The Lenovo ThinkPad celebrated 30 years since its inception in 2022, reaching a milestone of 200 million units sold. ThinkPad is known for pushing the boundaries in the PC market, delivering a number of firsts including colour TFT display, built-in CD-ROM, built-in DVD-ROM, integrated Wi-Fi and fingerprint reader, as well as the lightest full-function 13-inch and 14-inch laptops and the first foldable PC.
Lenovo acquired the Motorola brand in 2014 and nine years later, the ThinkPhone by Motorola (ThinkPhone) has made its debut to redefine smartphone and PC integration and transform the way you do business. The launch is timely given greater flexibility around remote working and maintaining productivity.
While I am familiar with Lenovo ThinkPad products, I have not used a device myself, but I was keen to get hands-on with the ThinkPhone to discover its unique points of difference compared with other legacy Motorola handsets.
A nod to Motorola’s sustainability credentials is clear as soon as you pick up the box. First launched with the Motorola edge 30 series, the ThinkPhone comes with plastic-free packaging made from recyclable materials using soy-ink – from the box itself to the cover used to protect the device. In addition to the 68W TurboPower charger (yes, this is included in the box!), Motorola includes a pair of USB-C earbuds in the absence of a headphone jack.
The device’s striking design immediately caught my attention. A lightweight aramid fiber – known for its strength and heat resistance – in Carbon Black is used on the back with subtle ThinkPhone branding. The fiber is smooth to the touch without compromising on grip. Although if you do drop the device, the Gorilla Glass Victus is designed for enhanced protection against scratches. With IP68 certification, the ThinkPhone can also withstand dust and water immersion up to 1.5 metres for up to 30 minutes.
Weighing in at just 189 grams, the ThinkPhone is light in hand – but somehow still seems heavy duty – while the slim aircraft-grade aluminum frame delivers a sleek look. From a design perspective, you won’t be disappointed.
Its large 6.6-inch Full HD+ display supports a 144Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and 1,200 nits peak brightness for greater contrast and a better overall picture, particularly when outdoors in direct sunlight. Elevating an impressive visual experience is dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support for an equally impressive soundscape when listening to music, playing games or watching video content.
On the right edge, you will find the power button and volume controls. The fingerprint reader is built into the screen – big tick. On the left edge, you will spot the iconic and immediately recognisable Red Key. With a single press, you can quickly access an app of choice or double press to access ‘Ready For’ to integrate your mobile and PC experiences.
Putting the Ready For integration to the test was simple. Install the Ready For PC app and ensure your ThinkPhone and PC are on the same Wi-Fi network. The desktop app brings up a QR code that you scan with the ThinkPhone to link the devices (or you can connect them via USB cable). You can also connect the ThinkPhone to a tablet or TV.
When using Ready For, you see unified notifications and a unified clipboard. You can share files, create an instant hotspot link, use the ThinkPhone as a webcam for the PC and mirror the phone screen on the PC to view and interact with your mobile apps. I found this to be a handy feature when travelling between off-site meetings as I was able to work through tasks more easily.
The ThinkPhone can be used for up to two days with a battery life of over 36 hours. When I first unboxed the device, it took just 20 minutes to charge from 60% to 100% using the 68W TurboPower charger and under one hour when charging from empty to full, which was impressive. It also supports 15W wireless charging.
Although the ThinkPhone appears to be built for business, it packs a punch when it comes to photography (considering its price tag) incorporating 50MP and 13MP ultrawide rear cameras and 32MP selfie camera. It doesn’t compare to flagship devices with up to 200MP rear cameras, but it does a decent job.
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform, the ThinkPhone is equipped with 5G and Wi-Fi 6E compatibility for fast internet speeds and runs on the Android 13 operating system.
At a time when security is more important than ever, particularly in the wake of several cyberattacks, the ThinkPhone has your back with a complete suite of security and support features backed by ThinkShield for mobile. Moto KeySafe, a separate processor running on Android, adds an additional layer of security by isolating PINs, passwords, and cryptographic keys. The new Moto Secure app is a go-to destination for managing network security and controlling app permissions, as well as creating a secret folder for sensitive data.
The ThinkPhone by Motorola is tough yet elegant and lightweight, integrates into your workday seamlessly, and puts security and reliability at the forefront. At a $999 price point, it delivers a full feature set and plenty of value without breaking the bank. It is being marketed to businesses but would make for a great personal phone.
The ThinkPhone by Motorola is now available in Carbon Black at JB Hi-Fi and Lenovo online.