Motorola RAZR-V3s

Overview

A sleek, bling-echoing phone with a classy and expensive look. CDMA version of the RAZR-V3a.

Design

Thin clamshell form typical of all RAZR models.

Features

Talk/Standby time: up to 216 minutes/up to 307 hours
Size: 3.49 ounces
Dimensions: 3.86" x 2.09" x 0.53"
Display: 262,144 (18-bit) colors, 176x220 pixels (TFT, 65k color for wallpaper)/5,000-color STN LCD, 96 x 80 pixels, 1 inch
Camera: VGA 640x480 still image resolution, 4x Digital Zoom, Video capture 15fps
Messaging: EMS, MMS, SMS
Video: MPEG4 video clip playback
Memory: 5 MB
Battery: 940 mAh lithium battery
Connectivity: Bluetooth v1.1, Data/Fax capability, USB port, web browser
Data: 3G
Band/Modes: Tri-band (PCS, AWS and Cellular)
Technology: CDMA
Location-based services: GPS/aGPS

Overall

The RAZR-V3s inscribes itself neatly into the line-up of the Motorola RAZR phones. This one goes one step further with its metallic look to provide a more expensive look and brings in the "bling" factor.

True to its name, this phone is razor-sharp thin. It seems the RAZR phones keep getting slimmer with every successive model. The RAZR-V3s doesn't escape this streamlining. Remarkably thin, it slips into every pocket and the smallest purse. Some have even remarked that this thin factor puts the RAZR-V3s at risk of being a fragile phone. In reality, the frame is solid and the phone flips shut with a sturdy thump.

Another issue with the thin design is that everything has to be flat. Issues arise where the keypad is concerned. Control can be slippery as the keys lie flat and it might be hard to find one's way when using them. There is no scope for tactile typing, and it is thus easy to type wrongly and lose time between deleting and rewriting.

Some users have noticed that the screen tends to attract dust and oily build-ups, which can mar the visuals on the screen. The backlight duration on the front face is fixed and doesn't last long enough.

A big missing feature however on this phone is an MP3 player. For a phone this expensive, this base should have been covered, as an MP3 player is almost a basic element of such type of phone offers nowadays.

A megapixel camera is also lacking. The VGA seems too basic for such an expensive phone.

Pros

• Pocket friendly, smaller than some wallets
• Classy design, edgy look
• Expensive, bling connotation

Cons

• Supports only video playback
• No MP3 player
• Expected a megapixel camera on such an expensive phone
• No USB connection

Special mention

Amazing razor-thin, metallic look

Conclusion

The RAZR-V3s seems to live up to all the hype that surrounded its release. There are still some missing elements pertaining to a commodity of this price - the phone could definitely be improved. But on the whole, the phone delivers what it promises.

Click on the photo for more information on the Motorola RAZR-V3s