Motorola V975 > Reviews (9)

This is more of an obituary than a review really since it is finally time to replace my good old Motorola V975. Even though I've only had the phone for 9 months it is already something of an antique. Nowadays many people change mobiles as often as they change their socks and a mobile that was quite swish a few months ago is now almost obsolete. That's not why I am changing mine; I would rather sit on a sharp stick than do anything for reasons of trend or fashion! As much as I love this phone it has aspects to it than I cannot tolerate any longer. Sounds a bit like a bad marriage doesn't it?

However, in case anyone finds one of these on eBay or is offered one for a tenner as a promotion (which is likely) it merits a review.

It is of course a flip-top, which always appeals to the trekkie in me. I also like flip-tops because they have more of a phone feel in the hand when open.

This one comes in a two tone grey with a middle strip of metallic grey.

It has an exterior colour screen which shows a small version of your chosen wallpaper and the time. There is also a top strip showing the usual phone information; signal strength, battery metre and assorted alerts for SMS, voicemail etc.

On the left side of the phone are three exterior buttons which allow you to adjust tones and volume as well as backlight for the exterior screen.

On the right side is another exterior button which turns on the camera and capture images and video. Why anybody should need this, I don't know, it's relatively useless because to save a picture you have to open the phone anyway.

There is an interior camera as well as an exterior.

On opening is the classic Motorolakeyboard and a very large screen which is the saving grace of this phone for me. I like large screens because of my age related myopia.

Menu navigation is operated by a directional pad and two choice keys at the top end of the keypad. There is also a specific menu key and a key which takes you straight into WAP, which can be a little dangerous and expensive if you press it by accident and don't stop the process in time.

Functions
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The camera isn't bad for the age of the phone and it has a bout 1 gig of memory to store photos. The pictures have good clarity and resolution. There is a front light but no actual flash. The problem here is that the lenses are naked and tend to get dirty quite quickly and affect clarity. They are also difficult to clean.

I have included some photos I took from the window of my old flat in Portugal.
The video facility is not so good but includes sound.
There is an MP3 player which works well but uses battery like you wouldn't believe.

The phone comes with a software installation disc for your PC and the necessary USB lead so that photos, videos and MP3s can be swapped back and forth. I actually find the PC interface a bit cumbersome.

It is WAP/GPRS enabled, but lets be honest, who in the hell uses it.

SMS and MMS are quite easy to use and SMS comes with Motorola's unique version of predictive text, which a lot of people find annoying.

As you type a list of possibilities are given at the bottom which you can choose or not. You do get used to it but it isn't as easy to use as Nokia's for example.

Simple voice calls are excellent and there is a conference facility and loudspeakers, smart keys and voice recognition are included but I have never used them and don't know anybody who does these days.

It is a solid dependable type of phone and I used to be quite in love with it despite its overcomplicated menus and weight, not to mention the antennae poking my vitals.

The main reason for our imminent divorce is the battery. It uses battery very quickly and you cannot rely on it lasting from morning till home time, quite the opposite in fact. It also takes an age to recharge and the connection is sometimes faulty. This is a general Motorola design fault though.

I am also coming to the realisation that I don't need all these functions. I only really need voice and SMS. A camera is a bonus but that's it. I'm thinking very seriously about buying the cheapest phone in the shop, maybe not even a colour screen!

So it's out with sophistication and I'm going to take up with a much simpler girl!