Motorola's DEFY line has long been synonymous with rugged durability. The original DEFY was a pioneer, and the Defy 2 aims to modernize that legacy. But how do these two generations stack up against each other? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Motorola Defy 2 is the clear winner. Its modern chipset, significantly improved performance, and wireless charging offer a vastly superior experience. While the original DEFY remains a durable classic, the Defy 2 provides a compelling upgrade for those needing a modern, rugged device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 | - |
| 5G bands | 2, 5, 23, 25, 26, 28, 38, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 255, 256 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 1900 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, February 24 | 2011, August. Released 2011, September |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, October | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 171 x 80 x 11.9 mm (6.73 x 3.15 x 0.47 in) | 107 x 59 x 13.4 mm (4.21 x 2.32 x 0.53 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 268 g (9.45 oz) | 118 g (4.16 oz) |
| | IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 5m for 35 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m
MIL-STD-810H compliant | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~76.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~59.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | TFT |
| | - | Touch sensitive controls
MOTOBLUR UI with Live Widgets |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 930 (6 nm) | TI OMAP 3620 |
| GPU | IMG BXM-8-256 | PowerVR SGX530 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 2GB 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | - | 5 MP, AF |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 480p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | Yes | - |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | Emergency SOS via satellite (Bullitt Satellite Connect service) | MP3/WAV/WMA/AAC+ player
MP4/WMV/H.264 player
Document viewer
Photo viewer/editor
Organizer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wireless | - |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 384 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 7 h 10 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Removable Li-Po 1700 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, White |
| Models | BM1S1B | - |
| Price | About 570 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Motorola Defy 2
- Modern Chipset (Dimensity 930)
- Vibrant OLED Display
- Improved Camera (48MP)
- Wireless Charging
- Larger Battery (5000mAh)
- Water and Dust Resistant
- Potentially higher price point
- Larger size may not suit everyone
Motorola DEFY+
- Extremely Durable
- Compact Size
- Simple and Reliable
- Outdated Performance (OMAP 3620)
- Low-Resolution LCD Display
- Poor Camera Quality (5MP)
- No Wireless Charging
- Limited App Compatibility
Display Comparison
The Defy 2 boasts a 6.1-inch OLED display, offering vibrant colors and good contrast. The original DEFY+ had a smaller 3.7-inch LCD screen, which is adequate but lacks the clarity and visual appeal of the Defy 2's display. The Defy 2's larger size also provides more screen real estate for apps and media.
Camera Comparison
The Defy 2 features a 48MP main camera, offering improved image quality and detail compared to the original DEFY+'s 5MP camera. While neither phone is a photography powerhouse, the Defy 2 provides noticeably better results, especially in well-lit conditions. The Defy 2 also includes additional camera features.
Performance
This is where the Defy 2 truly shines. The Dimensity 930 chipset is significantly faster than the TI OMAP 3620 in the original DEFY+. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the Defy 2. The Defy+ feels sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
Both phones offer decent battery life for their respective eras. The Defy 2 has a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day usage for most users. The original DEFY+ had a 1500mAh battery, which was sufficient for its less demanding workload. The Defy 2's wireless charging is a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
The Motorola Defy 2 is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, construction workers, or anyone needing a durable phone with decent performance and modern features. The original DEFY+ is best suited for users prioritizing extreme durability and simplicity over performance, and who are comfortable with an older operating system.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Motorola Defy 2 worth the upgrade from the original DEFY?
Absolutely. The Defy 2 offers a massive upgrade in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities while retaining the rugged durability of the original DEFY.
❓ How durable are these phones?
Both phones are designed to be rugged and water/dust resistant. The Defy 2 meets MIL-STD-810H standards, while the original DEFY+ also boasts robust build quality.
