Reviews4,313 Reviews

All Reviews > Hardware > Mobile phones

November 6, 2007

Motorola Razr2 V8 smartphone

The Motorola Razr2 V8 manages to keep the critics happy, adding to the original Razr a more robust keypad, navigation that's far more straightforward than on many of its feature-laden rivals, and a huge dual-colour display.

But then, the Motorola Razr2 had a lot to live up to after the success of the original Razr phone. The Motorola Razr won fans a-plenty with its industrial design and large keypad, plus some serious entertainment credentials.

Both the Motorola Razr2 V8's displays are touchscreen, meaning the media player can be controlled without flipping open the phone. The Motorola Razr2 V8's external display is 2in deep, which we found plenty for reading incoming text messages. The Motorola's Photo ID function also means you can see at a glance who's calling.

Whereas phones such as the Nokia N95 cram in everything but the kitchen sink and are overly weighty and chunky as a result, the Motorola Razr2 V8 is both smaller and lighter than the iPhone. It's 2mm slimmer than the first Razr phones and has a ridged circular control pad just below its main internal screen, using which you can quickly and easily jump to the Contacts list, stored music or photos and click to launch the web browser.

The Motorola Razr2 V8's ringtones and alerts are whimsical but melodic, and music downloaded on to this 3G handset have a clarity rarely heard on a music phone. When you get a text-message alert, several seconds of tune ensue, reminding us a little of the upbeat musical horn in the Dukes of Hazzard.

Alongside the likes of Samsung's latest cameraphone models and the the LG KU990 Viewty the Motorola Razr2 V8's 2Mp camera is run-of-the-mill, although a best shot mode that takes multiple snaps and selects the best provides some help here.

The lovely deep blue shiny metallic casing does of course betray every fingerprint, but the Motorola Razr2 V8 never looks grubby for it - unlike many touchscreen business phones we've tried, or even the LG U990. Some will claim the Motorola Razr2 V8 is a little on the large side, but it's solidly built, very attractive to behold and definitely a phone to be seen with. Get reviews of the latest mobile phone handsets at our Mobile Advisor website.

Verdict


As the heir to the Razr family name, the Motorola Razr2 V8 has a lot to live up to, but it manages to do so handsomely. It's a good looking and feature-rich touchscreen smartphone.

Continued...
1 | 2 | 3 | NEXT >

Independent customer reviews from

Motorola Razr2 V8 scored:
7.6 out of 10 100% real reviews

The 2 most helpful reviews based on 86 reviews:

16 Jan 2008 Anonymous verified purchaser

10

Good Points

I've owned the Motorola MOTORAZR2 V8 for about two months and still love it. Motorola have made some great advances on the original V3 creation and although this phone isn't ground breaking, it's certainly a very good fine tuned version of the V3 style phones they've been knocking out for the past few years. If you want a phone that looks good, feels quality and actually really does fit into your pocket buy this phone. Ignore the rubbish about the battery life being short, Just let the battery run down for the first two to three times and after that it will last for days.

Bad Points

It only has a 2mp camera, but then it is a phone with a camera, not a camera with a phone. If you love great big plastic brick camera phones then you'll hate it.

18 Jan 2008 Angela, london

6

Good Points

well designed and thin. large screen which is good. style wise nothing bad to mention.

Bad Points

We have found it much, much harder to use than the two razr phone predecessors which we had. it has been made overly complicated. the predictive text is awful and often doesnt recognise simple words. we have to change to ordinary text mode to put in the correct spelling. the older razr phones gave you 'near' suggestions. this phone is way, way out. the battery life isnt very good and we dont even use it for the internet or photos. there isnt an 'insert' button. Remember the old adage' IF IT AINT BROKE DONT FIX IT ! ' It wasn't and you did !!!

See more Motorola Razr2 V8 reviews on Reevoo.com

null

Keep up to date by adding PC Advisor Reviews to your iGoogle home page or Google Reader

What is this?

Subscribe to PC Advisor now and claim your FREE gift

Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

% of PC Advisor readers agree with you

Yes
TBC
No
TBC

Which parts of the desktop PC/laptop experience can't you get on your smartphone?

119 characters remaining

Follow the conversation at @SmartphoneFocus

web browsing, search facilities, voip, email, word processing everything RT @Graham_D_C

Mainly email but getting better at spreadsheets etc, RT @IDGdan

Total reviews: 4,313

  • www.o2.co.uk
  • 0800 089 02 02
  • O2
  • Price depends on contract
  • £225 inc VAT without SIM

See product specs

expert rating

Overall

4/5

expert rating

Motorola Razr2 V8

READER REVIEWS


Google


Recent reviews

Reviews index


Latest reader reviews

Latest reader reviews


Top news

News index


Latest blog entries

Blogs index


Sponsored Content

  • Take the internet to new places with the Nokia N800
    Communicate how you want to, where you want to with instant messaging, email and internet calling. View movies, browse the internet wirelessly and watch TV on the high-resolution screen and listen through high-quality stereo speakers with headphone jack.
    Buy now