As we suspected

[Q-fugee]

Well, we discussed the rumors of a Photon Q earlier:

http://forums.androidcentral.com/sprint-photon/186136-photon-q.html

And now it's moved from rumor to true.

As suspected, it's Motorola's implementation of the Qualcomm Krait reference platform, with the same innards as the HTC EVO LTE and Samsung Galaxy S 3, plus GSM. Expect similar benchmark results. Very different outards, though.

It's a real brick compared to the EVO and the Sammy. Someone needs to hand Motorola's prototype sculptors a piece of sandpaper, for crying out loud.

For all it's shortcomings, I'm still going to grab one and try it for 14 days. I'm really tired of having to grab a cheap GSM phone from an airport kiosk when I travel. Although, with the epoxied-in SIM card, if the rates aren't good I may still do the burn-this-SIM-in-the-bathroom-before-I-go-thru-customs shuffle for a while longer.

It's just a shame that Sprint/Motorola had two take the two small market segments of people who want a GSM radio + people who want a keyboard and combine them into one hefty slice of brick. I'd much rather have something like VZW's global Galaxy S3.

--Qfg

 

[antheauxny]

I don't think it'll be a brick.
From the pictures it actually looks pretty sleek. It's looks a lot thinner than the original Epic,
which was a brick, lol.

Just my $.02.

 

[Basis]

It's 2012 and they're STILL using qHD? On to of that, only 8GB of internal storage and a 1780 mAh battery? Why can't Motorola get it right for once? It's no wonder everyone is flocking to Samsung.

 

[hirenpathak]

Looks like a nice phone.. but now I am not sure about this horizontal QWERTY keyboard..

Sprint Announces Motorola Photon (Q) 4G LTE QWERTY

 

[tirith]

It's 2012 and they're STILL using qHD? On to of that, only 8GB of internal storage and a 1780 mAh battery? Why can't Motorola get it right for once? It's no wonder everyone is flocking to Samsung.

If they want signal issues, let them. I just don't wanna hear them cry. I'm picking the q up shortly after release.

Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Puzzlegal]

epoxied-in SIM card? Where did you see that? Sprint international rates are horrid, that's no better than a phone that doesn't have a slot for a SIM.

The unlockable bootloader sounds intriguing, though.

Motorola Unveils Unlockable Bootloader With Photon Q 4G LTE - iTechPost

Anyone seen that from Sprint or Motorola?

 

[Puzzlegal]

Never mind, it was linked in the article, from the official Motorola blog:

Motorola PHOTON

Motorola PHOTON™ Q 4G LTE will have an unlockable bootloader
JULY 26, 2012 : BY MOTOROLA
We know there are users out there who have been asking for an unlockable bootloader on their Motorola Mobility device. For quite some time now, we’ve been working closely with our carrier partners to find a way to make that possible — all while keeping the networks secure and protecting other users’ experiences. We’re excited to announce that Motorola PHOTON Q 4G LTE, just announced today and coming soon to Sprint’s fast 4G LTE network, will have an unlockable bootloader. We’ll share more details on how to take advantage of this feature closer to availability. And moving forward, we’ll be looking to offer this option on other devices as well.

 

[delacro]

I like it. I would buy this phone if its under $100. Otherwise I might end up with the galaxy nexus come Sept 1.

 

[rpankoe]

My guess is $249 or $299 for this, and if the screenshot from motorola is any indication (look at the date in the bubble on the photo), Thursday, August 16 2012 will be the release date..

 

[DWR_31]

Just read the specs and even though this is what I'm looking for , it's not what I'm looking for.
I'll explain.
This is a regular Photon with a keyboard, on screen buttons, Sprint's 4G LTE (which is non-existant at this point), and no NFC. Basically this thing is last years tech with an upgraded radio for data that can't receive a signal yet.
My advice is to wait for something that's a little more future-proofed.

 

[tirith]

The article posted above states it has nfc.....

Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Puzzlegal]

The appeal to me is the hardware keyboard. I would have preferred a portrait orientation, like the Pre or the Blackberry slider. But people with the Droid 4 seem to like the keyboard.

 

[tirith]

After using so many keyboard phones, I like the sideways keyboard...

G1, d3, evo shift...

Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Kbrn]

 

[DonnaJ415]

Anyone know when the release date is???? MY Fianc?e s evo shift is almost beyond operational and he needs a physical keyboard.

 

[tirith]

Rumored for august 19.

Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk 2

 

[statdoc]

Sprint Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE coming Aug. 19 priced $199.99 | Android Central

I just pre-ordered one to replace an "HTC Evo Shift 4G" for one of my family members. If it is half as good as my original Photon, it will be a great phone.

 

[9878]

August 19th at Sprint $199 w/contract

Sent from my MB855 using Android Central Forums

 

[statdoc]

UPS will deliver the Q tomorrow afternoon.

Sent from my Nexus 7 tablet using Tapatalk 2

 

[delta7]

Post pics and why did you choose this phone? It's not going to be a big seller.

Sent from my PH44100 using Android Central Forums