Motorola MOTORAZR V3 Cell Phone

Four years ago when my service was up with T-Mobile, I was given for free, a motorola flip phone.  It was the V188 and it was sturdy and worked fine for my limited use.  Then 2 years ago when my contract came up again, I got another phone, this time the Samsung SGH-T319.  By increasing my minutes and monthly payments they gave it to me for free.

Halfway through I decided to go back to my 300 anytime minutes, and free weekends for $29.95.  Sixteen months into my 24 month contract my phone broke where the hinges were.  I am a lady in my 60's and treat my phone like a baby.  They refused to do anything about it, so I went back to my faithful motorola V188, until my contract was up.  This old motorola worked great for me, and I am still keeping it as a standby phone.

About six weeks, before my contract came up for renewal, I headed to T-Mobile.  I was offered 3 different phones for free.  One of these was the Motorazr V3.  I told the guy that this was the perfect phone for me.  He spent a long time on the phone, and computer, arranging for me to get the phone.  I did hear him say to the person on the other line that this one was an upgrade, but as I have been with T-Mobile, and Voice Stream before them, for 15 years, I did get this phone for a $18 one time charge.  This would have been with any phone I chose.

So I went ahead and signed the contract for a further two years.

The guy behind the counter asked for my old phone, and removed the sim card, so he could put it in the new phone for me.  He then inserted the battery.   He handed me the phone, so that I could look as it, check my phonebook, and make a call to Len's cell phone. 

He put my old phone, the box, and paperwork in a bag for me.  I also asked him to change the soft keys, or home keys, to phonebook and recent.  I use these all the time, and don't IM, and wouldn't be using the camera that much.

We did a little more shopping and then headed home.  With Len having just come out of hospital, having had heart surgery, I didn't even think about my phone.  This was Saturday, and on Sunday, I was due to work.  Saturday night I turned off my phone, went to the box to charge it up, and there was no charger in the box.  I was really frustrated, but at that time of night, there was nothing to be done.

I took my phone to work with me on Sunday, and Len went up to the Mall to get the charger.  He took everything with him, and they asked for the phone, but he explained that I had to work, so they had no problem taking a charger out of another box.  My daughter, from England, phoned me while I was at work.  Even though it was a short call my phone died on me.  I came home and charged it fully.

First impressions.

I chose this phone because it looks elegant, it is contoured to fit in my hand, it has a large bright screen, the keypad is big, it is easy to read, and I trust Motorola.

As soon as I had time to try it out, I telephoned my cell phone, from the home phone.  When it rung I could see 'home calling' on the screen on the front of the phone.  This is a great feature because I have a choice to take the call or ignore it.  When the phone isn't in use the time of day shows up in this area.

Next I knew that it had a camera in it, and had touched the left side of the phone by accident, and the photo viewfinder had come up on the screen.  The right key, on this setting says, capture.  I took a photo of Len and for a camera phone, it was of good quality.

After charging it fully, it came up 'Personalize', so I clicked on it, and changed the color and design on the screen.  I then entered my name, and changed the ringtone to one that I haven't heard before.  Hopefully this way I will recognize mine when it rings.  I checked, and it is on the highest volume, of 7.  When you are my age, you need it loud, and then can still miss a call.

The screen of the phone has the icons that all cell phones have.  When it comes to the Motorazr V3 it has the soft keys, and between them, the menu button.  The new keys to me are just below the soft keys and are t-zones and messaging key.  I won't be using the t-zones button, but it is nice to check my voicemail, by pressing on that key.  When lit up the background of the keys are silver, but the keys are blue, with green for start, and red to end.  The rest of the keys are the same as other phones.

As my sim card was in this phone I didn't have to set up voicemail or phonebook.  What I did notice, and I have no idea why, some of my names and phone numbers didn't get transferred. 

I read the double sided one page of instructions, rather than the user's guide, which has 96 pages.  I will check that out when I have a problem, or want to try something new, with the phone.

I went into camera and used the video, and although this doesn't compare with a digital camera, it wasn't jerky, and I could see it clearly.  I took several other pictures, and deleted some, and generally gave it a workout.

The Motorazr V3 comes with Bluetooth, so if you purchase the wireless headset, then these can be used together.  As I only use a couple of hundred minutes during the week, this wouldn't be worthwhile for me. What I did like, was that it has a plug-in ear phone which I will use.

I have never done text messaging but this phone has 4 different modes being ITAP, TAP, number, and symbol modes.  In the leaflet it explains how to use them
The phone also has instant messaging if you use AIM, ICQ, or Yahoo Messenger. 

If you have myfaves this can be displayed on the main screen.  There are details on 'add myfaves', and 'edit myfaves'.

From the menu, top middle of the phone, you can select the help button, or find out more information from the User Manual.

I stayed with a friend the other night, who was having surgery the following morning.  She had to be up really early so I set the alarm on my phone.  It was simple to set up and went off on time.

When going into games it has 2 new games, but I never get time to play any.

I like the calendar, and also calculator.

I can also record a message or a phone conversation.  The person on the other end will know that I am recording them.  I can then send this to people in my phonebook or email addresses.

From the website, because I don't write anything technical:

"Key Features
Network Type:     GSM 850 · GSM 900 · GSM 1800 · GSM 1900 · GPRS · EDGE
Style:     Clamshell
Design:     Mobile
Display
Display Size:     176 x 220
Screen Type:     64K Colors (TFT)
Screen Size (Diagonal):     2.2 inch
Display Technology:     Color TFT LCD
Memory
Installed Memory:     5 MB
Expansion Slot:     Built-In Memory
Battery
Battery Life:     6.7 Hours
Battery Type:     Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery
Communication
Wireless Capabilities:     Bluetooth
Multimedia
Digital Photography Features:     Digital Zoom
Audio Output:     Built in Speaker
Built-in Music Player:     MP3 Player
Built-in Digital Camera:     Built-in Digital Camera
Technical Features
Antenna Type:     Integrated
Connectivity:     Bluetooth · USB
Input Method:     Keypad · Microphone
Talk Time:     6.7 Hours
Standby Time:     250 Hours
Digital Camera Zoom:     4x Digital Zoom
Other Features
Messaging Formats:     SMS · MMS · EMS 5.0 · POP3 · SMTP · IMAP4
Data Formats:     WAP 2.0 · MIDP2
Phone Features:     Caller line identifier · Integrated speakerphone · Photo caller ID · Voice dialing · Email · Web Browser
Organizer Features:     Alarm clock · Calendar
:     External display
Applications:     Calculator · Currency converter
Multimedia Features:     Composable ringtones · Integrated Digital Camera · MP3 player · MP3 ringtones · MPEG4 video playback · Polyphonic ringtones
Dimensions
Width:     2.17 in.
Height:     3.86 in.
Depth:     0.55 in.
Weight:     3.35 oz."

I checked out the price of this phone, and I know I got a bargain.  I see that it retails for $199, but if you are with a phone company, they will reduce or give the phone to you with a contract.

I haven't bought a case for it yet, because it slips in my pocket, and as it is so slim.  The dimensions are:  '13.9 mm thin, 53 mm wide (the width of a credit card) and 98 mm long'.

I love this phone and finally checked out the 4 x digital zoom on the camera.  For signing up for another 2 years with T-Mobile, I think I got a real bargain.  I just love my new digital phone.  I have now had it 6 weeks.