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Motorola Razr V3 Cellphone: The trend-setter that shouldn't have existed

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Re: Motorola Razr V3 Cellphone: The trend-setter that shouldn't have existed

#11

Post by Just_Smith »

Retr0spectrum wrote: post #5
mamurphy wrote: post #3

I had miss this phone, but I realize that I wouldn't want it today. One of the big reasons is I don't memorize phone numbers anymore - as cool as the RAZR was, I don't have need for a flip phone of any kind. The numbers I dial are typically entered in once and then dialed from my phone book.

I'm confused, you do realise these phones had a built-in contacts storage, right?

The primary mode of input was via a d-pad that was fairly small to allow room for the number pad, which is largely defunct after the initial creation of a contact.

I think what they were getting at was that dedicating space to a number pad isn't the most functional design by today's standards.

Re: Motorola Razr V3 Cellphone: The trend-setter that shouldn't have existed

#12

Post by zyberzero »

skellera wrote: post #9
LeifCarrotson wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, the Razr was my first phone...but it was super convenient to just use the number pad to dial. I had contacts programmed in for just about all the people I called, but between favorites and dialing I didn't use them all that often.

I miss phones that let you dial the letters of the contact name to pull up that contact. Example I always thought was funny was Mom is 666. But with that, it was faster to dial a contact name like that than their number.

My phone still let me do that, plain vanilla Samsung S8. I'd be surprised if that didn't work in the most phones on the market today.

Re: Motorola Razr V3 Cellphone: The trend-setter that shouldn't have existed

#13

Post by Just_Smith »

Just_Smith wrote: post #11
Retr0spectrum wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm confused, you do realise these phones had a built-in contacts storage, right?

The primary mode of input was via a d-pad that was fairly small to allow room for the number pad, which is largely defunct after the initial creation of a contact. I think what they were getting at was that dedicating space to a number pad isn't the most functional design by today's standards.

I see they responded - should've refreshed first.

Re: Motorola Razr V3 Cellphone: The trend-setter that shouldn't have existed

#14

Post by userbinator »

_hyn3 wrote: post #2

Do any of these old phones still work on modern mobile networks (even just GSM or CDMA)? The Samsung sph-i500 was another great small phone running PalmOS that came out soon after, with a similar form factor to the Razr.

Baseline GSM hasn't really changed over the years. These phones will still be able to make and receive calls.

Re: Motorola Razr V3 Cellphone: The trend-setter that shouldn't have existed

#15

Post by userbinator »

In 2003, a 14mm-thick phone cost $500.

In 2018, a 5mm-thick phone costs https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Mini-Phone-AEKU-C6-Color...

The level of integration has increased immensely, there's not much inside one of these phones:

https://www.bunniestudios.com/blog/?page_id=3107

Re: Motorola Razr V3 Cellphone: The trend-setter that shouldn't have existed

#17

Post by swimfar »

I just bought one a few months ago when my 13 year old Nokia died. I actually dislike the phone quite a bit and prefer my old Nokia. I have to charge the Razr about every other day, even if I haven't used it for calls. It takes too many button presses to do anything. It isn't very responsive (it takes about 4 seconds for each text deletion). If I receive a missed call or text the phone will vibrate every 5 minutes until I open the phone. This is really annoying in the middle of the night, and when I'm talking to someone at work and my phone won't stop making noise. It supports SMS and MMS, but doesn't actually do well with group texts. Sometimes I can open them, sometimes I can then see what the person sent, and other times the message won't open at all. Also, maybe I'm just dumb, but I can't figure out how to add apostrophes to text messages, which bothers me (especially because I talk to a lot of non-native speakers and I don't want to reinforce poor grammar). Maybe different providers had better interfaces that solve some of these problems, though.

The only things I appreciate about the phone are that it has a USB port for charging instead of a barrel plug, and it can store more messages.

Re: Motorola Razr V3 Cellphone: The trend-setter that shouldn't have existed

#18

Post by jjav »

_hyn3 wrote: post #2

Do any of these old phones still work on modern mobile networks (even just GSM or CDMA)? The Samsung sph-i500 was another great small phone running PalmOS that came out soon after, with a similar form factor to the Razr.

The razr still works fine (on tmobile). I still use mine, purchased in 2005, no issues. Battery life isn't great and it's hard to find a replacement battery that works, but it still gets me through the day.

I wouldn't necessarily mind upgrading, but the razor is less than 4"x2" and there is nothing else like it available. I have no interest in a larger bulkier phone.

Re: Motorola Razr V3 Cellphone: The trend-setter that shouldn't have existed

#19

Post by steelframe »

imglorp wrote: post #10
_hyn3 wrote: post #2

Do any of these old phones still work on modern mobile networks (even just GSM or CDMA)? The Samsung sph-i500 was another great small phone running PalmOS that came out soon after, with a similar form factor to the Razr.

Closer to the Razr (no palmos) was the Samsung A900. Just a dumb flip phone, but very solid and tiny. I miss small phones. I really don't want a 6" megolith to haul around.

> I miss small phones.

Not quite "tiny," but pretty small regardless, the Xperia Compact line of phones is still a thing. You should check it out. A new Z5C can be had for about 150 USD, or 500 USD for an XZ2C if you can live with 5 inches. Sadly, it's not clear whether Sony will be releasing an XZ3C, so we may be coming to the end of what is arguably the only serious high-end compact smartphone out there.

Re: Motorola Razr V3 Cellphone: The trend-setter that shouldn't have existed

#20

Post by branchless »

userbinator wrote: post #15

In 2003, a 14mm-thick phone cost $500. In 2018, a 5mm-thick phone costs https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Mini-Phone-AEKU-C6-Color... The level of integration has increased immensely, there's not much inside one of these phones: https://www.bunniestudios.com/blog/?page_id=3107

That's a great phone for a kid. I'm looking at phones today after cracking my screen. I have a Blu Advance and I think I'll just get another. Cannot believe the prices people are paying for a phone that they just use for browsing. I'm stunned.
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