Which Motorola Razr is Right for You (AT&T, T-Mobile)?
Can't tell the difference between the Razr the V2? This quick guide points out the subtle differences.
September 13, 2007 Uyen Phan
If a stylish, modern design is what you want from a cell phone, the Razr is a no-brainer. With all the different models available, picking the right Razr is a little more difficult then just choosing the right color. So before you plunk down your money and sign that contract, you may want to take a look at all those slim handsets under the Razr umbrella. Though they all share the same striking good looks, the cell phones in Motorola's line of Razrs are not created equal.
No matter which Razr you choose, you can look forward to enjoying a number of features from this cell phone. All Razrs come with a camera and a speakerphone, as well as games, MPEG-4 video playback capabilities, compatibility with MP3 ringtones, and messaging features. They also boast Bluetooth, but if you want to do more than pair your phone with a headset, you may have to check to see if your service provider has restrictions in place.
Dig a little deeper, though, and you'll start to see the differences. Whereas the first Razr model, the V3, was equipped with a simple VGA camera and 4X zoom, subsequent versions upped the ante, boosting the resolution to 1.3 megapixels and 8X zoom. The last Razrs, the V8 and V9, gives stand-alone digital cameras a run for the money, with a 2-megapixel camera that also offers autofocus and red-eye reduction. Want to take even better pictures? Check out How To Take a Better Picture with your Camera Phone.
Perhaps you prefer audio to video; if so, the Razr can help out there as well. With the exception of the debut V3, all Razrs can play MP3 and other audio files, which you can store in the phone's internal memory. If that's not enough space for you, you can also save your tunes on removable media.
Take a look at the chart below of the available GSM Razr models; surely, you'll find one that's the perfect fit for you.
|
Razr V3 |
Razr V3i |
Razr V3t |
Razr V3xx |
Razr2 V8 |
Razr2 V9 |
|
What's different about this Razr? |
This Razr is the model that ignited all the
excitement. |
Upgrade to the original Razr and boasts an
improved camera and video playback. |
T-Mobile's latest Razr that includes
removable storage and MyFaves. |
Upgrade to the Razr V3i that
includes support for a higher capacity memory card.
|
The newest Razr with external display
touch sensitive controls with the largest internal memory, but
can't expand it. |
The
newest Razr with touch sensitive controls on the external display with HSDPA
for the fastest data/web experience. |
|
Expert Rating |
4.3
|
4.0 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Carrier |
AT&T, T-Mobile |
AT&T |
T-Mobile |
AT&T |
T-Mobile |
AT&T |
|
World phone |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Camera |
VGA camera with 4X digital
zoom |
1.3 megapixel with 8X digital
zoom |
1.3 megapixel with 4X zoom |
1.3 megapixel with 8X zoom |
2 megapixel with 8x zoom |
2 megapixel with 8x zoom |
|
Video |
MPEG-4 playback |
MPEG-4 capture and
playback |
MPEG-4 capture and
playback |
MPEG-4 capture and
playback |
MPEG-4 capture and
playback |
MPEG-4 capture and playback; H263 playback
for 25fps
|
|
Music - supported formats |
n/a |
MP3 and AAC files |
MP3 and AAC files |
MP3 files |
MP3, WMA and AAC files |
MP3, WMA and AAC files |
|
iTunes |
n/a |
Yes |
Yes |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Internal memory |
5MB |
12MB |
5MB |
12MB |
2GB |
45MB |
|
Memory card; included? |
n/a |
64MB MicroSD card included |
Accepts up to 1GB card; 128MB MicroSD card
included |
Accepts up to 2GB card; not
included |
n/a |
Accepts up to 2GB card; not
included |
|
Supported Bluetooth
profiles |
Dial-up networking, headset, hands-free, file
transfer, imaging, printing |
Dial-up networking, headset, hands-free, file
transfer, imaging, printing |
Headset, hands-free, stereo music (A2DP),
printing |
Headset, hands-free, stereo music (A2DP),
printing |
Headset, hands-free, stereo music (A2DP), printing, peer-to-peer gaming
profiles |
Headset, hands-free, stereo music (A2DP),
printing
|
|
Ringtones |
MP3, Polyphonic |
MP3, Polyphonic |
MP3, Polyphonic |
MP3, AAC, MIDI |
Polyphonic, MP3 |
Polyphonic, MP3 |
|
Messaging |
EMS, MMS, SMS, IM |
EMS, MMS, SMS, IM |
EMS, MMS, SMS, IM |
EMS, MMS, SMS |
SMS, MMS |
SMS, MMS |
A longtime editor in the fields of tech and consumer electronics, Uyen Phan remembers when the V60 was the hottest Motorola cell phone going.
|