The other feature you can access via the external screen is the ability to read text messages, which is very useful if you don't want to open the clamshell, although it can be slightly awkward to unlock the external screen in order to read a text message.
Memory-wise, there's the option of either 512MB or a generous 2GB of on-board memory, but unfortunately no option to expand via a memory card slot. There's also, annoyingly, no way to set the phone to ring and vibrate at the same time, and no 3G, so no high-speed Web browsing.
Performance
Audio quality during calls was very good and there was no noticeable
distortion or muffling. The loudspeaker also performed well, as did
listening to music using the Motorola S9 stereo Bluetooth headphones.
The picture quality from the 2-megapixel camera was, as expected, not fantastic, and there weren't that many settings options to choose from. The pictures are not as good as those from a Sony Ericsson K810i or Samsung G600.
Battery life was acceptable -- we only had to recharge it after two days of moderate use. The quoted battery life is up to approximately 500 minutes' talk time and 280 hours' standby time.
Conclusion
The Motorola Razr 2 V8 is definitely a step in
the right direction and will make many Razr fans very happy. It's a
shame there's no 3G, no memory card slot and that the camera isn't
better, but the V8 is still the best Razr since the original.
If you are looking for a stylish phone with more features, it's worth checking out the Samsung U700 for its slim design, 3.2-megapixel camera and HSDPA, or the Nokia N95, which comes with a 5-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, HSDPA and GPS.
Edited by Jason Jenkins
Additional editing by Kate Macefield
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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