Reviewing Mobiles phones is like writing history, by the time you have used it enough to be able write a useful review Technology advancement has mostly pushed it off the shelf. So sometimes it feels silly to present your views on an eventuality which may have little relevance today.
But having said that and your seams are able to contain your exploding desires of splurging on the latest latest to prevail over your contemporaries, then probably it may be worthwhile for you to read this review.
*MOTOROLLA V3i (Deal) = 1.3MPxl camera+ 256MB MMC card(That was bundled in my pack @ Rs10K+ now I hear it is 128MB @Rs8K+) + stereo headset+ mini USB(phone side which hooks to normal USB at PC end) cable + leather case+’Motorolla’ Phonetools s/w CD+ ITunes s/w CD+ Of course the very sexy handset itself.
The Handset:*
Body – **sleek and very very stylish profile. Scratch resistant Metallic matt exterior with all the sheen coupled with scratch resistant glossy glass is an excellent combination for making a great style statement.
Display - Internal display - Large and comfortable to work, excellent colour. .External display - small, bright with crisp textual displays & photos but pale colours. Both display vulnerable to grease marks but a simple wiping makes it exciting again.
Key pad - enormous, spacious comfortable and very attractive. Navi keys have rubber coating vulnerable to nails kbd light fades slowly as if into radium type glow and then completely off.
Menu feels topsy-turvy in the beginning. But you can personalise the phone by dedicating 7 keys -4 navi +2 selection+ 1 side key to your frequently used Menus. And Voila…
I have set Ringerprofile Menu, Photo Phonebook, Calls register Menu ( recd&missed, dialled, notebook, calltimes, data times, data volumes), Multimedia Menu(camera, vdo, pics, tones and music, & clips menu), Toolbox Menu( calcu, web shortcuts, Alarm(upto 5 with snooze), Provider applications e.g. ORANGE Plus(SIM toolkit), Dictaphone(only 1 minute in toto & fixed dialing if set), Messages Menu( usual stuff+ Email a/c), Organiser (month at a glance templat with date hyp-link to date & week wise). Besides these the phone has special key for ITUNES, for GPRS, for Options of current application, for voice menu.
I have not felt the need to hit the centre KEY for months other than to change phone settings or for games(3 Arcade type games+ a secret vault for your private data) . I do not think phones can get more comfortable, there is hardly any navigation left to do.
Handsfree speaker requires opening of flip but once on you can close the flip and continue the conversation, but you cananswer with phone closed only with the headset, however you can ignore the incoming call without opening the flip.
Voice commands work correctly for 80% time, voice dial works perfectly with some names but works never with some names! Digitdialing although very smart is always almost correct therefore barely useable. But all this without any voice tags or training stands for Motorola technical genius.The seperate Voice key for invoking voice commands - name dial, digit dial, camera, voicemail, redial, recieved call. No voice training is required for voice commands
Digital Cameras results 1.3MPxl or otherwise are vulnerable to hand shake especially when you click(which can be done from either of three keys in the camera mode). For sharp pictures I invented the use of self timer used while taking the pic, this way you do not have to press a key for clicking and can consentrate on the frame and keeping you hold steady. Results are great especiall if taken in daylight outdoor.
Vedio Camera is a wonderfull item. I use it often. It is much less sensitive to hold stability. You can zoom during the shooting. Even in lowlight results are ok. The sound capture is crystal clear. But clips are tiny. You have to use Quick time to view these properly on the PC.
The bundled 256 MB card+ 13 MB of the phone provides plenty of space for your Itunes, Sonuds&ringtones, snaps at 1.3Mp, and lots of VDO clips. You can afford to forget about transfer to PC for some time.
PC transfers are smooth and event free. And when you have accumulated clips more than your your knuckles and falanges, you can start upload and go for you breakfast or lunch as it may be.
Blue tooth works great and event free like wise even to other mobiles etc.
The phonetools is a great piece of s/w, SMS from PC over V3i works just fine and is usually usefull for group SMS of large messages.
Sounds and Music saved outside without ITUNES can only be listened to with the flip open(funny) and these can be transferred freeluy over blue tooth. With Itunes you have playlists etc. which you have to structure on your PC. Once played you can shut the flip and connect your headset for much better sound, The song inturrepted while incomming call continues from interruption point afterwards. **I tunes also functions in the background but during this menus on your navi keys are not avaible thru shortcut and have to be accessed through the menu route.
Messaging is comfortable with ITAP(T9 equivalent) it also predicts the balance untyped word in grey to reduce your entry, though some times it gets a little ove rimaginitive with multiple possibilities and much to you indignation your word is the second word. But ITAP seems to be learning on your typing and suddenly you find even grey prompts for proper names/url components entered earlier which you can ok by one jump of the navi key.
Multimedia messaging likewise is comfortable and easy. And the phone automatically restricts your message size.
Only regret in messaging is the absence of making preset group lists. However a message can be sent to a set of people the people in your phone book, in one go, by simply ticking them.
Email is pop3 but requires advanced GPRS, but that is a service provider limitation and not a phone issue.
Multiparty calls are a breeze. I have done upto 4 people.
Signal is strong even in my building lift. I have set the Network setting to continuous. Even
then there are some erranous places.
Summing up
*Imagine 50 of your favourite songs, 30-40 vedioclips maybe more, 1000 phone numbers, smooth JAVA applications, Smooth GPRS, even POP3 for Email, upgradable to 512 MB, wonderful bluetooth I do not think you would need to cross limits of the V3i for your needs atleast till 3G arrives and is affordable enough for vedio talkie. or your urge to splurge gets better of you.
(For higher range camera go for a seperate digital camera)
Value for money.