Maxis introduces new mid-line Android, the Motorola Backflip

Maxis has another Android to offer and it’s a device from Motorola.

Introducing the Motorola Backflip. Specs include a 3.1in capacitive screen with 320x480px resolution. There’s a 5MP camera with autofocus and LED flash though no HD video recording. The Backflip runs on Android 1.5 (Cupcake) with Motorola’s MotoBlur UI skinned on top (similar to Samsung’s TouchWhiz and HTC’s Sense UI).

Motorola says the Backflip’s Android 1.5 is upgradable to Android 2.1 sometime in the future but they didn’t say specifically when.

The device is powered by a 528Mhz processor with 256MB RAM and 512MB on board storage. There’s a 8GB microSD card included in the box with expansion support for cards up 32GB in size. Connectivity wise, you get Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR and A2DP, there’s WiFi b/g and HSDPA with up to 7.2Mbps download.

What’s interesting about the Backflip is the full QWERTY keyboard that “backflips” into action rather than slide out like conventional QWERTY keyboards. It’s a novel approach to allow for full unhindered access to all the keys on the keyboard, especially the top row.

The Backflip also has this novel backward facing trackpad that seem to look awkward but intuitive. It’s pretty cool actually.

Unlike most mid-line, or high-end Android devices for that matter, the Backflip has dual-mic, with noise cancellation. This is a very useful feature if you’re constantly on the phone, we like this very much.

The Motorola Backflip retails for RM1,699 but it can be yours for as low as RM899 with a 24 months Maxis contract. You can check out the Motorola bundled package here.

To be honest, we haven’t experienced the Backflip first hand but its safe to say that the processor is adequate to cope with the Android 1.5 pre-installed. So expect a pretty snappy device. It’s a pretty interesting offering. Actually, one of our contributors has had first hand experience with the Motorola Backflip. Our assumptions that it would be snappy turns out to be unfounded as our contributor reports that the performance of the Backflip is rather clunky, claiming that the entry-level HTC Wildfire we reviewed earlier is smoother.

Head on over to after the jump to take a look at two related videos. One, a Backflip commercial and the other demo video. More images of the Backflip are also available so hit the link.

Now, when will the scratch, dust and water Motorola Defy and squarely hip Motorola Charm hit our shores?

Motorola Backflip Photos

Motorola Backflip Videos