 |
|
|
|
| Motorola Krave ZN4 |
| Full review » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
 The Motorola Krave ZN4 has some great hardware, with a cool flip shell and a very responsive touchscreen interface. Unfortunately, the user interface that hardware supports is something of a letdown, with an inconsistent design and some aging apps, like the V Cast Music Store and the OpenWave Web browser, that haven't gotten better with time. In this way, the Motorola Krave ZN4 is like the opposite of the LG Dare on Verizon Wireless, which was a phone that had a unique and modern interface, but lacked the hardware to keep up. Of course, both of these phones borrow liberally from the Apple iPhone 3G's playbook, but neither of them come close to measuring up to AT&T's multimedia smartphone. We liked the cool, clear flip and the V Cast Mobile TV capabilities, but even the advanced TV features gave us trouble, and for the severe starting price, we'd have to recommend buyers look elsewhere. The Motorola Krave ZN4 feels like the first version of a phone family that might someday be great, and we'd stick with the look and feel, but everything else on this phone needs an update. Release: October 2008. Price: $180.
Pros: Responsive touchscreen interface. Cool design with the clear flip and invisible wiring. Great navigation features.
Cons: User interface feels half-baked. Some static during calls. Reception problems with V Cast Mobile TV service. Lousy Web browser with strange pointer tool. Aging messaging and music playback apps.
| Poor |
Mediocre |
62%
GOOD |
Very good |
Excellent |
|
|
| Motorola Adventure V750 |
| Full review » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
 Verizon Wireless doesn't leave much choice when it comes to PTT phones. Either you go rugged and waterproof with the G'zOne Boulder, or you go rugged and stylish with the Motorola Adventure V750. The Adventure V750 is a better phone all around, though that doesn't mean it's perfect. But though the lack of waterproofing might mean improved call quality and better reception on this phone, we think this tough RAZR-like phone would be a real winner if it could take a swim from time to time. Still, the phone packs real multimedia features and impressive hardware into a fairly attractive (yes, we know it looks like a RAZR) shell. We would like to see Motorola break out a bit from the stodgy Verizon interface design and really bring this phone's media features up to speed, and then it would be a more compelling device for any audience. Release: August 2008. Price: $80.
Pros: RAZR-like design is still new to the PTT world. Very good call quality and calling features. Great navigation options. Very fast networking.
Cons: Speaker is clear, could be louder. Messaging and 3G multimedia features come up short. Waterproofing would make this a killer device.
| Poor |
Mediocre |
61%
GOOD |
Very good |
Excellent |
|
|
| Motorola RAZR VE20 |
| Full review » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
 The Motorola RAZR VE20 is the best RAZR on the market right now. We've been uttering that phrase about once a year for the last four years or so, and it's no less true now. The RAZR VE20 is a fine phone. It doesn't break any new ground, except for its sleek, polished interface, but it gets a lot of things right. Making phone calls, for one thing, is a good experience on the MOTORAZR VE20. GPS navigation works well; there's plenty of messaging options; and music isn't bad either, despite the lack of equipment. So what if it's a RAZR, let Motorola worry about that. It's a fine feature phone, and it isn't a bad choice for someone looking for a flashy phone with plenty under the hood. Release: August 2008. Price: $100.
Pros: Curvy, feminine new design for RAZR family. Polished user interface and menu screens. Loads of multimedia features.
Cons: There's nothing wrong with being a RAZR. MicroSD card slot buried under battery. We'd like to have more memory. Web browser lousy and dated. Streaming services can't keep up with downloads.
| Poor |
Mediocre |
64%
GOOD |
Very good |
Excellent |
|
|
| Motorola i335 |
| Full review » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
 The i335 is very single-minded. It does what it is supposed to do well—namely, make and receive calls. There aren’t many bells and whistles, and it isn’t the most attractive phone we’ve ever seen, but the rubber does well to protect it, and our callers heard us loud and clear. For Direct Connect customers, and perhaps light calling and messaging users,the i335 is a solid, if uninspiring option. But for anyone looking for anything more should look elsewhere. Release: November 2007. Price: $80.
Pros: Slim, rugged design, good call quality
Cons: Dearth of features, slow SMS, terrible Web browser
| Poor |
43%
MEDIOCRE |
Good |
Very good |
Excellent |
|
|
| Motorola ic502 |
| Full review » Features » Gallery » |
 If you just want better calls from your basic Nextel phone, this is the one that makes better calls and still works as a walkie-talkie. The contact list is simple and effective, if a bit ugly on the low-res screen. The subscription voice command service is a strange addition, hopefully not the start of a trend. Otherwise, it’s a tough phone that does what it's supposed to and not much more. Release: November 2006. Price: $60.
Pros: Durable design; better calls than many Nextel phones; loud speakerphone.
Cons: Dearth of features; low-resolution screen; unresponsive keys; lack of messaging options; strange voice commands service.
| Poor |
Mediocre |
50%
GOOD |
Very good |
Excellent |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Archive