Motorola Aura hands-on

OK, the Motorola Aura isn't new at CES this year, but honestly, how could you expect us to pass up an opportunity to check it out? So yeah, we might have been harsh on it when we were talking price, but up close this is an amazing little phone. The housing material, build quality, keys, assisted-opening blade mechanism, and sapphire crystal lens are all perfectly done, the display -- while admittedly tiny -- is nothing short of completely stunning. This is without a doubt one of the nicer phones we've handled, though the jury's still out on functionality. Follow on to Engadget Mobile for a gallery loaded with pics that we're hoping show just how beautiful this thing really is. End of gush.

[hexoDAT64 @ Jan 10th 2009 7:13PM]

I would never get it, but that's really cool!

[zephxiii @ Jan 10th 2009 7:14PM]

That screen is dope, I like the style, but its kinda too weird. They should do another wicked funky Americana style metal handset, but not with that weird rotation.

[Soreo @ Jan 10th 2009 7:15PM]

Hot damn.

Retro meets bootylicious, mediocre-interfaced device?

[yopladas @ Jan 10th 2009 7:15PM]

That phone seems kinda cool, but more tacky with that giant ruby or red piece of glass or whatever that is...

Whoever can afford that needs to just get a G1 or something better...

[L @ Jan 10th 2009 7:23PM]

You DO know that "giant ruby or red piece of glass or whatever that is..." is the screen, right?

[yopladas @ Jan 10th 2009 7:46PM]

Oh. I thought that's where you type the number when prompted and the screen flips out...

Certainly ugly then...

[Cassini @ Jan 10th 2009 7:18PM]

Too expensive, but it's extremely nice, and makes the iPhone look like a toy (and I've always thought the iPhone looked nice).

[anthony @ Jan 10th 2009 7:20PM]

its worth the price for the build quality.. but i'd rather it be a stainless steel StarTAC

[Rob Conway @ Jan 10th 2009 10:48PM]

i remember seeing Moulder use a StarTac on X-files! I wanted that shit soooo bad!

[BobTurbo @ Jan 10th 2009 7:33PM]

Looks a little girly and fashionable. Maybe that is who it is designed for...

[Shugg @ Jan 10th 2009 7:37PM]

I have an iphone 3g,.I might get this just so people stop calling me an applefanboi,.should I?I sometimes have to hide iPhone in fear that they call me fanboi , hurts my feelings,.;(

[Wolfticket @ Jan 10th 2009 7:46PM]

It wont help. Trust me.

[brett @ Jan 10th 2009 8:31PM]

people might call you an apple fanboy for having an iphone...

...but people *will* call you an idiot for buying a $2000 glamour-phone.

[superhobo @ Jan 11th 2009 12:00AM]

Get the Palm Pre.

[Uncontrol @ Jan 10th 2009 8:59PM]

i love how posts about anything that's moderately fashionable looking draws out the homophobes and insecure manchildren

[AndyM @ Jan 10th 2009 11:43PM]

It's OK if you like the phone.

[BobTurbo @ Jan 11th 2009 1:52AM]

I like how people get defensive and imagine things that don't exist.

[tekdroid @ Jan 10th 2009 9:54PM]

I'm a fan of:
1) strong top-and-bottom semi-circle curvature (makes pocketability much easier)
2) what looks like real metal
(preferable to faux-metal, reception issues notwistanding, though I still much prefer unpainted plastic)

The strong top-and-bottom semi-circle curves immediately reminded me of an old low-end phone I once tried briefly, the C200:
http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_c205-660.php
...which was a great phone as far as doing what a phone should (good reception, rugged, pocketable, if rudimentary in other departments). Boutique phones don't fit well with my 'I don't want to baby this' psychology, but I can appreciate the design here. No doubt they'll price this high.

Plus it's one of the few phones where the retro-ish always-up-front M logo actually doesn't clash with the retro-ish design, IMO.

[anthony @ Jan 11th 2009 6:11AM]

it is made from steel and already priced at 2 grand.. as far as reception with real metals, I have no idea but that's why I believe every phone should still have a retractable antenna... an antenna for functional and aesthetic purposes

[Sevenmack @ Jan 10th 2009 10:19PM]

This phone is hot. It's definitely a cool phone to take with you to the club or bar if you are single (or married but have a wandering eye). Just to get the chicks and the fashionistas all at the same time.

[superhobo @ Jan 11th 2009 12:02AM]

Meh.

What a waste of high quality materials.

[XenoX101 @ Jan 11th 2009 5:52AM]

If I could easily move all my contacts from my Nokia to this, I would definitely consider it as a sleek simple alternative to my N95.

[Gabriel @ Jan 11th 2009 6:56AM]

Well tomorrow morning I will receive it :)

[I love aura @ Jan 11th 2009 8:56AM]

I like the phone, Vertu has diamonds but IMO style always doesn't mean extravaganza?
Atleast it has Linux!!! Mod It :P

[Bill @ Jan 11th 2009 11:03AM]

It's not a badly designed phone. However, it's overpriced for what it is really. And, I feel the Nokia 8800 series offers better value for the money.

[Gabriel @ Jan 11th 2009 12:07PM]

Well I looked into it before I ordered the aura and if you compare the aura with an 8800 series phone, an 8800 series phone looks dated. Not only from the outside but also from the inside. Sure an 8800 series phone has 3G and the latest arte carbon also has 4gig memory but that is about the only advantage over the aura.

Besides, what was really a dealbreaker for me to buy an arte phone was one of the latest reviews on youtube. Where a guy in white shirt with a silver bracelet - plumberstyle - shows I think his nokia arte carbon. In other words ´everybody´seems to be able to afford an arte phone these days. Like every taxi driver in Holland can afford almost every mercedes in the catalogue. That is why I and many here in Holland will not buy a mercedes aswell.

[mocax @ Jan 11th 2009 9:03PM]

i guess the plus point is that the screen doesn't need InvisibleShield to prevent scratches