[Defy General] K3n H1mur4:
Defy+ ROMs are already out there. There were 4 (maybe more, I stopped counting at the 4th) Defy GB leaks, and since the third one, the model is identified as MB526 (which, according to our clues, is the model # for Defy+). Also, the version # for swype in these MB526 ROMs shows a "DefyPlus" after it, showing third parties are already aware of the release and adapting their software for it. Plus, I don't have to show you that all the leaked GB ROMs so far are fully compatible with Bayers' equipped Defy (MKA red lens). Last, but not least, just a piece of opinion here: the CPU used in Defy+ will be the same 3630 already used in the usual Defy. The differences: it'll be factory overclocked at 1 GHz and will be marketed as a 3620 (while our current model is marketed as 3610).

Just that: if we ACTUALLY do have a 3630 equipping our phones, and yet Motorola says it's a 3610, it's MUCH more likely that they keep using the 3630 (but saying it's a 3620) than actually spending their time and money adapting a 3620 to Defy's mobo. Since battery has almost no work to be done (no need for complex drivers and stuff), it's child's play to get a new battery the phone. I would risk to say that Defy+ batteries will be fully compatible with the usual Defy, thus leaving us with the paintjob being the ONLY actual difference. If we're lucky, they'll delay the Defy+ launch to early 2012, and we'll get an unlocked bootloader, at most.

That's an interesting theory, fake leaks has been widely used by industry to avail and set tendencies for its products. Anyway, if my source is correct, Moto won't spend their time hearing to tech-savvy hackers, and'll just put cheaper materials in Defy+ (what may - it's not confirmed yet - reduce the device's price). Following this line of though, they may also drop the "lifeproof" feature and use less protection in it.

Workarounds for making GB work on SoC-based Defys were already released here in XDA, it's just a matter of recompilling some libraries. Obviously, they can't record 720p because of a hardware limitation, but there is no actual reason for them not being able to get GB.

Even though 720p is possible for Bayer-based Defys, it's NOT an official feature, and, since it has been nowhere seen in the leaked GB ROMs, I personally don't think they'll include this in Defy+ as well (but I might be wrong).

Just finishing the issue: since Motorola does not officially recognizes the differences between SoC and Bayer-based Defys (the word is that they're all the same model, with same model # and stuff), it is very hard that Motorola enables 720p for red lensed Defys, even if they get GB, simply because they are probably not going to admit they made two different phones saying they were just one. So, in this case, the only possibility is that they release Defy+ with 720p recording (since they're freely admitting that Defy+ is a different model, based on the Phone Model in the latest leaked GBs and on the Swype version # I mentioned above), and say "no previous version of Defy is capable of recording at 720p at all" (even though we know it's a lie, what can we do?).

Not officially, but XDA people already did that. Check this thread for FroYo and this thread for GB.

About the looks: if you haven't checked it out yet, racca's posted a pic of the new model, here it is:

Indeed, ugly.

That's the point. Until a totally new version (IMO the features should be, at least: dual-core 1 GHz CPU, 1 GB RAM, 8 GB internal storage, 8 MP camera with 720p or 1080p recording - screen is OK, but a yet higher DPI could be applied, just like Atrix's display) is released, there'll be no point at buying a new Defy to replace the current one. The only actual differences will be battery and outer case, which can be easily bough at a Motorola reseller.

P.S.: I just set the specs I expect for an actually new Defy so high because I think it'll only - if ever - be released within 1.5-2 years, and those specs will probably be those of a medium-to-high-end phone (the segment in which Defy is placed).

Also, IMHO, the only common point between our current Defy and this one I expect to be released in a couple of years is the name and the "lifeproofness". It has no major design solutions which are so notable that they must be maintained in possible future versions (i.e.: Droid/Milestone has an "unique" design which allows one who has some knowledge of the matter to easily recognize it - these design "idiosyncrasies" were taken to Droid2/Milestone 2 and, now, Droid 3/Milestone 3 - put all of them side-by-side and you'll clearly see that they are related models). Honestly, I can hardly see, in the front pannel, differences between Defy and Atrix (I know there are some - like the front-facing camera, the bigger and better screen, and the lack of covers for phone/MicroUSB jack, in Atrix -, but one can't spot them that easily at first sight).