It's incredible to think that the Motorola Razr V3, one of the most important mobile phones ever to be produced, came out in 2004, particularly when you keep in mind that it's still selling well.
After many ups and downs and a series of average handsets, Motorola has finally produced a Razr worthy of its name -- the Motorola Razr 2 V8. It's thinner, it's shinier and it packs more features.
The V8 will be available on several network operators for free on a monthly contract.
Design
If you've owned the Motorola Razr V3, the first thing you'll notice about Razr 2 V8 is how shiny it is. We're told the case is made up of stainless steel, chrome and chemically hardened glass, but it feels like plastic to us. It certainly feels a little less solid than the original.
In a quick straw-poll, not everyone here was taken by the glossy finish that shimmers in almost every light, but it will appeal to you if you like phones such as the LG Shine.
One of the most impressive updates is the large external screen that measures a whopping 31mm wide by 40mm tall, which is larger than the main screen on most phones, let alone the external screen. It's a touchscreen, too, but more on that later.
The V8 is a little taller than the V3, but also a little thinner, measuring a pocket-friendly 12mm deep. Fortunately it's just as wide as the original, so you still get that reassuring grip when you hold it.
Open up the V8 and you're presented with a large, bright colour screen and a good-sized, easy-to-use keypad that doesn't have the obstructive lip at the bottom that's common to many slider phones. The keypad design is flat and in-keeping with all the previous Razr keypads.
Due to the V8's slim chassis, the buttons on the side of our engineering sample felt a little fiddly to press and the V8's hinge didn't seem to lock very well when opened -- it produced a creaking sound when pushed back slightly by your ear during calls.
Features
The V8's Linux-based interface is a huge improvement from the cumbersome and annoying Motorola interfaces of old. It really is like using a phone made by another manufacturer altogether. The icons are cute and well laid-out, and everything is much easier to use than usual. Texting, taking photos and playing tunes are all straightforward processes, and you can control the MP3 player without opening the phone.
It's all thanks to the touch-sensitive external screen, which vibrates slightly when touched to let you know that a key has been pressed. It works well, giving a similar level of tactile feedback as you get when pressing mechanical keys.
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User reviews6
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skcmedia 17 February 2008
Good: I love the large screen and the camera is far superior to my Nokia 6300
Bad: Quoted battery life is a lie.
Comment: I have always loved Motorola phones and have never had a bad experience with one. I was delighted when O2 offered it to me for free on an upgrade. Sadly, within a few weeks I returned it due to the phone freezing and the outer screen displaying gobbledegook!
The replacement phone arrived and I dutifully charged the battery. The next day I took it to work and the battery was almost exhausted before the end of the day. I don't make calls but text on my phone. Aware that I had been playing with it far more than average I charged it again. The battery life is simply awful. Whilst my work does not require me to travel, and therefore can charge it daily, my Nokia needed a charge once a week with on occasion a little top up.
The build quality is poor unlike my V3i. The flip jerks as it is lifted open and kind of clicks as it is closed. If you are not careful the battery compartment can slide up easily when you go to get the phone from your pocket. The user interface is brilliant but I prefer the old Moto menu system. Sadly, I miss the old graphics for sending and receiving a text. Now the front screen 'warms up' and then a white box just appears. Trivial I know but it shows a lack of engagement with users as this was one of its pluses.
There are 3 themes to choose from and apart from shading differ only slightly from one another. To scroll through and listen to the in built ring tones you need to highlight the tone you want to listen to and press enter to bring up the play options. You need to do this for every tone. To use a specific tone after you have played it you need to go back and insert it. A real step back from the old menu system. The quality of the tones is poor as some of the tones as used on moto's for years sound old and ill put together.
I rarely make calls but when I do, the sound quality is the usual high standard. Crystal clear quality. The text messaging is easy and fast. It takes only a few minutes to get used to it. But when you go back to a Nokia you realise just how they have mastered it compared to Motorola.
The screen is clear and bright but like so many things with Motorola, an age behind Nokia. My old Nokia had 10 million colours whilst the Moto sticks to 262,000. Still impressive but when you have had better it goes against it.
Overall, happy to accept all of the above other than build and battery life. Where they get the figures from I do not know. Motorola needs to engage more with its users and its time for a new 'classic' from them. Sadly, the RAZR2 is not it.
tanazbaria 25 January 2008
Good: Looks stylish, thats all
Bad: the battery strength, the vibrator is weak, picture quality at nite poor, average headset music sound
Comment: Please dont buy this product unless only looks matters
Rob Rafferty 3 October 2007
Good: Stunning, Voice Convo quality, Large Front Screen
Bad: 2 Fawlty Handsets
Comment: Having seen how stunning it looked on display, I decided to go for one, being generally pleased with motorolas of past.
However, the first handset had a problem with it's camera and returned and replaced, and the second has now started crashing. Orange customer services have told me that motorola know there is a fault with the V8, and are contacting people with problems to try and resolve it. Shame they didn't think to resolve it before releasing it.
Has truly put me off buying another moto. My advice, wait until these problems have been sorted before buying one!
See all 6 user reviews