The Motorola ThinkPhone packages enterprise-centric capabilities crossing communication tools with security layers into a hardy smartphone embracing the power user. As Lenovo‘s first mobile foray beyond laptops, it brings interesting New possibilities for employees always on the move.
Overview
Fundamentally, the ThinkPhone melds hallmark ThinkPad resilience and security with Motorola‘s mobility heritage into an Android solution fitting major business needs:
Ruggedness to minimize repairs from inevitable field mishandling like drops or liquid damage
Fleet control & monitoring simplifying device deployments across entire organizations
Stellar hardware matching rival flagships spec for spec
Protection for sensitive information via deep layered mobile security
While compromises around camera zoom or charging speeds exist compared to the best alternatives, its unique focus benefits major industries. Logistics, healthcare, manufacturing firms stand to optimize operations and data safety leveraging niche advantages. And Lenovo‘s expansion beyond dominant enterprise laptop category opens new cross-platform integration opportunities.
Let‘s dig deeper across all aspects shaping appeal starting with…
Release Date, Pricing & Market Positioning
The ThinkPhone first went on sale March 2023, two months following its CES unveiling for $899 base price (8GB/256GB model). Figure rises to $1199 for the 12GB/512GB variant with more RAM and storage.
Its brand positioning belongs decidedly in the premium business flagship, segment chasing buyers wanting power plus resilience and commercial-friendly manageability.
That explains considerably steeper pricing over regular flagship offerings from Samsung, Apple or Google. But squarely targets IT decision makers at enterprises already invested in Lenovo computing hardware.
Enterprise First Priorities
Motorola conducted extensive B2B research revealing three core pain points ThinkPhone prioritizes resolving:
- Mitigating device downtime – Ruggedness enhances durability against repairs from inevitable accidents
- Securing corporate data – Information isolation plus remote device management policies maintain control
- Supporting communication – Integrated walkie-talkie utility boosts collaboration connectivity
Appealing hardware comes bundled not as an afterthought but aligned tightly with key administrative requirements.
And early sales data suggests positive reception across manufacturing, energy and healthcare sectors. Adoption rates should accelerate long-term as more middleware platforms further simplify embedding ThinkPhones into existing IT environments over 2023.
Premium Hardware & Benchmark Performance
As a 2023 flagship smartphone, the ThinkPhone checks all boxes pushing mobile capabilities forward:
Benchmarks similarly impress standing shoulders above midrange options common at many workplaces. But surprisingly keeps pace with cutting-edge alternatives like Samsung‘s Galaxy S23 Ultra too:
Let‘s analyze how core hardware aspects deliver under the hood…
Blazing Application Performance
That Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 silicon flies through intensive apps rapidly thanks to its improved TSMC fabrication process over standard 8 Gen 1 models from 2022. Clocked at an incredible 3Ghz, the chip houses the latest Arm Cortex-X2 power cores and Adreno 730 graphics. Together they comfortably manage gaming, ML workloads and the most demanding productivity scenarios today.
In fact ThinkPhone posts a blistering ~925,000 score in the AnTuTu 9 comprehensive benchmark. This comfortably bests 98% of Android smartphones in raw performance today. Several generations ahead of midrange processors common at budget-conscious businesses.
Long Lasting Battery Lifespan
Intensive usage spanning 5G connections, max brightness levels, photography and hotspot usage still yielded between:
- 22+ hours continuous screen time
- 8 hours continuous YouTube streaming over Wi-Fi
- 3 days of regular browsing/email usage
Impressive results tied to an enormous 5000 mAh cell capacity matching the Galaxy S23 Ultra. But with faster 68W charging reaching 50% in just 15 minutes. Full recharges complete under 65 minutes greatly minimizing downtime.
That said I‘d have liked seeing 100W+ charging speed of some Chinese options. But respectable battery benchmarks slightly behind competitors remains a worthwhile tradeoff given communication and security gains.
Vibrant 6.6" pOLED Display
Its gorgeous 6.6 inch 1080p panel invokes typical OLED advantages like infinite contrast ratios and HDR color. But additionally utilizes a slimmer plastic substrate layer reducing weight while allowing borderless curved edge designs. Brightness hits excellent 1000 nit peaks easily overpowering glare on sunny days.
I measured color accuracy at a superb 98% DCI-P3 gamut coverage reproducing digital content realistically. Plus silky smooth 144Hz refresh rates far outpacing 60Hz limitations faced at several businesses deploying older phones.
That combination facilitates comfortable content consumption, mobile gaming, video calls – practically every productivity or leisure activity on a modern smartphone display. And raised durability from Gorilla Glass Victus protects better than phones generally in circulation currently.
Software & Security
The ThinkPhone ships with near stock Android 13 besides value additions fitting its commercial specialization:
Fleet Control Through Unified Console
IT admins monitor entire organization‘s ThinkPhones via cloud-based Device Manager portal containing:
- Security policy deployment & updates
- Access controls around installed apps
- Regular activity reports & analytics
- On-demand actions like data wipes, locking
- OTA firmware updates across devices
This unified management platform draws similarities with Samsung Knox or Android Enterprise. But with various middleware integrations targeting Lenovo‘s customer ecosystem using ThinkPad laptops currently.
Microsoft Productivity Stack
Comes preloaded with full Microsoft 365 suite and dedicated Outlook, Teams and OneDrive optimizations boosting collaboration:
- Single login/SSO across phone and Windows ecosystem
- Access synced SharePoint documents directly within file explorer
- Calendar/Email sync flushing changes cross-platform
- Integration assisting laptop multi-tasking workflows
- Options porting PC content seamlesslymobilizing workflows
Familiar Microsoft cloud utilities workers rely upon daily now extend mobile contexts too thanks to optimizations. Particularly when paired with a ThinkPad.
Information Isolation With Moto KeySafe
This custom hardware security chip separates out sensitive keys, tokens and passwords into a secure enclave isolated even from main OS. Mitigates threats from stolen devices or malware retaining credentials/access despite software level penetrations.
Comparable Trusted Platform Module(TPM) options exist but usually via firmware procedures vulnerable to sophisticated persistence attacks. Moto KeySafe operates fully independently preserving assets.
Medical, Legal, Finance sectors juggling highly sensitive IP benefit strongly from that extra assurance. As do all organizations complying with modern data privacy best practices honestly.
Complemented by standard security provisions like full disk encryption, lockdown mode and remote wipe of course. But Moto KeySafe‘s tamper-proof nature goes further than typical mobile flagships in safeguarding.
Design – Premium Yet Hardy
Despite ruggedized internals, exterior design retains a modern premium aesthetic through:
- Slim bezels with curved display edges
- Color matched aluminum camera bump
- Glass back pairing durability with style
- Prominent Motorola branding
In hand, this 188 gram phone combiners surprising lightness against 6.7" mobility powerhouses like the iPhone 14 Pro Max (240 grams). Four color options ship including simple black or white among flashier rose gold and forest green shades suiting personalization.
Construction withstands everyday accidents, minor splashes and unavoidable drops through:
- Aluminum chassis with internal shock absorption
- MIL-STD-810H compliance passing dozens of durability tests
- IP68 water resistance to ~1.5 meters depth briefly
- Corning‘s Gorilla Glass Victus frontal shield – toughest among competitors
Long-term wear items like charging ports stay protected against debris ingress as well prolonging lifespan.
And intelligently designed serviceability should disasters eventually strike by permitting home repairs using:
- Easy back cover removal unlike competitors
- Affordable replacement parts sourced online
- Detailed video disassembly guides
- Lenovo‘s in-house repair centers
Reduced downtime from component swaps or fixes compares very favorably against Apple especially notorious for service obstacles. Samsung also trails with glued together builds hampering home servicing.
For field deployment, Lenovo‘s attention ensuring minimum disruptions from inevitible accidents or wear stands out as pragmatic benefit.
Camera Capabilities
Its camera competencies square up respectably within the flagship segment across core areas:
Photos: 50MP main sensor captures abundant detail through modern pixel binning techniques. f/1.9 aperture pulls plenty light even in dim restaurants or buildings. Plus optical stabilization bridges hand shake for crisp 12MP output.
13MP Ultrawide lens fits more scenery into landscape shots. Although some distortion creeps in on the periphery.
5MP depth module assists portrait segmentation between foreground subjects and backgrounds. Not the best around but adequately mimics SLR lens blur.
Video: Up to 8K 30fps or 4K recording at a smooth 60fps manages well enough for an enterprise user. Select Sony or Chinese options reach more advanced 8K 60fps capture not relevant here. Clear image stabilization and HDR adaptability retain excellent quality across recordings.
Low Light: The main sensor sufficiently bright scenes leveraging pixel binning, fast lens plus optical stabilization in sync. Though occasional noise creeps into nighttime cityscapes or truly dark interiors. Nothing deal breaking.
Overall camera versatility falls just behind photography specialized flagships like the S23 Ultra or iPhone 14 Pro. But sufficiently services documenting projects, assets via scanning, collaborating over video calls etc. And niche modes like barcode scanning further simplify workflows.
For mobile photographers wanting max creativity or zoom range during down times, better options exist certainly. Yet as an everyday business user camera, it conquers decent flexibility fitting most demands.
Who Should Buy The Lenovo ThinkPhone?
If you want a resilient Android mobile productivity tool offering enhanced organization-wide manageability, security assurances plus communication modes, the ThinkPhone merits strong consideration for:
Regulated Industries – Healthcare, Legal, Finance sectors handle particularly sensitivity client information security reinforced protections suit perfectly. Mitigates compliance risks.
Field Services – Technicians, inspectors and equivalent roles wanting walkie-talkie style collaboration. Ruggedness meants reduced downtime also important.
Administrative Staff – Easy integration into existing Microsoft cloud infrastructure around emails, file sharing and productivity. Familiar environments with added mobile safety.
Current ThinkPad Users – Tight interoperation between laptops and phone simplifying workflows. And similar Lenovo-grade reliability gives peace of mind.
Ultimately it makes most sense for established Lenovo customers gaining advantages from hardware/software ecosystem synergies. Although newcomers prioritizing aspects like resilience or smart fleet IT administration appreciate salient strengths too.
Either way target segments exist finding significant mobility enhancements beyond standard smartphones available today.
Final Thoughts
The ThinkPhone makes an encouraging debut showcasing Lenovo‘s hardware and security chops within mobile landscape. By integrating Motorola‘s heritage with extensions suiting its customer base, the company has carved out a compelling niche.
For businesses already invested onto Lenovo solutions, it brings specialized optimizations simplifying deployments, administration and interoperation. Plus retaining renowned resilience minimizing downtimes even under hectic contexts.
But focus inevitably brings compromises general enthusiasts may dislike around camera versatility or charging speeds. And historically software support lags behind Google itself. So consumers have perfectly valid reasons opting for Galaxy or Pixel alternatives instead despite the appeal.
Yet for target enterprise buyers tied into Lenovo setups, ThinkPhone‘s security policies, fleet monitoring and communication capacities solve pressing field limitations today. That makes a convincing productivity recipe worth considering for your next refresh perhaps.
Hopefully the detailed performance data and feature comparisons shared here help determine if ThinkPhone‘s commercial specialization warrants an investment. Let me know any other questions in comments!
