Customer Reviews

Motorola RAZR V3m Silver Phone (Verizon Wireless)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(23)
2 star:		(15)
1 star:		(33)

 

 

---Pros and Cons:

P: popular model, so accessories are plentiful
C: popular model, so you're not unique

P: VZ Navigator (VZN) for $10/mo is very useful... Voice navigation with street names being read aloud is nice.
C: It uses minutes to re-calculate routes, so it's not unlimited usage

P: VZN doesn't need the $15/mo VCast
C: ..which is nice if you don't use VCast, but the point is that there's no way to get unlimited VZN use.

P: Speakerphone is loud
C: ..but not loud enough when driving

P: Voice prompt person/phone number lookup is great
C: ..but sometimes still requires pushing a button, making it not truly hands-free

P: mp3/mpeg4/jpg playback is neat; convert video to 3GP using a tool called "SUPER" - www.erightsoft.com
C: controls are clunky, screen resolution small, no full-screen support

P: expandable memory for 1GB of mp3/mpeg4/jpg
C: you need to remove the battery cover and battery to gain access to it

P: lightweight, slim metal housing
C: easily scratched; I bought a $25 skin at shildzone.com

P: easily readable display, keys
C: 176 x 220 resolution and 65k color depth is pretty low

P: Verizon interface is faster than the Moto interface
C: verizon interface... yuck, yuck, yuck

P: V3m supports BT Dial-Up-Networking (DUN) profile so you can use your phone as a high-speed modem
C: While it does work, if you plan on doing more than just testing it out, the Terms of Service require you purchase a data plan for ~$50/mo. It's a shame they don't have flexible day/week plans for the occasional traveler.

---Cons with hackable resolutions:
C: Vibrate + Ring is disabled
C: BT OBEX is disabled
C: Motorola Phone Tools Multimedia button disabled
C: self-imported mp3 ringtones are disabled
= all have unofficial work-arounds; see mark.cdmaforums.com

---Cons with no resolutions:
C: BREW instead of Java - which means a very limited number of games and apps
C: I have average-sized hands, and find the 4-way button and the middle button to be difficult to press.
C: Signal at my house, in the middle of a metropolis, is 0-1 bars
C: one day of standby + 5-6 calls + 15-minute VZN usage = 50% battery. Woah, go CDMA...
C: the 1.3MPixel camera takes worse photos than my VGA camera from 1997 - I'm not kidding.
C: the video camera is absolutely pointless
C: As much as I enjoy VZN, it loses signal once in while, which left me in some uncomfortable situations.
C: With a subpar web browser and non-live TV clips, I found VCast to be absolutely pointless. Sprint's live TV feed definitely adds more value.
C: CDMA, so this phone won't work overseas.

---Conclusion:
All in all, a decent phone that's great for someone looking for a slim CDMA phone with expandable memory, mp3/mpeg4 playback, and Navigation. As a previous GSM customer, the Verizon lockdown of the phone is just mind-boggling, but at least they can be disabled with some work. If I wasn't being forced to go Verizon, I'd still go GSM. Good luck!

I don't really care about the multimedia features--when I want music, I use my Ipod shuffle and when I want pictures, I use a digital camera--so I'll focus on the device as a phone rather than a music/video player or camera.

Pros

--The looks and size, of course. I don't like carrying a wireless on a belt clip so love to slip this baby in my shirt pocket

--Nice, easy-to-read screen. I wouldn't want to watch TV on it, but that isn't why I buy a wireless phone.

--VZ Navigator. This was what inspired me to switch from Cingular. It is a fantastic feature. I've tested it about ten times and it has been spot on, with accurate on-screen prompts, voice instructions, and estimated time of arrival. It turns me right into the driveway I need. If you miss a turn, it recalculates new instructions in a matter of seconds. The only down side is that it works from the quickest route and has no way for you to override that. For instance, I went to friend's house and it had me get on a toll road for a few miles. This WAS the shortest route, but not one I would normally have taken.

--Voice recognition system works great. It doesn't have to be "taught" and can access all items in the contact list, prepare a blank text message, or dial a dictated number

--Clearest calls I've had in a wireless phone. You sometimes hear "the people I'm talking to can't tell I'm on a wireless." That's been my experience with this handset.

Cons

--Strength of reception not quite as good as a handset with an external antenna, even a stubby one.

--I wish they hadn't taken away the vibrate+ring option. The Razr has to be either on vibrate with no sound or ring. I also wish there was some sort of external LED to indicate when I missed a call or have voice mail. As is, you have to open the Razr to check this. An NEC handset I had a few years ago had very nice system with different color LEDs.

--Verizon's proprietary menu system is more difficult to use than the organic Motorola one and takes away some customization options such as setting hot keys. I also haven't found a way to turn off unnecessary prompts ("Do you really want to delete this missed call?"). There is also no way (at least that I have found) to change the red band at the top and bottom of the screen. It only looks decent with some sort of red wallpaper.

--Verizon has the phone locked down so it's difficult or impossible to add pictures and ringtones without paying them.

--It's plastic (the Amazon review is just plain wrong on this point). I wish there was still the option of buying a metal Razr like the first generation ones. I would have paid extra for it. Like all phones, I'm sure it will scratch with use and be more susceptible to breaking.

--I could not synchronize the built in calendar with Outlook. I subscribed to a separate calendar synchronization program from Verizon (iDatebook) which works well but creates a separate calendar rather than using the built in one.

--The Razr uses BREW for applications so there are fewer available than in java. I particularly miss World Mate for international travel (especially the currency converter) and a shopping list application.

--It's CMDA only so for for international travel, I've had to unlock an old handset and will just buy prepaid SIMs


All in all, though, the V3m may be my favorite wireless handset of the seven I've owned over the years.

I've been using this thing for about a week now, and it's a big upgrade from my near-giveaway Ericsson T316. I strongly recommend a case, since the housing of the current-generation Razr is plastic (earlier versions were encased in metal). Unfortunately, this increases the bulk of the device, when one of its draws is the slim design. I opted for the Verizon-branded Verizon leather dealie, which is custom-fitted for the phone. Unfortunately, the belt clip cannot be removed from the leather case, short of brute force.

Also, the camera is nice, but Verizon has disabled the Razr's OBEX feature, which allows you to transfer things between your phone and a computer -- like photos, ringtones, wallpaper, et cetera. You have to pay an additional fee to email pictures to yourself or someone else, which is irritating. There are ways around this, but they void the warranty and may damage your phone's firmware, possibly rendering it unusable. In fact, even *entering* the phone's test mode will void your warranty. I find this a little condescending and authoritarian for something I bought and paid for.

I have to say I'm tempted to try, though, since Verizon wants me to pay $2.99 USD per additional ringtone, which is honestly ridiculous. (There may be cheaper ringtones, but that was the price point I saw on all tones I found via their "Get It Now" service.)

Since the phone is incredibly popular, you should have no trouble finding an online community for advice, some support, and helpful tips. And there are loads of accessories, including a wireless Bluetooth headset with voice command recognition. Unfortunately, Bluetooth isn't a very secure protocol. To their credit, Verizon mentions this fact in the manual.

What I didn't notice in the manual was the fact that the phone is apparently disabled when in recharge mode. This morning I was almost late to work because the phone's alarm clock didn't go off. With the T316, I could plug it in at the end of the day, go to bed, and wake up with a fully charged phone blaring its alarm at me. The T316, like most phones, also does vibration and ringing simultaneously, while the V3M does not. This is a curious omission, especially at this price point, but it's not a deal-breaker, for me.

Lastly, I had to dig through several pieces of documentation before I discovered that I had to call a special 3-digit number to actually activate my phone -- and this must be done every 30 days or so, a fact I *never* saw anywhere in their product descriptions. And the notifications on the phone's screen don't clearly indicate when activation has completed, at which point I can safely disconnect the call. I believe only Verizon requires you to literally phone home on a periodic basis.

I would much prefer a notification prompt that a network or phone upgrade is available, rather than having to call Daddy VZ every few weeks to check in and let him know that Little Johnny Subscriber is alive and well. The way I see it, I pay them my monthly fee, and they let me do my thing. I'll call them if I need something. Otherwise, let's just be friends, okay?

It's a nice-looking, widely supported device with solid sound quality, but Verizon's attitude towards the user experience is disappointing. OBEX is standard in the Razr phone -- don't break it and tell me I'm not allowed to fix it, and don't offer me (IMO) overpriced items and services to compensate. It's too bad that the user experience can be affected so much by who you use as a service provider.

People who haven't used this phone can't understand why I dislike it so much because it is supposed to be so "cool". I bought it because it was one of the only Verizon phones that seemed likely to work with my Macintosh and iSync to transfer contacts over Bluetooth. While I had mixed success in that regard there is lots of other things about this phone to not recommend it.
As for the physical form; the screen is an absolute blank outdoors in any kind of sunlight, the speaker phone key on the side is easy to accidently activate and I was constantly broadcasting my calls to everybody until I learned to be more careful, the same thing with the voice menu key on the other side, and the center select button on the 4-way navigation key is very difficult to push for anybody with fingers larger than Barbie (I had some success using my fingernails until I trimmed them).
The user interface is horrible and I wonder if anybody actually tests these things; it can play music and take pictures but still has only one lousy field for the contact name (forget about sorting by last name or trying to keep track of a contact by their company name), all contacts get assigned speed dials and they must be moved, not deleted (very tedious to organize and so I only did it for the first 10 or so speed dials), you don't know for sure what speed dial number you are calling until the call has been initiated (unlike my old phone that would display the contact before making the call; I know they are speed dials but I don't always remember which number I assigned), it takes several key presses to activate "vibrate only" (as opposed to one convenient key press on my old phone), get used to the "get it now menu" and the "mobile web" because most of the navigation keys manage to take you there (there is only one assignable navigation key press and it can't be "recent calls", something I used a lot on my old, uncool phone) , backing out of menus is inconsistent (sometimes it is a soft key, sometimes the clear key, sometimes the end key), assignments made for speed dial or custom ringtones don't always seem to stick (for instance, the speed dial number seems to work as assigned but the "contacts" listing shows a different speed dial), and the "iTap" predictive text entry mode is a joke (producing nothing but esperanto for my simple messages). That is enough for now but I could go on.
I was able to transfer my contacts to the phone using iSync but I did not try anything with the calendar. Besides the name limitation mentioned above, only "mobile", "home" and "work" numbers are recognized (in addition to email and fax). A subsequent sync overwrote all my speed dial assignments. Given the difficulties with that feature (see above) I don't think I will do that again soon.
The voice quality and reception are good but using this phone is frustrating.

This phone is pretty good as a phone. The display, keys and software are all quite user friendly. I have found the sound quality and battery life to be quite good. I don't talk on the phone much so I can go five or six days without charging.

My one phone-related complaint is that vibrate and ring is not supported. I have never seen a phone that makes you choose between vibration and an audio alert, but this one does.

The camera is quite easy to use and takes respectable pictures for a phone. There is a camera shortcut on the keypad that takes you to the camera mode.

My main problem with this phone is that Verizon have disabled bluetooth file transfer. This means you have to either remove the memory card, or pay to transfer music and pictures to and from your phone through Verizon services.

I got Razr for my wife, along with a LG VX8300 for myself. Must say Razr disappointed me. I think the audio quality is very poor, the opening and closing of the phone with one hand can sometimes become tricky with the constant fear of dropping it. Somehow gives u a feel of very flimsy and easily breakable phone. Verizon has disabled all the nice features, including the Bluetooth which has made transferring all the numbers a night mare. The LG vx8300 started communicating with my old Motorola v505 and I transferred all my numbers within 15 minutes without a hassle. The battery life also is also not that great.
Overall, its stylish, cool...whatever, but it lacks the utility and sturdy feel to make it the phone of choice, well at least for me.

I don't suggest buying this. I have a Motorola RAZR V3m Silver Phone (Verizon Wireless) and I wish I hadn't gotten it.

Verizon Wireless uses their proprietary software to lock away features that come standard in Motorola RAZRs.

* So you can't get ringtones or music onto your phone unless you spend money through their proprietary V-Cast system. That's right, no copying from your PC to your phone.
* You can't download pictures to your computer. They suggest e-mailing it to yourself.
* You can't upload pictures to your phone unless you (yes, you guessed it) use their service.

Lastly - and I've called and checked with their technician on this - there is NO WAY to copy all of your text messages from your phone to your PC. So if you've been texting up a storm and you want to save them, sorry.

I've tried buying a USB plug that connects between my RAZR and my PC. I've even purchased two different brands of software at Fry's Electronics that's supposed to enable you to transfer stuff easily between phone and PC. Unfortunately, they won't work because my RAZR is from Verizon Wireless. In fact, there are discussions on Web bulletin boards on hacking into your Verizon phone in order to disable Verizon's software locks - just so you can get features that come standard on the Motorola RAZR.

In the end, I feel suckered and duped by Verizon. I'd rather get a product that lets you do all of the above for free.

Motorola produced a great phone here. It's very thin, not even noticeable in my pants pocket until I reach in and "feel around" for it. The phone part works fine, it offers Bluetooth headset support, doesn't have an ugly antenna sticking out, has a speakerphone coming out the rear end that sorta works (nothing like the LG 4650), offers a color LCD on the front panel, has a built-in camera (that, unfortunately, looks awful), charges and connects to a PC via USB, and offers EDVO high-speed internet access for its built-in web browser.

And then Motorola took the device and sold it to Verizon Wireless. Verizon then passed it to their profiteering executives and evaluated the feature set. "File transfer? Kill it! Forget about transferring memos and photos from the phone; make 'em pay messaging fees to e-mail that crap to their home computers. Nobody needs to transfer binary stuff unless they're going to save photos taken with the camera, in which case our e-mail system works FINE, screw USB and Bluetooth. As for bringing stuff up to the device, call it a music phone, build it around music, but make 'em pay. Yeah, paint the whole user interface blood-red and put 'V-Cast' graffiti all over it. Make 'em download songs for $2 per song. But don't let 'em actually use stereo Bluetooth heaphones for listening to music. No, make 'em use the speakerphone for the music. It's OUR phone, anyway, and we can dictate what our customers can and can't do all we want. Oh, and national access? Kill it! Broadband access? Hahaha!! Come to think of it, to top it all off, just let them burn in hell if they ever do anything USEFUL with the phone besides use it as a phone, take crappy pictures that can only be stored locally or be sent via e-mail, or download music off of V-Cast. All those other features... kill 'em, and void the warranty if the user even attempts to enable ANYTHING we disabled."

"Good call, sir. Good money."

Overall, I was completely stoked about this phone when I ordered it and was waiting for it to arrive. I got it free with the "new every 2" plan from Verizon Wireless, but have spent well over $100 to $150 on accessories including Bluetooth stereo headphones which the device DOESN'T SUPPORT for stereo music playback (everything goes through speakerphone). I have also pounded my head against the computer for days trying to get it to sync to the PC using the Sync Music feature, but every time I run Sync it reverts back from Portable Device to Modem even immediately after Windows Media Player recognizes it. Obviously a glitch in the V-Cast software, but who cares? Not Verizon!!

I am going to consider putting this phone out on eBay and reverting to my old crappy LG phone.

This phone is a disaster. Please read this and rate well and keep it at the top so that others can be fairly warned before buying (or not, hopefully!)

Barring the keypad defectiveness for which I've had NO END of hassle with amazon in trying to 1. get a replacement phone sent 2. get the rebates which are now expired due to the time it took to get the replacement and 3. hassle with VERIZON over the same things, here is my evaluation of this phone:

I thought something was WRONG with this phone, the way it drains the battery. This is the most important flaw. I've never seen a phone that eats battery as this one does. (Amazon negative: When I called Amazon to return it, I tried to EXCHANGE it for a different one and THEY DON'T EXCHANGE CELL PHONES. Let everyone be aware and ware of this. NO CELL PHONE EXCHANGES. They will REPLACE a phone if it is defective, but no EXCHANGES! They don't say that when you purchase.) I am now buying an extended battery (AND a new door, you have to buy the door for the pink one separately because they don't sell it anywhere else than Motorola Website) for a total of about 65$ more.

Secondly, both Razrs (the original and replacement) experience keypad freezing. The replacement only once, when typing a txt msg. The original would freeze continually, once it froze when the alarm clock was going off and I had to take the battery out for it to stop!

Third: The sound. The volume when in a call is really bad. It is so very hard to hear on this phone, with the volume turned all the way up.

Fourth: you can't CHARGE the phone and talk on a 2.5mm headset at the same time. This phone has ONE mini-USB port and comes with a wall-charger and an adapter for a 2.5mm headset. But if you have a 2.5mm headset because you don't like Bluetooth (because it's yet another gadget you can't hear very well on and can't remember to charge), no charging the phone while you talk!

Fifth: the way Verizon ties up the ability to use this phone is SHOCKING. They seriously are vultures about it. They try to make you pay for everything they can, mobile office kits, ringtones, downloading photos to your phone or sending. It's 25 cents per picture message unless you have a picture message plan!! (DON'T BUY MOBILE OFFICE KIT (another 40$), instead buy a microSD card and reader and get the pictures and txt items from there).

I hope that if you are thinking of 1. verizon or 2. motorola razr you will think again, because you are asking for hassle, stress, a phone that ALWAYS needs charging and makes you nervous to talk because it will drain the battery. Please get a better phone, a better service provider !!

This is a good phone that was messed up by Verizon.
You can't transfer your files from the phone to your computer. Verizon wants you to pay them for the privelage and use their network to transfer.
If you were to ever call them and ask them about it they are GREAT at Passing the buck.
Even though you may have bought the phone in a verizon store from verizon they say it is motorolla's fault that you can't transfer your pictures. Despite the fact that their version of the RAZR is the only version that is crippled in this way.
Furthermore they have made it so that you can't change the red colors that permeate the interface. This is just adding insult to injury. If you want to add your own custom ringtones, there are two ways, the easiest of course is to pay verizon money to send it to your phone. Other ways are hacks that sometimes work and sometimes don't. Also you can't make the phone vibrate and ring at the same time. My ancient nokia, that I had in 2000 did this and so has every other phone I've owned since. I don't even understand why Verizon would disable this.

There is one feature I'm am not totally happy with, that is not Verizons fault(as far as I know, but I wouldn't be surprised). The camera takes the crappy pictures you would expect from a phone. Unless your hands are shaky like mine. In that case it will take pictures even crappier than what you would expect from a phone.

The phone itself is slick. It's thin, the ergonomics are better than any other. Verizons voice calling features are great. The fact that the address book interface is clunky doesn't matter one bit when you can just tell your phone who to call. You can whip it out and dial all with one hand. Then have it on the speaker phone while you are waiting for someone to pick up. As a phone it's hard to beat, but these days I think we are allowed to expect more.

The saddest part is that it's my favorite phone from the company with the best network, you really can't win.