Camera

The Motorola Defy includes a 5-megapixel camera with digital zoom and LED flash.

My test photos turned out fairly well, but with a few exposure problems -- there are blown out areas where the sun is shining through the trees. I obtained better results when shooting nearby objects and people rather than landscapes, though perhaps that is simply due to the fact that nearby shots are easier to compose while avoiding large variations in lighting conditions within a single frame.

One good point about the camera is that it takes photos quickly -- some phones seem to take forever, so you can easily miss the shot. The volume buttons are also used as the telephoto/zoom control, which is much faster and easier than trying to tap on the screen while framing the shot.

Navigation

There are two different navigation apps from which to choose: Google Maps and TeleNav. Google Maps worked the best for me, with local search and directions for driving, walking, cycling and taking mass transit.

When you first start TeleNav you are told that you are starting a free trial; if you don't specifically cancel the service at the end of the trial period, you will be charged a $2.99 monthly access fee. The app works well for voice-guided turn-by-turn directions, so if you want a phone that doubles as an in-car GPS the Defy can definitely keep you on track and prevent you from being last.

Battery Life

My experience with the battery life on the Defy has been a very good one indeed; this seems to be one of those devices that just sips at the power rather than draining the battery practically before you can blink. I had no problem getting through the day, even with relatively heavy usage, and there was still plenty of charge left in the battery when I got home in the evening after my daily commute.

You can easily get 2-3 days out of this smartphone, and potentially more if coverage is good in your area. I wouldn't suggest leaving the charger at home during your next short business trip, since it's still a good idea to charge overnight just in case, but I was pleasantly surprised by the performance of the battery in the Defy.

CONCLUSION

The Motorola Defy is a really neat device: it has a cool but not-too-funky design, a great display, and it promises to take just about anything I can dish out in the way of dust and splashes.

If you're looking for an Android OS phone that is a little smaller than some of the giant-screened monsters that have been popular lately, and want something that you can use and enjoy without having to worry about whatever life brings your way, check out the Motorola Defy. It's an excellent little phone that can keep up with all of your daily adventures.