Motorola RAZR V3
Phone Scoop Review
Jul 11, 2005 by Eric Lin
In-depth review of Motorola's iconic RAZR V3 high-end clamshell GSM phone for Cingular and T-Mobile. read review ›
User Reviews
Average Ratings
I can't decide...
This is the 3rd Razr I have had. It is my favorite design by a mile but there some things wrong with it. I probably should switch to a SLVR or V557 but I like this phone.HELP!
Pros
1. Design
2. Easy to carry
3. Large screen
4. Bluetooth
Cons
1. Media Net has never worked right. I have had lengthy conversations with Motorola and cingular and it still doesn't work right. It works correctly on other motorola phones.
2. Callers complain that I'm breaking Up.
3. It's not as loud as other phones are even with bluetooth.
I'm anxious to see if motorola comes out with a US version of the V3i. I would love a flip with I Tunes.
Good phone needs work. READ.
I recently picked up a Black Razr for myself and my wife in December.
First, both phones look great. Call quality is excellent, very little in the way of dropped calls and reception seems to be great everywhere. I even picked up calls in the subway, where my LG F9100 wouldn't get a signal at all.
On the bad side, Motorola needs to stop selling the damned software (Motorola Phone tools) that allow you to install your own skins and ringtones. That's pretty much just molesting your client base, and most people who are interested in those things will bittorrent for the software.
Also, another bad quality, is the software on the phone. The firmware is horribly flawed. On my phone, the battery was not being recognized as full. Ever. Charge it for 2 days and it still said 2 bars. When it was almost completely UNCHARGED it still said 2 bars, gave the beep that it was outta juice, and shut down.
Great firmware guys. My Wife's phone DOES NOT have this problem. So Your Milage May Vary.
To fix mine, I went to MotoModders website (look it up on yer own!) and DLed software to flash and reflash the phone to the latest firmware. This has fixed the problem.
Also with some tinkering in the settings, you can record a minute of video. The default setting is 8 seconds in case you were wondering.
Also, with ALOT of tinkering, you can increase the memory from 5 megs to 15. If you're that hard up for memory...
The camera is very good. With some tinkering you can set the speakerphone NOT to shut off when you close the door. The speakerphone is very good by the way. I use it when driving if the Bluetooth isn't with me or charged.
Ah yes, Bluetooth. Just so you're aware, LEAVE IT OFF if you're not actively using a bluetooth earpiece or connecting to your computer. This function drains the battery very quickly. Probably another flaw in the firmware.
Software goodies are very nice.
All in all, I'm very very happy with the phone. It appeals to the tinkerer in me.
good phone
i have had this phone for over a year now and its pretty good im happy with its slimness but i am looking to upgrade when i can
Awesome Phone
I have had my razr from T-Mobile for about 4 months now and the phone works fine no dropped calls or buzzing noises. I have had to replace the glass on the front part because I had my razr in my pocket with a pen with a metal clip and it dug into the glass cracking it, so I recommend a hard case you can find on ebay for less then $10, it does the job. The battery life is excellent along with the graphics. The bluetooth connection is excellent, I connect my bluetooth headset and transfer files with my buddies easy and fast. The memory is small but I have used about %50 of the memory and the phone still has the same fast response.
Pros:
-Bluetooth
-Graphics
-Hi-Fi ringers
-Slim and lightweight
-mini USB
-Bigger screen then most phones on the market
Cons:
-Glass can break easy
-Camera has no flash
-Poor picture quality
-Durability can be problem if you are careless with the razr
Not as good as one would think . . .
Everyone seems to think that the RAZR would be a really cool phone. And really it is, basically when it comes to looks and it's style. But when it comes to call quality and recption this phone really lacks that. I always constantly hear this crazy buzzing noise in the earpiece that sounds like a mosquito. I even had it sent out for repair to have them fix it, but it came back and it was the exact same thing. I then tried one of my friend's RAZRs out and it does the exact same thing! I don't know how anyone can put up with it! It also has frequent dropped calls and whenever you make a call, your signal meter will say you have full signal even if you only really have one bar. It's really misleading. The RAZR also interferes with electronics like the TV and radio in the car. It seems either to be a Motorola problem or simply a GSM problem. I am very unhappy with this phone and I am really contlemplating getting a completely different phone, possibly a CDMA phone because GSM seems to be a dying technology.
PROS: 1) Looks. Very stylish.
2) Ringtones are very clear.
3) Very light and compact.
CONS: 1) Frequent dropped calls.
2) Horrible sound quality in the earpiece.
3) Camera is not as good as other phones.
4) Since it's a GSM phone, it interferes with electronics around it before it rings.
I'm not sure...
I am on my 2nd Razr V3. I've had so many problems with both razrs. I'm thinking about switching to a Samsung D807 or Sony Ericsson W600i.
Pros:
Nice sleek design
Big screen
Ok camera.
Easy to carry
Cons:
Outer screen too small
phone turns on and off by itself
Too fragile to drop
the key light stays lit up for a couple seconds then shuts off
Bigger call log
Not enough memory if you are a big picture taker and video recorder
Happy
For the past couple years or more, i've had the Motorola V505 and V551. I liked those phones, had some frustrations with them, made do with it. I have Cingular in the Los Angeles area. i have equipment insurance. My V551 died so i called for a replacement. I was told that the only phone i could have was the Razr V3. I was a little disgruntled because i liked the way the V551 fit in my hand, but OK. I was kind of expecting it to be just like the V551 in quality. I've had it about 2 weeks and i am impressed and pleased with it. The shape of the phone took some getting used to and there is a risk of dropping it because it's a bit awkward, but i'm getting used to it. I don't think the photo quality is as good as on my other phone but haven't really tested it yet. The photos so far seem more blurry. But everything else is pleasantly superior, things that really matter--sound quality, noticeably clearer, better volume, people tell me they hear me very well compared to previous phone, including on the speaker phone, i am told i sound just like i'm on a regular phone, better than my bluetooth handsfree HS850 quality. And using the speaker phone i can hear great. This was a disappointment to me with my other phones, the speakerphone was hard to hear and be heard. I'm getting good signal, i like the internal antenna. I love the larger display. No problems with the firmware so far, maybe it's the latest version.
In sum, the pros are:
good display
good signal
good sound quality
nice design (cosmetically, good looking phone)
loud ringer
excellent speaker phone
fast bluetooth file transfer
cons:
On my previous two phones, it came standard with about 90 ringtones, some of which i liked. This phone comes with about 20 boring ugly ringtones.
Nice Phone But It Has a Few Flaws
I just got a Razr V3 from Cingular and while I think the phone is great overall, it has a flaws for which I will be returning it. The first is that ear placement is too critical. Just the least bit off and you can't hear anything. Second, is that the phone simply isn't loud enough. I have a hard time hearing callers in any but the quietest settings. We got one for my wife as well and it is exactly the same volume wise. Compared to my Motorola V710, this phone is just plain quiet.
Pros:
Sleek, thin design slips in your pocket easily
Good talk time and standby time
Good speakerphone
Cons:
Critical ear placement
Callers are not loud enough
No 3.5 mm headset jack
- John
another piece of junk!
the keypad quit lighting up so i took it back to cingular and the rep told me to take the battery out and reboot the phone everyday. she did that while i was there and it lit up for a few seconds then died again. while i was there someone else was returning another razr for the same reason. the floor model that they had to play with did the same thing. i will not buy another motorola!
All looks and no brains.
Used to own the Razr a while back before I got rid of it.
I always liked Motorola, however the Razr has a few glitches in the firmware.
Pros:
Large screen and outside caller id display.
Nice form factor and compact.
Customizable.
Nice camera.
Bluetooth.
Cons:
It can turn off and back on by itself.
If you change the settings too much on the phone-i.e. bluetooth, downloading wallpaper or ring tones, you can expect to do a master reset/clear every week. The start up screen when you power the phone back on gives you the silent treatment.
It's a nice phone however the looks is the only appeal with the Razr. If you want something more than just looks, look elsewhere.
