Nextbit Robin

Last updated
Nextbit Robin
Robin wordmark.png
Nextbit Robin smartphone (cropped).jpg
Manufacturer Nextbit (owned by Razer Inc.)
Type Smartphone
First released16 February 2016;8 years ago (2016-02-16)
(Kickstarter)
DiscontinuedJanuary 2017
SuccessorNextbit Phoenix (unreleased) / Razer Phone (indirect)
Form factor Slate
Dimensions149 mm (5.9 in) H
72 mm (2.8 in) W
7 mm (0.28 in) D
Weight150 g (5.3 oz)
Operating system
Original: Android 5.1.1 "Lollipop"
Current: Android 7.1.1 "Nougat"
System-on-chip Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 MSM8992
CPU Hexa-core (dual 1.82 GHz + quad 1.44 GHz) 64-bit custom CPU
GPU Adreno 418
Memory3 GB LPDDR3 RAM
Storage32 GB internal and 100 GB cloud storage(Support Ended)
Battery2,680 mAh
Rear camera13  MP with phase detection autofocus, dual-LED dual-tone flash
Front camera 5  MP
Display5.2 in (130 mm) 1080p IPS LCD, 424  ppi
Website nextbit.com Defunct
References [1]

The Nextbit Robin was an Android smartphone manufactured by Nextbit (bought by Razer Inc.). The phone was marketed as "Cloud-first" where it utilized cloud storage to store data which wouldn't be used for a long period of time, thus saving space in the device's local storage. [2]

Contents

The product and crowdfunding campaign was launched on Kickstarter on September 1, 2015. [3] Twelve hours after it was launched, the phone reached its funding goal of US$500,000, much earlier than the expected goal of 30 days, [4] and completed its $1 million goal within two weeks. [5]

It was launched on February 16, 2016, where 1000 units of the GSM variant was shipped to its backers on Kickstarter, and an additional 2,300 units were sold through its official website. [6]

In January 2017, Nextbit was bought by Singaporean-American videogame hardware manufacturer Razer Inc. Sales of the phone were halted almost immediately after the announcement. [7] [8] On March 1, 2018, the cloud storage feature was shut down by Nextbit. 10 months after the acquisition, in November 2017, Razer released the Razer Phone, their first game-centric smartphone, with the overall design based on the Robin. [9]

Specifications

Hardware

The Robin was designed with a distinctive aesthetic, primarily constructed from durable polycarbonate material that features a smooth, matte finish. This design choice not only provided a premium feel but also helped in reducing the overall weight of the device, making it comfortable to hold and use. The front of the Robin is protected by Gorilla Glass 4, a toughened glass known for its resistance to scratches and minor impacts, which helps maintain the clarity and integrity of the display over time. [10]

Weighing approximately 150 g (5.3 oz), the Robin strikes a balance between sturdiness and portability. Its dimensions—149 mm (5.9 in) in height, 72 mm (2.8 in) in width, and 7 mm (0.28 in) in thickness—contribute to its sleek profile, making it both pocket-friendly and ergonomic for one-handed use. The device is equipped with a 5.2 in (130 mm) IPS LCD screen, which offers vibrant colors and wide viewing angles. The display resolution is set at 1920 x 1080 pixels, translating to a pixel density of 424 ppi, ensuring crisp and clear visuals whether you're watching videos, playing games, or browsing the web. [1]

Under the hood, the Robin is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (MSM8992) chipset, which is known for its efficiency and robust performance in mid- to high-end smartphones. The Snapdragon 808 is a hexa-core processor featuring a custom 2 + 4 configuration: two high-performance Cortex-A57 cores clocked at 1.82 GHz and four energy-efficient Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.44 GHz. This architecture allows the device to handle both demanding tasks and routine activities with ease, optimizing power consumption without compromising on speed. [11]

To complement the processing power, the Robin is equipped with 3 GB of LPDDR3 RAM. This amount of memory ensures smooth multitasking, allowing users to switch between apps and manage background processes without significant slowdowns. Whether it's gaming, streaming, or simply navigating through the user interface, the combination of the Snapdragon 808 processor and 3 GB of RAM delivers a reliable and responsive experience.

Additionally, the device's hardware supports a range of connectivity options, including LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, making it versatile in various environments. The inclusion of dual front-facing speakers also enhances the media consumption experience, providing clear and balanced audio directly towards the user. [10]


Storage

The Robin comes with a built-in 32 GB of internal storage, but does not feature microSD card expansion. Instead, the smartphone utilized cloud storage. It had 100 GB of usable cloud storage offered by Nextbit out of the box, which is integrated within the phone's software as an additional "external" storage. [10] Shortly after being purchased by Razer, Nextbit shut down the cloud storage feature on March 1, 2018, with data accessible until April 1, 2018. [12]

When installed applications, for example, were not used by the user for a long period; the smartphone automatically detected them and archived them into the cloud to reduce internal storage usage. It also adapted to the usage patterns of the user and performed the backup process whenever applicable. [13] The smartphone also stored the user's photos in the cloud in the default resolution appropriate for upload, until the user specified the resolution. [2]

Reception

Sales

Pre-orders after the Kickstarter campaign began in October 2015, with shipping set to start in February 2016. During the preorder period, the Nextbit Robin had estimated arrival time of February. [14] The phone stopped being produced in January 2017, following the companies acquisition by Razer Inc. [8]

Known issues

The Robin had suffered performance issues upon launch, including lag and slow performance of the camera. [15] These issues were marked as resolved by Nextbit by releasing software updates in March and April. [16] However, issues persist for many users. The smartphone was also quite easy to bend with both hands due to its all plastic housing, as was tested by Zack Nelson on his YouTube channel JerryRigEverything. [17]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Nextbit Robin - Rating and Specs". Specout. Graphiq, Inc. Retrieved 13 February 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  2. 1 2 Phil Nickinson (September 2015). "Nextbit's Robin looks to merge phone and cloud like never before". Android Central. Mobile Nation. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  3. ↑ Chris Velazco (1 September 2015). "Nextbit reveals Robin, a smartphone that's nestled in the cloud". Engaget. AOL Inc. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  4. ↑ Dan Thorp Lancaster (1 September 2015). "Nexbit Robin surpasses Kickstarter goal in under 12 hours". Android Central. Mobile Nations. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  5. ↑ Stephen Hall (September 2015). "Nextbit's Robin passes $1 million in funding in just 2 weeks". 9to5 Google. 9to5. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  6. ↑ David Curry (6 January 2016). "Nextbit will begin shipping the Robin smartphone next month". Digital Treads. Designtechnica Corporation. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  7. ↑ Lunden, Ingrid (2017-01-31). "Razer acquires Nextbit, the startup behind the Robin smartphone". TechCrunch.com. TechCrunch. Retrieved 2017-01-31.
  8. 1 2 "Razer buys smartphone manufacturer Nextbit, shuts down sales". Ars Technica UK. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  9. ↑ "Razer Phone officially announced: This phone is a beast!". Android Authority. 2017-11-01. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
  10. 1 2 3 Maxwell R (10 January 2016). "Nextbit Robin hands-on". Phone Arena. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  11. ↑ Sascha Segan (1 September 2015). "Hands on With the Nextbit Robin Phone". PCMag. Ziff Davis, LLC. PCMag Digital Group. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  12. ↑ Ong, Thuy (9 January 2018). "Nextbit is shutting down its Smart Storage cloud service for the Robin phone". The Verge. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  13. ↑ Dom Esposito (2 November 2015). "Hands-on: Nextbit's Robin is a cloud-first smartphone that gets smarter with use [Video]". 9to5 Google. 9to5. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  14. ↑ Statt, Nick (2015-10-21). "Nextbit's Robin smartphone is available for preorder starting at $399". The Verge. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  15. ↑ Nextbit Robin review: serious performance issues (Wired UK)
  16. ↑ "What's new in March and April Updates". community.nextbit.com. Nexbit. Archived from the original on 2016-11-09. Retrieved 2016-05-30.
  17. ↑ Nextbit Robin Bend Test FAIL - Durability test (JerryRigEverything - YouTube)
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