Republic Wireless has some great news for many of its potential customers. The mobile service company knows that the $249 price-point for the Motorola Defy XT is a bit high, especially for a phone of its caliber, so it’s now offering the device for only $99. There’s one caveat however. If you purchase the phone for the $99 price-point, you’ll have to pay $29 a month for unlimited talk, text, and data, which in the long run will cost a lot more.

The Motorola Defy XT is a less-than-stellar smartphone. It features a 3.7-inch LCD display, 1GHz single-core Snapdragon S1 processor, 1GB built-in storage, 512MB RAM, 5MP rear-facing camera, 0.3MP front-facing camera, and Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread. It’s not very appealing, especially to tech fanatics. The phone is of course popular to people who want a super-cheap wireless service plan and could care less about the specs of their smartphone. As long as it works, everything’s fine.

Republic Wireless says that over a course of two years, a family of 3 can save $2,715 over 2 years on its $19 a month plan. They also say that with the $29 a month plan, the same family can still save up to $2,445. They compare it to the $195 a month plans offered by “leading brand” competitors, which ultimately costs the family a total of $4,830.

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.

[via Pocket-lint]

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Featured smartphones on the list for purchase to get into this deal or for free if you’ve already done the first part of the requirement include the T-Mobile myTouch 4G, T-Mobile G2, HTC HD7, and the BlackBerry Bold 9780. Included in the list of “affordable Android handsets” are these: Motorola DEFY, Motorola CHARM, LG Optimus T, and the T-Mobile Comet. This promo works on all T-Mobile family plans including legacy and Even More, for new customers activating two or more lines, or existing customers who are already on a T-Mobile family plan and upgrade at least one of their eligible lines.

Also note: “Mail-in rebates are applicable on all devices and data plans will be required.” So get ready for some extra costs if you’re the sort of person who ends up just forgetting to do the rebate part of the process. This offer is good between November 26th 2010 and January 18 2011. — Thanks Lori!

The spec list is reasonable, too. A 3.7-inch WVGA capacitive (Gorilla glass) touchscreen, 5-megapixel camera and the usual WiFi/Bluetooth/GPS, along with 3G/UMTS. No HSPA+ like the myTouch 4G, however, and no front-facing camera for video calls. It also runs Android 2.1, rather than Android 2.2 Froyo, though you do at least get the newest MOTOBLUR-inspired interface for social networking integration.

In the hand, it’s a solid phone with a little extra heft from the ruggedization. Still, it’s also reasonably slim, and the two-tone rear panel is distinctive. The 2GB of ROM is useful, too, and Motorola throw in a 2GB microSD card as well, though the 800MHz TI OMAP3610 may potentially fall a little short of the second-gen Qualcomm chips we’ve seen in some recent HTC Android phones.

The Motorola DEFY is available to order from T-Mobile this week, priced at $99.99 with a new, two-year agreement. We’ll have the full SlashGear review very soon.

Motorola DEFY going for a swim

Meanwhile T-Mobile has already confirmed that the DEFY will bring WiFi calling with it when it hits their network, routing voice calls over WiFi instead of the cellular network for better coverage and audio quality.  The smartphone also has Flash Lite and an LED flash, and is waterproof/dustproof.

[via Android Community]

In fact, so far they’ve only namechecked two upcoming devices – the Motorola DEFY and the T-Mobile myTouch – as having the WiFi calling app preloaded (together with a tutorial for first-time users).  These handsets are both expected to debut before the end of the year, but there’s no sign of dates for T-Mobile phones already in the market.

[via Android Community]

Press Release:

T-Mobile Wi-Fi Calling To Be Available on New T-Mobile myTouch, Motorola DEFY and More

Bellevue, Wash. — Oct. 6, 2010 T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced its continued innovation of Wi-Fi Calling technology with the upcoming availability of built-in Wi-Fi Calling solutions planned for a wide selection of Android™-powered smartphones, including the recently announced new T-Mobile® myTouch® and Motorola DEFY™ with MOTOBLUR™.

A leader in bringing innovative and easy-to-use solutions to market to enhance indoor coverage for consumers and provide cost saving for businesses, T-Mobile hosts approximately 40 million Wi-Fi calls per month, a number that has grown steadily since the company launched Wi-Fi Calling in June 2007. In addition to consumers benefiting from enhanced coverage, T-Mobile business customers – from small business to multinational corporations – have long taken advantage of the company’s Wi-Fi Calling plan offerings, enabling them to take advantage of the enhanced coverage, as well as the opportunity for reduced domestic and international minute usage, increased enterprise mobility cost savings and improved productivity benefits this solution can deliver. Currently, T-Mobile offers Wi-Fi Calling on numerous devices including the Nokia E73 Mode™, BlackBerry® Curve™ 8520, BlackBerry® Bold™ 9700 and the new BlackBerry® Curve™ 3G.

“T-Mobile’s expansion of Wi-Fi Calling to Android smartphones is an excellent innovation, and part of our ongoing initiatives on behalf of our customers to enhance indoor coverage,” said Torrie Dorrell, vice president, connected family products and services, T-Mobile USA. “This new execution of Wi-Fi Calling technology helps us ensure that our customers’ Android-powered smartphones can keep them connected to the important people in their lives where they work, live or play.”

The implementation of Wi-Fi Calling for Android smartphones brings a new solution to a fast-growing mobile platform and broader range of smartphones for consumers and business customers. Powered by Kineto’s Smart Wi-Fi Application, T-Mobile’s Wi-Fi Calling for Android smartphones will be ready to use out-of-the-box, providing the ability to make voice calls and send SMS from accessible Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) access points across the globe in addition to the connectivity available through T-Mobile’s mobile network. The application will also include a tutorial for the benefit of first-time users of the feature.

Availability

Wi-Fi Calling for Android is anticipated to be available on a growing selection of T-Mobile’s Android-powered smartphones in the coming months.

The new T-Mobile myTouch is expected to be available in time for the holidays, exclusively from T-Mobile USA in four colors —white, black, plum or red. Customers can visit http://mytouch.t-mobile.com for more information.

Motorola DEFY with MOTOBLUR is expected to be available exclusively to T-Mobile USA customers in time for the holidays. For more information on Motorola DEFY with MOTOBLUR, customers can visit http://mytouch.t-mobile.com for more information.

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OS is Android 2.1 – Motorola load Flash Lite into the browser, but there’s no Flash Player 10.1 and there won’t be until a Froyo update – and the Swype keyboard is also preloaded.  The camera is paired with an LED flash, and Motorola’s MOTOBLUR social networking integration is also present.

No word on pricing or availability, beyond it being in stores in time for the holidays.  Motorola UK previously said the DEFY would land in Q4 2010 in Europe.

Press Release:

Motorola Debuts DEFY™ on the Farewell Season Premiere of “The Oprah Winfrey Show”

Exclusively for T-Mobile USA, Motorola DEFY is Equipped to Withstand All That Life Throws Your Way

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. — September 13, 2010 — Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) unveiled the Motorola DEFY™ enhanced with MOTOBLUR™ on today’s 25th season premiere of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Slim and pocket-able, this smartphone powered by Android™, which is planned for exclusive U.S. availability to customers of T-Mobile USA, comes equipped with a 3.7-inch high-resolution and scratch-resistant touch screen display that provides edge-to-edge views of your favorite websites, photos and videos.

“DEFY is designed to handle everything that life throws your way,” said Bill Ogle chief marketing officer, Motorola Mobility, Inc. “With all the features consumers expect in a smartphone, DEFY packs Web browsing, entertainment and messaging capabilities as well as an exterior design that can withstand the stresses of everyday life.”

Motorola DEFY is scratch and water resistant as well as dust proof, protecting you from life’s little challenges such as a sudden rain shower to a drop in the sand. Pre-installed on the DEFY, CrystalTalk® PLUS vanquishes noisy environments with two microphones that intelligently filter out background noise and amplify your voice so you don’t have to shout.

“DEFY is essentially a connection hub wrapped in a layer of protection,” said Paul Cole, vice president, product management, T-Mobile USA. “The unique and innovative form-factor of the DEFY provides you with the confidence to truly take your phone anywhere.”

An Adobe® Flash® Lite®-enabled Web browser and 3.7-inch WVGA screen allow you to view more of the Web than standard browsers. Choose from thousands of applications, widgets and games on Android Market™ and enjoy access to Google™ services including Google Search™, Google Maps™ and Gmail™.

With a durable form-factor and 5-megapixel camera featuring a flash, digital zoom and auto focus, the Motorola DEFY is the trusty companion to capture memories at the next family reunion or vacation. Part of the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), DEFY enables you to stream, store and share content with compatible devices around the home such as HDTVs, game consoles and PCs. Also, the Connected Music Player provides the option to display lyrics to your songs and enables you to discover, buy and download music, right from your phone.

Availability

Motorola DEFY with MOTOBLUR is expected to be available exclusively to T-Mobile USA customers in time for the holidays. For more information on Motorola DEFY with MOTOBLUR, please visit here. To view images please visit here.

Since it’s all very well being able to whip out your cellphone in a sand storm and dial, but then no use if nobody can hear you, Motorola has thrown in twin microphones and their CrystalTalk PLUS DSP for some extreme noise reduction.  Flash Lite, DLNA streaming support and access to the Android Market round out the main specs.

No word on pricing at this stage, but the Motorola DEFY will arrive in Europe in Q4 2010.

Press Release:

BASINGSTOKE, September 1, 2010 – Motorola today announced DEFY™ enhanced with MOTOBLUR™. Motorola DEFY is a slim, pocketable Android™ smartphone that comes equipped with advanced Web-browsing capabilities and a 3.7″ high-resolution touch screen display that provides edge to edge views of your favorite photos, videos and websites.

“DEFY has been designed to handle everything that life throws your way,” said Alain Mutricy, senior vice president, portfolio and device product management, Motorola Mobility. “With all the features consumers expect in a smartphone, DEFY packs advanced web browsing, entertainment and messaging capabilities as well as a design that withstands the challenges of everyday life.”

Motorola DEFY is dust proof and water resistant protecting you from life’s little challenges like a sudden rain shower, spilt drink, or dropping your phone in the sand. It also features a large, resilient display that has outstanding protection against scratch damage. CrystalTalk® PLUS vanquishes noisy environments with two microphones which intelligently filter out background noise and amplify your voice so you don’t have to shout.

Motorola DEFY also features the latest version of Motorola’s unique solution, MOTOBLUR, which makes it even easier to manage all of your emails, messages and social updates in one easy place with the additions of filtering, resizable widgets, added corporate security and a versatile battery manager.

An Adobe® Flash® Lite® enabled browser and 3.7″ WVGA screen allow users to view more of the Web than standard browsers. Create your own entertainment with the 5-megapixel camera with flash, digital zoom and auto focus that lets users capture the best of their social life. DEFY is Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)-enabled to stream, store and share content with compatible devices around the home like HDTVs, game consoles and PCs.

The Connected Music Player brings song lyrics to your songs and enables you to discover, buy and download music, right from your phone. Choose from over 70,000 applications, widgets and games from Android Market™ and enjoy access to Google™ services including Google Search™, Google Maps™ and Gmail™.

Availability
DEFY will be available in Europe beginning Q4 2010.