Before the Motorola Razr stole my heart as my favorite smartphone, there was another Moto that kept my attention.
It’s a phone I defended quite a bit and was devastated when Motorola didn’t bring a sequel to the US market.
The Motorola ThinkPhone was everything I wanted in a device. It combined a premium build with excellent performance at a reasonable price.
It also didn’t hurt that it carried branding cues from the beloved ThinkPad line of laptops — because I never fall for nostalgia plays.
With rumors swirling that Motorola is bringing a flagship device to the US early next year, I’m reminded of the ThinkPhone.
It’s an ideal blueprint for what I’d want to see from the company in its next flagship, and it proves that Motorola could be counted on in areas we don’t rely on today.
Here’s why I loved the ThinkPhone and why it gives me hope for the future.
I test 40 smartphones a year, and the Motorola Razr Ultra is the one to buy for $900
The one that winds up in my pocket most often
Premium build quality and performance for less than $1,000
The ThinkPhone still feels fantastic
The Motorola ThinkPhone is still one of my favorite devices to hold. Its aluminum frame and aramid fiber back are premium and durable, and the ThinkPhone is IP68-rated.
However, it was its price tag and what’s featured under the hood that won me over on the ThinkPhone.
It features a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. It wasn’t Qualcomm’s most powerful SoC at the time of release, but it was an excellent choice for the ThinkPhone.
It was still an excellent performer, with solid heat efficiency, but didn’t add unnecessary cost to the phone.
Motorola made compromises on the display, fitting the ThinkPhone with a 6.6-inch 1080p panel.
However, it’s a bright and vibrant OLED with a fast 144Hz refresh rate. The phone still feels snappy today, and I never minded the lower screen resolution.
What really drew me to the ThinkPhone was its price. “Flagship killer” is an overused phrase, and I don’t think the ThinkPhone fits that description.
However, for $700, it offered quite a bit and made me wonder whether I needed to spend more on a flagship phone. It had limitations, but I loved the blend of performance and value Motorola offered.
Motorola has managed to update the ThinkPhone in a timely fashion
I don’t know why, but I’m not complaining
My frustrations with Motorola’s software support are well-documented. However, they don’t apply to the ThinkPhone.
It still hasn’t received Android upgrades as quickly as Samsung and Google, but the device has received monthly security updates.
The phone was aimed towards business consumers, so I hoped Motorola would take updates seriously.
I don’t know why that can’t extend to the company’s other devices, and even the more expensive Razrs can see bi-monthly updates slip to a third month.
For a new flagship, monthly patches are table stakes, and I’m hoping Motorola realizes that, like it did for the ThinkPhone.
The company’s software is unoffensive, with Moto Gestures providing a fun way to get to the functions you need.
Moto needs to keep up with updates, the way it didn’t for the even more expensive Motorola Razr series. The ThinkPhone gives me hope, and I’m looking forward to what Moto has in store for 2026.
I don’t remember if the ThinkPhone had any bloatware, but I know plenty of Motorola devices still do in 2025. That’s a non-starter on a flagship phone.
I don’t want to see a single games folder with download suggestions or a weather app that makes me pay to go ad-free.
I can barely stand it with the company’s midrange devices, but it’s unacceptable for a more expensive phone.
The battery is what I expected, but the cameras are a compromise
You can’t have everything
The ThinkPhone wasn’t known for its cameras, as that wasn’t the device’s focus.
It featured a 50MP primary shooter and a 13MP ultrawide lens. They did the job, but the cameras were closer in performance to what you’d find on a midrange phone.
Motorola won’t get away with that if its new flagship costs more than $700, but I’m fine with the rumored specs.
A 50MP triple camera setup should be solid, and for those who don’t prioritize photos, it’ll be welcome to have an option that doesn’t cost over $1,000.
The ThinkPhone also featured a 5,000mAh battery and 68W wired charging.
It was so cool that the same 68W ThinkPad USB-C charger could be used with the ThinkPhone, reducing the number of adapters you have to bring.
I easily got two days on a single charge, and I’d expect the same from another Motorola flagship.
It’s time for Motorola to shine
I’ve been dying for increased smartphone competition at the flagship level in the US. It’s disappointing that Samsung and Google run the show, as we miss out on innovations.
Overseas markets enjoy a diverse selection of devices from numerous companies, so if we can add at least one back into the mix here, I’m all for it.
I was already excited about Motorola’s new flagship, but the ThinkPhone reminds me that the company can still put out an excellent traditional slab phone.
