camera phones

The V300 has a lot going for it, but there is clearly room for improvement. But for the Amazon price, it was the best bang for the buck I could find. Here's my thoughts on both the phone and the service. Phone first.

PROs:
+ Gorgeous screen
+ Decent camera (for a phone)
+ Somewhat good user interface
+ Small (clam shell)
+ Battery life pretty good
+ External display (w/ indiglow)
+ Nice audio sound

CONs:
- Side buttons can be easily accidentally hit (changes ring settings)
- Screen cover gets face oil on it
- Carrying case doesn't fasten to large belts as good as StarTac carrying case
- Phone randomly shut off after about 1-2 months of use. T-Mobile replaced it with newer version that fixes problem. Let's hope!
- When storing numbers in SIM, SIM doesn't allow "associations" with number (cell, work, home, etc.)
- Can allegedly interface with MS Outlook, but cable-software is another $45. It should be included!
- Included games are demos only!
- Time not auto-synchable with T-Mobile GPS accurate time (in other words, you have to manually set the time! grrrrrr!)
- WAP sites are text based mostly. Didn't live up to hype.

(the last two points above are likely not Motorola's fault, but they impacted overall rating.)

Phone Service (T-Mobile):
I have mixed feelings about T-Mobile service/customer support. I've dealt with some amazingly helpful people at T-Mobile, but that's not to say there weren't some problems. For starters, they sat on porting my phone number from SprintPCS for about two weeks longer than they should have. It was there in there database for processing but it (paraphrasing) "slipped through the cracks" until I called to get status. Before I ported, though, one operator told me that I couldn't port my number (due to going through Amazon) while two others said I could. In the end, it worked out fine. I also had some issues with some T-Mobile store workers. I went down to check out the V300 in person before I ordered. One worker tried to convince me that Amazon wasn't sending back the rebates as a fear tactic for me to use the store instead of Amazon. I got my rebate fine (as I do with all Amazon rebates). And when I returned my first broken phone, they tried to get me to pay for the $15 shipping fee even though the phone problem was a known defect and still under warranty. After I expressed frustration, they waived the $15. It seems that T-Mobile support is helpful most of the time, but they have some rogue employees not always with the right info or right attitude.

Finally, if any of you think you are "buying America" with Motorola, guess again. Motorola is definitely part of the overseas outsourcing epidemic.

I recently switched wireless phone companies because I had been having some issues with my old provider, and because the ability to port numbers over to other carriers became available. As such, I was forced to purchase a cell phone that would be compatable with the service of my new company, T-Mobile. After researching tons of different cell phone brands online (Samsung, Nokia, etc.), I finally decided upon the Motorola V300 . . . and boy am I glad that I did.
This phone is fantastic, and offers some of the lastest technological advances in wireless devices. A few of it's best features include:
1. Full color LCD screen
2. Illuminated, external caller ID and clock (perfect for movie
theatres)
3. Plastic-coated, scratch-resistant exterior
4. Voice activated dialing
5. Hands-free speaker phone
6. Digital camera
7. Text messaging with iTap option
8. AOL instant messaging
9. Internet accessability
and,
10. download capability for lots of different wallpaper and
ringtones from off of T-Mobile's web site.
Additionally, the V300 offers many little extras, making it all the better. With this phone, one is able to customize screen color (i.e., can choose to have background teal, orange, yellow, etc.), the placement of options within the phone (e.g., icons can be hidden or exposed; messages can be accessed from top, bottom, right, or left of key pad depending upon preference; etc.), and the arrangement of names in the phonebook (i.e., can be either alphabatized or chronologically listed). Plus, the V300 comes with an alarm-activated datebook and a few demo games as well. The Motorola guide manuel says that you are supposed to be able to download the full versions of the included games (along with select others) from T-Mobile's web site, although this option dosen't actually exist. Big deal though; all of the demo games have enough levels anyhow, and that deficiency is the only shortcoming of this phone. Everything else about the V300 is great, and I certainly wouldn't suggest that one snub it because of it's inability to obtain games via the internet unless he or she is a hard-core player.
Furthermore, the V300 is cute and compact, and it comes in a sharp blue/silver color (which is paramount if you value size and appearance). In short, it is my opinion that this phone is definately worth the money; invest in buying it over some of the other brands, and I promise you that you won't be disapointed.

I really like the phone. The fact that it is a flip phone keeps the screen protected from scratching. It is very small, and takes up little space in my bag or on my belt.

The case it comes with is really useful; it includes a belt clip and a small velcro strap that keeps the phone from falling out if the case is turned upside down.

The pictures from the camera are decent, but become pixelated very easily if you try to email a close-up (that you have zoomed).