Nextbit Robin first impressions: Cool Electric color, pure Android UI, unique storage scheme

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  • Nextbit Robin retail package, gold SIM card tray, and fast charger

    Nextbit Robin retail package, gold SIM card tray, and fast charger

    The Nextbit Robin first appeared as a Kickstarter campaign last year and I was one of the early backers. While you can order a Nextbit Robin yourself for $399 in Mint or Midnight color, Kickstarter backers voted for and had the choice to choose the Electric model. The Electric color variation mixes aspects of the Mint and Midnight scheme and looks fantastic in person.

    The Nextbit Robin is unique in that it focuses on using the cloud in a dynamic manner to not only backup photos, but to also actively backup, store, and access applications. It comes with 32GB of onboard storage and 100GB of cloud storage. There's even a cloud on the back that lights up as data is being uploaded or downloaded to this online storage repository.

    While you will see many other smartphones using glass and metal with rounded corners and curves, Nextbit went a bit retro with the use of plastic and a rectangular form factor. It reminds me a bit of a plastic Sony Xperia design.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • First statement that appears when you open up the Robin

    First statement that appears when you open up the Robin

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Opening up to reveal the Robin and a USB Type-C cable

    Opening up to reveal the Robin and a USB Type-C cable

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • The Type-C cable and cloud shaped SIM card tool

    The Type-C cable and cloud shaped SIM card tool

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Fast charger with cloud icon

    Fast charger with cloud icon

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Gold SIM card tray for Kickstarter backers

    Gold SIM card tray for Kickstarter backers

    Another perk for being an early backer is that I was sent a gold metal SIM card tray that adds a touch of distinction to the smartphone too.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Right side power/scanner and SIM card try

    Right side power/scanner and SIM card try

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Left side volume buttons

    Left side volume buttons

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Type-C port on the bottom

    Type-C port on the bottom

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Rear camera, flash, and cloud storage indicator lights

    Rear camera, flash, and cloud storage indicator lights

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • View of the back with Nextbit branding

    View of the back with Nextbit branding

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Front facing camera, sensors, and stereo speaker

    Front facing camera, sensors, and stereo speaker

    Nextbit is consistent in the usage of circles with round front facing stereo speakers, the same round openings for the front facing camera, front sensors, headphone jack, rear camera, rear flash, and two volume buttons. There's a fingerprint scanner built into the side power button as well.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Bottom stereo speaker

    Bottom stereo speaker

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Focus on the cloud

    Focus on the cloud

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • A few Nextbit utilities

    A few Nextbit utilities

    You will find Android 6.0 Marshmallow installed out of the box with a very pure Google experience on the phone. There are a few Nextbit utilities and custom apps, but the rest is much like a Nexus device.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Manage your apps and the cloud

    Manage your apps and the cloud

    At first it appears there is no application launcher, but you tap the three dot purple button on the home screen panel to view archived, pinned, and all apps. You can choose to have apps pinned to the device so they are not automatically placed up on the cloud storage by the intelligent algorithms of the Robin.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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Manage your apps and the cloud

At first it appears there is no application launcher, but you tap the three dot purple button on the home screen panel to view archived, pinned, and all apps. You can choose to have apps pinned to the device so they are not automatically placed up on the cloud storage by the intelligent algorithms of the Robin.

Caption by: Matthew Miller

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