Category: Motorola

The HMD OffGrid, like Motorola Defy, is a rugged, phone-connected satellite tool for SOS and messaging.

(Image credit: HMD)

What you need to know

• The HMD OffGrid satellite accessory supports 2-way SMS messaging, live tracking, check-in messages, and SOS requests through an Android or iOS phone.
• It supports coverage in North America, Europe, and Austalia/ New Zealand.
• It costs $199 for the device, plus either $79/year or $15/month for satellite depending on the level of service.
• It has three-day battery life, MIL-STD-810H durability, and a companion app for messaging.

HMD Global, the brand behind recent Nokia smartphones, is branching out to satellite messaging. It announced the HMD OffGrid at CES 2025, a satellite accessory for smartphones that looks and performs similar to theMotorola Defy satellite linkreleased in 2023.

The HMD OffGrid uses L Band satellite via Viasat and Skylo (the Defy uses the latter service). It sends messages, voice notes, and check-ins to friends and family from the OffGrid app.

Your SMS messages will be sent from your phone number, so no one else needs to download an app to communicate with you. And real-time tracking will let you share your GPS-based location with up to 5 contacts — via a shared link — by pressing a button on the OffGrid.

While the HMD OffGrid is rated to last three or four days per charge, that’s only with messages and check-ins at regular 30-minute intervals. While it has 10-day standby battery, it will last only a day or two if you’re continuously using GPS and satellite for automatic 3-minute check-ins.

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(Image credit: HMD)

Most importantly for anyone using this satellite dongle in signal-free areas, it supports SOS signals via the device’s dedicated SOS button. Pressing it triggers a series of questions via Focus Point International, the 24/7 emergency service, such as “Are you alone?”, “Where are you?”, and “What happened?”

If necessary, Focus Point will send Overwatch x Rescue services to render aid as needed and foot the bill to rescue you — though you’ll have to pay your own medical bills.

The satellite service covers the mainland and up to 70 miles away from the coast in participating areas like the Americas, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand — with more territories coming “throughout 2025,” HMD says.

“HMD OffGrid is a new, affordable, portable and easy-to-use offering that’s both empoweing and reliable — especially when it matters the most,” says HMD Chairman and CEO Jean-Francis Baril. “Whether you’re hiking in the mountains or skiing off-piste, HMD OffGrid ensures you’re never truly off grid.”

(Image credit: HMD)

The HMD OffGrid is IP68 dust- and water-resistant, as well as rated for MIL-STD-810H ruggedness. It weighs 60g (2.1oz) and has a dedicated spot for a carabiner, if you want to hang it off of a backpack. It seems very convenient to bring on an overland trip, though we have the same design concern as we did with the Defy: the exposed SOS button seems a bit too easy to press without a cover. Other satellite devices we’ve tested like theGarmin GPSMAP 67imake you remove a protective cover from the SOS button.

Aside from the $199 upfront cost for the OffGrid, you’ll need to pay for HMD Unlimited or HMD Freedom to make this more than a paperweight. Unlimited costs $14.99/month for limitless texts and check-ins, while Freedom costs $79.99/year with a 350-character limit for texts, $0.10 per location check-in, and a $20 activation fee.

HMD also mentioned that it would offer some sort of enterprise program for the OffGrid with unique features, though it didn’t go into too much detail.

While more phones and carriers are adding satellite messaging or SOS services, from the iPhone 14 andPixel 9 ProtoVerizon phones, something like the HMD OffGrid or Motorola Defy gives you satellite access without tying it to a specific device.

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Given that the Defy has generally received middling reviews and had to weather the bankrupcy of Bullitt Satellite Messaging — which was acquired by another company in 2024 — I’m sure outdoorsy folk will appreciate the HMD OffGrid as a potential alternative. The main question will be whether the satellite coverage and messaging works as intended.

Motorola has started improving the worst part about its devices, and that is software updates. Last year, it started offering five years of Android upgrades to some models, which is a big jump from its previous update policy. The brand has also been struggling with timely update rollouts, which seems to have improved this year withAndroid 15.

Motorola was quick enough to bring Android 15 beta to some models, including the Edge 50 Fusion. It began the stable rollout in December, starting with Edge 50 models, which has now expanded to more devices. For easy rollout tracking, I’ve created a list of Motorola phones below that are getting the stable Android 15 update.

Motorola phones getting the Android 15 update

• Motorola Edge 50 Fusion
• Motorola Edge 50 Ultra
• Motorola Edge 50 Pro
• Motorola Edge 50 Neo
• Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2024)

The list will grow as Motorola pushes the Android 15 update to more devices. We’ll periodically update the list when new devices receive the update.

If you have any of the devices on the list and are still waiting for Android 15, you can manually check for updates by going toSettings > System updatesand tapping onCheck for updates. Please note that the updates are rolled out in batches, so they may take a few days to reach your device.

If you are unsure about the Android 15 eligibility for your Motorola phone, check the list below.

Motorola phones that are eligible for Android 15 update

While the official rollout has begun, Motorola still hasn’t released a list of devices that will be upgraded to Android 15. However, thanks toAndroid Spotlightfor digging deeper into the support pages to find this valuable information.

Razr phones:

• Motorola Razr+ (2024) / Razr 50 Ultra
• Motorola Razr (2024) /Razr 50
• Motorola Razr 50s
• Motorola Razr 50D
• Motorola Razr+ (2023) /Razr 40 Ultra
• Motorola Razr (2023) /Razr 40
• Motorola Razr 40s

Motorola Edge series:

• Motorola Edge (2024)
• Motorola Edge (2023)
• Motorola Edge+ (2023)
• Motorola Edge 50
• Motorola Edge 40
• Motorola Edge 40 Neo
• Motorola Edge 40 Pro
• Motorola Edge 30 Ultra

Motorola Moto G series:

• Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)
• Moto G 5G (2024)
• Moto G85
• Moto G75
• Moto G64
• Moto G64Y 5G
• Moto G54 5G
• Moto G55
• Moto G45
• Moto G35
• Moto G34 5G

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Motorola ThinkPhone series:

• ThinkPhone
• ThinkPhone 25

Motorola may bring the Android 15 to even more devices. However, as of writing this post, the official support pages only confirm the update eligibility for these devices.

This isn’t the first time a China-based phonemaker became embroiled in an international patent dispute.

Motorola’s comeback tour in the U.S. might be quickly coming to an abrupt halt. The brand, still a minor player in the overall market for thebest Android phones, found recent success with theMotorola Razr lineof budget and flagship foldables. However, a patent dispute between Sony Ericsson and Motorola Mobility (owned by Lenovo) could eliminate the availability of Motorola handsets in the U.S., according toReuters.

In an initial ruling Tuesday, Dec. 17, a judge for the U.S. International Trade Commission decided that Motorola’s phones infringe on key 5G patents held by Sony Ericsson. The smartphones in question include those in the Moto G, Edge, and Razr lineups. If the initial ruling by the ITC stands, imports of Motorola phones in the U.S. could be banned, all but eliminating their availability.

The ITC will issue a final ruling in April 2025, and if its initial decision is upheld, a ban on Motorola phones in the U.S. is likely to happen. That would have ripple effects throughout the U.S. market, because Lenovo made up 14% of the country’s mobile market share as of Q3 2024, according toCounterpoint Research. Crucially, some of the brand’s most successful smartphones are involved in the dispute.

Motorola’s absence would leave a hole in the market, notably where clamshell foldables are concerned. There simply isn’t another player making affordable foldables in the U.S. like Motorola did with the Razr 2023 and Razr 2024. It’s possible that instead of elevating a growing brand like OnePlus, a ban on Motorola phones would just make the big three of Apple, Samsung, and Google even more dominant.

In November 2024, one industry report indicated thata major competitor in the foldable market was considering an exit. Entering 2025, we could be down at least one foldable manufacturer if that report turns out to be accurate. Motorola could represent another, and it’s possible that no one steps up to replace it. We could be back where we started, with Samsung as the only major clamshell foldable manufacturer and no need to innovate due to a lack of competition.

It seems like patent disputes in the mobile sector are becoming increasingly common.OPPO and Vivo recently ended a dispute with Nokiaabout 5G patents, andOnePlus is now in hot water again in Germanyover a similar issue. While it’s great that brands are being held accountable for their use of patents, it’s a shame that these decisions only decrease the number of phones that are available for consumers.

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Motorola phones could be banned: How we got here

If that sounds familiar, it should. In recent years, multiple Chinese brands have become involved in patent disputes surrounding their uses of 5G technology in smartphones. Notably, Motorola itself is fighting the same battle with Sony Ericsson in multiple markets. Initial court decisions in Brazil and Columbia already ruled in favor of Sony Ericsson, and more legal battles are taking place in South America and the United Kingdom, per Reuters.

How did we get here? The tide started to turn in Sony Ericsson’s favor earlier this month when an ITC judge rejected Motorola’s best defense against the patent infringement claims. Motorola said that a 2011 license agreement between it and Sony Ericsson covered use of Ericsson technology inMoto G,Edge, and Razr phones. In other words, the company isn’t denying it used the technology — it’s arguing that it was allowed to.

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The problem with Motorola’s claim is that the 2011 agreement was penned ages ago, before the company was sold to Google and then soldagainto Lenovo. More importantly, a clause in the licensing agreement explained that Motorola would be able to use the licensed technology in “commercially reasonable updates or extensions of such Licensed products.” The ITC judge ruled in favor of Ericsson, tossing aside Motorola’s argument on the basis that none of the three phone lineups in question even existed at the time the 2011 agreement was reached (viaIP Fray).

Motorola could explore other legal avenues to block the move — lawyers for Lenovo previously argued that the licensing agreement was covered by U.K. law, and suggested that the ITC should wait for U.K. courts to rule before issuing its own ruling. Of course, in light of the ITC’s preliminary decision, that didn’t happen. And if the ITC’s ruling is upheld, Motorola phones could be off the shelves for the foreseeable future.

pros and cons

Pros

• Solid, stylish build
• Long battery life and fast charging
• Good camera features
• Moto extras are well organised and easy to access

Cons

• Only 64GB of internal storage
• No IP rating for dust/water resistance

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Design and display

If you didn’t see the price tag before picking up the Moto G7 Plus,you’d be forgiven for assuming it costs almost double what Motorola is actually asking for the handset.

Its front and rear are glass, sandwiching a metal frame which feels secure and relatively premium in the hand. Tap the rear glass and it does sound a little hollow – giving away its affordable credentials – but it’s not something you’ll be doing often.

The power and volume keys are located on the right of the handset and fall nicely under your thumb or finger, with the power button offering a textured finished providing obvious tactile feedback on the key your finger is on.

While the G7 Plus does have a large display, it’s not overly cumbersome to handle. It measures 157 x 75.3 x 8.3mm, weighs 176g and sits well in the hand.

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However, Motorola includes a protective soft touch plastic case in the Moto G7 Plus box, which does provide grip and protection, and it’s nice to see a simple accessory like this bundled with the phone.

There’s good news for audiophiles, as the G7 Plus has a headphone jack on its base, along with a speaker and a centralized USB-C port.

On the rear, just below the dual camera bump lies a fingerprint scanner inset within the Motorola logo, which is easy to find with your forefinger.

Motorola says the body of the G7 Plus is “water repellent”, but strictly not waterproof, so don’t go submerging the handset in water. It should be fine in the rain though.

Switching attention to the Moto G7 Plus display and you’ll find a sizable 6.2-inch, Full HD (2270 x 1080) screen. There’s minimal bezel at the top of the display, with the front-facing camera housed in a teardrop notch which cuts into the display.

At the bottom of the screen there’s a thicker bezel which houses the Motorola brand name, which is another signal that the Moto G7 Plus isn’t quite as premium as some of its more expensive rivals that minimize the bezel to near-nonexistence.

Still, the overall look is impressive, with text and images appearing crisp, bright and colorful.

Moto G7 Plus : camera

Motorola is pushing photography as one of the key selling points of the Moto G7 Plus, and we have to say we were impressed with that the phone had to offer in the camera department. Generally speaking, the cameras on this phone will serve you well.

The built-in optical image stabilisation (OIS) is very welcome, and should reduce camera shake and image blur as much as possible. We didn’t notice it too much in our testing, but it’s nice to have. The Moto G7 also throws in a number of neat shooting modes and filters which are fun to play around with, including a cool spot colour one that works well.

Around the front, the 12MP selfie camera is unspectacular but completely adequate, and the Moto G7 Plus can even do that neat trick of lighting up the whole front of the screen so you can use it as a flash, if needed.

Recorded video looks great, with 4K recording possible – and that integrated OIS comes in handy here as well.  And that’s really all you can ask for.

Moto G7 Plus : software and features

Thankfully, Motorola doesn’t mess too much with the stock Android experience. A single swipe up gets you to the app drawer, for example, and preinstalled apps are limited to a couple of utilities for tech support and teaching you how to use the phone.

The bundled Moto Actions (for controlling apps with gestures) and Moto Voice (for reading out your texts while you’re driving) aren’t going to change your life, but they’re fun to play around with if you want to do a bit more with your handset. We like the way Motorola stays out of the way of Android though, and all the key Google apps are available on the phone right out of the box.

The Moto G7 Plus does have its own custom time and date widget, which is inoffensive enough and doubles up as a battery meter. This widget also appears on the lock screen when you lift up the phone to look at it, so checking the time of day is easy enough.

The latest Android 9 Pie is on board here, as you would expect, but how quickly you’ll get Android Q, dark mode and all, remains to be seen – the Moto G6 phones got their Android 9 Pie updates a month or so ago, so it looks like you could be waiting a few months at least. Still, with most of the OS updates now behind-the-scenes tweaks and under-the-hood improvements, it’s not as big of an issue as it once was.

You don’t get waterproofing on the Moto G7 Plus, but you do get a thin water repelling layer, which is about as good as you’re going to get at this price level. It won’t survive a dunking in the washing up bowl, but it should survive a little bit of rain.

Dolby Audio is included, for apps that support it, and we were impressed with the audio performance of the phone overall: dialogue and background music is loud and clear when watching videos for example, and at a push you could even use the Moto G7 Plus as a makeshift boombox to fill a small room with music.

You do get 27W fast charging that Motorola says can juice up your phone with 12 hours of power in just 15 minutes – and that seems about right in our tests. We did the usual T3 test of watching Netflix for an hour at maximum brightness and a reasonable volume level, and the 3,000mAh battery went down from 100 percent to 83 percent: that’s a little below par, but equals all-day battery life.

In our time with the Moto G7 Plus we very rarely had less than 20 percent battery left at the end of the day, though admittedly we weren’t hammering it with use either. For a huge 5,000mAh battery the Moto G7 Power is one alternative to consider.

Conclusions
The Moto G7 Plus is a well-featured phone with plenty of highlights, including good battery life and fast charging. The camera features seem very good too, and the 6.2-inch screen is a pleasure to use. Add in dual SIM support and good build quality, and it’s clear Motorola has focused its development effort in the right areas.