Motorola Razr V3 review

BengalBoy 'SLICES' through the Mystery of Motorola

Published on: 31 August, 2004 by BengalBoy

The New RaZr is the first "All Metal Phone" sold in the U.S. Market since the Nokia 8890. It is skinned in Aluminum and framed with Magnesium painted in a Titanium Color.

The outside "Smart Window" is made from glass, and based upon information I have read on the internet the Motorola Design Engineers responsible for this model went to great lengths to keep plastic at a minimum in the construction of this phone. Because of that, the RaZr has a great "feel" to it that cannot be conveyed in photos or words. One has to "feel" it in order to appreciate this part of its design. In addition, the RaZr uses a radical new keyboard that is flat with rubber stripping defining the keys. It is layered much like the skin on a reptile, and a person simply runs his fingers over the keyboard in order to "feel" the keys. Slight pressure on the pre-defined area will enter the number or start the function of a pre-defined key.

This flat keyboard has enabled the Motorola Engineers to design a truely "RaZor Like" phone....it is extremely thin......very nice to slip in a pocket while still enableing a large screen and small form factor... At this time, there is absolutely nothing else like it on the market!!

To hold it is to feel rich.....to be seen using it is to be envied... Just don't leave it lying around on the bar or a dinner table unattended...I guarantee you it will DISAPPEAR!!
The only downside of this phones construction that I could find is that it conducts heat like a nuclear reactor IT GETS VERY HOT IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT!! Do not carry this phone to the beach and leave it on a towel or you will wind up throwing it in the sand the first time you try to answer a call on it!! OUCH!!

My opinion on this phone is that I believe other companies will see the upscale market available to them for "all metal" phones...at least that is my hope.. It is really worth the premium to me to have a phone constructed in this manner and I will even do without the features I'm accustomed to in order to have it in my hand. The 8890 commanded $800 new in its day...and still brings over $200 for a good example even with its lack of modern features. My old 8890 was used in this review and is still being used daily by its new owner after almost 4 years. He has dropped it a few times, but the overall construction and quality of workmanship has endured a very rough owner and still operates flawlessly. Expect the same kind of performance from the new Motorola as well as the same kind of value retention.....

Photos of the RaZr compared to the Nokia 8890