A rough-and-tumble handset with a ruggedized case and access to Nextel's push-to-talk network, the i615 lacks a camera but packs in plenty of no-nonsense features. Is it hard-hat worthy?
Review summary of the Motorola i615:
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 The rough and rugged Motorola i615 for Sprint Nextel is a no-nonsense workhorse, making it a nice option for rough-and-tumble environments like construction sites, the woods, or in the back of a truck moving goods around. While this hefty candy bar may be a bit chunky and weighs in at nearly six ounces, its solid variety of calling features -- including push-to-talk, three-way calling, and group walkie-talkie -- lets you stay in touch and get down to business. That said, the tough-to-press keys can be tricky to use, and messaging options are a bit on the light side. Release: October 2006. Price: $200.
Pros: A bevy of calling features including PTT, group walkie-talkie, three-way calling, Bluetooth, and a speakerphone; rugged shell; clear, bright display that's well-suited for the outdoors; stellar battery life.
Cons: Typing took some getting used to on the tough keypad; bulky and heavy.
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Full Motorola i615 Review:
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Design
As with most of the industrial-strength Nextel phones we've tested, the i615 candy bar is anything but sweet, but it can take a beating. The rough-and-tough phone meets the 810F military spec, which is to say it will withstand drops, vibrations, solar radiation and dust, and it comes encased in a ruggedized shell. That said, the bulky, 5.94-ounces i615 probably won't find its way into a supermodel's hand anytime soon. Outdoorsy types who work on a construction site or out in the bright sun will appreciate the phone's vibrant screen, which is clear and visible even in direct sunlight.
Calling - Very good
Call quality on the i615 was reasonably good; during our tests in northern New Jersey, we were able to chat fairly smoothly without any echoing, although we did encounter a bit of static and the occasional signal fade. The handset boasts many of the features that Nextel fans have come to expect, including push-to-talk, group walkie-talkie (up to 20 people per group), and Bluetooth, although it's missing Nextel's Direct Talk feature (which lets you chat with other Direct Talk users when you're off the network). The i615's speakerphone was a bit tinny sounding, per usual, but was quite loud, making it a nice feature for those working in noisy conditions. Three-way calling on the i615 was straightforward, but lacks easy maneuverability between calls; that said, those looking for conference calling on the i615 will probably use the group push-to-talk feature instead. The phone's contact list was rather plain and basic, but simple to use. However, searching for a number requires scrolling through names rather than live searching, which can be tedious. Finally, we were impressed with the i615's battery life; we got more than five hours of talk time in our tests, well above average.
Messaging - Good
The i615 doesn't exactly shine when it comes to messaging, but it gets the job done and lets you send voice memos with your messages. Typing on the handset can be a bit of a chore, as the buttons are tough to push (although you won't have to worry about making accidental calls), and there isn't a dedicated "back" key. We were only able to fit about 110 characters on the 2.5-inch screen, falling well short of a full 160-characters SMS message.
Related phones: Motorola push-to-talk handsets for Sprint Nextel
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Price and availability
Available now for $249.99 with a two-year service contract from Sprint Nextel.
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