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Preview: Moto RAZR2 Series

Article Comments  53  

Jul 27, 2007, 10:39 AM   by Eric Lin

Our exclusive side by side comparison of all the new RAZR2 models - the CDMA V9m, the HSDPA V9 and the GSM V8, with video tour.

Why Compare? 

Although each model of the RAZR2 looks similar on the outside, (more similar, in fact, than the previous RAZR family,) once you look beneath the surface, each is actually quite different from its brothers. Because the differences might be imperceptible upon first glance, we thought the most helpful way to introduce you to the new RAZR family was to give you a side by side comparison, this way you can see exactly what's the same and what's different; what's new and what's old.

In this Phone Scoop exclusive we present the GSM V8, the HSDPA V9 and the CDMA V9m side by side. The V8 reviewed here is final hardware and almost final software, while the V9 models are not quite as far along. Therefore we can't comment on the things like battery life or software stability accurately. However, anything we have reported here, we have confirmed will show up in the final product.

Hardware

Body 

It's been a while since I held a first generation RAZR in my hand, but I remember two initial impressions other than marveling at how remarkably thin it was - "Wow, this is wide" and "Ouch, these sides are sharp." Over time we have all become accustomed to, if not comfortable with, the RAZR. It's size, shape and metallic form has been copied and revised to the Nth degree, by others as well as by Motorola itself.

It's no surprise (Just look at the name!) that the RAZR2 evokes the RAZR's design. Motorola has reversed their thinking since they launched the KRZR. They have given up all the humanized design aspects that came with the KRZR - the narrower shape, the cushioned feel of the keypad - and reverted to the original RAZR's design philosophy. The RAZR2, however, is still as long as the KRZR.

Even though the RAZR2 is thinner than the original, it still occupies the same volume since the phone is longer. But the first thing the RAZR2 makes you say is not "Whoa, this is thin" - thin is de rigeur these days - it's "Whoa, this is big." In fact, the RAZR 2 doesn't look that much smaller than the iPhone when they're side by side. (I swear that will be the only mention of that other phone in this entire preview.)

But the RAZR2 does carry over the KRZR's softer rounded edges, at least on the bottom half of the body where it counts. There is the KRZR's soft touch coating on the back, but not on the sides at all, so you never feel it while it's in your hand. Still, the RAZR2 is rather comfortable to hold, especially when compared to the original. The edges on the top could easily be sharpened into blades that would finally match the phone's namesake, but you never hold the phone from there.

On the left side are volume keys and a smart key while on the right is another larger key that activates voice dialing or the camera depending on the model.

The new hinge is so spring-loaded it's almost too aggressive. The RAZR2 will just fly open with the gentlest flick of your fingertip under the lid. This is great when opening the phone, but scarier when closing it. As the RAZR2 slams shut you can literally feel the metal body vibrate like a spring in your hand. Despite that, the phone does not feel like it will break when slamming shut - the materials and build are sturdy and high quality.

With a casual glance at all three RAZR2 models, you would think they were the same size, but this is not the case. The GSM V8 and the CDMA V9m are about the same weight and thickness, but the HSDPA V9 is both thicker and heavier than the other two. All three models feel heavy in the hand, so if you just pick one up, you wouldn't notice. But when you get to handle all three, the extra weight of the V9 really stands out.

 

Keypad 

The keypads of the V8 and V9m are the same shape but with a slightly different layout. Each has 4 straight rows of keys but no vertical dividers between the numbers in each row. Because the phone is so wide, the horizontal lines dividing the rows make them look much narrower than they actually are. Each row is tall enough that you can hit a key without hitting the number above or below it.

The problem comes when hitting numbers within a row. The numbers, and the invisible buttons beneath them, are at the far edges of the phone and down the center, while the text label fall to the left or right of the number. Instead of vertical dividers, the RAZR2 just has a massive amount of empty space between the keys. If you don't press on the number itself, you have no idea whether you're pressing the intended digit or the next number over. This doesn't affect accuracy between the first a second digit of each row since there is so much space between the two, but because the letters bring the second and third digits so close together, there is more of a problem there.

The V9 solves this problem by ever so gently curving each row of keys, so the middle key is slightly lower than the other two.

Motorola consistently has some of the best signal strength and sound quality in phones we test and the RAZR2 is no exception. The sound is loud and clear - better than the Z6 we recently previewed but not quite as loud as the Q9h.

 

Video Tour 

You can also see what the RAZR2 looks like and how it fits in the hand in this video tour. You can watch it here:

or visit YouTube for more viewing and sharing options.

Software

Look Familiar? 

Each RAZR2 runs different software, but you've seen all of it before. The V8 runs the new Linux Java OS, which we just ran through its paces in the ROKR Z6 review. The V9 runs Motorola's classic "Synergy" OS in a format almost identical to the RAZR V3xx. The V9m will run whatever existing OS each CDMA carrier has used on previous Motos.

None of these interfaces are new, and they have been compared hundreds of times (many of those times by us). What is new is how the external screen has been integrated into each of these experiences. For the first time, every RAZR has a QVGA screen on the outside of the flip, with a touch-sensitive area at the bottom of the screen. By placing the touch sensitive area over the screen instead of on buttons, Motorola can now re-label the external keys depending on the task at hand.

V9m 

The V9m has the most complete external interface. A quick press of any of the phone's side keys (including the volume buttons) brings up 3 icons at the bottom of screen to activate the camera, the music player or the voice navigation software. To activate any of these, you touch the icon on the screen and the phone will vibrate. But you have to continue to press on the icon until the phone beeps.

Even though the vibration is used to acknowledge a key press in every over aspect of this interface, that is not the case for launching applications. Motorola claims this is to protect against accidental launches, but we still wonder why Motorola made the phone vibrate long before the launch occurs. In fact, because the vibration usually signals a button has been pressed, we just assumed this feature was broken since by removing our finger after vibration but before the beep, none of the applications would launch.

Because the camera is just above the external screen, the external interface is used for self portraits (or including yourself in group portraits). It features simplified controls, where you just touch the word "take" to take a picture. Although there is no indication of it anywhere, you can also use the volume keys to adjust the digital zoom level of the camera as well. Snapping a picture automatically saves it and returns you to the viewfinder. To do anything else, including exit out of the viewfinder, you have to open the phone.

Opening the V9m, the camera interface is also horizontal but features more labels and more status readouts. Although the labels are in the same place on the screen as the external interface, there is no touch sensitive portion of the screen, so you need to use the keypad. This difference is a bit confusing the first few times. You keep looking for separate keys on the outside or touch keys on the inside.

Launching the music player immediately starts the first song in your playlist. The music player is the same as on the MAXX Ve, so it does not remember where you left off playing if you've exited the player, and you cannot do any tasks in the background, so you have to exit the player to do anything other than answer a phone call. The touch keys change to the traditional play/pause, previous and next track keys. And the external display shows album art for the current song as well as a playlist, so that you can see what's coming up to skip to it (or skip it). Skipping between tracks takes longer from the external interface than the internal one. There is a pause and a rotating icon to indicate that a new track is loading, but on the internal screen new art loads immediately and the next song starts playing much faster. Again the only way to exit the player is to open the phone and quit.

Launching the voice navigation application displays a list of commands you can say, which allow you to do a wide variety of tasks in addition to dialing numbers. The touch controls are not used in this application at all. The screen is big enough to display all the commands at once, so you don't even need to scroll.

 

V9 

The V9 doesn't use the touch controls to nearly the extent that the V9m does. To start, you must first unlock the external keys by pressing and holding the left side key for a few seconds. Then you can start the music player by tapping the left key again, or start the camera by holding the right side key for a good 4 seconds.

Even though you're pressing physical keys to control the phone this way, they have so little feedback that Motorola thoughtfully included vibration to let you know you've pressed them as well. Unfortunately, just as with the V9m, you have to press long after the vibrations (in this case MUCH longer) to either unlock the phone or start the camera. (Which means because of button pressing and holding twice over, it takes almost 10 seconds to launch the camera on the V9 without opening it. The moral of the story is open the phone, launch the camera, then close it.)

Although the camera can be started and operated from the outside, it does not use the touch controls at all. Instead you use the side keys, using the volume keys for zoom again, and the large right side key to snap the shutter. There are no interface features at all, simply the entire display used as a full screen viewinder. Inside, the camera uses a standard looking interface that lets you know you need to use the keys and not a non-existent touchscreen.

The music player, however, is far more feature complete on the V9 than the V9m. Using the volume keys and the small side key below them, you navigate through the player much like you would a stand-alone player, choosing how you would like your music sorted and then picking a song. The touch controls consistently act as play/pause, forward and back and can be used to control playback even as you're looking for more music to play. In addition to more ways to navigate your music from the outside, you can also do anything inside while your music is playing in the background. Switching to the next or previous songs is instantaneous whether using the external keys or the internal interface. Also, the V9 is only one of the three that displays songs in track order if that information is in the ID3 tag.

 

V8 

The V8 makes more use of the external screen, but less use of the touch controls. The only thing accessible from the outside of the V8 when it's in standby mode is the camera. Holding the left key below the volume keys will launch the camera in in about 2 seconds. This is about as fast as on the V9m and much faster than on the V9. Otherwise the camera on the V8 works the same as the the V9, except that the left key is used to snap pictures instead of the right.

You cannot access the music player or voice dialing without opening the V8 first. However the V8 can be used to read and respond to text messages right from the external screen, using a combination of the volume keys and left side button, much the same way the music player on the V9 works. Oddly, this does not work for missed calls as well. Finally being able to read incoming texts from the external screen is a joy. Unfortunately the interface to do so was designed to look like a touch screen interface, confusing many users who we let try the phone.

Unfortunately that same sort of advanced navigation is not available when using the music player from the outside screen. Once you open the V8 and start music playing, the external screen is activated when you close the phone. The screen displays the current track information including album art if it is available. The touch sensitive area becomes play / pause, forward and back buttons. There is no track list or any way to see what's coming next other than to jump to the next track, nor is there any way to access any more information. Switching tracks is faster than on the V9m, and takes the exact same amount of time whether using the phone closed or open.

Despite its skimpy musical features, the V8 is a better music device than the ROKR Z6. It has the same music player, but much nicer external music controls. In fact it's almost surprising that this RAZR didn't get the ROKR moniker instead.

The V8 camera works the same as the V9, except the left side key acts as the shutter button instead of the right.

 

Final Thoughts 

The RAZR2 is still just a RAZR. Yes, it has a slightly sexier body and a new external display with fancy touch sensitive areas, but little else has changed.

Unfortunately, the touch sensitive screen is under-used, even on the V9m. For the most part it is little more than slightly fancier music controls and the V9m simply adds on a launcher.

Even though they don't use the touch keys, features from the V8 and V9 are the most interesting aspect of these new RAZRs. The way the V8 can deal with texts right from the external display and the way the V9 lets you navigate your music should have been put into every model. And then, if Motorola wanted to get really fancy, they should have been designed to take advantage of the touch screen.

It will be interesting to see whether any of these features make one RAZR2 more popular than another, or if they are enough to make the new RAZR2 popular at all.

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Related

Comments

This forum is closed.

This forum is closed.

sender02

Jul 28, 2007, 9:43 AM

Sprint V9M - August 19th launch date..

OK. After pouring over all of these forums for a release date for the Sprint version, I went to the Sprint website, logged in, and emailed customer care about the new RAZR2. I said I was very interested in upgrading my phone soon, or I was considering switching to AT&T. I just got the following response:

Dear Xxxxx,

Thank you for your reply.

Yes, we are in the process of launching Motorola V9M on August 19,
2007.

Thank you for emailing us. Have a great day!

Xxxxxx X.
Business E-Care
Sprint
"Where our customers come first!"

Let's hope they stay on schedule! 🙂
What you should have said is tell me when the release date is or i will call your customer service 30 times a month.
...
... Ok

I did the same same thing. They told me the same thing "Middle of August" but would not tell me the price because of compition. So if someone does actuly find out- please tell
...
actually release date is 8/22/07 im looking i work for sprint
VerizonRepLogan

Aug 13, 2007, 1:08 PM

RAZR2 Impressions

So I came across the chance to play around with the RAZR2 yesterday for about two hours (thanks to my Dad), and I must say, I was quite impressed. The first thing I noticed about the phone was how glistening and shiny it was, the same basic coat as the upcoming MOTORKR V6m, it basically reflected off everything. Also the screen was huge, and vibrant and the touch screen controls was a nice little addition.

The one thing I noticed that the Phonescoop review stated was the spring that when you closed it shocked the phone and made it reverberate. This in fact was not the case as it closed with a silky smooth feeling. The size was a little suprising, because the phone was actually bigger than what I expected. It kinda reminded me of a really...
(continues)
muchdrama

Jul 27, 2007, 6:58 PM

I'm sorry...

...but while the hardware and software specs are impressive, the look of the phones is so "been there, done that".

Time to move away from the RAZR look completely.
Function over form my friends, krzr is beautiful to look at and to hold but not to use. Maybe this time Moto learned from the previous weak efforts.
ummm...it is the "razr2" so it should follow suit with the original razr, no? as for the rest of moto's lineup...they definitely need some new innovation.
...
I see similarity in the keypad, but in what others ways do you feel it so similar?
chonchy777

Jul 27, 2007, 6:34 PM

well thats kinda retarded

👿
that wasnt cool that they had to hide the
phones yea i know its a surprise
but couldnt they have waited for it to actually come out
and then give us a review
We wanted to get you guys something about these phones ASAP. Our options were hide the logos or not publish anything. It was a condition of getting our hands on the phones before release. We thought most people would prefer something over nothing at a...
(continues)
...
The King of Kingz

Aug 6, 2007, 12:03 AM

Wow

i think the v9 is a fat cow anyone agree? 🤣
The King of Kingz

Aug 2, 2007, 6:32 PM

huh

how is the v8 still not a 100% done when my dad is using one right now
Soon 2B ATT

Jul 27, 2007, 11:25 AM

Anyone know the release dates?

I know the V9 should be headed to ATT wireless this summer as the FCC had pictures revealing Cingular Video keys on the V9, but does anyone know a date?

I've asked ATT reps but they claim they have no idea. I'm switching over pretty soon so I just wanted to know if anyone had any insider information.

Thanks
Preview: Moto RAZR2 Series said:
The V8 reviewed here is final hardware and almost final software, while the V9 models are not quite as far along. Therefore we can't comment on the things like battery life or software stability acc
...
(continues)
...
CSIdude42

Jul 27, 2007, 8:06 PM

Sprint or what?

When I was looking at the V9m fourm I saw Sprint Should be getting one sometime in September but when looking at the pics I saw NOTHING that looked like Sprint on the screen.

So really I just want to know if Sprint IS IN FACT getting a some version of the RAZR2? Also does anyone know a price? 😁
I could be mistaken, but I think Verizon has the exclusive on the CDMA V9m.
...
Djanifer9512

Jul 27, 2007, 1:30 PM

I'm Actually Impressed

To be perfectly honest, I'm not the biggest Moto fan (although I do own a platinum v3xx). However, I do find that the Razr2 series looks to be a worth successor to Razr family. The body, finish, and overall aesthetics of all of Razr2 variants are exceptional. Granted, none of these new Razrs offer any features we haven't seen before, it offers a level of refinement that to this point isn't matched by many handsets. I've got a new crush, the v9 is hoooottt 🤭 .
Yeah, Im looking foward to it too! (V9m though)
But I feel bad for Verizon.. Theyre gonna miss out on the menu and everything else! I just hope there arnt some BIG problems with it like the first RAZR (battery- when you drop it, it shatters into a mi...
(continues)
Cokeman

Jul 28, 2007, 1:55 AM

Phonescoops Review?

I just read through the review by Phonescoop. I must say they really botched this up. First statement was "all 3 versions v8, v9, & v9m all use different OS's this is true. Next was they have "all been reviewed hundreds of times" your crazy. The Java Linux is a new OS. At least to many consumers. The first phone to run this was E2, second Z6, & now the V8, this is 3 phones not hundreds.

Next statement.
"The RAZR2 is still just a RAZR. Yes, it has a slightly sexier body and a new external display with fancy touch sensitive areas, but little else has changed"

Still just a razr nothing much has changed again crazy. Lets see a 500mhz processor is nothing to sneeze at. In fact this is the fastest thin form factor you can get. Only 1 phone...
(continues)
sender02

Jul 27, 2007, 7:19 PM

V9M - Music Player, Task Manager?

As the article states: The music player is the same as on the MAXX Ve, so it does not remember where you left off playing if you've exited the player, and you cannot do any tasks in the background, so you have to exit the player to do anything other than answer a phone call.

I am assuming this is typical of a Verizon phone/UI? Most of the new Sprint phones have a Task/Background Manager built-in now that allow you to do other things while listening to music or using an application on the phone. Hopefully, this feature will carry over into the Sprint version too?!?
mmcnier

Jul 27, 2007, 11:37 AM

How typical of Motorola...

They find a "niche" phone & go with it for as long as possible. Anyone remember the T72x series? Or the V60x series? They come up with something that is really popular & then drag it out until everyone & their grandma owns it. I really wish Moto could be more revolutionary & come out with something new/different more frequently. All I see is same crap, different smell...
The RAZR2 is very different. I have the V8 and I can tell you this isnt the same old razr. If you dont like them, thats your opinion.

I am sure you will be happy with a lesser phone, since afterall, Motorola WAS the first.
...
mmcnier said:
They find a "niche" phone & go with it for as long as possible. Anyone remember the T72x series? Or the V60x series? They come up with something that is really popular & then drag it out until everyone & their grandma
...
(continues)
OCCfan

Jul 27, 2007, 6:27 PM

reading messages and checking missed calls ???

hey rich i noticed in the pictures that you can read and check your missed calls using the 3 soft keys on the external display on the v8 ,but not on the v9m or the v9 !! is this true or did the pictures hide the soft keys??
SteveHRocks

Jul 27, 2007, 11:30 AM

AT&T and V9

Good job covering up the AT&T Globe and the CV button on the keypad ;)
Looks pretty much just like the AT&T V9 User Manual shows.
You could see the globe on every single screen **** of the v9. Just look at the screen and the globe is in the back ground.
...
SyXbiT

Jul 27, 2007, 12:48 PM

they didn't show software on internal screen!

I wonder if this is because the V9m uses different software depending on carrier.
they didn't want to give away whether it was a sprint/alltel/verizon etc..

too bad.
i want this phone for sprint, but the lack of confirmed release dates means I'll probably buy something else
You can tell it is a Verizon phone by the screen shots of the external screen.

Or didnt you pay attention to that??
 
 
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