| Motorola V80 |
| General |
| Network | Gsm 900 / Gsm 1800 / Gsm 1900 |
| Announced | 2003, 4q |
| Status | Available |
| Size |
| Dimensions | 99 X 45 X 23 Mm, 82 Cc |
| Weight | 108 G |
| Display |
| Type | Tft, 65k Colors |
| Size | 176 X 220 Pixels, 8 Lines |
| | - Screensavers And Wallpapers
- Downloadable Logos, Screensavers |
| Ringtones |
| Type | Polyphonic (24 Channels), Mp3 |
| Amount | 23 Polyphonic, 3 Mp3 Ringtones |
| Customization | Composer, Download, |
| Vibration | Yes |
| Memory |
| Phonebook | 2000 Entries, Photo Call |
| Call Records | 10 Dialed, 10 Received, 10 Missed Calls |
| Card Slot | No |
| | - 5 Mb Shared Memory |
| Data |
| Gprs | Class 10 (4+1/3+2 Slots), 32 - 48 Kbps |
| Hscsd | No |
| Edge | No |
| 3g | No |
| Wlan | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, V1.1 |
| Infrared Port | No |
| Usb | Yes |
| Features |
| Messaging | Sms, Ems, Mms, Email, Instant Messaging |
| Browser | Wap 2.0/xhtml |
| Games | 3 - Hungry Fish, Skipping Stones, Slideshow, |
| Colors | Onyx And Platinum |
| Camera | Vga, 640x480 Pixels |
| | - Java Midp 2.0
- Mpeg4 Player
- T9 (itap)
- Organizer
- Calculator
- Currency Converter
- Built-in Handsfree |
| Battery |
| | Standard, Li-ion 820 Mah (ba620) |
| Stand-by | Up To 280 H |
| Talk Time | Up To 6 H |
|
Motorola - V80Magnetic with the Motorola V80
Major features
Tri-band GSM 900/1800/1900MHz network compatibility
Unique 180° outward swivel design
65,536 colour TFT LCD 176 x 220 pixel display
VGA digital still camera with 4x digital zoom
Rhythm activated lights
5mB internal memory
SMS/EMS, MMS, Instant Messaging, and e-mail supported
Office tools including calendar, voice recording, and synchronization
MP3 and MIDI ring tones with composer
Java game and application support
WAP 2.0 browser over GPRS
Bluetooth Wireless Technology
Inbuilt speakerphone
Problems/Issues?
Small buttons
Hard to press volume buttons
Switched hang-up/pick-up buttons
Magnetic?
Slow user interface
No Infrared
Sales package (should contain):
1 x Motorola V80 handset
1 x User Manual
1 x Standard Charger
1 x Standard Li-ion Battery @ 820 mAh
1 x USB Data-cable
1 x Mobile Phone Tools software CD
1 x Bluetooth Headset (HS820)
Overview
Introduction
Standard form factor phones are everywhere, hence the name "standard". But what happens when people get bored of this form factor everywhere? New form factors happen, that's what! The most common form of mobile phone that isn't the standard "bar" design is the clamshell. This has then been adapted to the slider range of handsets from various manufacturers, and now we have the new swivel handsets.
The possibilities are almost endless, and imaginations are running wild in the design area of mobile phone manufacturers.
The Motorola V80 is another example of a swivel-based form factor for mobile phones, and includes an assisted 180° rotating display. There is more to the Motorola V80 than just its physical side though… so read on!
New/outstanding features
The Motorola V80's swivelling design is the first outstanding feature to mention. It is also the first thing you use when you take hold of the handset. The V80 also has many outstanding features including rhythm lights like we saw in the recently reviewed Motorola E398. The handset has USB data-cable and Bluetooth connectivity options, and also the ability to capture VGA sized images using the in built camera. 5mB of internal memory is offered to store all your files, and the V80 also supports Java games and applications.
The rhythm lights on the Motorola V80 are activated in two different ways – either by music around the handset that is picked up, or by events occurring on the handset. When the lights are activated and set to respond to music played around the handset, they will flash in tune with the music. You can change the sensitivity of the lights and also the style of lights used, and there are many colours and colour combinations to be used. The event lights will light up when, for example, the phone rings – and these too can have a selected colour combination or single colour to flash.
Bluetooth Wireless Technology is supported on the V80, and to get started using Bluetooth straight away a Bluetooth headset is included in every sales package – which is a fabulous idea. The headset included in the sales package, or any other headset/Bluetooth enabled device can be paired with the V80 in a few simple steps. Bluetooth can also be used to connect the handset to your computer or laptop for data transfer.
The VGA camera on this new Motorola handset can only capture still images at a 640 x 480 pixel resolution. It is a shame it can't capture video but the memory would only allow for limited video clips if it was supported. The VGA camera is positioned on the back of the handset. An alternative to capturing images is to rotate the display of the handset 90°, where is will click into place and the camera application will start. Functions are limited in this mode, and you can read about them in more detail and view images of the V80 in action in the Camera Performance section.
A 65,636 colour TFT display is used on the Motorola V80. This size is used in a growing number of handsets on the market because it is large enough for almost anything the mobile phone can offer. The display can be used when the handset is closed, at a 90° angle or when it is fully open at 180°. This display is perfect for capturing and reviewing images, playing Java games, and browsing the mobile internet.
GPRS is the only supported wireless data protocol on the handset, and a WAP 2.0 browser is inbuilt into the handset. You can download ring tones and an endless amount of data and information using the browser at any time of day or night. GPRS also aids in the sending and receiving of MMS messages.
Physical aspects
When fully closed the V80 is a very attractive handset. It is small and sleek, and the rounded edges give off an effective illusion that the handset is smaller than it actually is. The assisted swivel of the V80 allows you to 'flick' open the display without causing any serious damage to the internal parts. The swivel display clicks into a locked position at 90° and 180°. The V80 uses a simple colour scheme of black and chrome, with some grey on the back removable cover. The V80 weighs approximately 100grams and measures 45mm x 99mm x 23mm.
From the front the V80 will always have a small green light flashing behind the green directional stick. When the handset is closed, the directional stick is located above the display, and the earpiece below the display. The display is surrounded by a chrome plating with a small Motorola symbol at the bottom (at the top and upside down when the handset is open).
When the handset is flicked open a bright white light illuminates the directional stick and three buttons around it, and the numerical and hang up/pick up buttons which were previously hidden under the display. I found the numerical buttons to be too small, and there seems to be a lot of space which would allow for larger buttons. The user interface automatically adjusts to when the phone is open and closed so you don't need to rotate the handset to see the screen saver the right way around when it's closed.
The black around the outside of the handset is applied around the numerical buttons also, except for a small grey segment on the bottom which reads "V80". This is the same grey used on the back cover. The chrome border is around the hidden section of the phone as well as the display. The chrome however around the display isn't chrome. Although it looks like it is solid and opaque, it is not. The rhythm lights are hidden behind it and when activated it is clear (pun!) that the "chrome" is transparent. :)
Both sides of the V80 house external buttons – the left side has volume up and down buttons, and the right side has the dedicated voice record/voice phonebook button. The on/off button is located inside the handset; the hang-up button is used for that. The small headset jack is located on the right-hand side of the handset, below the Motorola logo.
User Interface & display
Take a closer look!
The Motorola V80 uses the same user interface as you would find in any other recent handset from the manufacturer. The main menu consists of 9 icons (or you can set it to show a list) and navigation around the menus and the general operation of the handset is achieved with use of the 5-way directional stick, and the 3 soft keys surrounding it. A single 65,536 colour TFT LCD is used also as the viewfinder for the VGA camera on the Motorola V80.
I found the general user interface to be quite slow and occasionally unresponsive. When messaging this way most apparent with the use of iTap predictive text – after you had finished pressing keys the phone would be lagging behind. There is more on the responsiveness of the handset in the Problems/Issues section of this article.
The navigational stick pokes out from the inside of the navigational pad, and is very easy to use even though it is not totally rounded. There are two major-use soft keys on the left and right side, which are used for the functions labelled on the display. The third soft key is below the navigational stick and usually brings up the menu of the function displayed on screen. You can push in the navigational stick as well as moving it left, right, up, and down.
The main menu of the V80 no longer has a messages icon. This has been for some reason placed at the very end of the settings menu, which is a bit of a hassle to get to – although this is overcome by the factory default setting of the right soft key programmed to open the messages menu when the phone is idle. The main menu icons are as follows: Office Tools, Web Access, Games & Apps, IM, Settings, Phonebook, Recent Calls, Chat, and Multimedia. The main menu can be reordered to your own preferences if you wish, via the settings menu.
Colour Styles can be applied to the user interface to change the colour, and full-screen wallpapers are supported also. There are three different screen saver settings. One is for when the handset is open and idle (the wallpaper), the second is when the handset is closed and idle, and the third is when the handset is idle either open or closed, a screensaver will show up full screen. You can select from animations or still photos stored on the 5mB of user-accessible memory.
The "Home Screen" or what is displayed when the phone is open and idle can be fully personalized. The navigational stick movements can be programmed to specific functions, and the clock displayed can be analogue or digital. Both soft-keys can also be programmed to a function, and the layout can be left-justified or shown in the centre.
Making and receiving calls
The Motorola V80 supports Bluetooth Wireless connections, has a headset jack and inbuilt speakerphone – so there are a number of different ways you can make and receive calls. A Bluetooth Headset is included in the sales package to get you started. Volume keys on the left side of the handset can adjust volume up or down when using the handset on your ear or the built in speakerphone.
When a phone call comes through you simply flick the handset open to start the call. If the handset is already open and a call comes through the hang-up and pick-up buttons are used to accept or reject the call. On this handset these two buttons have changed sides from the norm, so the pick-up button is on the right and the hang-up button on the left. I accidentally hung up on a few callers not realising that the buttons had changed sides!
I found no problems with the audio in either direction, and the inclusion of the HS820 Bluetooth Headset in the sales package was excellent, more manufacturers should follow suit! The speakerphone on the V80 was audible and clear at all times, and during my trial I almost never had the volume at full, there was no need for it.
The V80 has a picture phonebook which allows you to attach images you have taken with the integrated camera or other images you have downloaded or transferred to the handset. The phonebook is also multi-entry, so you can store more than just a name and number. The only problem with the phonebook on this model is that you can't search for more than a single letter. For example, pressing "Ma" on a Nokia phone will show up all names with "Ma" at the start. If you entered "Ma" on the V80 it will quickly show the "M" names and then go straight to the "A" names, not "Ma" names.
The Motorola V80 supports MP3 and MIDI ringing tones, and the rhythm lights are absolutely wonderful. The rhythm lights can be set to your desired colour combination or just a single colour, and will light up to the ring tone selected. They light up the whole front edges of the handset.
Messaging
SMS, EMS, MMS, Instant messaging, and e-mail messaging are all the options you have to choose from when messaging on the V80. iTap predictive text is used to predict the words your are typing, but is quite slow due to the lag of the user interface. The inbuilt VGA digital still camera can capture images for your MMS messages. Whatever it is you choose to use for messaging the V80 supports it.
The messaging menu on the V80 is factory set to be the right selection key when the handset is open and idle, but you can also find it at the very end of the settings menu (why it is there I do not know!). When you open this menu everything is displayed in a list form, from creating a new message, your inboxes, drafts, templates, and anything else message related. The middle soft key can be pressed to access settings, like MMS configuration and e-mail server setup.
When you select create a new message you a prompted to select the type of message you would like to compose. Short message, letter, multimedia message, e-mail, or message from MMS template. When you open the compose message window there are lines which the text sits on, and in the top left hand corner the text input mode selected will be shown as a small icon. The far right side will show the characters left in the message (will be 450 if you haven't inputted anything). This character counter really has no purpose because it doesn't show how many messages your message covers. You will have to remember that 450 subtract 160 (single message character length) is 290, and when typing your message watch out for the 290 mark. This really annoyed me with the V80!
SMS and EMS messages can be longer than 160 characters though, which is a good thing.
MMS messages that the V80 receives can contain video even though the camera does not support video capture. The built-in video player can play videos attached to MMS messages as well as videos downloaded from WAP sites or transferred to the handset via a PC-phone connection.
E-mail server protocols that the V80 can communicate and download/send messages from are POP3, SMTP, and IMAP4. You will have to manually set up these mail servers and make sure GPRS settings are also correct for the handset to successfully download your e-mail messages from your home or work server.
Connectivity
Three connectivity options are available on the Motorola V80, and these are Bluetooth, USB data-cable, and GPRS. The first two can be used to connect to a PC or laptop, and the second is used simply for wireless over-the-air data transfers like connecting to WAP sites or downloading/sending MMS messages. Bluetooth can also be used for connections to other devices like headsets – one is even in the sales package.
The interface port on the bottom of the V80 is used to charge the handset with the adapter in the sales package, as well as connect the phone to a USB compatible PC or laptop. A USB data-cable is also packaged in the V80's box, along with the software required to transfer data and synchronize with your PC (Mobile Phone Tools). The USB data-cable allows high-speed transfers of a number of different file types to and from the phone. Bluetooth also has this functionality.
The GPRS protocol allows connections at around 48kbp/s, which is great for downloading Java games and applications, images, tones, and whatever else you can think of!
Build quality
The Motorola V80 performed reasonably well in this section, except for a few issues I noticed with it. The mechanism that helps flick open the top section of the V80 is well crafted and there were no problems with that. The issue that I noticed the most was that when you were holding the phone up to your ear and your hand moves, the display may start to move too, when it should be clicked into place. This doesn't affect your calls however and you just have to align the phone again.
The other was the actual shape of the phone and when in-call you cannot hold the phone with your shoulder as it slips out of place! This probably isn't very good for your posture though… maybe it's teaching us a lesson! :)
Other than those two things the V80 had a great quality of craftsmanship. The back-cover of the V80 is easily removed and replaced and the battery has a small indentation in the side where it can be easily lifted out and the SIM card insert accessed.
Battery life
I had no problems with the Motorola V80's battery and it served me well! The battery meter shown on the display only has three bars but the colour of the battery icon changes to indicate how much battery life you have remaining. If you go into the settings menu and scroll down to "Phone Status" and select "Battery Meter", a better indication of how much battery life you have left is shown.
The single battery in the sales pack is a lithium ion at 820mAh. Motorola says that the battery should last the phone for up to 120 hours standby time and up to 190 minutes of talk-time.
Major features...
Tri-band GSM 900/1800/1900MHz network compatibility
Taking the V80 abroad with you shouldn't be a problem as the handset supports three GSM networks – GSM 900, 1800, and 1900MHz. Whether its work or just a holiday the V80 can accompany you to almost any continent with ease, and there are no settings that need to be changed either, the phone will automatically reconfigure.
Unique 180° outward swivel design
This unique form factor keeps size of the V80 down in a stylish way, without removing the features we all love. The handset has an assisted swivel mechanism which only needs a little bit of force to flick open. The swivel clicks into place when fully opened at 180° and also when half-way opened, at 90°.
When at 90° the camera application is automatically started and the landscape mode is very convenient for photo capturing. More on the camera & the swivel design can be found in the Camera Performance and Physical Aspects section.
65,536 colour TFT LCD 176 x 220 pixel display
The V80 only has one display, so it can almost be said to be the internal and external display, as it is used to display the screensaver when the phone is closed and idle (like a clam-shell phone), and the menu/camera viewfinder when the phone is open.
The size and quality of the display (65,536 colour TFT) is suitable for the Motorola V80 in every way, no complaints here!
VGA digital still camera with 4x digital zoom
Take a closer look!
The integrated camera on the Motorola V80 is capable of capturing images at a maximum resolution of 640 x 480 pixels. It cannot capture video but does have a 4-times digital zoom, so you can get closer to what you want to capture. Images are stored on the 5mB internal memory and can be transferred using the included USB data-cable or Bluetooth connection.
Rhythm activated lights
The V80 has four lights built into the design behind the "chrome" plating around the front section where the display is. These lights are activated when the phone rings, but can also be turned on for a certain time and set to light up according to the music being played around the handset. Colours that the lights can be set to are: Violet, Yellow, Red, Green, and Blue. Combinations of these colours can also be used, and there is one to suit every personality!
The rhythm lights have a sensitivity meter which can be adjusted accordingly, but I found that they work best when at the highest setting, which is 7.
5mB internal memory
The Motorola V80 only offers the user 5mB of memory to store photos, games & applications, videos, ring tones and all of your other files. You can use the included USB data-cable and Mobile Phone Tools software to transfer files to and from the device and keep the memory usage low.
Extra memory is put aside on the V80 (it totals around 6.5mB) for MMS messages, Phonebook storage, etc.
SMS/EMS, MMS, Instant Messaging, and e-mail supported
Messaging comes in every format you'd need with the Motorola V80. The basic messaging protocols, SMS and EMS are supported and every input module on the V80 has iTap predictive text. The iTap predictive text is like T9 predictive text, although iTap predicts words with letters you haven't inputted – T9 only creates words out of the letters you have inputted already.
MMS is supported with video files too, even though the VGA camera doesn't support video capture. This means you can watch videos that people have sent to you via MMS using the inbuilt player. Images, animations, sound and text are also supported. Instant messaging and e-mail are also supported using GPRS.
Office tools including calendar, voice recording, and synchronization
So you can stay organized and remember all those important dates and meetings, the Motorola V80 has an "Office Tools" menu which contains a heap of PIM Applications. A calendar, (or as it's called on the V80 "Date book") can store all your appointments with duration, names, alarms, and dates. An alarm clock, Voice Recording application, Calculator, and shortcut menu are also available.
The Office tools menu by default is the far left icon on the top row, but can be changed to any other spot in the main menu you like.
MP3 and MIDI ring tones with composer
MP3 format ring tones, which can be of anything you want (your favourite song, maybe your own creation) are supported on the V80, as well as polyphonic ring tones. The MP3 format ring tones don't sound perfect due to the quality of the speakerphone, as it's not made for MP3s, just poly phonics. However the ability to play and use MP3's is still there and heaps of fun.
A composer application enables you to create your own polyphonic ring tone masterpieces and use them as ring tones or other alerts. You can also send them off using MMS and show off your talents to all your friends!
Java game and application support
Some Java games are pre-installed on the V80, and are heaps of fun to play. They are Slide Show, Skipping Stones, BoBoBox, and Hungry fish. These can all be deleted and more can be loaded. You can acquire Java games and applications (MIDP 2.0) from the mobile internet, or via a computer which has transferred the file via a connection, may it be Bluetooth, or USB Data-cable.
WAP 2.0 browser over GPRS
The "Web Access" menu on the main V80 menu is used to connect to WAP sites and download information, ring tones, images, and anything else you can think of. Once it has been set up and activated on your account by your service provider you will be able to connect via GPRS (around 48kbp/s) and access the mobile internet.
GPRS also enables connection with your network operator for the sending and receiving of MMS messages, and e-mail messages.
Bluetooth Wireless Technology
The V80 may have removed Infrared connectivity but it has included Bluetooth Wireless Technology. A wireless headset is also in the sales package to start off your wireless connections. You can also connect to PC's using Bluetooth dongles, or other devices supporting the Wireless connectivity method.
Inbuilt speakerphone
The inbuilt speakerphone on the V80 can be activated with the right soft key when you're making a call, and enables you to have conversations without the phone being up to your ear. The audio can still be adjusted using the two volume keys on the left side of the handset, and audio can at any time be changed back to the handset using the same soft key.
Problems/Issues?
Small buttons
The numerical buttons on the V80 are quite small, they reminded me of the Panasonic G50 (although not THAT small!). There seems to be enough room on the panel where they sit to have the buttons larger, it's a wonder why they're not. Each single button is almost exactly flat so that the swivel can slide back into place, but there is a small risen section so you can press the buttons.
Those with larger fingers may have trouble pressing the buttons, not because they aren't spaced far enough apart (they are spaced far apart), but because of the size.
Hard to press volume buttons
The external volume buttons on the Motorola V80 are deeply embedded into the handset and are hard to press; you've got to really manoeuvre your finger nail in there to get it to press in. In-call this is very problematic because you can't really adjust the volume when talking to someone; you've got to put a lot of effort into pushing the button in the right spot!
Switched hang-up/pick-up buttons
Compared to the norm of having the hang-up and pick-up buttons on the right and left respectively, Motorola have switched the keys on the V80. The hang-up button is on the left hand side and the pick-up button on the right hand side. This caused a bit of confusion and I even accidentally hung up on a few callers by accident, not realising the buttons had changed around.
Magnetic?
Just below the battery cover are a few slits where the loudspeaker of the V80 is located. As you can see from the image this area is magnetic, possibly because of the speaker or the locking mechanism of the sliding face of the handset.
The E398 wasn't magnetic however..
Slow user interface
The whole user interface of the V80 is slower than most would like, especially messaging. This was explained a little earlier, but there is just a lag from when you press a button and when the phone actually responds. When opening and closing the phone the user interface is responsive, something I didn't expect from a swivel phone.
No Infrared
The removal of Infrared in the Motorola V80, or any other handset, isn't a real problem if the sales package includes some other type of connection method like the V80 does. A USB data-cable and Mobile Phone Tools software is in the V80's sales box, so you can connect to your computer (as long as it has a USB port!) without the need for infrared.
In handsets that don't have infrared nor a data-cable included, this becomes more of a problem as one would have to go out and purchase a Bluetooth dongle.
In Summary
The Motorola V80 is overall a great handset. It no major new features, but there aren't many new features that could be included now-a-days anyway. It does have everything that people want and need in a handset, like complete messaging support, a camera, Bluetooth, and USB support just to name a few. The V80 also doesn't have any big flaws, which is a great thing.
The new form factor of the V80 is bound to attract some of the younger market (thanks also in part to features like the rhythm lights). Some people are just getting sick of the standard form factors time after time, and something new is a step in the right direction. The swivel format also keeps the size of the V80 to a minimum when closed, so it's not an eyesore or a hassle to carry around. It also looks great and will accompany and hand-bag!
If you're looking for a new mobile phone which is stylish and has features to last you a while yet, the V80 may be a good option. If you current handset has the same features that the V80 does, there's no need for upgrading as it's just the form factor you'll be paying for. The V80 costs around $700. |
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