Motorola Z8 Review
Phone rating: 
In a nutshell: The MOTORIZR Z8 is Motorola's most advanced phone
yet. It's a 3G smartphone in a slimline slider format. It offers high
quality video calling, an excellent media player, high-speed HSPDA data
access and the power of Symbian applications. However, we've deducted
points for the difficult and unreliable user interface and poor battery
performance.
Review: July 2007. Updated July 2008.
The Motorola RIZR Z8 is an ambitious product. It takes the ultra-slim
RAZR phone into the high-end world of the 3G smartphone. This is a phone
that has the same kind of features as the brick-like Nokia
N73, yet it's hardly any thicker than the original
RAZR phone. It's Motorola's first Symbian phone since 2005, and
the most highly powered of its current range of phones.
Physically, the Z8 is a development of the RIZR
Z3, being a slimline slide phone. It's slightly thinner than the
Z3, at just 15mm, but is wider and longer. The shape of the phone is
unusual, as the rear edge of the phone is angled slightly when opened,
giving it the appearance of a clamshell. It's an interesting design
twist, making the phone easier to grip and more comfortable to hold
to the ear than a conventional slider. The screen is excellent, being
a bright TFT display with an amazing 16 million colours and one of the
highest resolutions around. At 2.2 inches across, it's a very good size
too - significantly larger than that of the RIZR
Z3. The keypad gives good positive feedback, but is slightly cramped,
and may be a problem to use if you have very large fingers.
Technically the Z8 is far more advanced than the older generations
of RAZR phones. It's a 3G phone with a high-speed HSPDA data speed of
3.6 Mbps, making it possible to download video, music and emails at
broadband speeds. It also enables high quality video calling, using
a full VGA-resolution second camera running at 30 frames per second
for a flicker-free video calling experience. A 2 megapixel camera is
provided for high resolution still photography, and this is equipped
with a flash for low-light photography. The camera is fixed focus though,
so cannot compete with the camera of the Nokia
N73 or Sony Ericsson K810i,
which both have autofocus cameras.
Musically, the Z8 is very well equipped. The media player supports
music in MP3, AAC, AAC+ & AAC Enhanced formats in high quality stereo.
The music player handles playlists and shuffles, and can synchronise
with your PC via high-speed Bluetooth or USB 2.0. There is support for
a wireless Bluetooth stereo headset (not supplied) or a conventional
stereo headset. The media player also supports video playback of course,
and in fact the phone is supplied with a MicroSD memory card containing
The Bourne Identity (one of our favourite films!). The Z8 supports memory
cards with up to 4 Gbytes capacity - sufficient for around 1,000 songs.
On top of that the onboard user memory is a very generous 80 Mbytes.
We've already mentioned the high-speed HSPDA data access (3.6 Mbps),
available in 3G regions. With 2G, EDGE is supported with download speeds
of up to 236.8 kbps. An Opera web browser is supplied, with full mobile
HTML support and the phone can handle email too. The phone is quadband
(GSM 850/900/1800/1900) so is usable worldwide.
As a Symbian phone, there is potentially a wealth of third party applications
available, making the Z8 more like a mini-laptop than a phone. However,
Symbian systems lack the simplicity, speed and robustness of a simple
phone interface. The Z8 exhibits many typical Symbian problems, e.g.
a tendency to freeze or shut down and slow menus. Motorola phones are
traditionally harder to use than phones from other manufacturers, and
the Z8 is particularly challenging - be prepared to spend time consulting
the user guide or online forums. While we're pointing out problems,
we'll also mention that the battery life is pants!
The most similar competing phone is possibly the Nokia
E65, which is also a 3G Symbian slide phone, but with more of a
business focus. The Motorola RIZR Z3
is a budget version of the Z8, lacking the 3G and smartphone capabilities.
The Motorola MAXX V6 is a 3G clamshell
phone that shares many of the features of the Z8, but isn't a smartphone.
If you want the best Motorola currently available, then the Z8 is probably
the phone for you, but be aware that a 3G Symbian phone demands more
from its owner than a normal phone! Be prepared to spend time learning
how to use the phone, and be aware that the operating system isn't 100%
robust.
The Z8 has now been replaced by the Z10,
which has an improved camera.
Features of the Motorola RIZR Z8 / MOTORIZR Z8 include:
- 3G Symbian smartphone
- 2 megapixel camera with LED flash and 8x digital zoom
- Video camera (30 frames/second)
- 3G video calling (using second VGA camera)
- Display: TFT, 16 million colours, 320 x 240 pixels (2.2 inches)
- Music player (MP3, AAC, AAC+, AAC Enhanced formats)
- Hands-Free Speaker Phone
- Speaker independent name dialling / voice commands
- Speed dialling
- Messaging: SMS, EMS, MMS, Email
- Pre-loaded games
- Caller ID with image
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB 2.0
- Memory: 80 Mbytes plus MicroSD card (expandable to 4 Gbytes)
- Opera HTML web browser
- Data: GPRS Class 10, EDGE, HSPDA (3.6 Mbps)
- Quadband (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) plus 3G (WCDMA 2100)
- Size: 51 x 110 x 15 mm
- Weight: 112g
- Talktime: up to 5 hours (3G)
- Battery standby: up to 16 days
- Music Playback: up to 12 hours
Motorola RIZR Z8 User Reviews
Love your mobile? Hate it? Please share your experiences to help other
people choose the phone that's best for them. Please do not review this
phone if you have not used it. This is a review site, not a forum, so
please don't just ask questions. Please do not use swear words or offensive
language, and please, no advertising!
Average rating from 100 reviews: 
Reviewed by Viv from England on 29th Mar 2008
I have had this phone for 3 months with no problems but then it started
turning itself off all the time and was difficult to switch back on
again. Finally, it turned itself off and could not be restarted. I put
it on charge and it would not even charge - the battery symbol just
went flashing red instead of green. I intended sending it back for repair
but after reading aqll the rviews I am no longer sure what to do. It
is no longer possible to exchange it for a new one - I would have to
accept a refurbished alternative model.
Rating:  Reply
Reviewed by sameela from uk on 9th Mar 2008
i hate this phone ive had it for 9 months and within the first week
it started turning itself off. Wen that happened i exchanged it for
a new one an then the same thing started happening again. whenever i
wanted to do something on the phone e.g play a song it would always
come up as busy an then take about 5 minutes to actually play. The phone
all around is not good i would not recomend it to anyone
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by Jade from England on 3rd Mar 2008
I have this phone! The battery life is rubbish and the phone is slow
to intalise. But overall is a good phone
Rating: 
Reply
Reviewed by Rob from UK on 18th Feb 2008
I just got my Z8 and was a little worried fter reading all the bad reviews
on it. I upgraded from a V3 which was getting past its sell by date.
When I got the phone I had to unlock it and unbrand it as it was on
the vodafone network, once that was done I was happy to sling in my
cheapo virgin sim and start learning the phone. I thought it worked
well, the battery lasted well over a couple of days during my first
use, as I was playing with it constantly trying to figure stuff out.
I only had it crash one, I think this is due to memory on the phone,
but its not happened since. The battery last quite long I thought, as
I use it quite a lot for phone calls and texting and playing music,
I also have the alarm set a couple of times a day. The only thing that
bothered me was the rubbers on the front slider, when you have the phone
in your pocket and see who is calling, sometimes the phone will open
itself upon removal from your pocket and the call will be answered.
Only annoying if you dont want to answer a call from someone whos bugging
you or someone who tells you their life story. Overall I am quite happy
with it, and since no one buys them, I will have a phone different to
everyone else.
Rating:
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Reviewed by Mark from UK on 4th Feb 2008
Started off ok for a month or so, but now the battery life is a joke.
Last for 4/5 hours if im lucky and i charge it all night which is really
annoying when it wont last 1 day and you need it. Freezes whenever if
you use high memory applications. The screen has got loads of cracks
and scratchs on it just from being in the pocket, im sick of it. Slows
down alot too. Looks pretty cool though. :)
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by Thomas from UK on 4th Feb 2008
This is on brilliant phone. The one thing i would advise against buying
one is that if you are not prepaired to learn how to use it properly
then forget it and go buy a phone for 19.99 or something.
Rating:
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Reviewed by gaz from uk on 25th Jan 2008
What a load of rubbish.sent off for new battery as phone wouldnt charge.still
wont.battery lasts 4 hours max after being on charge 24 hrs and i only
use it twice a day max.keeps switching itself off.sent for repair.awaiting
outcome
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by Genoa from UK on 19th Jan 2008
I hate it. This was sent as an "upgrade" when my old "New" Motorola
died on me. I have had it for 3 days and I want to chuck it out of the
window. It has a lousy menu, you can't find anything and it opens menus
that you didnt press the keypad for. It is a MONSTER
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by DrNick from UK on 15th Jan 2008
Terrible Terrible phone. The only redeeming feature is the ability to
store thousands of texts which a) I should just delete but I'm lazy
and b) I think is only because I bought a micro SD card to boost the
memory, so I could pack the phone with music and films. But noooooooooo
things couldn't be that easy could they? The file format for films like
the the bourne identity on the phone are so far from mainstream it's
ridiculous. All the menus are overcomplicated, counterintuitive and
sloooww! Battery life is terrible, crashes more than a test dummy if
it tries to do more than one thing...actually just one thing sometimes,
say like RECEIVING A TEXT!!! Leave it be, I may destroy mine in a fit
of rage very soon....
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by ozz from uk on 12th Jan 2008
omg worst phone i have ever paid for!!!! battery is not good, looks
good but have to wipe it every time i touch it. But the most anoying
thing is that ITS SOOOOO SLOWWWWW...
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by Jo from England on 9th Jan 2008
On my third phone and battling to get it changed for something else.
The first two froze constantly, the third has about 8 hours battery
life when i dont use it at most. Pink and lime green screens of death,
cramp in hands when trying to text you ahve to press the buttons so
hard. Avoid like the plague
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by Alan from England on 7th Jan 2008
At first I thought the Z8 was the best phone I had ever owned. After
a month or so it started turning itself off at random times. Then after
3 months it turned itself off and would not restart. It was sent away
for repair, but was irrepairable. I was sent a new handset, which has
lasted for just 10 days, and is now on it's way to mobile heaven with
it's predecesor! I will now be choosing a different handset, a pity
because the Z8 does look good and has some great features. I'm sorry
Motorola I won't be buying from you again, I agree totally with Toni
from Wales below, 2 empty bean tins and some string would be more reliable
and a lot less frustrating! AVOID AT ALL COSTS!
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by keru from U.K on 7th Jan 2008
i duno wats up with all these people who say this phone is problematic,
i realy think yal are not using it right or yal have added apps to it
that carry viruses or apps that the phone software platform does not
support. i think its a great phone, no regrets and no probs, ofcourse
it is a bit slow, but hey, so are other symbian phones......much better
than a n73,n76 or e65. no doubts. look into the problem first before
yal complain.
Rating:
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Reviewed by jane tyler from cyprus on 7th Jan
2008
fed up with it freezing driving me insane trying to use it
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by Chris from UK on 29th Dec 2007
Although it is a great phone the 4,5,6 buttons have decided to give
up the ghost.
Rating:
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Reviewed by SIAN from UK on 19th Dec 2007
has to be the worst phone ever. not alot of memory for ringtones. keeps
freezing and cutting off in th middle of conversations. has totally
put me off motorola's. back to samsung for me!!!!!
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by Gary from UK on 11th Dec 2007
Really disappointed...Battery life very poor, software very slow, messages
like 'wrong baterry inserted' and it then shuts itself down !, user
interface is tricky for me but may be Ok for someone younger with slimmer
fingers. Does look great, but will be the last Motorola I go foir until
I see significant improvements. Back to Nokia for me !
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by mary from uk on 24th Nov 2007
ok but rubbish ! ihad the phone and i stopped workin within 1 week!
yES 1 week thanks mary x x
Rating:
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Reviewed by toni from wales on 24th Nov 2007
this phone is absoulutely rubbish.at the moment im on my second z not
so gr8 as my first developed problems. I.E battery would not charge.and
then shut it self off. and would not re-start.sent it back for repair.could
find fault sent out brand new phone 2wks later same problem. now waiting
for phone hand set number3?? better off with 2empty bean tins and some
string.
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by chris from UK on 17th Nov 2007
This phone is awful. It crashes, the battery life is appalling (one
day max - and I am not a heavy user), predictive text is cumbersome
and slow. Set up is slow. You can't debrand it, screen saver is a waste
of time. Don't buy one.
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by ML from UK on 7th Nov 2007
Awful. Call this the Scary Phone because it is more like hal the computer
from 2001 Space Odyssey than a normal mobile phone (that is seems to
have an evil mind of its own!) Turns itself off for no apparent reason,
freezes, now won't let me download my hotmail messages (even though
it did before). Looks gorgeous but is really bad. Battery is soooo bad.
Bad, bad phone. Wish had never got it.
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by yo punk from uk on 6th Nov 2007
this phone is like a computer but smaller and you can put it in your
bag or have it on the bus i love this phone better than my old nokia
the camera is good and it looks outstanding and it is 3G pepole do say
that this phone freezes well my one can some times but ween the screen
is working its the best phone yet has a 16 million colour screen and
a 2 megapixal camera ovarall the phone is excellent but being like a
computer it can have a effect such as the phone shuting down or freezeing
but i like it.
Rating: 
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Reviewed by steven toth from slovakia on 6th Nov
2007
I think It's a great phone! But it's still not the best from motorola.
I think the best would be the RIZR Z10. But anyway every phone has minor
issues,nothing is perfect.Even NOKIA's phones have problems and SE too.Look
at this way:It's something new with hype style,Something new with software
Symbian OS 9.2 & UIQ 3.1,And something with kick-slider design.No Brand
on the market have these.Battery life are good 2 days is great for phone
like this,Even SE Pli's battery life is 2 days.But saddly the software
still isn't perfect,and the RAM is also small(like on other symbian
phones),but it's a M-Ram type which is expensive and it's the best Ram
for handhelds(developed by Motorola).The SE Pli Has bigger ram but You
need to use a Touch screen which is uncomfortable for me.I hope Motorola
will get the software done soon so I can use my phone without problems.Anyway
It's a good phone I think..... See ya
Rating:
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Reviewed by ian calton from scotland on 3rd Nov
2007
has to be the worst unreliable phone i have ever had screen freezes,ask
for pin number all the time screen goes blank. p.s motorola exchanged
phone after 32 days for a recoditioned one that is now going the same
way my advice take out insurance or GET A DIFFRENT PHONE NOT RECCOMENDED
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by darren jones from wales on 31st Oct
2007
AVOID THIS PHONE ABSOULUTELY RUBBISH ,HAD 2 MONTHS THEN NOTICED LITTLE
HAIRLINE CRACKS STARTED TO APPEAR AROUND SCREEN ,GOT INTOUCH WITH MOTOROLA
AND THEY DIDNT WANT TO KNOW.LAST MOTOROLA I WILL GET.PHONE SWITCHES
ITSELF OFF.COULD GO ON WITH FAULTS,JUST READ OTHER PEOPLES REVIEWS ,SAYS
IT ALL
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by EJ from BARRY on 27th Oct 2007
gr8 phone. love it !! buy it now !!
Rating:
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Reviewed by Shaun from Wales on 21st Oct 2007
Couldnt wait to have this phone like but it absoulutely sucks! battery
is pretty pathetic, phone is beyond slow an decides to reboot itself
when ever it wants, had it changed once cause it would not turn back
on, its a bad phone wouldn not recoommend it to anyone! they should
all be taken awayy fixed an give us a proper phone !!
Rating:
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Reviewed by Sassle-woppers from Finland on 21st
Oct 2007
This phone is the shizz with the tasty banana shape and the quick internet,
video and screen pixels are sick! the texting sucks and it feezes ocasionally
when on web. BATTERY is great is you lower screen brightness etc. GOOD
PHONE
Rating:
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Reviewed by Kerry from UK on 18th Oct 2007
I don't understand all the nad reviews either! I've had my Z8 since
July (a Vodafone upgrade) i have to recharge it every 2 days & the phones
left on 24-7. The camera quality is fantastic, its never crashed on
me or turned itself off! The only downside for me is texting, you do
have to press the buttons hard & the predicitive text takes a bit of
getting used to! but overall a truly amazing phone indeed I love it
to bits!
Rating:
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Reviewed by daniel from UK on 17th Oct 2007
I have used this phone now for 3 months and still cannot understand
wh people talk badly about it. I do think it's amazing. If you want
get one contact me on (danmobiles008@yahoo.co.uk)
Rating:
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Reviewed by mark from uk on 14th Oct 2007
love the styling hate thye phone! can't txt as it turns itself off when
it opens!great! took it back to vodafone and the guy in shop told me
to ring customer services and tell them i want a new phone. is riddled
with faults and problems, not worth being repaired as it will ahapen
again soon. its been delisted from voda and motorola stopped making
it too.says it all!
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by Lana from England on 12th Oct 2007
the RIZR Z3 was better.
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by donna s from scotland on 12th Oct
2007
the phone is a good design and very eyecatching, and the video play
back is very good issues are: ive had mine about a month and the thing
has died, was charging all night, i turned it off and its never turned
back on!!! i bought this outright off an online auction site so have
no warranty etc and you can imagine my disapointment when this happens,
complete waste of money!!! very very disapointed if you have some insurance
then i think it would be a great phone some issues with keys but fine
with a bit of use
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by Catherine from England on 10th Oct
2007
I have had this phone for about two months now and have to say that
I really dont like it!! It looks okay and the graphics are excellent
but like other users I find the battery life extremly poor. Also I find
that the general operation quite slow and the phone struggles to keep
up with me. My phone also turns itself off a lot and reboots. The functioning
can be difficult and this is the first phone where I have had to read
the manual. I have already had the phone replaced once and am having
to replace it again with 02. Unfortunately since I am past my tryout
period with it I am stuck with it. I would not recommend this phone
at all.
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by kye from england on 7th Oct 2007
It's a great phone the style is excellent far better than my old rubbish
stupid dopey useless Nokia 1600!!!
Rating:
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Reviewed by Sarah Richardson from Norfolk on 5th
Oct 2007
I have had this phone since May just gone and unfortunely i hate it
very much even though i love the style, i find the battery absolutely
rubbish because it doesn't last very long i have to charge it everey
couple of hours. texting you have to push the button hard and the predictive
text is rubbish because it gives you numbers before the letters , phone
is slow
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by John from UK on 1st Oct 2007
This phone is packed with features - everything that can be wrong with
a phone design is featured here. Sim contacts, sms, keyboard, transfer
times, sound quality, battery life are all poor. And it regularly and
frequently crashes. Truly awful.
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by ADY from Romania on 27th Sep 2007
It's superb i like it very much but i think it's expensive
Rating:
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Reviewed by badvege from UK on 26th Sep 2007
I have had this phone for about 3 months and unfortunately hate it!
I love the look of it, it's ascetics are great! Really funky, looks
so cool, but after that I hate it, I find the battery life ok, but texting
takes an age as you have to push the keys really hard to get letters
out, the predictive texting is rubbish it will give you all sorts of
nonsense suggestions before something really basic, e.g. why does it
give you the number 4 before the letter I??? I use to have a Sony Ericsson
and wish I could have it back alas I gave it to my son, the lucky thing!
It has minimal little extras as the Sony does, e.g. no flash light,
no stop watch, timer, etc. It is a very basic phone, that looks good,
and oh yeah you can play movies on a 3 1/2 cm screen whoopie!
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by Jimbo from usa on 23rd Sep 2007
it's a brill phone but way to expensive.
Rating:
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Reviewed by Richard from Denmark on 4th Sep 2007
The Z8 is an upgrade from the V3x which I really liked. Have read all
the reviews and cannot understand the battery problem: Have watched
the entire film and it did not need charging. I have had all sorts of
issues from a locked sim card, to bluetooth and Vista not working yet,
and the manual which might as well be for the operation of a TV. The
Z8 has again and again reached beyond my expectations and I have just
ordered the 4G card for music :) This phone takes time, effort and energy
to work to a high standard, and it is not for the technologically naive,
nor for the impatient at heart. Everything I need is in in there somewhere
and Motorola has done wonders for the battery life, it was sad on the
V3x.
Rating:
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Reviewed by Tony from UK on 3rd Sep 2007
The best looking phone on the market BUT the worst performing phone
I've ever had the misfortune to own. Battery life is terrible, software
is super-slow and trying to get the PC software to work took 3 days.
Swapping for a phone that works....
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by Ash from Uk on 1st Sep 2007
Great Phone, Only Downside is, its Really hard to text on due to the
slight curve when the slide is open_ does anyone no how to turn the
'Slide to end call' feature off, it is really annoying when the slide
has to be left open during a call
Rating:
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Reviewed by David Hobbes from UK on 30th Aug 2007
Mike, try this: Applications>Contacts>Options>View Category>SIM>Options>Marking>Mark
All>Options>Copy to Contacts This will place all your SIM contacts on
the phone. Will save the obvious problem you are having switching between
phone contacts and SIM contacts. Surprised the people in the Vodafone
shop don't know this! I'm thrilled with my phone, it just takes a little
getting used to. I've found the battery life and software freezes settle
down after a few days.
Rating:
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Reviewed by Mike Rickman from United Kingdom on
29th Aug 2007
I swapped to the Z8 because I had the V3 and thought the functions were
similar. I have had nothing but problems with the phone, my sim contacts
disappear and I have changed the handset 3 times in 1 week ! they all
know my first name in the vodafone shop ! has any one experienced the
same problem ? Its a shame really because I love the look of the phone,
just getting on my nerves losing all my contacts.
Rating:
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Reviewed by Anish from UK on 28th Aug 2007
I renewed my contract to get my hands on this phone - great to watch
movies, i actually was watching bourne series for the first time and
the phone really hooked me into the series and i am now watching the
rest two... well the screen goes gibberish every once in a while when
either being locked or after a call.. difficult to use and doesnt support
a 4GB mem properly.. the battery life is not too great and is not easy
to use - if you are just going for the look and to watch a movie, probably
this phone is good, not to make calls and use it as a phone..
Rating:
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Reviewed by sean from fulham, london on 26th Aug
2007
i am so unhappy with this phone. i was excited about it when i saw reviews
in magazines and have changed network just to get my hands on it...
How disappointed am i ? I have left home in the morning with the phone
fully charged and after sending only a couple of texts i get warniings
about the battery running low... the crazy thing is the frequency of
the warnings and the fact that because the warning uses sound and lights
up the whole console it is actually using up even more battery life.
but seriously, i have not had a full day's use of it because of this
problem. the specification above says 16 days standby and 5 hours talk
time and 12 hours music playback. that is all complete and utter fantasy.
Other problems: scrolling from one menu to another, an over sensitive
scroll control meaning you open the wrong menus, difficult predictive
texting (though this may be because i am not use to motorola) , fidgety
keys, inexplicable freezing of phone and upgraded at the earliest opportunity
If it wasn't for the battery, i would probably have put up with these
inconveniences but as it stands i will be taking my phone back to O2
shop as soon as i can. I wouldn't recommend this phone to my worst enemy
let alone a friend!
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by dean from essex, england on 26th Aug
2007
this phone is poor my battery wont last a day on normal use my key pad
is scrathed from sliding the screen up, iv had my phone since beginig
of august and had problems with it from the start it constantly freezes
medi that i down load will not save to the phone properly and ends up
being corrupt and the phone takes to long to carry out any actions ....
i say dont buy this phone !!
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by sharon from England on 24th Aug 2007
I've had a few problems learning this phone. I'd chosen to pick another
Motorola -V3i before- so it would be similar, I couldn't have been more
wrong its, so different and the manual no help - it jumps sections,
you can eventualy work it out. To begin with I wish I'd read this site
1st and said no when this phone was surgested as I had asked for the
KRZR K1 which was not is stock. I've not had the problems with the battery
though normally last 3 days or so, which is normal to me. I love the
look and feel of it and others when forced to look at my new toy like
the kick element. Considering the cost there aren't many ringtones or
wallpaper you'd wish to select - but I suppose that's why they sell
different ones. It does take its time to do things, and when writing
a text don't make mistake cos u can't go back with out losing the lot
or maybe I haven't read the right part of the manual or maybe they just
did write that part in. But now i'v got use to it I love my Z8
Rating:
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Reviewed by emily-jo from west mids uk on 23rd
Aug 2007
This fone is actually rubbish. it looks great, which is how they con
you into buying it. mine keeps turning off, i cant delete my ringtones
and battery life is awful. i cant connect to mobiles very well. i dont
like motorolas i had the razor and that broketoo. i prefer the SONY
ERICSSON W880I AS ITS BRILL! it has a 1 gb memory card and 16 mb on
the phone. i have no faults and i love every part of it.
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by John Rowbotham from England UK on
23rd Aug 2007
I have had my Z8 for about a month as yet Have not managed to get the
battery to last a full day under normal use to watch the film you must
plug in to the mains, the slider is scratching the number face panel
picture quality is brilliant, overall a good phone let down by battery
Rating:
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Reviewed by Kev from Scotland on 22nd Aug 2007
I'd have to say i found this phone awkward to work at 1st, but as i
got used to it i gradually liked the phone more and more. Its a nice
looking phone and not as big as some people think. I really want to
keep this phone, but i may have to change it due to its terrible battery
life. I have to charge it every day, and even then it lasts about 12
hours and that's only with standard txt and calls. I'd hate to think
how quick it would die on me if i took lotsa pics! I give the phone
an overall 4/5, but sadly the god damn battery, which is abysmal, has
let this brilliant phone down. Seriously, it cant be hard to give a
phone good battery life, can it??? What's the point of having a mobile
that dies on you when you're out?!?!?!
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Reviewed by ryu yamazaki from uk on 22nd Aug 2007
Could some one please let me know if they are having the same problem
as myself!!!! i upgraded from a standard RAZR -> Z8. what happens is
the contact list from my old sim when inserted into the Z8 will dissapear
if the battery runs out and wont come back after recharging. besides
this gigantic problem- nice phone.
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Reviewed by Bryan Dobson from UK on 21st Aug 2007
Dont buy this phone - i got one for free from o2. Its looks good and
that is it. The volumn button is pressed whenever you text - and the
battery life is AWFUL! I would say battery life of 28 hours!
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Reviewed by Si from UK on 20th Aug 2007
It is such a shame! Could have been great but just doesn't cut it. Battery
life is my biggest problem with it, lasts about a day with minimal use
and doesn't even warn you when the battery starts to fade until it's
too late. Also won't connect to my BT car kit automatically, have to
keep asking it to connect. First one kept switching off so sent it back.
This one is better but sometimes refuses to switch off at all and have
to remove battery!
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Reviewed by julie from uk on 20th Aug 2007
had phone almost 2 weeks, although it freezes now and again, there isnt
any other real fault, the keypad a bit of a pain at first but got used
to it. love the phone, best ive had so far...
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Reviewed by Jonathan from UK on 16th Aug 2007
Absolutely Awful! That's the only way I can describe this phone. Plenty
of problems with the handset including regularly shutting down, freezing
keypad and failing to start up. Contacted the provider after a couple
of days to be told that Motorola are recalling all Vodafone handsets.
As for personal preferences, I don't like the keypad or the complicated
software despite being a Motorola owner for several years. The handset
might appeal to teenagers but I wouldn't recommend it to business users.
Doesn't even deserve a star! I'll be requesting a change to the Nokia
6300 tomorrow.
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by Lizzie from U.K on 16th Aug 2007
The phone is out of this world. I love it. When you slide it up, it
bends. The only phone i know that bends which makes it better than the
rest because its unique.
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Reviewed by Jeff from England on 16th Aug 2007
Had the phone 4 days and it has gone back. Takes an enternity to do
anything on it. Even basic functions like delete an unwanted text or
start a new text message. The styling is great but coming from a K800i
I am well disappointed, going to try the N95 instead. Back to basics
Motorola.
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by Kizzle from England on 16th Aug 2007
This phone is amazing,iv just got one today and it was a toss-up between
the Ever-so popular Nokia N95 and the Z8,i made my choice obviously!
I dont think i'll ever reagret my decision! The Video quality is amazing,any
review that says the same isnt over-exadurating! Its very true,and the
wireless earphones are off the clock,iv never had wireless earphones
before,never realy looked into getting some,but these are good too,watching
a film on my Z8 and listerning to the sound via the bluetooth headset
its great! Im a real gadget geek when it comes to technology,well not
the spec-side of things,just like the look,and configuration of technology!
I hate phones that are easy to work out,like a nokia! I need a chalange
so the phone doesnt get boring in 5 months time,i need to say in 4 months
time ''wow...it did that?'' So if you need a phone that exites your
every sense in ways mobiles cant realy,also...to look good (as i am
a nightclub manager),then this is the phone for you! If your looking
for something just to use and take pictures and dont care about image,its
not for you! Overall,its a wiked phone for someone like me,i havnt even
found out what it can REALY do,lets just wait and see.....
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Reviewed by Joanna from UK on 14th Aug 2007
Love the look of it love some of the feature.. I got the hanset as an
upgrade and i've had to sent the handset back as it was full of faults,
got a replacement no problems but then that one was full of faults.(different
faults to the first time) So dont think i'll bother trying yet another
one, i'll try a different brand this time.
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Reviewed by Colin Cunniffe from Scotland on 14th
Aug 2007
After having an SE W800i I was regretting moving to Motorola, after
the last one I had, the V975, was a really bad phone as it kept crashing
all the time. But I took the risk, and what do you know, the same problem.
If you dare do anything too fast, it freezes or reboots. The battery
life is also very bad, just managing to get 1 and half days life with
one charge, and I dont really do much with it. The keys are also very
difficult to get used to, they give little feedback whether you have
pressed or not, and with the phone taking a split second longer than
it should to respond, you find yourself pressing again. Although the
phone does have some good points like video playback and the camera
is quite good, the negatives far outweight the positives. Avoid
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Reviewed by Jeff from UK on 12th Aug 2007
Not Vista compatible. Freezes and need to remove battery. Mine stopped
saving incoming SMS messages after 2 days, cannot find any settings
to change this. Looks good, but i would rather a phone that is good!
going back to the shop tomorrow; sorry Moto- try again!
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by Ursula from U.K on 12th Aug 2007
Well. 1 word. Abysmal. First off design: The kick slide feature is the
most ridiculos attemt to make a so called 'egronomical' design. You
slide it up. Fine. To slide it back down... you have to straighten the
device which in itself is hard but thats the easy step. Without straightening
it you have to push with ridiculous force. The dimensions aren't too
friendly either. It's one of the widest devices I've seen in a long
time. Isn't the whole idea of a slider to make it more compact? Well
off the design and on to the features. You may be excited about thee
rather large specification list and you would be right to. Therefore
it is unfortunate that these dazzling features don't work too well.
The camera interface is slow. The music player is rather basic. Ok the
video capabilities are good but how are you supposed to enjoy films
on a 2.2 inch screen. Wouldn't a portable DVD player be better? The
whole interface itself is slow and the menu is too plain with little
animation on the low pixel icons. I know I may sound moany but it's
the truth. I believe that I have wasted too much money on a device that
is beaten by many. Over £350 for this device is completely unnessecery.
I do not reccomond this phone for that price you could purchase a much
better phone such as the N95 and there are some £150 and under devices
that are better such as the K800i. Thank you.
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by carol from uk on 11th Aug 2007
Got it today and had the first few hours of battery to use up before
its major charge. Have to say yes and no to this one, funky looking
phone with awesome sliding top and fits to face. Watching bourne identity
on it was cool to but i find myself having to revert to the instuction
book because all the menus are just so complicated. Im not sure i like
it with all the buttons that dont do anything and sometimes it seemed
slow to get going. think ill give it a couple of days and swap it for
an ericson
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Reviewed by bob from uk on 8th Aug 2007
Had the Z8 as upgrade on vodafone, returning it after 24 hrs. After
being a fan of Motorola I had high expectations What a disappointment.
For business user it was described as being the ultimate. However Documentation
terrible Vodafones website say it can do voice dialling so did the guy
on the phone, it can't Very difficult to operate and the buttons on
the front of the phone are difficult to operate if you have large thumbs
Bluetooth takes ages to connect to the car 4-5 minutes after being linked.
Previous phone was a samsung and that connected within 1 minute. To
copy names and numbers from Sim card to phone was very difficult and
as the phone froze I lost all contacts and had to go through procedure
again. The only thing this phone has going for it is it looks. Too complicated
by far
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Reviewed by jonny from england on 8th Aug 2007
had the phone couple of days now sound quality with wireless headphones
is quality stuff only downside is battery life dont last very long MOTOS
GET A NEW BATTERY OUT 4 ME PLEASE
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Reviewed by kayleigh xx from skeggie on 8th Aug
2007
to be honest i dont think that this phone is anything special, the pixels
on it are not as good as what they make out in the instructions but
i think that the design off the phone is pretty smart i like the colouring
on the system i think that its really clever.... the camera is okay
but as soon as yu start to put music on the phone it starts to run extremely
slow and it reall annoys me when it does that you see hehehehehe love
u all all see u soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Reviewed by Steve Burkhill from England on 8th
Aug 2007
Got one of these to replace my V3x. And I though the V3x was hard to
get to grips with. The keypad is much too small and like all motorala's
its hard to navigate around. In short - I don't like it.
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Reviewed by Andy from England on 7th Aug 2007
I waited 3 months for this to become available,unfortunately not worth
the wait! It makes phone calls and sends texts, oh and you can watch
a film on it (if you keep the charger plugged in). Anything else you
expect it to do,forget it! It freezes,won't store mp3 where you want
it to,keeps telling me "not available" or "not enough memory left" even
though factory settings have been restored and the memory is virtually
empty. Not worth bothering with,much too complicated,better off with
a 3310 and a cinema ticket. Have persisted with it for over two weeks
but refuse to waste my life any more! Tomorrow it goes back......You
have been warned!
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by AJ from UK on 6th Aug 2007
DONT GO THERE!! mine is being returned after first day!! Bad Battery
Bad Reception Frozen Slow... shall i go on
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by drew from UK on 3rd Aug 2007
Upgraded on contract after my V3i screen died last week. I've had the
phone about 3 days and it's restarted itself a few times, not exactly
happy though I'll phone my network and get them to replace it. The phone
can be a bit tiresome to work out menus etc. though with a little patience
this is a good multimedia phone. The reason I bought it was for this.
I don't like to have to carry a seperate MP3 player to listen to music.
I am very impressed with the bluetooth headset. One of the best gadgets
I've ever had. I can walk about the house without having to carry the
phone in my pocket and listen to music at the same time as well as answer
calls and change tracks on the headset. I'm giving it one more chance
with the replacement handset - if it screws up after that I'm getting
a different phone. On the basis of the multimedia capabilities of this
phone and that my next one won't screw up I will score this a 4*. This
is a groundbreaking phone and as far as I can remember, every groundbreaking
phone has a few glitches that get resolved after one or two months.
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Reviewed by Simon from UK on 2nd Aug 2007
Had the Z8 two weeks now and I want to return it! Now the features the
phone offer are brilliant, the camera can take good pictures, Once used
to the media player I found I can play all my mp4 PSP movies on it (Once
transferred from the PSP to the phone memory card) and they look fantastic.
At the start the keyboard was fiddly but I got used to it and the screen
is brilliant too. So after singing its praises, why do I want to return
it? Battery life is terrible, for example I had it on charge overnight,
made ONE phone call on it today and by 4pm the phone would not switch
on because the battery was dead! In addition, I find it all to easy
to leave it on the web, even by selecting 'STOP' I found the phone to
be still connected and to really 'stop' it, you need to find the disconnect
in the submenus. Its back on charge now and I find I have 10 missed
calls and 3 text messages that needed attention whilst I was out but
knew nothing about due to the poor battery life. It has until the weekend
to prove itself or its going back to O2!
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Reviewed by shaun lanigan from england on 2nd
Aug 2007
guys this is a symbian handset, so expect it to freeze up. look at the
nokia n series what a head ache that range of mobile phones is. this
motorola z8 is far the best handset that motorola has had to offer to
date, use it as a mobile phone and it will work, use it for music/video
and it will work, try and do lots of things at once and it will fail,
not rocket science. mobile phones are what they state; "MOBILE" get
a grip with "FREEZING" issues and get a basic handset instead ... or
unless you really do need to be that poser you set out to be of course.
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Reviewed by Bernard from UK on 1st Aug 2007
I love motorola but this one has disappointed big time. Imagine someone
on your contact list calling you from his second number. And you just
can't update the contact detail to include this new (second) number
without copying it out on a piece of paper and typing in again. This
is not expected of a supposed smart phone. I held it for only one day.
I have returned it. This phone is a mjor disappointment.
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Reviewed by James from UK on 1st Aug 2007
This phone is the best phone i have ever had. Amazing screen. Love the
kick slide action.
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Reviewed by John from UK on 1st Aug 2007
awful phone, its a big ugly mess, theres only about 3 ringtones and
3 msg tones and how they are classed as tones i dont no! its overcomplicated,
menus are truly shocking, the keypad is awful aswell, only decent thing
was playing movies like the "bourne identity" that it came with, and
who could forget the terrible 2mp camera? phone had so much hype which
i stupidly fell for and it turned out to be the worst phone ive ever
had the misfortune to come across! so o2 can have it back and i'll try
the samsung u600 or the sony ericsson k810i which are both higher spec
on most things than this offering from motorola
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by james from hampshire on 31st Jul 2007
i think the phone is an absolutly bismol i wouldn't ever buy a motorola
again, i mean the keys for one thing to press one key you need pin fingers
and they need a good push, its like nothing ive ever seen, its slow,
complicated, annoying and does nothing i want, you can't have your own
settings without the annoying function screen, its just a waits of time
and so much money, mine will be going back, it wigh's as much as a brick
and is the size of a house, its like carrying a whole computer in your
pocket its massivly heavy, i just hate it, its the worst phone ever
and motorola have done appalingly here, i wouldn't advise anyone to
get this phone sorry
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by Ruary Cunningham from Scotland on
31st Jul 2007
This phone is seriously cool and stylish, but I'm having a lot of problems
with the memory card. I cant seem to get it to save my pictures, or
music on to it. If anyone can tell me how to use this it's very much
appreciated! But overall, just on how cool it looks and with the the
outstanding quality of the bourne identity it gets a 4.
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Reviewed by James from England on 31st Jul 2007
Best motorola yet, great screen, sound, bluetooth head phones are excellent
quality, looks good also! True Smartphone!
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Reviewed by paul from america on 28th Jul 2007
just bought this phone and it is garbage
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by gurbinder singh from india on 28th
Jul 2007
the phone is good, that is all
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Reviewed by Bob from Scotland on 28th Jul 2007
This phone is simply the most frustrating piece of modern technology
I have ever used. The good points are the call quality, build and form
factor, great screen. Minuses are too many to list but heres a start
: bluetooth usage is down to whether the phone wants to or not. Mine
occasionally connects with other devices but every time I want to use
my Jabra headset I have to set it up again. If you use a memory card,
not unreasonable given the media promise in the advertising, then be
prepared to spend happy hours searching through files for pics or music.
Their location is a well kept secret in the menu system. Use WAP? You
cant disconnect manually from a session. Phone has to be set up to disconnect
after a set period of time. To some up I hate it more than I like it.
E bay look out.
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Reviewed by Linda from England on 27th Jul 2007
I've had this phone for 2 days, after reading these, and many other
reviews, as soon as I received it, I did my best to put it through its
paces. I have to say I love it... not bothered about the camera etc,
which are very good, but the phone, organiser, keyboard, applications
... just about everything, I've found to be very good... perfect for
me. i have been able to put in and retain all my own settings, though
it takes a lot of playing about to figure out how! I hope it continues
to behave like this... if not it will go back! i was stuck with the
most awful samsung 820 ultraslim, which i HATED with passion, and don't
want to get stuck again! On a downside, with continual use of the z8,
the battery was down very quickly, but i was giving it a very hard time!
If things change, I'll let you all know! I have 14 days for it to prove
itself!
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Reviewed by Dan from England on 27th Jul 2007
Such a sexy phone, and being my first Motorola I desperately wanted
to love it. However, with such a terrible battery life I've had to send
it back. TWICE! For just general use, a few phone calls and several
texts and a bit of music the battery had to be charged twice in the
same day. This is totally unacceptable. I'm not sure if Motorola have
their own quirky way of what you're meant to do the first time you charge
you battery, if they do they didn't mention it in the terrible instructions
which I wouldn't normally have read had the phone been simple to use.
If the battery had been better, this phone would have been worth keeping
and with easier texting and a more simplified general use it would have
been a very good phone. However, it has none of those and so therefore
must be given one star. Bring on the nokia...
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by mark from scotland on 26th Jul 2007
i have had the phone for 3 days and i have to say that it is fantastic,far
better than my previous D600. I got it as an upgrade on vodafone,£25
contract and they wanted £100 for it but i threatned to cancel so only
paid £40!! Get it and you wont be sorry.
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Reviewed by ed from england on 25th Jul 2007
motorolas in genreal can be a bit temprental and this phone was no different.
I also had the intial shock of how big this phone was. I thought it
would be a similar size to the z3 but was much bigger. Crashing and
freezing seems to come as standard but i must admit the screen is breath
takingly good
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Reviewed by Stephen Edwards from UK on 25th Jul
2007
Had the phone 1 day crashed 3 times and now wont work at all as the
software just keeps resetting itself and it will not communicate with
my computer
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by Wayne Clarke from UK on 25th Jul 2007
First impressions were very good, but within 2 hrs it had started to
freeze up, not good as I use it for business, had to remove battery
as nothing would work, have had the the phone about 5 days and sorry
its going back today, 5 days and 8 lock ups not good.
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Reviewed by Ian from Northern Ireland on 24th
Jul 2007
Got it on Vodafone for £30 pm. bringing it back tomorrow. ok its a total
disapointment. the menu system is slow and when you save your own settings
it reverts to its default. you cant take the back off were the sim is
located either. the Camera is good and the second Vga camera isnt the
worst. The Battery life is Abismol!! i set up the Blue tooth headphones
and within half an hour my battery was near out. the menu likes to freeze
when your in the middle of doing things. The HSDT is good i'll give
it that but it eats the battery power. like come on having to charge
the phone twice in one day..... Do NOT WASTE Your time with this one.
Motorola GO BACK TO the drawing board an rethink the entier thing!!!
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by Jane from England on 24th Jul 2007
I find that this phone has very annoying keys to press, and would not
recomend it.
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Reviewed by Michael from UK on 23rd Jul 2007
Got it today on vodafone, 90 quid on a 25 a month contract - haggle
with em. Screen is aaaaaaaaaaaawesome. Not tried headphones yet, charging
now. theyre not that comfy when i tried em on though... but so sick
of them 2 include bourne identity, that'll get rid of a train journey.
Slick sliding too. keys are a lil fiddly but who cares when its that
good!
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Reviewed by Dave from UK on 23rd Jul 2007
This is an amazing phone, I upgraded this from a k800i (even thou the
camera is not as good) but I have to say the media play is good once
you work out how to use it, and video playback is great. There are some
downsides to this phone thou, mainly that the menu systems are very
difficult to find what you want(ive never read a manual before but for
this phone i had to) the S9 bluetooth headsets that most providers are
selling with this phone are very temperamental and if you carry the
phone in you trouser pocket dont be surprised if you only hear half
of what your listening to. Also when texting with this phone if you
use multitap it can be quite awkward. If you can overlook these issues
then its an amazing phone and I definitely love it
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Reviewed by alan cook from UK on 23rd Jul 2007
Yep sent it back. As a serious business user it failed to deliver. Under
major use the op sys froze, at one point in the middle of a call. I
couldnt disconnect and had to remove the battery. Sorry Motorola your
Razr V3 with fast internet connection is a better fone and it doesnt
freeze, and the voice activation works....
Rating: Reply
Reviewed by Nic Nash from UK on 23rd Jul 2007
Where to start. Phone looks and feels good. But... I totally agree with
Alan Cook. Moving from a Nokia after 15 years I was totally lost, even
after reading the manual twice. I still have not worked out the voice
activated dialling one of the main features require to integrate with
my car system. So after 24 hours of frustration I am ready to return
to the my 3 y/o Nokia. I am sure it has all the bells and whistles -
but useless unless you can easily access them. Guess it is time to visit
the 16 year old lad next door to give me lessons. I will revisit this
in a week and see if my opinion has changed.
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Reviewed by Tommydawizza from UK on 19th Jul 2007
I am currently luvvin this phone really nice camera
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Reviewed by morefire! from england on 18th Jul
2007
motorolas new design the z8 this phone is especially mad to fit your
face when you've got an on going call it also has amazing features such
as a 3g 2 mega pixel camra tones of spectacular functions
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Reviewed by Alan Cook from UK on 15th Jul 2007
Lets start with the documentation. Not motorolas strongest point. Having
been sad enough to read the manual from cover to cover and re read specific
parts i found it to be as useful as sand castle in a sand storm. Its
glib and full of assumptions. It doesnt provide full explanations as
to the operation of the phone. Suffice to say there is a high level
of frustration. The phone itself is sowmewhat sexy. It styling is firmly
aimed at the trendy 18-25 year old who's fone is an extension of their
ego. Therefore as a 43 year old wearing the wireless headfones my friends
thought that i looked a bit of a pratt!! Unfortunatley they done appreciate
technology. The operating system is difficult to get a grip of. If you
move from Nokia it will take some learning. The internet connection
was as quick as promised. The camera proved initially iffy to operate.
The media player promised so much, but in the absence of good instruction
failed to impress. It seemed to lack basic features - possibly due to
garbage instruction. I purchased it primarily for its talk time, i hate
to say it looks and its media properties. Tranferring data to the fone
via the usb was slower than a friday on the M6 northbound - dior. put
the card in the card reader though and its like being on the M74 to
Scotland, fast, clear and productive! The wireless works but is patchy,
particularly with the music player, despite having the fone in my chest
pocket (and the headphones on my head). The Bourne identity was i have
to say stunning, clear video and sound. The S9 headphones are trendy
to say the least but, and heres the but the voice activated dialling
would not work, it just beeped in my ear everytime. So now i looked
like Jordi from star trek from behind with no fuctionality to call captain
Pickard.... no use at all then. On the whole dissapointed, to the point
im looking at sending it back. If Motorloa want to score eith this fone
they need to offer proper instruction, and develop a stronger media
player.
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Reviewed by CONOR from BANGOR on 14th Jul 2007
GREAT PHONE WISH I COULD GIVE IT A 6 STAR RATING! S U P E R B!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Reviewed by Jordeii from UK on 13th Jul 2007
Wiked phone people!, Got it yesturday i lost my phone at school so i
told my mum to get me a new one and got me this one! It is alot better
than the previous motorola's , (e.g) the Slvr and V3 they were all rubbish
but this really tops it! Best phone i have had so far it definately
takes the place of my samsung E900! Id recomend this to everyone! The
downside is the batterylife that is why i have rated it 4 stars! i love
music and the battery doesnt last long but you no its a decent phone!
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