Motorola V551 / V330 / V547 / V555 / V557
Average Ratings
worth the money
Replaced a tri-band Nokia 8260 (AT&T) when its display started blanking randomly, after Singularly swallowed the smaller fish. North Dallas customer, and no more half-call dropouts that occurred regularly with AWS, thank the gods!. All in all, very satisfied with the feature set.
Pros: small, lightweight, well-made (no squeak/play in hinge), superior sound, UI somewhat customizable, speed dials, user shortcuts, good still picture quality.
Cons: battery life a bit low, 3rd-party accessories a little rare (try V600 for cellsuits), Moto's website lacks in V551-specific content at times
Other: no white screen yet, audio pops noticeable when walking ringtones/audio (not just mp3s), a little thick, MPT 2.0 has a one-time glitch in accessing phone (see below).
Maybe later f/w will address audio artifacts. Don't seem to hear them on incoming calls however. Whining about Java games is lost on me, and no need for video capture as yet, so no comment.
In general, if you lust after the latest model eqpt, expect infant mortalities on introduction. I'll stay off the bleeding edge, thanks; lived too long there.
With a USB data kit, make it V551 compatible, or play with BlueTooth as you wish. For USB, expect to select the modem (Motorola USB, not V551!) in the setup menu during initial connect, especially with laptops. Someday they'll fix the phone image so it'll look right in MPT (BFD, yeah), right Moto?
Plenty of audio capture/conversion s/w out there (ARwizard, wavepad, etc) unless you're cheap/lazy. 8, 32, and 40Mbps (Lame) play fine (stock tones are 32Mbps FgH); haven't tried other combos. matrixm is ok if you're not into rolling your own sounds, but seems stuck on 8Kbps via SMS links for the present.
In short: be nice to the mobile eqpt, and it'll reciprocate; treat it like garbage, and get what you deserve.
My Review Of The V551
My review of the V551
Pro's
Improved menu and easy to navigate. Linked up to my work computer and INTERNET downloaded all my contacts no problem.
Easy to carry durable resistant covering that helps when I get clumsy(like I did today) and drop it bump it around.
For a novice phone user like me (I came from Nextel and had an i95cl which at one time were their *Flagship color phone) has all the bells and whistles and software I will ever need.
And surprisingly has a very nice camera phone that takes decent pictures and movies.
Con's
Only a few..
It smudges easily that can annoy some people that sweat alot or have oily skin.
The speaker phone on the back. I don't know who at moto decided to take them from the front to the back but they better re-reverse it soon.
That is the one thing I liked about my i95cl that pretty much prevented me from upgrading to another nextel phone.The rear speaker phone.
It might not bug others but it does me.
I got my phone thru a cooperate Rep that activates all our phones.
Two years with a 50 dollar mail in rebate my phone ran will run me $50 bucks!! and I sent my Nextel phone back they are going to give me $35 bucks that I will put towards the phone so I will just end up spending $15 bucks on my phone!!
Anyone thinking of joining cingular make your first phone be the V551 you will not regret it or be sorry!!
Just received today
I just received the Motorola V551 from Cingular today. I work for the company and won the phone in a contest from Motorola. Overall it is a very good phone. Nice feel to and feels really sturdy in your hand. The phone is the same size as the V400 and V600, and is really a combination of the two. The front of the phone features a rubber feeling outer lining (The blue part) with a metal inner lining. The video capture is really sluggish. Don't plan on taking video and being able to jerk the phone quickly and you are limited to 10 seconds or so of video. Overall picture quality is good, much the same as the 400 and 600. EDGE really does make a difference if browsing the internet is your thing. Much, much, much faster then the V600 if EDGE is available in your area. For the same price as the V400 it is very much worth the money.
Great for the $$$
This phone is an excellent buy if you are looking for a phone that offers advanced features, but not a steep price.
Pros:
Call quality
Screen quality (excellent 65k, Motorola has one of the best.)
EDGE works great and allows very quick WAP access.
Java is better than average, but not great.
Speaker is also better than Sony, LG, Sanyo, Nokia. The only competition includes Samsung.
You can record more than 15 seconds of video, but you are unable to send it via MMS. Great feature not offered by many Samsung and Sanyo phones.
Reception and signal quality is better than my LG L1200 and L1400.
Cons:
Occasional dropped calls.
Lacks a color display on the outside.
One button access to the internet can be annoying if you have large fingers.
Motorola's menu interface is somewhat "slow."
Videos are not great but average for a VGA.
Overall great cell phone for the price, and I do prefer this phone over all my other phones (LG L1400, LG L1200, Samsung e317, Motorola V400, Motorola V6000
Great bang for the buck phone....
I have the V551 through Cingular and overall am pleased with the phone.
Exterior is stylish and attractive, and the clock being on constant display without having to press any buttons is a nice convenience.
The main screen is large and sharp, the keys are easy to select and press, and the backlight glow is very nice.
I particularly enjoy the memory of the phone; I have a bunch of pictures and ringtones stored and plenty of room for more. This is a welcome change from the Samsung S307 I was using previously...
Camera quality is decent when you can get them to focus in adequate light. Pictures are sometimes a bit darker than I'd prefer, and I have a big problem with pictures blurring as they're saved. Video quality is sub-par, but pretty much to be expected from a cell phone. More or less for "bragging rights" than any riveting cinematography.
Menu navigation is relatively straightforward...there are so many extraneous features and settings to the phone that it just takes some playing around and getting used to. Previous Moto users will find themselves right at home after just a few minutes.
Luckily, I have also not experienced the typical Motorola "software issues" so commonly present in the likes of T720, V220, and even V400. The phone has never frozen up or gone blank on me, and typically responds immediately when asked to do something.
Speaker quality is very nice. Ringtones sound great from this phone and the speakerphone is a nice convenience though occasionally I wish it could go a bit louder. Overall phone volume is good, but maybe a level setting to 8 or 9 instead of just 7 would be nice. The vibration setting is more loud than physically detectable, and it's annoying that you can't make a vib & ring selection.
Battery life could be better.
I give the phone a 4 out of 5... great value for the dollar as far as features and overall quality. My only complaints are relatively minor and would exist with ownership of any phone. Highly recommended!
Everything Relative
Most of the reviews I've seen so far in general don't seem to represent my personal viewpoint, so I thought I'd take the time to write a few quick notes about the v551.
First off, something that will speak volumes: I'm upgrading from the P.O.S. Sony/Ericsson T226 free phone from AT&T. It actually wasn't a horrible phone, but being a straight-bar phone rather than flip, I was constantly keeping the lock on to keep from dialing numbers accidentally with the phone in my pocket.
Anyway, I bought the phone straight up to avoid contract agreements and popped my SIM right into the v551 and was up and running in no time.
I used to use only motorolas in the late 90's, but eventually switched to the generic junk they give you for free because I didn't need the phone for business any longer. I always swore, however, that I'd end up getting a good Motorola again some day. Unfortunately, I started reading reviews staying that Motorola's build quality has fallen apart some over the years.
Luckily, with my v551, I have to say that build quality is excellent. No problems whatsoever. I wanted a phone with decent connectivity and build quality and RF quality - I don't care about stupid gimmickry like camera junk. Unfortunately, I found that getting a phone without a camera meant giving up all of the decent features (NOTE: Won't someone produce a phone as good as the v551 without a camera for $50-75 less?)
Anyway, I was blown away at how far phones have come. I'm %90 weighted toward functionality, with only %10 reserved for gimmicks, and I'm super happy with the v551. VERY customizable - set all of the menus up as you'd like. GOOD batter life despite some reports. Just got off a 3 hour (yeah, 180 effin minutes) phone call with the parents and i'm at 4 of 6 bars still. Bells and whistles? I can't say. Strong signal and custom EVERYTHING? Fantastic.
I highly recommend this one. Good RF, customizable, decent battery, quality build, generally decent aesthetics.
-c
Not the worst phone, definitely not the best.
So I was excited to get this phone, it's my first motorola since my timeport years ago and I couldn't wait to give it a try. That being said. I kind of hate this phone... but i'll start with my pro list.
Pros:
- Camera is decent, better then many other motorolas I've seen and played with.
- Mp3 ringers are nice, easy to add with bluetooth as well.
- The address book with pictures option (while basically useless) Is also something creative which I like.
- Bluetooth with my iBook for file transferring was perfect and took 1 minute to setup.
And now for the reasons which I HATE this phone.
Cons:
- Like many know... the ADDRESS BOOK IS STUPID. 1 number per name? Dumb, having to change around options to fix that problem, even dumber. Not to mention with picture mode on your address book, or even not picture mode, the thing is sooo slow.
- The entire PHONE moves slow. The web scrolling moves are horrible speeds and so does cruising through the menu. I often find that the phone is trying to catch up with my last input of keys. It makes me feel like I'm using an old computer that just doesn't quite cut it anymore.
- The menu system?! Wtf is wrong with motorola! The menu system has NO order to it whatsoever. Not all the settings are in settings, actually, only about half of the phones settings are in settings. The other half of them are located in hidden places within the phone and when you finally do find them it's like discovering a new treasure and something you can use. Having the scout out and discover all the features and settings on the phone through various menus is very annoying.
- The web button. I usually don't look at my keypad when I dial. Every once in awhile i hit that damn button and up pops cingular web, not to mention while I'm on the web and someone sends me a text message... if I receive it the phone screens turns white and I lose everything I was doing.
I just feel there wasn't a lot of thought put into this phone with the user in mind.
Keeping this phone
Pros:
Phone feels good in your hand - has substance.
rubbery blue stuff aint so bad
Screen is crisp and large
Just about everything is customizable (for e.g. (1) wallpaper (2) menu skin (3) order of options - in menu (4) default functions for 5 way key and soft menu keys)...etc....
The camera takes good quality pics (for a phone) and zoom and other features help.
Both in-call and ringtone volume is loud (I have mine currently set to 6 so as not to disturb those around me) - One cause of low ringer volume could be the custom ringtone chosen... some pages sell better ringtones that ring louder.
The phone has the same Vibe then ring & vibe setting that prior moto's had
Internet is pretty fast (keeping in mind its a phone)
Video is pretty good too (keeping in mind its a phone).
The phonebook â You can enter more than one number per name (contact). In terms of viewing, i took the advice of past reviewers and viewed my contact list by main # so that each contact appears once. As you scroll â if you hit the right arrow on a contact is cycles through the other numbers for that contact and yes, it loops. However, you can also view it the old way where there is one entry per number, distinguished by the home, main, mobile, etc.. icon shown.
Blue tooth.
The reverse blue external display is sleek looking and easy to read
Good reception - in call reception is good and person you are talking to hears clearly despite background sounds.
Cons:
The phone is a bit heavier and wider than optimal.
The blue rubber stuff aint that bad but it aint that pretty either.
Very few accessories available for it so far
In order to connect via usb you need the drivers from Moto â can be $$
The price of Bluetooth accessories.
The side voice memo button is easy to press accidentally while talking
Yes that darn cingular logo is almost everywhere â but if you customize the look (your own wallpaper, for e.g. a pic you took) you can minimize the annoyance.
The external display should have been bigger and color.
Lots 'o Good, but Returning w/i 30 days
I had been frustrated w/ SE-616 for a couple of reasons ... invisible in any sunlight, and it's software latency (slow response) was aggravating. After a year, I had an upgrade credit, wanted a flip, and so here I am reviewing the M-v551 after three weeks!
PROs:
I like the basic performance of the v551:
signal is great,
screen is terrific,
sound performance is fine,
connection hold is fine,
Bluetooth works great w/ Jabra-200.
The VGA camera is especially nice, a quick click and it's a snap" to use it as your wallpaper - nice. The basic phone works well if you just need to stay at the upper levels of send & receive calls.
But, as soon as I tried to dive into its feature-depths, I became frustrated. Why, then, spend so much for those extra features?
CONs:
IMO, the software interface and menu structures are abysmal. Moto was late to follow industry norms for
- SND (green) on left side, and
- END (red) on the right side.
Good that they've joined the party, but their internal menus are a mess, maybe because they didn't fully complete the left-right swap? There's no "intuitive" aspect to this software, whatsoever.
Try to turn on Bluetooth? ... the "select" button keeps swapping from left to right, back to left. Also, their BT menu structure runs several layers deep (my SE-616 needs only one button to grab the headset & go).Result is ... unless you've got a photographic menu, you simply MUST look at the phone to process a name, or mode, or setting change.
Finally, what's with the delay when sending a numeric keypress (like your v-mail password) ??? The delay makes it very weird and confusing - never had that with half-a-dozen other brands.
CONCLUSION:
The interface is priority for me. This learning curve is too steep to be worth the trouble. I'm heading back for a t637, or maybe Nokia, with very intuitive software.
If I wanted a completely new interface, I'd go to a Smartphone with benefit of PDA during that learning curve.
v551
I have owned a Motorola v551 phone for about a month (I use Cingular). I am very enthusiastic about the phone EXCEPT for a couple unfortunate omissions.
First the pluses :
1 Bluetooth in conjunction with my Bluetooth
headset is awsome. Most of my activities
don't even require flipping it open.
2 Voice activation works well.
3 It is chockful of features. Very nice
overall.
4 This phone has a great feel to it.
5 Java works nicely on it.
6 Voice quality is excellent.
Now the negatives :
1. The alarm clock needs to have a daily
alarm setting with at least three
alarms. My Samsung had this feature and
I also ended up using it as my alarm
clock.
2. Motorola needs to get real. Test the
phone with Apple computers. Bluetooth
doesn't work with iSync.
- cld9731
