Motorola DEFY+ Unveiled As Updated Rugged Android Smartphone

Despite the shocking news this morning that Google is purchasing Motorola for 12.5 billion, the handset maker managed to unveil a new handset today that’s a successor to its rugged smartphone called the DEFY, which we’ve had our hands-on in the past. This new handset is called the DEFY+ and maintains much of the same exterior with the ability to withstand extreme conditions. But inside, it now sports Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread and faster 1GHz processor.


Like the original DEFY, this updated version can still withstand water, dust, scratches, and impact and meets IP67 specifications for ruggedness. It also still has a 3.7-inch display with 854 x 480 resolution covered by Gorilla Glass as well as a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash. Internal storage is 2GB, expandable up to 32GB.
It now runs on Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread but with the latest MotoBlur custom user interface on top. The original 800MHz processor is now replaced with a 1GHz processor and the battery life is also improved to 7.1 hours of talk time or 16 days of standby time. The DEFY+ should hit Asia, Europe, and Latin America this fall. No plans for the US have been announced.