Razr

[iShane]

I can't speak for the V3c but I've got loads of friends who got the V3 silver or the V3 black and every single one of them loved it when they first got it because its so sexy but they all hate their phones now because its really irritating to use and useless to text with.
Sorry to give a bad review but I thought its worth getting another point of view!!

How is it irritating? Curious. And why useless to text with?

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

Well they all go on and on about how slow it is to text with, i.e. its not very responsive to keys being pressed and doesn't display what you've typed on screen straight away - there's a noticeable lag. The original V3s were also very limited on the memory front and had terrible cameras. I don't know what the latest ones are like though, they might be much much better.

 

[iShane]

That might not be good-I am constantly texting.

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

Do you have any friends with one of these that you could play about with for a while? If possible I'd recommend trying to convice someone to let you play with it for an hour or so and getting a feel of what its really like. Like I said, texting was the biggest downfall of the phone in my friends eyes.

Edit: I did a quick google search for texting with the RAZR phones and found this: http://phone.mobile9.com/motorola/razr-v3i/review/ A couple of reviews (not good ones although there are lots of good reviews out there, I'm sure of it). Do a search down that page for 'texting' and you'll see what I mean. Both long reviews mention it.

 

[iShane]

Nope.
I think I could try it out at the store though because I have a Verizon store near me. We'll see what happens.

 

[TrenchcoatJedi]

Well they all go on and on about how slow it is to text with, i.e. its not very responsive to keys being pressed and doesn't display what you've typed on screen straight away - there's a noticeable lag. The original V3s were also very limited on the memory front and had terrible cameras. I don't know what the latest ones are like though, they might be much much better.

Most of these issues were addressed with the V3c which is unavailable in Europe due to it being a CDMA phone. The memory was upped to 30 MB (from 5.5 MB on the GSM version) and a better 1.3 megapixel camera (from 0.3 megapixel) with 8x digital zoom was added. The key response time was also adressed. I text all the time too and I'm really liking iTAP mode for texting. It's better at predicting words than T9 on my last phone.

Rumor also has it that Verizon may get a CDMA version of the V3x this summer. That phone has a microSD slot so you can fit 256MB of goodness. In addition, you can delete the stock ringers and pictures to maximize the internal memory even more.

 

[iShane]

Most of these issues were addressed with the V3c which is unavailable in Europe due to it being a CDMA phone. The memory was upped to 30 MB (from 5.5 MB on the GSM version) and a better 1.3 megapixel camera w/ 8x digital zoom was added. The key response time was also adressed. I text all the time too and I'm really liking iTAP for texting. It's better at predicting words than T9 on my last phone.

So you have a RAZR V3c? And the texting is fine? *Hopes*

 

[TrenchcoatJedi]

So you have a RAZR V3c? And the texting is fine? *Hopes*

Yah, It's awesome. Texting is fine, just fine. I'm on the Alltel flash which is very different from the Verizon flash but 1000% better. You're invited to come over and play with it but Google maps tells me that you're about 418 miles from me, unless you're up for the drive........

 

[Sayer]

I would possibly avoid the RAZR for Verizon use. The V3c has a lower battery life due to the CDMA verizon uses instead of GSM that T-Mobile and Cingular uses. Also the V3c is thicker than the V3 and the V3c uses the horrible red Verizon UI. The camera module is bumped out a bit, so the whole phone is not nearly as sleek as the original.

Also note that the V3c has a different key layout than the original RAZR. Who in the world thinks that *removing* keys from a keypad and changing one of the remaining function keys left to the most underused command (Camera) is a "feature"? Oh wait, Motorola execs. Duh.

My wife had a pink RAZR V3c and sent it back, she did NOT like it at all (compared to my RAZR V3).

The only actual advantage a V3c has over a V3 is the 1.3 megapixel camera and 32 meg. of RAM. Otherwise...

CDMA drains the battery faster than GSM. The Verizon UI sucks. The keypad on the V3c sucks. No bluetooth OBEX support on the V3c REALLY sucks. Of course since my wife works for Verizon Wireless as a CSR, I have to say that the support is great (as long as she is current on the near-daily changes in plans/setups Verizon is constantly making). Get any Verizon phone other than the V3c and the VX9800 which is a huge clunker of a phone as well.

 

[TrenchcoatJedi]

The V3c has a lower battery life due to the CDMA verizon uses instead of GSM that T-Mobile and Cingular uses.

Also note that the V3c has a different key layout than the original

All the battery issues Slayer describes are rectified by the Alltel flash. Also, you can force the phone not to use the Ev-DO network and it prolongs the battery even more. With the Alltel flash you can remap the home keys to whatever you want as well.

Who in the world thinks that *removing* keys from a keypad and changing one of the remaining function keys left to the most underused command (Camera) is a "feature"?

Verizon execs who force Moto to put their crappy red UI on the phone. In fact, the Verizon red UI is a BREW application that runs ON TOP of the factory Motorola UI, which uses more processor time and drains the battery faster. This combined with default usage of the Ev-DO network account for the bad battery life. If you want to blame anyone, blame Verizon, this is entirely their doing.

 

[ITASOR]

I would possibly avoid the RAZR for Verizon use. The V3c has a lower battery life due to the CDMA verizon uses instead of GSM that T-Mobile and Cingular uses. Also the V3c is thicker than the V3 and the V3c uses the horrible red Verizon UI. The camera module is bumped out a bit, so the whole phone is not nearly as sleek as the original.

Also note that the V3c has a different key layout than the original RAZR. Who in the world thinks that *removing* keys from a keypad and changing one of the remaining function keys left to the most underused command (Camera) is a "feature"? Oh wait, Motorola execs. Duh.

My wife had a pink RAZR V3c and sent it back, she did NOT like it at all (compared to my RAZR V3).

The only actual advantage a V3c has over a V3 is the 1.3 megapixel camera and 32 meg. of RAM. Otherwise...

CDMA drains the battery faster than GSM. The Verizon UI sucks. The keypad on the V3c sucks. No bluetooth OBEX support on the V3c REALLY sucks. Of course since my wife works for Verizon Wireless as a CSR, I have to say that the support is great (as long as she is current on the near-daily changes in plans/setups Verizon is constantly making). Get any Verizon phone other than the V3c and the VX9800 which is a huge clunker of a phone as well.

You're right. The red UI that Verizon is putting on *most* of their phones these days is extremely stupid and terribly made. I love motorola's interface, why do they keep it on some phones and delete it on others. My phone's not even that great (v265), but it has motorola's UI, full settings for me to adjust, etc., so I love it. Was seriously thinking about buying a RAZR on ebay, but it's a terrible phone with Verizon. I, too, and hoping that changes with the V3x.

 

[CaptainCaveMann]

Why is this on MacRumors? Send this tumbling down the long spiral tunnel untill it crashes horribly into the wasteland.

 

[iShane]

Why is this on MacRumors? Send this tumbling down the long spiral tunnel untill it crashes horribly into the wasteland.

Why can't it be on MacRumors? You can ask buying advice about anything in this part of the forum.

 

[TrenchcoatJedi]

Why can't it be on MacRumors? You can ask buying advice about anything in this part of the forum.

Agreed. If only people would reply to my threads.....

 

[DakotaGuy]

I just got a new RAZR V3c from Alltel last week and it is a great phone. It works as well for text as my old phone. The interface is very fast and fluid and I don't see any of the issues with the interface speed that others have noted about the v3c from Verizon. Alltel seems to have a great network as well. They have use agreements with about every other provider out there (mainly Verizon) so you can pull off a tower about anywhere in the US. I used to have Cellular One from Western Wireless then Alltel bought them out. Service is better now and I don't notice many dropped calls anymore.

The Bluetooth on the phone seems to be fully functional too. I know some have critized the Verizon for limiting the Bluetooth capabilities of the phone, but the one I got from Alltel appears to do everything that it was designed to do.

 

[iShane]

I just got a new RAZR V3c from Alltel last week and it is a great phone. It works as well for text as my old phone. The interface is very fast and fluid and I don't see any of the issues with the interface speed that others have noted about the v3c from Verizon. Alltel seems to have a great network as well. They have use agreements with about every other provider out there (mainly Verizon) so you can pull off a tower about anywhere in the US. I used to have Cellular One from Western Wireless then Alltel bought them out. Service is better now and I don't notice many dropped calls anymore.

Thanks for the input, so texting is fine for you? I'm guessing it was just on the older version that that was a problem.

 

[DakotaGuy]

Thanks for the input, so texting is fine for you? I'm guessing it was just on the older version that that was a problem.

Yes, the phone is fast and once you get used to the metal keypad there are no issues. Now, once again, I have a v3c from Alltel and NOT Verizon, so I can't comment on how their phones are different.

 

[iShane]

Yes, the phone is fast and once you get used to the metal keypad there are no issues. Now, once again, I have a v3c from Alltel and NOT Verizon, so I can't comment on how their phones are different.

Wouldn't they basically be the same thing? Considering its the same phone? Once again, I'm a n00b when it comes to cell phones.

 

[DakotaGuy]

Wouldn't they basically be the same thing? Considering its the same phone? Once again, I'm a n00b when it comes to cell phones.

I think, but I might be wrong, that Verizon runs their own software on the phone. I don't understand all of it either because I have never used a Verizon v3c, so I can't tell you how they are different. All I can say is that everything on my phone works very well. The UI on my phone is quick and easy to use. I see a lot of people complaining about the Verizon version, so I assume it is different. Other people have mentioned a "red interface" being put on the phone by Verizon, so that might be the issue with the phone. All I can say is go in and ask for a demo. Also, is Alltel an option for you? They seem to have some pretty decent plans right now and have a great nationwide network.

 

[iShane]

I think, but I might be wrong, that Verizon runs their own software on the phone. I don't understand all of it either because I have never used a Verizon v3c, so I can't tell you how they are different. All I can say is that everything on my phone works very well. The UI on my phone is quick and easy to use. I see a lot of people complaining about the Verizon version, so I assume it is different. Other people have mentioned a "red interface" being put on the phone by Verizon, so that might be the issue with the phone. All I can say is go in and ask for a demo. Also, is Alltel an option for you? They seem to have some pretty decent plans right now and have a great nationwide network.

Unfortunately, Alltel is not an option for me. We only have Cell One and Verizon where I live. Its crazy. Also I think a demo would be a good idea.

 

[CaptainCaveMann]

Why can't it be on MacRumors? You can ask buying advice about anything in this part of the forum.

Think about that one.

 

[iShane]

Think about that one.

Well people don't write all about Macs in here just because its a Mac website. I've seen posts about cell phones in here before so that's why I decided to do it here. Why do you care anyways it has nothing to do with you.

 

[PaRaGoNViCtiM]

I have the Motorola RazR V3i with iTunes, and It's an Awesome phone!! Everything about it works beautifully!! Alot of people dislike the Razr, but this is by far the best phone I've ever used, and I've been through alot of cell phones!!!

Why is this on MacRumors? Send this tumbling down the long spiral tunnel untill it crashes horribly into the wasteland.

This was a necessary comment!

 

[discoforce]

Wouldn't they basically be the same thing? Considering its the same phone? Once again, I'm a n00b when it comes to cell phones.

Read TrenchcoatJedi's posts. The phone itself is mostly the same (though using different technology to use the CDMA band), however Verizon wipes the Motorola software and replaces it with its own. This disables file transfer (ring tones, pictures, etc.) over bluetooth, but you still can use iSync over bluetooth to synchronize your address book and calendar stuff.

This is usually why you've got some folks saying you can't use bluetooth on Verizon phones and others saying you can.

 

[ITASOR]

I played with a RAZR at the Verizon store today, and while the phone itself is extremely nice, the Verizon UI is extremely annoying. You can't add like any new settings, because Verizon wants you to use all their stuff.

I told this to the guy and he agreed that the UI was terrible. Heh.