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(More customer reviews)This is just an incredible phone. I got it through Amazon with T-Mobile's service. I will try to go into this phone with as extensively as I can, based on my personal use.
First about the phone. As a company, Motorola has been in the wireless business for a long time. Before they had cellphones, they had pagers. Before that, walkie-talkies. They know what a good phone should be, and they've definately shown that here. Their flagship V60 series was king of the cellphones for a while, but then it lagged behind other companies for a long time when they came out with color phones with competitive features. Their T720 series didn't do so hot. Motorola really is coming back, though, with the V600 line of products (this includes the V300, sister to the V600). The V300 is special in this series since it is the only one with an uniquely soft cover that feels great to the touch. Filled with an appealing combination of features (I'll list them below), the V300 (especially through Amazon) is really an unbelievable phone for the money.
After I received the phone and absolutely loved it, I was quick to purchase a data cable for very cheap (including overcharged shipping prices) on eBay. With the help of Howard Forums (do a search on Google, you'll find them) I was able to find free wallpapers, ringtones, and games and transfer them from my computer to my phone FREE via the data cable. The same goes for downloading pictures I took to my computer. This made my phone, not only the envy of my friends, but also my favorite little toy since my digital camera purchase. :)
Features I love:
- Soft cover, comfortable to hold
- Great call quality
- Big and high-resolution screen (better than most out there)
- Screen supports alpha blending (transparency)
- SEVEN customizable buttons
- Improved phonebook with multiple viewing options
- Quality ringtones, both MIDI and MP3 (Dido's "Thank You" MP3 for my ring? Heck yeah!
- Huge 5 MB shared storage between pictures, rings, and games
- Best speakerphone I've ever used on a wireless phone
- Improved alarm clock system (set up to 5 different alarms, with the ring of your choice!)
- Good battery life (but I also recommend getting a car charger if you're on the road a lot)
- Speed dialing
- Improved iTAP predictive text feature for easy text entry
- Sort phonebooks entries, ringtones, pictures and wallpapers into distinct categories
- Ringer ID (different rings for different people/groups)
- Switching ring styles (loud, vibrate, silent, etc) without having to open phone
- Useful, uniquely blue outer display
- View minutes and text usage online with T-Mobile
- With data cable: free wallpaper, ringtone, and games transfer
- With data cable: free pictures download from phone to PC
Features neutral to me, but still cool to have:
- Better-than-average VGA-level camera
- Picture ID (Assign a picture to display when a certain friend calls)
- Useful calendar with month-view and week-view
- Easy to use calculator
- AOL Instant Messenger client built-in (uses text messages)
- Voice dialing
- Voice memo
- Tri-band world phone
- Potentially free HTML browsing with WebViewer software from ReqWireless (since T-Mobile gives you free basic WAP service), or some other third-party HTML browser
Features I didn't like, or wish it had:
- Sometimes phone seems a little slow, but this is just minor nip-picking
- Wish it had Bluetooth or infrared
- Better phonebook search system (can only search by first letter of name)
- Wish it had an integrated flash for the camera
- Antenna stub (I prefer internal antennas)
Arguable features, depending on personal preference:
- Color of the phone
- Size of the phone (3.50" x 1.93" x 0.98" / 89mm x 49mm x 25mm)
- Weight of the phone (4.30 oz / 122g)
- Unique alternating keypad button shapes
- Built-in ringtones (not bad, but could be better in my opinion)
- Menu system (I think it's great, but some don't)
As you can see, as far as my usage is concerned, this phone is pretty much perfect, deserving its full five stars.
Next, since you'll probably be purchasing this phone with T-Mobile's service, let me tell you about T-Mobile. I came from a respectable local company called SureWest that offered me unlimited California calling, but no roaming outside of the great Sacramento area. Now I am on T-Mobile's 3000 minute local plan for $50 a month, which allows me to roam and call California and Nevada cheaper than what I was paying with SureWest. I love it! I also used to be a Verizon Wireless store manager, and although they are nationally number one in quality, they are relatively expensive minutes-wise compared to T-Mobile. I can tell you that T-Mobile also has very good in customer service. See for yourself: just give 1-800-T-MOBILE a call, 24-hours a day, if you have questions about their service, even before you buy the phone. I've called a billion times with questions before and after I got the phone, and I've got to say, they are the most courteous telephone customer service agents I have ever talked with. EVER. Not just in the wireless business.
As far as call quality goes, mine is EXCELLENT. I live Davis, just outside of Sacramento. Only one dropped call this month, and I am pretty sure it was from the other end of the line. However, with my experience in the wireless field, I recommend going out and checking out T-Mobile's quality IN YOUR AREA before you buy. If you have a friend with T-Mobile, borrow the phone for a while and test out the service. If not, go to a store and test out a T-Mobile phone. A nationally top-ranked service and a phone with great call-quality potential is useless if it does not work well in YOUR local area.
I hope the extensive review helps you in choosing a phone and wireless plan, and remember, the best phone for you is not necessarily the one with the most features, but instead one with all the features you will actually use. :)
Click Here to see more reviews about: Motorola V300 Phone (T-Mobile)
Overview Compatible with T-Mobile cell phone service, the Motorola V300 features an Internet browser, integrated VGA digital camera, MMS text messaging, and more, all displayed on a large, high-resolution 176 x 220 pixel, 65,000 color screen. The V300's clamshell design also provides a 96 x 32 pixel, two line external screen, which 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, among others) without users having to open the phone. There's even a blue backlight for nighttime viewing. Calling Features Used simply as a phone, the V300 features a compelling, ergonomic design and a 4-way scroll key for easy menu navigation. Primary calling features include speech recognition, which allows users to speak a pre-saved name, number, or function and the phone will call it up automatically; as well as an integrated speakerphone, auto redial notification, call forwarding, call waiting, hold, alternate line/dual name, turbo dial keys (2-9), ringer/vibrate suppress, multiple call timers,multiple key answer, vibrate mode, memory for last numbers dialed and received, and a phone book of up to 1000 entries, including Personal Information Manager (PIM) functionality with picture caller ID. Messaging and InternetMobile messaging features are fairly standard: via MMS, users can send, edit, forward, and receive image and text messages to and from compatible phones or PCs. Images and ring tones received via MMS can be saved in phone's handy image gallery.There's also instant messaging capability, conventional email, and built-in iTAP software, which provides predictive text assistance. The V300 supports TTY functionality for the hearing impaired. The V300's built-in Microbrowser also gives users wireless Mobile Internet access to directions, stock quotes, airline information, entertainment, and more. Users can also download MP3 polyphonic ring tones, wallpapers, and other applications and games. Two games, Bejeweled and Prince of Persia, are included with the phone. Organizer Organizer features include a 1000 contact phone book with photo caller ID, a date book, and Mobile Phone Tools compatibility, which (combined with software that is sold separately) lets users create, edit, and synchronize date book and phonebook entries with your PC. Fun and Games For fun, the V300's integrated digital camera includes zoom and brightness adjustment functions, as well as 5 MB of memory for picture storage or for saving wallpapers, screensavers, ring tones, and games downloaded from the Internet. Ringtones are supported by a 22 KHz polyphonic speaker with 24 chord capability. Users can also assign different tones for different callers saved the V300's phonebook, and for messages, faxes, and reminders. Vital Statistics The Motorola V300's security features include call restrictions, keypad lock, phone lock, application lock, and new password capability. The phone weighs 4.3 ounces and measures3.5 x 1.93 x 1 inches. Its Lithium Ion batteries are rated at up to 390 hours talk time, and up to 200 hours standby time.
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