The Razr 2 features Opera's full browser, which can fit text to screen or offer a full-size web page with the screen acting as a window onto it. The lack of 3G can be an issue on richer pages, though overall it manages impressively quick rendering and speedy page scrolling for a 2.5G handset.
Good music player, average camera
The V8 also has an email client, plus a spread of office tools such as calendar, task list, notepad, file manager, alarm clock, currency converter and voice recorder facilities. Calendar and contacts can be synced over the air remotely using the SyncML-compatible MotoSync technology. Email csn be synced too, via Exchange ActiveSync for Microsoft Exchange 2003. Alternatively, users can hook up via the USB cable or Bluetooth to sync locally with a PC using the supplied Motorola software.
You can use speaker-independent voice dialling, engage a series of commands for activating functions, and use a “talking phone” option to have messages and various menu options spoken to you.
Thin it may be, but Motorola claims the Razr 2 V8 can go the distance, with a stand-by time of up to 330 hours and a talk time of up to 470 minutes. This is compromised, of course, by music playing, camera snapping, video watching and so on. Playing music on its own, the V8 would rock on for approximately 11 hours, according to Motorola.
In admittedly music-intensive mixed feature testing, we had the Razr 2 begging for more juice after a just over a day’s function-heavy usage. In regular usage, we managed around three days between charges. Call quality delivered no complaints, providing an excellent performance over a series of calls in a variety of international locations and network situations.
Verdict
Style has always been a key factor in the Razr proposition, so you might reasonably expect the Razr 2 V8 to offer an exciting new take on the line – or perhaps add some genuinely cutting-edge functionality. Sure, it’s undeniably thin, but there's really nothing here we haven't seen before.
The V8’s features are decent enough, though we still think no swappable memory is a mistake, the camera is disappointing, and the lack of 3G is odd for a device aiming to push forward the Razr concept. There is a 3G version waiting in the wings, the V9, so would-be buyers impressed with the look of the V8 but wanting faster downloads may care to wait.
Motorola Razr 2 V8 mobile phone
COMMENTS
Yawn
Great review, but it discussed everything *except* the most eagerly anticipated item for any Motorola cellular telephone: A decent contact/address book system* combined with software that (1) has even a modicum of usefulness and (2) has had its field mapping actually tested before being released to production.
*Defined as one that allows at least two telephone numbers and one email address in each contact entry, that doesn't split such entries when saving to the SIM card (as opposed to the phone), and has zero difference in application regardless of whether an entry is saved to the phone or to the SIM card.
But still...
... even if it is the latest model, being seen using one marks you down as a Chav :)
V3X
Got a 3G Motorola razr V3X 18 months ago, the worst piece of modern hardware I have ever come across, multiple problems, failed totally after 14 months, wouldnt ever have another Motorola-Nokia phones are far more reliable!
Headphones
Just to let you all know that you can get mini USB to 3.5mm headphone adapters from most phone shops and all over ebay now for probably less than a fiver, so you don't have to be stuck with the crappy ones Motorola give you.
Then again Sony do a line of very good bluetooth headphones if that's your thing...
Unexpectedly impressed
I've been using one for a month or two now, having sworn never to use a Motorola (I get to test everything doing mobile development, and I can't stand the Motorola MIB interface). I'm actually quite impressed.
It's fast and most things are easy to use, Java implementation is excellent... texting is somewhere midway between the ease of a Nokia and the purgatory of old Motorola. The dual screen thing with interaction when it's closed is a bit pointless but occasionally useful; however I think the ability to change the profile - and thus turn off ringing and vibrations - from inside your pocket with no deliberate intervention is not something I would choose to have.
I never really liked the looks of the original RAZR V3 with the batteyr bulge and the fat squat screen when open, and this looks like the V3 should have done - but it's hardly high fashion these days.
Overall - nice if you like flips, not the greatest phone ever but you could do worse. Ash, I suspect you'll find the V8 faster and better looking but less powerful than the Nokia RAZR-clone - I haven't tried that exact model but Nokia always underpower S60 devices. If you plan to install lots of S60 apps, go for it, if not go Moto (I never thought I'd hear myself say that...).
If you're holding out for the V9 - don't. It may have 3G and swappable cards but it uses the old Motorola MIB UI, so is very much stuck in the murky difficult-to-use past.
