Motorola RAZR V3i Unlocked Cell Phone with MP3/Video Player, MicroSD Slot--International Version with No Warranty (Silver/Gray)

Nobody can deny that Motorola's RAZR V3 was a huge commercial success. It had a lot going for it, including that sexy and slim profile. But in spite of its success in the market, there were still some things that needed to be addressed. The newest version of the RAZR for GSM networks, the RAZR V3i, is an evolutionary upgrade to the V3. It seems quite obvious that Motorola was thinking "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" when they went about creating this upgrade.

The sleek V3i is an upgrade from the original RAZR V3.

For starters, the physical size of the V3i is the same as the V3, which is to say that it is about six tenths of an inch in thickness (about 14mm). Weight is also about the same at 3.4oz (97g). But this time around the V3i gets a new, gunmetal-gray exterior with a cool, brushed pattern on the top half of the folder design. The Motorola logo also now glows blue. Otherwise, apart from some minor cosmetic changes made to the exterior and the flat but functional keypad, physically the V3i seems pretty much the same as the V3.

The basic features are also the same, with a few exceptions. The V3i supports all four of the GSM frequency bands, so it should work most anywhere in the world (if you have international roaming on your GSM account). The V3i's internal antenna seemed to work well--call audio quality was very good and we had no problems in weak signal areas. The large 262k color display appears to be the same--still nice and bright--and the external display is also the same, meaning it is functional but not at all awe inspiring. The battery in the V3i has been upgraded a wee bit and managed to power the handset for just over 8 hours of talk time in our tests.

There is still no EDGE data support in the V3i, sadly, but the Bluetooth system is very good and supports data connections as well as headsets and car kits--though not in stereo. The camera's user interface has been updated to include a very easy system whereas the d-pad can change most all of the camera settings on the fly without the need for menus. The camera module itself has also been upgraded to a 1.2-megapixel model that generates nice looking photos with good color balance, even if the focus is a bit soft (especially for subjects closer than 4' away).

See the unlocked V3i open and closed.

Another upgrade is the inclusion of speaker-independent voice dialing and commands. With this system, there is no longer the need to train the phone for various contacts names. You just speak the command (such as "Name Dial"), and tell it the name of the contact--it's that simple and works superbly. Another change that helps in making calls is a new multi-character search mode for finding contacts, something people have been asking about for a long time. In some versions of the V3i you will also find Apple iTunes support, just like in the ROKR E1. There is a 100-song limit, though, which is a shame since the new microSD memory card slot can hold cards as large as 1 GB in size. The non-iTunes versions will not have a song limit when using the default Motorola media player.

Pros:

Cons:

While not a massive upgrade, the RAZR V3i gets enough boosts in the right places to ensure its spot as one of the most popular mobile phones in the world. The added features are all very nice to have, and the hold-over features from the old V3 still work as well as they did the first time around. If you like the RAZR V3, you will probably love it in the new RAZR V3i version.

--Reviewed by Michael Oryl, editor in chief of www.MobileBurn.com

Design
At .55 inches thick, the RAZR V3i is virtually the same thickness as the original RAZR. And like the original RAZR, the phone's design takes the standard clamshell form factor to the next level with an impressive, fully-anodized aluminum construction. A large 176 x 220 color display with 262,000 colors dominates the inside of the top cover. The outside cover of the handset sports a supplementary 96 x 80 full-color display that can display caller ID pictures, time, call information, battery and signal strength, and more. The 1.23 megapixel camera lens is housed above this display. Up/down buttons are placed on the left side for volume control.

Most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button on the handset's backlit control pad, which is precision cut from a single sheet of nickel-plated copper alloy. A mini-USB port is provided, which, while useful for fast data transfer, can also be used with compatible USB stereo headsets. Note that the phone does not have a standard 2.5mm headset jack.

Calling Features
The RAZR V3i's internal phone book can hold up to 1000 contacts while the phone's picture ID system allows you to assign pictures to your most common callers. The phone also supports polyphonic ringtones as well as MP3 ringers, allowing you to use portions of your favorite songs to alert you to incoming calls. For times when you want to be discreet, there's a vibrating alert. A built-in speakerphone makes it easy to talk without having the phone to your ear while voice activated dialing makes calling your friends, family, and associates as easy as saying their names. Speaker-independent technology allows any speaker to dial numbers with the voice dialing system. And because the RAZR V3i is Bluetooth enabled, wireless headsets can be configured with the phone for total hands-free operation.

Messaging, Internet, and Tools
The RAZR V3i is a messaging and wireless Internet powerhouse. Support is built in for sending and receiving pictures, text, graphics, sound, and video via messages. When used in combination with the phone's built-in still and video camera, MMS opens up a whole new world of messaging fun. There's also a built-in Web browser for mobile Web downloads and browsing via your carrier's GPRS-based data service. If you need e-mail on the go, the V3i comes with an e-mail client that supports IMAP, POP3, and SMTP email standards. iTap text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit--a plus for mobile e-mail and text messaging users.

A number of handy software tools are bundled with the RAZR V3i, including a calculator with currency converter, a calendar, and an alarm clock. The phone can also be used with Motorola's Mobile Phone Tools PC application to manage and synchronize contacts, calendar, and other data with your PC.

Imaging and Entertainment
The V3i's 1.23 megapixel camera bridges the gap between phones and quality digital cameras. The digital zoom-enabled camera is also designed to capture video. You can even print your shots on a Bluetooth-enabled printer. Embedded animated screensavers and full screen wallpapers are built-in so you can set up the RAZR V3i to suit your tastes. The phone supports games, as well as gaming connectivity via Bluetooth.

Vital Statistics
The Motorola RAZR V3i weighs 3.53 ounces and measures 3.86 x 2.09 x .55 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 6.67 hours of digital talk time and up to 310 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the GSM/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year, limited warranty.