Motorola RAZR V3m

The successor to the popular RAZR V3c is the Motorola RAZR V3m, which are both phones that are Verizon Wireless exclusives. Some improvements have been made in the latest RAZR, including the addition of a Micro SD card slot, an integrated music player, and a navigational system, just to name a few. Another big difference is the price of the Motorola RAZR V3m. With a two-year contract, it sells for about $120, while it will cost you around $170 with a one-year contract. However, since both phones are so similar, any user V3c user who is happy with their phone shouldn't feel the need to pay the extra money to upgrade.

Users of the Motorola RAZR V3m who are also familiar with the V3c may notice there isn't much of a difference in the new phone's styling. In fact, the V3m looks just about identical to the V3c. Both phones measure in at 3.9 by 2.1 by 0.6 inches, are both offered in the same gray color, feature an external display, a flip mechanism, and controls, just to name a few. However, the Motorola RAZR V3m also comes equipped with keys that are located next to the navigation control keys that are dedicated to the video recorder and the camera. Not to say that there is anything wrong with keeping the Motorola RAZR V3m's style so similar to that of the V3c, but users looking to upgrade may be disappointed to learn that the screen's 65K output remained the same, and there was no addition of a flash for the camera. Also remaining the same is the menu system that was often criticized for being confusing and difficult to use. Users will also notice that the 1.3 mega pixel camera found on the V3m is also the same as that found on the V3c, and so are the options and settings associated with the camera. There is one new function offered for the V3m's camera, however, which is the inclusion of a new self-timer function. Both phones are able to take fairly good pictures, but neither offers anything to write home about.

One thing that may attract users to the Motorola RAZR V3m is the fact that an MP3 player has been added. Access the music player is easy. It can be found under the Get It Now' option in the menu. Users just choose Get tunes & tones, and then select My Music, the phone's media player is able to support both AAC and MP3 formats. Music can either be uploaded to the Motorola RAZR V3m, or can be downloaded through Verizon's V Cast Music store. Unlike with other phones, the Motorola RAZR V3m allows user to create personal play lists featuring favorite songs. This is where the addition of the Micro SD card slot comes in handy, because it allows the phone to have more storage options for not only music files, but for files featuring videos and pictures. The only drawback to using the Micro SD card slot is that, to be able to access it, you have to remove the phone's battery, which many users will find unnecessary and time consuming.

Another new addition to the Motorola RAZR V3m that sets it apart from the V3c is the GPS service offered by Verizon called VZ Navigator. For just a mere additional fee of $9.99 a month, users can utilize the GPS service without having to purchase and use a separate unit. Those not willing to commit to an additional monthly charge can opt for a daily charge. However, at $2.99 per day, it is much pricier than a solid commitment. Additional services supported by the Motorola RAZR V3m, along with the EV-Do, are the aforementioned Verizon V Cast. This service offers a wide array of high-speed content such as clips from TV shows, video games, previews of movies, and also application downloads. Utilizing the V Cast service isn't free. It costs an additional $15 per month. Any user planning to use the V Cast Music store to download music can expect to pay $1.99 per song.