

Peter Thu 17/02/2011 - 17:55

Love the phone BUT... sometimes it turns itself off...another time it went to silent by itself....and the best of all....of no accord it decides to call people, not just once in an afternoon,many times.Bought the phone outright and what help from the Telstra dealer....two thirds of three quarters of stuff all.Please someone get it right.

10

GusFri 25/02/2011 - 18:45

If anyone has had an issue with their screen cracking please post here, as we are taking Motorola to court in a class action, due to them not accepting responsibility for this issue which is becoming a major problem.

11

BradFri 25/02/2011 - 23:15

My brother bought a DEFY due to it apparently being a dust proof, 'unbreakable' etc phone. Less than a month after buying it (Hel$tra plan) he was playing a game on it, put the phone on the lounge and whamo, a large crack appeared on the screen. The phone has not been dropped or abused. As has been previously mentioned, apparently broken screens are not covered under warranty even if they spontaneously break with no help from the user.

I would recommend to everyone as I have to him, follow this up with the TIO as it is completely unacceptable for this not to be replaced free of charge. If Hel$tra decide to sell a phone, they are responsible for all risks involved with manufacturer's defects... if they have an issue with that than they should take it with Motorola.

12

Steve Tue 08/03/2011 - 15:46

I have had my DEFY since Jan 28th. No problems, easy to use and great reception with Telstra. Like all smartphones batteries dont last that long before a charge. Both my partner and I have this handset and couldnt be happier.Hopefully I wont have to deal with Motorola but then have you ever dealt with Apple ! Grr

13

PeterThu 02/06/2011 - 14:17

I had my DEFY for 3 weeks and my signal strength on my next g network drop to 2 bars and then to emergency calls only and it would drain my battery trying to find a signal and there was nothing wrong with telstras signal. Telstra sent the phone for repair but it is still doing the same thing. not happy jan!

14

TaylaSun 26/06/2011 - 18:44

I love my Defy. I dropped it face first on the road while running and not a scratch. The thing is that I have it on a pre-paid sim and it constantly steals my credit and I dont know what to do? I still dont know what the problem is and i cant find it on the internet. one time i had 5 dollars sent 3 texts (one cent each) and ten minutes later it was all gone? can any one explain that? I sure cant...

15

CaseySun 07/08/2011 - 10:56

brought a defy yesterday,was considering a htc desire s, however sales guy convinced me the defy is better for me as in construction and its tough. im a bit concerned now reading these comments. time will tell.

16

MarshallFri 19/08/2011 - 16:14

My screen cracked as well. Fell out of pocket onto ground from about 2ft. Very fragile device. Now it goes in and out of service only allowing emergency calls only. I am highly interested in the class action law suit. I live in Houston, TX.

17

LibbiSat 08/10/2011 - 12:21

@Casey; I have a HTC Desire S, and since buying it over a month ago, not one single problem. I dropped my phone while running and it bounced three times but all it got was a small, unnoticeable scratch on the side. The only reason it has a huge crack up the side is my own fault. (Bad temper). But honestly, I recommend this beautiful creation to everyone; I have never in my life been happier with a phone. It's perfect.

18

ShanWed 12/10/2011 - 14:29

Bought one for my husband as they are water resistant and dust proof and he is in the earthmoving industry. Now looking at buying a different phone for him as you can't hear anything at all unless you have the call on speaker phone. It's only a few months old too.

19

VikkiWed 23/11/2011 - 15:19

Hmmm I should have read this before buying my Defy. My screen has multiple fractures that occured after one crack appeared. Was told by Telstra they wouldn't/couldn't fix it. It is in a drawer - still on a two year plan.

20

ClydeWed 08/02/2012 - 14:06

I've had a Defy for over 12 months and have been quite happy with it. I did find that I had to turn off background data to get reasonable battery life, but with that off I get about 3 days per battery (I swap batteries rather than recharge in the phone). No cracks, scratches or any other damage and I have dropped it a few times. My only gripe is not being able to remove Motoblur - I don't use it but it has "features" like a SIM lock that requires a wifi connection to get past - on the few occasions I wanted to change SIM cards this was a right pain. But I would buy another one.

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