The Motorola ThinkPhone 25 is a business-focused smartphone that carries the legacy of the iconic ThinkPad brand. Developed with productivity and efficiency in mind, the ThinkPhone 25 is designed to cater to users who need both performance and durability, combined with a robust suite of features tailored for business environments. Boasting a premium design, flagship-level performance, and AI-powered features, the ThinkPhone 25 aims to redefine what a business phone should be.
Despite its potential, users have reported several issues, bugs, and limitations with the ThinkPhone 25 that could impact its day-to-day performance. This article takes a comprehensive look at the common problems faced by users, providing an in-depth analysis of each issue, along with their impact. We will also compare the ThinkPhone 25 with similar devices and assess whether it’s worth buying or if better alternatives exist.
1. Design and Build Quality: Premium Look with Some Durability Concerns
The Motorola ThinkPhone 25 features a sleek and modern design, reminiscent of the ThinkPad laptops, with a strong focus on professional aesthetics. Its aluminum frame, Corning Gorilla Glass, and IP68 water and dust resistance provide a sense of security. However, users have noticed several issues related to the build and durability of the device.
a) Fragility of the Glass Back
- Problem: Despite the inclusion of Corning Gorilla Glass, the glass back panel on the ThinkPhone 25 is prone to cracking or scratching under moderate pressure.
- Cause: While Gorilla Glass is durable, it’s still glass and can shatter if subjected to impact or high pressure.
- Impact: This is a problem for users who expect their phone to survive accidental drops or bumps in business environments.
- User Experience:
“I’ve had the phone for two months and already noticed some microcracks on the back. I thought it would be more durable considering the price.” – User review on a tech forum.
b) Uncomfortable Protruding Camera Module
- Problem: The rear camera module, while capable of taking impressive photos, protrudes significantly, making the phone wobbly when placed on a flat surface.
- Impact: This can make typing or swiping on the screen uncomfortable when the phone is lying flat, and it may cause the camera lens to get scratched over time.
- User Experience:
“The camera bump is so pronounced that the phone wobbles when placed on a table. It’s inconvenient for everyday use.” – Comment from a user on Amazon.
2. Display: Sharp and Bright, but Not Without Issues
The Motorola ThinkPhone 25 offers a 6.6-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, delivering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent brightness levels, making it a great choice for media consumption and productivity tasks. However, several users have noted issues related to screen performance and quality.
a) Display Flickering Under Low Brightness
- Problem: Some users have reported screen flickering when the brightness is set to a low level, making it difficult to use in low-light environments.
- Cause: This issue may be caused by poor PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) handling at lower brightness levels, which can cause the screen to flicker.
- Impact: This results in eye strain, especially during prolonged use in dimly lit surroundings.
- User Experience:
“The screen flickers badly when I dim the brightness. I’ve tried everything, but it’s still uncomfortable to use at night.” – Feedback from a user on Reddit.
b) Color Inaccuracy
- Problem: While the AMOLED panel offers vibrant colors, some users have reported color inaccuracies, especially when viewing images or videos in different lighting conditions.
- Impact: This can be distracting for users who expect precise color representation, particularly in business-related tasks like presentations.
- User Experience:
“The display is bright, but the colors seem off when viewing images. It’s frustrating for anyone who needs accurate colors.” – Comment from a user on GSM Arena.
3. Performance: Flagship Power, Yet Some Performance Hiccups
The ThinkPhone 25 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, paired with 12GB of RAM, ensuring a smooth and responsive experience in most tasks, including multitasking, gaming, and media consumption. However, some users have reported occasional performance hiccups.
a) Thermal Throttling During Heavy Use
- Problem: Despite its powerful specs, the ThinkPhone 25 tends to experience thermal throttling when subjected to demanding tasks, such as gaming or video editing.
- Cause: This issue can be attributed to the device’s thermal management system, which struggles to dissipate heat effectively during prolonged use.
- Impact: This can cause the phone to become sluggish during extended gaming sessions or heavy multitasking, potentially leading to an overall reduction in performance.
- User Experience:
“When gaming or doing heavy tasks, the phone slows down and becomes hot to the touch. It’s disappointing for a phone marketed as a powerhouse.” – Review on a mobile performance blog.
b) Inconsistent App Launch Times
- Problem: Some users have reported that apps on the ThinkPhone 25 take a bit longer to launch than expected, even with the high-performance chipset.
- Impact: This creates an issue with productivity, especially for business users who rely on quick access to apps and documents.
- User Experience:
“I have noticed a slight lag in app launch times, especially when switching between apps quickly. It’s a small issue but affects workflow.” – Comment from a user on an Android review site.
4. Software and UI: Smooth, But Some Bugs and Limitations
Running on Android 13 with a near-stock experience, the ThinkPhone 25 offers a clean and smooth user interface. However, several software bugs and limitations have been reported by users.
a) Buggy Notification Management
- Problem: Users have encountered issues with the notification system, where notifications don’t appear at the right time, or some apps fail to push notifications altogether.
- Impact: This can be problematic for users who rely on timely notifications for important business updates.
- User Experience:
“I often miss notifications from Slack and email apps. It’s as if the phone doesn’t push them correctly.” – Review on Android Central.
b) Inconsistent Software Updates
- Problem: Despite being a premium device, the ThinkPhone 25 has experienced delays in receiving timely software updates, with some users reporting that critical security patches are missing for weeks.
- Impact: This can expose users to security vulnerabilities and frustrate those who expect timely software fixes.
- User Experience:
“It’s been over a month since the last security update, and I’m worried about potential security risks.” – User feedback on a tech forum.
5. Battery Life: Good on Paper, But Real-World Performance is Mixed
The 5000mAh battery in the ThinkPhone 25 is advertised to last for a full day of heavy use. While the battery life is generally acceptable, some users have reported issues that can affect its real-world performance.
a) Battery Drain During Standby
- Problem: A significant number of users have noticed high battery drain during standby mode, even with minimal background activity.
- Cause: This could be due to excessive background apps or poor power management in the software.
- Impact: This results in the need for more frequent charging, especially when the phone is not being actively used.
- User Experience:
“The phone loses battery even when I’m not using it. I’ve checked the battery usage stats, and nothing seems to be running in the background.” – User comment on a mobile tech blog.
b) Slow Charging Speed
- Problem: Despite supporting fast charging, users have reported that the ThinkPhone 25 charges much slower than advertised, especially when using third-party chargers.
- Impact: This can be frustrating, particularly for users who need to top up their device quickly before heading out.
- User Experience:
“It takes almost 2 hours to charge the phone fully. I was expecting faster charging speeds for the price.” – Comment on a smartphone review site.
Conclusion: Is the Motorola ThinkPhone 25 Worth Buying?
The Motorola ThinkPhone 25 presents itself as a well-designed, high-performance device aimed at business users who demand both functionality and style. However, as we’ve seen, there are several common issues and bugs that detract from its overall appeal.
Pros:
- Premium design and build quality.
- Strong performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and 12GB RAM.
- AI-driven features for enhanced productivity.
- Clean, near-stock Android experience.
- Strong business features (e.g., Motorola’s ThinkShield for security).
Cons:
- Fragile glass back and uncomfortable camera module design.
- Screen flickering at low brightness and occasional color inaccuracies.
- Thermal throttling under heavy use.
- Slow app launch times and buggy notification management.
- Inconsistent battery life and slow charging speeds.
- Delayed software updates.
Better Alternatives:
- Samsung Galaxy S23: Superior build quality, performance, and ecosystem support.
- Google Pixel 8 Pro: Excellent software experience with guaranteed updates and better display quality.
- OnePlus 11 5G: Great performance, faster charging, and more consistent battery life.
Verdict: While the Motorola ThinkPhone 25 offers some impressive features for business users, its build quality issues, performance throttling, and software bugs make it difficult to recommend without reservations. For users seeking a more polished experience, alternatives like the Samsung Galaxy S23 or Google Pixel 8 Pro may offer a more reliable and seamless experience.