Exclusive: Motorola WX445 leaked, offers low-end Android for Verizon
By Chris Ziegler 
posted July 10th 2010 3:10PM
posted July 10th 2010 3:10PM
[Thanks, Besiktas Fan]
posted July 10th 2010 3:10PM
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Another phone marketed in the wrong market.
@PrepaidAndroidUSA
It looks like Verizon keeps copying other carriers. EVO 4G gets released, Droid X gets announced, Samsung Intercept gets released, now this gets announced. I think Verizon needs to stick with the Android phones that work for them. Droid and Incredible.
@The Dark Knight So lemme get this straight, you're seriously suggesting that Verizon ONLY released a high end smartphone because the EVO 4G came out 30 days prior ?
Interesting.
@PrepaidAndroidUSA And you're also suggesting that somehow Moto and Verizon created the Droid X in the month since the EVO came out? These things were planned way in advance, so it's unlikely that one copied the other. It's especially ridiculous to say Verizon copied Sprint, since neither company manufactures cell phones.
@PrepaidAndroidUSA Doesn't MotoBlur phones have "MB" or something like that in their Model Number?
@EggoEspada I think the "MB" on the model number is reserver for Blur phones. MB = MotoBlur.
@PrepaidAndroidUSA
Motorola's minimum standard should be the Droid. This is hardly "breaking news."
exactly.. the difference in price between a $0 phone and $199 phone over a two year contract period is INSIGNIFICANT.
of course most americans can't do math so they cant figure that out
and btw iphones suck
@ckeegan
Yeah but they can order what ever type of phone they want for their network. You never see the big wigs from Moto or HTC like you do with Apple. Not that we have to but at least the powers that be make their presence known. It does ad some value to the game. IMHO.
Anyway, Moto most likely gets their phone from HTC or Samsung. It ain't like Moto is designing them damn phone in house.
They use a free, off the shelf OS(Android) and rebranded cell phones. Period.
@PrepaidAndroidUSA
I coulda sworn that LG Ally was enough low-end Android for any carrier.
Motorola apparently knows how to follow up the Droid.
woooo... more low end android.... :(
@hammydbest I think its great Android is going in every market. The more the merrier. And hopefully, Verizon will offer low priced plans for Low market phones.
@hammydbest
Low end is great for *many* people that just want basic features and perhaps just a touch more (for a smaller price -- hopefully). Consider the individuals that just snap photos, text, email occasionally surf, and use only a handful of apps -- something like EVO or GalaxyS is overkill and likely outside of what they would like to spend.
Android appealing to both high and low segments of the market is a very smart move, and the technology is more than nimble enough to be able to handle both segments.
To be honest, I consider myself a 'power user' and would easily snap up a cheap android phone that performs adequately. The time that I spend surfing, emailing, reading, watching video, or gaming on my mobile is minimal at best, and prefer to do these things on a laptop. To me the 'smart phone' is really just a convenience apart from its primary feature (to make and receive calls), as the screen is too small and the interface too cumbersome to enjoy for long periods. In a pinch, it's great, but not to do anything serious.
@hammydbest
void comment, this kind of phone is a possibility for me, cheap with ok specs on an android device, nothing wrong with phones that arent using the top features available, we have the evo 4g for that
its better than being tied in to a very expensive average phone like for ios.
@MagnetMan
The thing is, with the rapacious prices the big carriers have for their plans, why wouldn't you spend like 3-4% more and get a much better phone? Really, plans are like $2500 or more for two years, so why would you go with the crummy $99 phone over the much better $199 phone?
@SomePerson
They won't offer lower priced plans for phones that are just shittier smartphones. They can still use data via the browser or apps, but they just have crappier CPUs and cameras. There's no reason to price those plans any less for using the same data.
@hammydbest - With Motoblur.... :(
When are HTC and Moto going to get it? If they're so adamant about making their own software, let them design and run their own OS on their phones.
We'll see how far they get.
@MagnetMan I agree. After the novelty wore off, I haven't used my iPhone much for entertainment. Just Google Maps and Safari occasionally, and a few apps. The weather apps are what I use the most, out of everything.
It isn't the price of this phone that would appeal to me; it's the small form factor and the weight, assuming it's lighter than the iPhone. And the network; I'm sick of AT&T's coverage.
Why what's the point? The devour and Ally are cheap enough as shitty android phones. Al tough it makes little sense why you would buy either with better options. Such as the Incredible, the Droid, and the Droid X coming up.
@gold5225
Options. As it stands, Verizon has 3 tiers now. Dumb phones, entry level smart phones (such as this one) and full blown smart phones (Droid, Droid X Incredible, etc.)
The middle tier would be for those who have never had a smart phone or want a cheap smart phone. The market does exist for those who want smart phones but don't want to pay $199.
That's a great analysis. If this could slide into the "3G Multimedia" tier and only require the $9.99 data package, it might get picked up by someone who doesn't want something like an EnV-series phone, but can't shell out for a full-blown smartphone.
Some low end android phones shouldn' t hurt anyone. Hopefully the hardware is half decent (perhaps the 600 mhz msm7227) but that screen look very low res (i guess its 240x320 like the wildfire and the x10 mini).
@Dadu The thing is... in my opinion at least...there shouldn't be a need for low end android phones...the cost of a new phone (with contract) costs between 0 and 200 dollars. The cost of the plan.... at least 40 dollars a month (30 dollars data, plus 10 dollars add a line if on a family plan) per month for the duration of the contact...500 dollars isn't comparable to the cost of the phone... If you compare it as a single line..it comes out to a 2400 dollar phone, vs 200 dollar phone...even then, if you can't afford one you can't afford the other, so a low end phone is really only hurting the user.
IF on the other hand, it were nearly free off contract, or if the data plan was limited, it would make sense, because the whole cost would be decreased, whereas, with only a smaller entry fee, it shouldn't really change the targeted market.
@KungFuHamster Oh, I mean, obviously more phones are always good, because thats more choice, and then it can appeal to a wider audience. But for the consumer..purchasing phones on contract...I'd think always buy the top end.
@KungFuHamster sure, if you gonna get an android phone on contract for 2 years on verizon, you should save up a bit and get an incredible or a droid. But if your looking for a cheap phone to get off contract thats small and cheap but still got a bunch of features than why not get something like this (or an Aria or Wildfire).
@KungFuHamster Isn't there a market for a pre-paid voice plan with an Android phone? Wifi is becoming common enough to escape the financial burden of a data plan that many users don't want or need. I spend enough time on the internet on my laptop that don't need constant access on my phone BUT it would be nice to have in a pinch so occasional (free) wifi access is enough.
Have you ever wondered why people who take these pictures cannot spare 2 seconds to wipe the screen on their jeans or something? Look how gross it is.
@questionexclamation I was about to say the same. Smeesh, didn't your mother ever teach you to wipe your screen?
Doesn't the Eris already satisfy this slot on Verizon?
@marsmissions I think they discontinued it. Because I went on their site to see the android phones and it's no longer listed.
@marsmissions
Eris is gone
@MiddleFinger
/sarcasm ?
Low end smartphones for poor people and dumb girls
good competition for Aria
i actually really like the look of this phone. Beats the pants off verizon's other low end phones imo
If this is going to require a $30 data plan, I think the LG Ally already covers this segment... and it looks like a much better phone, too. This Moto's screen looks pretty pixelated and low-res; the Ally has a 800x480 screen with nearly 300 ppi.
I get why people will make smartphones that are cheaper, but when it has the same service cost is it not worth that extra $100-$200 to get a phone that is not already outdated by better hardware?
@einhanderkiller the LG Ally has the worst Android skin on it imaginable that makes the otherwise well constructed phone unusable. Even BLUR is better.
@maythetechbewithyou
You can actually switch back to the stock Android theme.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBfWmslbZno#t=5m10s
@MiddleFinger Yeah why can't they be more like samsung... damn I guess i will have to wait for the Facinate to get more badging
Finally Verizon gets something low-end from Motorola. I don't like how moto is giving them all the high-end android phones while the other carriers are left behind.
Can we please start seeing some leaks for these supposed "superphones" coming out before the end of the year. I would really appreciate it, as it will help make my decision easier. OK, good talk, now go start calling your sources, and make sure one of them has info about an HTC Touch Pro3 with Android, speedy fast processor, and more RAM.
Honestly, I don't think it's that bad at all and I actually appreciate the nice lines.
Some people are just so damn unappreciative, especially some of the nerds on Engadget.
Not everyone is wanting an Evo or iPhone, this phone caters to the other 60% of the market.
I'm, like many of you people, pretty technologically advanced. And I'm, like many of you people, a person of numbers.
So....why would someone buy a low-end device if they gotta pay 30 dollars a month???? Who would do this?
There will be people who will - I worked with two women who bought a Droid Eris because it was "cute" and didn't care that they were going to be paying all that money for an underpowered phone.
But...this doesn't look "cute". So...why would someone blow money on this?
Why would one want a low end Android based phone? Just like comparing the EVO to all the the other Android based phones, they are low end as well. Look I'm an Apple fan and I use iPhone however I'm looking to use my wifes tmobile discount which would mean 100/m lower bill with the same plan just on tmobile... Which phone would you all suggest and why?
If it costs more than $0 with 2 year contract - it will fail. Plain and simple.
Not too fond of the overly round shape it's a little 1990s
How much for the voice + text + data plans? Same as the Incredible or Droid X? If so, $0.00 is still too much...Who wants a 2nd rate smartphone at premium monthly costs?
Wow that's horrible. Why are they wasting time putting out phones like this. Why are they not working on a quality Droid maybe a bit better than the Droid X with a keyboard or something. Those of us keyboard users are still waiting for one. Droid 2 definantly isn't the one. I would like to see a 4.3 display 2Ghz, 8-12mp camera maybe a front facing camera for those that chat alot.(I'm not one of them) With the keyboard:) is that to much to ask lol.
@serenity Love
Wait until the end of this year and Motorola will have a new high-end phone out. Rumored to be called the "Droid Pro".