Motorola E815 / E816 Hollywood
Phone Scoop Review
Oct 11, 2005 by Eric Lin
In-depth review of Motorola's first EV-DO phone for North America, the E815 for Verizon. read review ›
User Reviews
Average Ratings
Is it really that good??
I had my phone for about a week and decided to get the 8100.
I thought that the battery and signal where great on this phone. I didn't like the size, look and overall quality on this phone.
Excellent Reception
I have signals where no signals have gone before. Full review to follow. If you want to see photos from the e815, go to the Verizon Motorola discussion group at Howardforums
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=671684
Jack
Best Phone I've owned to date
I'll just start off by saying that I have 2 lines and my 2nd line is an LG VX8100.
My fiancee personally prefers the 8100, so she can keep it.
Personally, after using both and really getting into the deeper aspects of each phone, I'll keep my 815.
I live in Connecticut, where signals are always very touch and go. With the 815 to date I've dropped one call. Very good considering my traveling and talking habits. Signal is phenominal with this phone, it even works with 2 bars in a lead-walled lab, which really shouldn't happen. The EVDO coverage is great here, only switching to 1X RTT when I go more into the rural towns.
Given it's a phone, but the pics it takes are pretty good. I got alot of good ones I wouldn't have gotten otherwise because I won't always carry my camera.
The voice commands are particularly good, I've mastered operating my phone on speaker with the flip closed at all times.
I've also not had a single glitch, which I wish I could say for my 8100.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
Excellent signal (can't stress enough)
Great camera
Awesome use of voice commands and speakerphone
Great interface
Great MP3 capibility
the Main screen is big and bright.
Cons:
The sub-screen is dim and low-rez
Can't control MP3 with flip closed
I'd highly advise this phone to anyone looking for a phenominal phone at a great price, but without sacrificing options.
This Moto Is OK
I have now given it enough time to give my honest review. 1st I have to say that I bought this after returning 2 lg8100's and near giving up on ever having a good phone (key word is phone). One draw back is that the get it now software was and is missing, Verizon clearly does not have it's act together on this one.
Pros:
Good sound clarity
Menus are different but easy to learn
Speakerphone has been good, plenty loud
Voice dial better but not perfect
battery is normal and expected w/o bluetooth
battery with bluetooth is short
No dropped calls as of yet
Large fonts & screen, easy to read
Cons:
No get it now software added
Build quality not great but livable
Front graphics not great but livable
Vibrate is weak
Needs better picture i.d. (larger)
Final opinion, this is a good phone for those in need of a working phone that is priced right with a few toys, providing the software was not forgotten. Verizon cust service is not what it once was so don't depend on them. I would recomend this phone
I Miss My Startac
I finally decided to upgrade from my Startac because its shell was starting to crack. After research, I settled on the v710 because I wanted a bluetooth headset, but could not find the v710 in the stores after looking for a couple weeks and decided to try the e815. Other than bluetooth, all I wanted from a cell phone was phone capability and good ergonomics--no other features.
I've already returned the phone once because the original locked up and I had to pull the battery.
The reception has been good, but one of the main reasons I was looking at the phone was for a bluetooth headset. I tried 2 different Moto headsets and both were too quiet and also had static.
The e815 doesn't come with a belt-clip so I had to buy one separately. I still have not figured out how to easily get the phone into & out of the clip, flip it open & dial with one hand. The phone case is so smooth and there's no good way to grip the phone so I doubt this will be possible, as it was with the StarTac. I consider this to be a huge problem since I am often running through airports and need to be able to use the phone entirely one handed.
It is WAY too easy to change the ringer style accidentally. I am hoping that there will be a firmware hack that disables changing the style when the phone is closed.
If I cannot find a bluetooth headset that sounds decent, there's a good chance I will return this phone. It's larger and more expensive than many other phones--and I do not want any of the non-phone features (vcast, mobile web, camera, calculator, etc). I may even check ebay for a refurbished Startac--which still has the best feel of any cell phone I've used.
Definitely a good buy...
Price wise, this is an excellent deal. If you are in line for your $100 rebate, this phone is free since it comes with a $50 instant rebate. I went and got it today for absolutely free from the Verizon Store....
This Is A Beautiful Phone
A friend of mine has this phone and showed it to me. It didn't take long for me to learn how to use all the options on it. I am a girl, and let me tell you that this phone works for guys and girls. It is a very nice metallic silver with chrome accents.
The most important thing to me is the reception, and this one has excellent reception where my LG 6000 dropped calls. I live in an area with a lot of foothills, and no other phone has done this well.
I use the speakerphone all the time when I'm driving, and I can hear people fine.
All the other options are nice. I'm just glad to have a phone that works like it should.
I love this phone!
I am so glad I chose this phone. This site has definitely helped me in my decision. Please read my pros and cons below!
Pros:
Classy styling
Strong build
Reception, reception, reception
Calls loud and clear
Loud speakerphone
Great selection of ringtones
Camera, clear photos and vivid
Mp3 player
List goes on.......................
Cons:
I have had this phone for 6 days and have had no problems whatsoever!!
Try this phone out, you will learn to love it!!!
Totally AWESOME!
This phone is really GREAT! The bluetooth works very well and the reception is incredible.
Pros
RECEPTION
Bluetooth
Speakerphone very good quality
Feel of the buttons
VCAST
Screen quality
Cons
Not Trimode (not a big deal)
Camera Quality a little dissapointing
All in all this is one of the best phones I have had, and I switch out about every 3 to 4 months.
Very Dissapointing
I tried 3 of these phones and all of them wound up breaking. THe first one the menus would often freeze, the second one the camera didnt work, and the third one dropped calls like a hot potato. I can't say how disapointed I am in motorola. I went through 3 of these in a week. I wound up going with an LG VX8100 which has no problems what so ever. I am warning you aganest this phone. It is crap!
