Motorola V600 Phone (AT&T)

by Motorola

Product Details

Product Manual [2.04mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 3.5 x 1.8 x 0.9 inches ; 4.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000246E4U
• Item model number: V600
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #311,099 in Cell Phones & Accessories (See Top 100 in Cell Phones & Accessories)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The tri-band Motorola V600 cell phone features Bluetooth connectivity, an integrated VGA digital camera, and MMS with video clip playback. You'll also get "Situational Lights"--a feature that lets you light colors for various types of calls--and much more, all displayed on a large, high-resolution 176 x 220 pixels, 65,000 color interior screen.

The basic Motorola clamshell format continues to provide a solid and attractive option for any dedicated cell phone user. Its steel frame is compact and attractive, (the faceplate-changing capabilities seem a bit unnecessary) and it's loaded with all the essential features you'll need for power usage plus a few bonuses. You may find the volume a bit high out of the box, and it goes into hibernate almost as fast as you can dial a number, but these are minor, adjustable quibbles on a truly stellar phone.

Calling Features

See a detailed view of the phone's features, front and back.

Used simply as a cell phone, the V600 features a five-way navigation key with multiple dedicated function keys for easy menu navigation. Primary calling features include voice dialing, integrated speakerphone, vibrate mode, call timers, redial, missed call indicator, call log, any-key answer, auto-answer, auto-redial, roaming indicator, speed dial, linked (credit card) dialing, phonebook look-up, phonebook scroll, mute control, no-answer transfer, one-touch 911, system select, usage alert, and a phone book of up to 1250 entries, including picture caller ID functionality. When the phone is closed, its external screen (two lines, 96 x 32 pixelss) displays caller ID, date, time, and various status icons, including text message waiting, voice message waiting, battery and signal strength, and voice and message mail. There's even a blue backlight on the secondary display for nighttime viewing.

The V600 sports well-placed, well-machined keys, and its compact size does nothing to hinder dialing even for large-fingered users. The solid scroll keys bring you to very intuitive menus presented nicely on a single screen, marked by functional but showier-than-necessary graphics. There are also dedicated external buttons for speaker volume, voice recording, and ring volume.

Messaging and Internet
The advanced MMS capabilities built in to the V600 enable users to send, edit, forward, and receive image, text, audio, and video messages over the wireless Internet, to and from compatible phones or PCs. (Messages can run up to 100k in size.) You'll also get instant messaging capability, messaging templates, SMS two-way messaging, conventional email, and predictive text assistance. Beyond messaging, the V600's Internet connectivity lets you access online services such as stock quotes, road directions, airline information, entertainment, and more. You can also download Java applications (version CLDC 1.0, MIDP 2.0, 100k per application limit) for which the phone provides 5 MB total (shared) memory. High-speed data transfer and download round out the package. The V600 supports digital TTY/TDD functionality for the hearing impaired.

Organizer
Organizer features include a calendar, calculator with currency converter, date book with event storage, and voice memo. You can also transfer this data to your PC wirelessly via the phone's Bluetooth capability.

We found the V600's appointment scheduling to be right in line with our fairly basic needs. Other than the universal annoyance of pecking out appointment details with the ten-key letter system (there's no QWERTY keyboard here as you'll find on some of the more recent, albeit early-adopter phones) this phone's organizer features provided enough data entry space for any busy person taking these functions seriously, but no more.

Fun and Games
For fun, the V600 sports a built-in 640 x 480 pixels integrated digital camera with zoom and brightness adjustment functions. Pictures taken with the camera can be stored in the phone or sent to others via multimedia messaging. The 5 MB of memory available for storing pictures is also shared with whatever wallpapers, screensavers, ring tones, Java applications, or games you may download from the Internet. The V600 also features 24 chord ring tone capability. Users can assign different tones for different callers in the V600's phonebook, and assign separate tones to denote incoming messages, faxes, and reminders. Wireless multiplayer gaming capabilities and two included games, "Bejeweled" and "Stuntman", round out the entertainment perks that ship with this phone.

Conclusions
We liked this phone's very basic camera. It was easy to use and worry-free and the device can be accessed instantly from the phone's top level screen menu. From power on, it only took us a moment to take and save a fairly nice picture. However, photo quality is only adequate; about as good as you'd expect for a cell phone circa 2004, as opposed to a dedicated digital camera. We also found the ring tones included with the phone to be generally pleasant, and it was a breeze to assign a custom tone to a number in the phonebook, thanks again to the easy menu system. The included games were basic and fairly fun (at least once). In "Stuntman", the phone's vibrate mode provided road rumble as a little car skidded around a bland, full-color stunt course. But player beware! Once the game starts, the volume becomes LOUD and is not apparently adjustable. Finally, there is a nutty little feature called Motomixer, which lets you modify various settings on little songs that you can download, emulating a very rudimentary, miniature studio console.

In all, we found the Motorola V600 to be a rock solid, highly effective cell phone with attractive and efficient graphic and audio capabilities. We recommend the V600 without reservations for any serious user.

Vital Statistics
The Motorola V600's security features include call restrictions, phone lock, and new password capability. The phone weighs 4.4 ounces and measures 3.5 x 1.87 x 0.83 inches. Its lithium-ion batteries are rated at up to 450 minutes talk time, and up to 240 hours standby time. It runs on the GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900 frequencies. In the box, you'll receive the V600, instruction manuals, a high capacity li-ion battery, a headset/earbud, and a battery charger.

Amazon.com Product Description

Overview

Compatible with Cingular service, the quad-band Motorola V600G cell phone features Bluetooth connectivity, an integrated VGA digital camera, and MMS with video clip playback. You'll also get "Situational Lights"--a feature that lets you light colors for various types of calls--and much more, all displayed on a large, high-resolution 176 x 220 pixel, 65,000 color interior screen.

In our tests, we found that the basic Motorola clamshell format continues to provide a solid and attractive option for any dedicated cell phone user. Its steel frame is compact and attractive, (the faceplate-changing capabilities seem a bit unnecessary) and it's loaded with all the essential features you'll need for power usage plus a few bonuses. You may find the volume a bit high out of the box, and it goes into hibernate almost as fast as you can dial a number, but these are minor, adjustable quibbles on a truly stellar phone.

Calling Features

Used simply as a cell phone, the V600G features a 4-way scroll key with multiple dedicated function keys for easy menu navigation. Primary calling features include voice dialing, integrated speakerphone, vibrate mode, call timers, redial, missed call indicator, call log, any-key answer, auto-answer, auto-redial, roaming indicator, speed dial, linked (credit card) dialing, phonebook look-up, phonebook scroll, mute control, no-answer transfer, one-touch 911, system select, usage alert, and a phone book of up to 1250 entries, including picture caller ID functionality. When the phone is closed, its external screen (two lines, 96 x 32 pixels) displays caller ID, date, time, and various status icons, including text message waiting, voice message waiting, battery and signal strength, and voice and message mail. There's even a blue backlight for nighttime viewing.

In our tests, we found that the V600G sports well-placed, well-machined keys, and its compact size does nothing to hinder dialing even for large-fingered users. The solid scroll keys bring you to very intuitive menus presented nicely on a single screen, marked by functional but showier-than-necessary graphics. There are also dedicated external buttons for speaker volume, voice recording, and ring volume.

Messaging and Internet

The advanced MMS capabilities built in to the V600G enable users to send, edit, forward, and receive image, text, audio, and video messages over the wireless Internet, to and from compatible phones or PCs. (Messages can run up to 100k in size.) You'll also get instant messaging capability, messaging templates, SMS two-way messaging, conventional email, and predictive text assistance. Beyond messaging, the V600G's Internet connectivity lets you access online services such as stock quotes, road directions, airline information, entertainment, and more. You can also download Java applications (version CLDC 1.0, MIDP 2.0, 100k per application limit) for which the phone provides 5 MB total (shared) memory. High-speed data transfer and download round out the package. The V600G supports digital TTY/TDD functionality for the hearing impaired.

Organizer

Organizer features include a calendar, calculator with currency converter, date book with event storage, and voice memo. You can also transfer this data to your PC wirelessly via the phone's Bluetooth capability.

In our tests, we found the V600G's appointment scheduling to be right in line with our fairly basic needs. Other than the universal annoyance of pecking out appointment details with the ten-key letter system (there's no QWERTY keyboard here as you'll find on some of the more recent, albeit early-adopter phones) this phone's organizer features provided enough data entry space for any busy person taking these functions seriously, but no more.

Fun and Games

For fun, the V600G sports a built-in 640 x 480 pixel integrated digital camera with zoom and brightness adjustment functions. Pictures taken with the camera can be stored in the phone or sent to others via multimedia messaging. The 5 MB of memory available for storing pictures is also shared with whatever wallpapers, screensavers, ring tones, Java applications, or games you may download from the Internet. The V600G also features 24 chord ring tone capability. Users can assign different tones for different callers in the V600G's phonebook, and assign separate tones to denote incoming messages, faxes, and reminders. Wireless multiplayer gaming capabilities and two included games, "Bejeweled" and "Stuntman", round out the entertainment perks with this phone.

In our tests, we liked this phone's very basic camera. It was easy to use and worry-free (nothing's going to break off), and the device can be accessed instantly from the phone's top level screen menu. From power on, it only took us a moment to take and save a fairly nice picture. However, photo quality is only adequate; about as good as you'd expect for a cell phone circa 2004, as opposed to a dedicated digital camera. We also found the ring tones included with the phone to be generally pleasant, and it was a breeze to assign a custom tone to a number in the phonebook, thanks again to the easy menu system. The included games were basic and fairly fun (at least once). In "Stuntman", the phone's vibrate mode provided road rumble as a little car skidded around a bland, full-color stunt course. But player beware! Once the game starts, the volume goes LOUD and is not apparently adjustable. Finally, there is a nutty little feature called Motomixer, which lets you modify various settings on songs that you can download, emulating a very rudimentary, miniature studio console.

In all, we found the Motorola V600G to be a rock solid, highly effective cell phone, with attractive and efficient graphic and audio capabilities. We recommend the Motorola V600G without reservations, for any serious user.

Vital Statistics

The Motorola V600G's security features include call restrictions, phone lock, and new password capability. The phone weighs 4.4 ounces and measures 3.46 x 1.85 x 9.1 inches. Its Lithium Ion batteries are rated at up to 450 minutes talk time, and up to 240 hours standby time. It runs on GSM 800/900/1800/1900 mode.

What's in the Box
V600G cell phone, instruction manuals, high capacity 750 mAh Li-Ion battery, headset/earbud, battery charger

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Bad design - drives me crazy, December 21, 2004

By 

John O. May - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Motorola V600 Phone (AT&T) (Wireless Phone)

Push buttons on the rim are exposed and active even when the cover is closed. They cannot be disabled. These buttons control ring profiles so that the phone will change to silent without warning.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty damn good, if you can live with the address book, July 17, 2004

By 

Faheem Ahmed "digital enthusiast" (Cupertino, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Motorola V600 Phone (AT&T) (Wireless Phone)

I moved from Sony Ericsson T68, so my comparisons will be based on that as a benchmark. First of all, let me say that on paper this new fashion-conscious flip-phone is about the most impressive you can get: Quad-band, Bluetooth, VGA camera, speakerphone, 65k color LCD, dual internal and external displays, 1000 name address book, office tools (calendar, notes, alarm clock, etc.), polyphoinic *and* MP3 ringtones... you name it, it has it. It's small, sleek and relatively light. It even has pulsating color-coded ring-lights on the flip cover! If it's features you want, you can't go wrong with this.

But I don't give it 5 stars, so what's amiss? Well, for a start the packaged battery is abysmal. It barely makes it through one busy day without a recharge, and certainly not if you use Bluetooth heavily. Motorola still uses trickle chargers whereas most of the other manufacturers ship fast chargers as default, so it even takes a long time to recharge. I've heard that the optional extra-strength battery will more than compensate, but that's an extra charge and honestly, poor battery life is simply inexcusable.

Secondly, the phone book and office tools are still as brain-dead as all Motorola phones. The phone book doesn't have a simple "search" function, which means that if you want to call "Sumo" you can jump to the first "s" entry and then you have to scroll through "Salem", "Shahid", "Shujat", "Smock", etc. etc. all the way until you get to Su-. Verrrrrry annoying. Also, what's the point of office tools if you can't integrate them with your desktop? Well, you can but you need to purchase extra software from Motorola, and this software isn't the best. Again, Nokia and Sony supply this software free of charge so what's the deal here?

In the end, I think the pros outweigh the cons, but only by a bit. There are workarounds for each of the issues I've encountered -- I can buy a larger (and more bulky) battery, I can jump to "t" in the address book and then scroll upwards instead of down, and I can use Bluetooth to exchange one business card at a time to sync it with Outlook and the Palm.

On the plus side, hey, it's great to have a decent quality phone camera (it's actually not that bad!), quad-band roaming (with good signal reception!) all over the world, a beautiful bright color screen, and incredibly good looks. Plus, now I can use a Bluetooth (wireless) hands-free kit which doesn't get entangled with the car seatbelts. And that, I think, is the ultimate benefit here.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars V600 has been recalled/discontined by Cingular, October 20, 2004

By 

T. Osborn (Texas - USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Motorola V600 Phone (AT&T) (Wireless Phone)

The V600 model was originally designed for AT&T. Due to the AT&T/Cingular merger, Cingular decided to take this model as well. However, Cingular could not get the phone to fully work on their 850Mhz network. That is why they started replacing the phones of their V600 customers for V400 models. All this corrective process (call it recall, if you wish) is carried out by Cingular exclusively. As per the phone itself, the V600 is not being recalled or discontinued by Motorola but is being recalled and discontinued by Cingular. It is just Cingular's network that is not capable of supporting this model. An easy way to test this is to try and activate this phone through AT&T: it will experience no difficulties whatsoever. Motorola will repair the phone, if necessary, and return it to you fully functional. However, if you wish to receive a replacement unit, you will need to contact Cingular. A new Motorola model is currently in development to replace the V600. The new model will be very similar to the V600 model.