Motorola RIZR Z3
Clinging onto the RAZR's popularity, Motorola released its slider version, the RIZR. The RIZR, as the name suggests, Rizes to reach heights and probably gains lots more than the RAZR.
Well, that is quite a task to achieve anything like what the RAZR has done in the mobile markets. Let's find out how well can the RIZR shoot up to fame.
Bundle
Motorola RIZR Z3, Stereo Headset, USB Cable (miniUSB), 128 MB microSD Card,
MMC microSD Adaptor, Manual and CD, Design & Build
The Motorola RIZR looks stunning and already makes you want to own it; at least if not for anything but for looks. It has a great build quality; the body is a mixture of metal and rubber.
The rubber used is similar to the one used for the body of the PEBL as well. This mixture of metal and rubber must be the reason for the increase of 15 grams in weight of the phone when compared to the RAZR at 100 grams.
The dimensions of the phone stand at 106 x 46 x 16 mm when it is closed. The phone is slightly bulky, but it all adds to the great feel of the phone. The phone is very comfortable to hold and there wasn't an occasion when I felt that it would slip off.
The RIZR is a slider if you didn't figure it out as yet. The phone has a 256K TFT screen supporting a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels and the screen size is 30 x 37 mm.
The display is really good and a charm to look at especially with great backgrounds. Below the screen is the standard 5-way D-Pad of the RAZR.
Turn on
2 MP Camera, Flash, Memory card slot, Good build & design, Swift interface
Turn off
Old software, QCIF video
Around the D-Pad, as usual, we have six select buttons, web browser hotkey, back, and two calling buttons (Answer and Hang UP buttons.) Between the screen and the face buttons, there is a neat grip to slide the phone out and back in with all ease.
On the left of the phone, there are the volume controls and a Bluetooth hotkey just below it.
The right of the phone has a voice commands hotkey and way below is the camera hotkey. Holding down the camera key, when the keypad is unlocked, automatically starts the camera app.
There is a miniUSB port with a neat dust cover just below the camera hotkey. There is nothing exceptional at the top and bottom of the phone. Flip the phone and at the top you will notice the 2 MP camera of the phone with flash support.
There is no mirror provided to click portrait snaps, but the camera is placed within a glossy finish which quite does the job. An elegant Motorola logo in the center and at the end is the phone's speaker.
I don't need to mention that Motorola is the best when it comes to designing phones, but this was a slider from the company after a really long time and still nothing changes.
The previous sliders from the company were not released internationally and saying so now with the RIZR, they go head-to-head with the competition; Samsung (leaders in slider phones.)
Interface
Motorola has always had a problem with their handsets when it comes to this particular subject. The very fact that they are facing whatever shortcomings in terms of appreciation; the fault lies in their outdated software.
Since the release of the KRZR, they had some minor updates. But wish for a completely new interface still remains the wish.
The RIZR has the same updated software. When you startup the phone, you can choose to turn on Networks or just plain Flight Mode.
The D-Pad of the phone can be customized leaving out the center key, which is a default Main Menu/Select button. Even the two option buttons, as I mentioned earlier, can be customized.
The phone works out a little fast, must be because there was just a 128 MB card installed. As the capacity increases, it slows down as seen in case of the KRZR.
Other details are; the phone supports 30 call entries, 10 each for dialed, received, and missed calls. It has a 1000 entry phonebook with photocall support.
The phone has a 16 MB of internal memory, it is quite sufficient for your ringtones and even capturing those images. The phone has animated screensavers, which really look nice, thanks to the great screen.
The other tools that come with the phone are the Digital Music Player, which stands out the most. Organizer, Calculator, and a few games also come bundled with the phone.
Camera
The RIZR had a 2 MP camera with flash to back-it-up in areas with low-lighting. The camera isn't really amazing when compared to Sony Ericsson's K750i. The camera module seems to be picked from LG as there is an LG logo hindering the screen when in the camera app.
The camera app has a few options; more like customization to me. Even if you are the best at photography unless you want to click funny snaps, you wouldn't use these options.
Here is a list of options; Zoom (1x up to 8x), Style (Color, Black and White, Bluish, Antique, Reddish, Greenish, Negative), Exposure (-2 to +2), and Light Conditions (Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Indoor Home, Indoor Office, Night).
There is no separate night mode; so, you have to navigate to Light Conditions and select Night to get the best quality while clicking snaps in the night.
The video of the RIZR is pretty acceptable, obviously better than the Sony Ericsson's (and yeah I don't have anything against Sony Ericsson I own a W800). The video has the same set of options seen in the camera.
You can record videos at three different qualities (Small, Medium, and Large.) The large resolution size is 352 x 288 pixels, which is still QCIF. All the three qualities of recordings are done in .3GP format.
The camera position is slightly odd according to me. There were quite a few times I found my finger obstructing the camera lens. But that was only when clicking snaps while the phone is in standard orientation; else in side orientation, it's out of the question unless you're a lefty.
Sound Quality
The RIZR comes bundled with a stereo headset in the package. It shares the same headset and the same music player (Digital Audio Player) with the KRZR. The RIZR sound quality is really good though the sound output of the headsets is bit low.
Something louder would have been ideal, as while commuting in most of the metros, you would hardly be able to hear anything and consider getting your ears checked or cleaned. The phone speaker is quite loud, but does crack up sometimes, but only at full volume.
The Digital Audio Player of the RIZR is Java based and is quite slow compared to other audio player apps found in other phones. The lag comes in because first the time taken by the player to start and then for the app to scan the entire memory card.
The phone came with just 128 MB; so, it was a breather, else it would have taken forever with a 512 MB card just like in the KRZR, which used to hang. The 128 MB card limited me to very few songs and thus couldn't fit in more than an album.
Talk about the Digital Audio Player; it is not even basic with options to only shuffle and Repeat. The formats supported are MP3, AAC, and AAC+. The songs are organized under Album, Artist, Track, and Playlist. You can even make your own Playlist. But, that's it.
Connectivity
The Motorola RIZR has a small list of connectivities; GPRS Class 12, EDGE Class 10, Bluetooth 2.0, and USB 1.1. The RIZR has EDGE to at least enjoy some quick browsing.
There is a whole Yahoo! section with Yahoo!, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo Finance, Yahoo! Messenger, Yahoo! Tones, and Yahoo! Cricket. The Bluetooth v2.0 supports wireless stereo quality music.
The USB 1.1 sounds slow, but it is quite fast and the better option is always using the adaptor in a memory card reader.
Battery
The RIZR has a 710 mAh battery rating. The company states 200 hours of standby time and almost 7 hours of talktime.
The phone in reality lasts for a couple of days with around 5 hours of talktime and a lot of usage of the phone's camera and music (played via the speaker). That's more-or-less decent battery life, but had there been no music playback via the speaker, the battery life would have been higher.
Conclusion
The Motorola RIZR sells for Rs. 13,300 with a one year warranty. At that price, the slider from Motorola is worth the flaunt. It may not be all sleek like the D series from Samsung nor is it all that feature-rich like the Samsung sliders.
But we can't rule out the style that of the Motorola's posse; and the number of RAZR handset users is proof to that so I ain't just making a statement.
Clinging onto the RAZR's popularity, Motorola released its slider version, the RIZR. The RIZR, as the name suggests, Rizes to reach heights and probably gains lots more than the RAZR.
Well, that is quite a task to achieve anything like what the RAZR has done in the mobile markets. Let's find out how well can the RIZR shoot up to fame.
Bundle
Motorola RIZR Z3, Stereo Headset, USB Cable (miniUSB), 128 MB microSD Card,
MMC microSD Adaptor, Manual and CD, Design & Build
The Motorola RIZR looks stunning and already makes you want to own it; at least if not for anything but for looks. It has a great build quality; the body is a mixture of metal and rubber.
The rubber used is similar to the one used for the body of the PEBL as well. This mixture of metal and rubber must be the reason for the increase of 15 grams in weight of the phone when compared to the RAZR at 100 grams.
The dimensions of the phone stand at 106 x 46 x 16 mm when it is closed. The phone is slightly bulky, but it all adds to the great feel of the phone. The phone is very comfortable to hold and there wasn't an occasion when I felt that it would slip off.
The RIZR is a slider if you didn't figure it out as yet. The phone has a 256K TFT screen supporting a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels and the screen size is 30 x 37 mm.
The display is really good and a charm to look at especially with great backgrounds. Below the screen is the standard 5-way D-Pad of the RAZR.
Turn on
2 MP Camera, Flash, Memory card slot, Good build & design, Swift interface
Turn off
Old software, QCIF video
Around the D-Pad, as usual, we have six select buttons, web browser hotkey, back, and two calling buttons (Answer and Hang UP buttons.) Between the screen and the face buttons, there is a neat grip to slide the phone out and back in with all ease.
On the left of the phone, there are the volume controls and a Bluetooth hotkey just below it.
The right of the phone has a voice commands hotkey and way below is the camera hotkey. Holding down the camera key, when the keypad is unlocked, automatically starts the camera app.
There is a miniUSB port with a neat dust cover just below the camera hotkey. There is nothing exceptional at the top and bottom of the phone. Flip the phone and at the top you will notice the 2 MP camera of the phone with flash support.
There is no mirror provided to click portrait snaps, but the camera is placed within a glossy finish which quite does the job. An elegant Motorola logo in the center and at the end is the phone's speaker.
I don't need to mention that Motorola is the best when it comes to designing phones, but this was a slider from the company after a really long time and still nothing changes.
The previous sliders from the company were not released internationally and saying so now with the RIZR, they go head-to-head with the competition; Samsung (leaders in slider phones.)
Interface
Motorola has always had a problem with their handsets when it comes to this particular subject. The very fact that they are facing whatever shortcomings in terms of appreciation; the fault lies in their outdated software.
Since the release of the KRZR, they had some minor updates. But wish for a completely new interface still remains the wish.
The RIZR has the same updated software. When you startup the phone, you can choose to turn on Networks or just plain Flight Mode.
The D-Pad of the phone can be customized leaving out the center key, which is a default Main Menu/Select button. Even the two option buttons, as I mentioned earlier, can be customized.
The phone works out a little fast, must be because there was just a 128 MB card installed. As the capacity increases, it slows down as seen in case of the KRZR.
Other details are; the phone supports 30 call entries, 10 each for dialed, received, and missed calls. It has a 1000 entry phonebook with photocall support.
The phone has a 16 MB of internal memory, it is quite sufficient for your ringtones and even capturing those images. The phone has animated screensavers, which really look nice, thanks to the great screen.
The other tools that come with the phone are the Digital Music Player, which stands out the most. Organizer, Calculator, and a few games also come bundled with the phone.
Camera
The RIZR had a 2 MP camera with flash to back-it-up in areas with low-lighting. The camera isn't really amazing when compared to Sony Ericsson's K750i. The camera module seems to be picked from LG as there is an LG logo hindering the screen when in the camera app.
The camera app has a few options; more like customization to me. Even if you are the best at photography unless you want to click funny snaps, you wouldn't use these options.
Here is a list of options; Zoom (1x up to 8x), Style (Color, Black and White, Bluish, Antique, Reddish, Greenish, Negative), Exposure (-2 to +2), and Light Conditions (Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Indoor Home, Indoor Office, Night).
There is no separate night mode; so, you have to navigate to Light Conditions and select Night to get the best quality while clicking snaps in the night.
The video of the RIZR is pretty acceptable, obviously better than the Sony Ericsson's (and yeah I don't have anything against Sony Ericsson I own a W800). The video has the same set of options seen in the camera.
You can record videos at three different qualities (Small, Medium, and Large.) The large resolution size is 352 x 288 pixels, which is still QCIF. All the three qualities of recordings are done in .3GP format.
The camera position is slightly odd according to me. There were quite a few times I found my finger obstructing the camera lens. But that was only when clicking snaps while the phone is in standard orientation; else in side orientation, it's out of the question unless you're a lefty.
Sound Quality
The RIZR comes bundled with a stereo headset in the package. It shares the same headset and the same music player (Digital Audio Player) with the KRZR. The RIZR sound quality is really good though the sound output of the headsets is bit low.
Something louder would have been ideal, as while commuting in most of the metros, you would hardly be able to hear anything and consider getting your ears checked or cleaned. The phone speaker is quite loud, but does crack up sometimes, but only at full volume.
The Digital Audio Player of the RIZR is Java based and is quite slow compared to other audio player apps found in other phones. The lag comes in because first the time taken by the player to start and then for the app to scan the entire memory card.
The phone came with just 128 MB; so, it was a breather, else it would have taken forever with a 512 MB card just like in the KRZR, which used to hang. The 128 MB card limited me to very few songs and thus couldn't fit in more than an album.
Talk about the Digital Audio Player; it is not even basic with options to only shuffle and Repeat. The formats supported are MP3, AAC, and AAC+. The songs are organized under Album, Artist, Track, and Playlist. You can even make your own Playlist. But, that's it.
Connectivity
The Motorola RIZR has a small list of connectivities; GPRS Class 12, EDGE Class 10, Bluetooth 2.0, and USB 1.1. The RIZR has EDGE to at least enjoy some quick browsing.
There is a whole Yahoo! section with Yahoo!, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo Finance, Yahoo! Messenger, Yahoo! Tones, and Yahoo! Cricket. The Bluetooth v2.0 supports wireless stereo quality music.
The USB 1.1 sounds slow, but it is quite fast and the better option is always using the adaptor in a memory card reader.
Battery
The RIZR has a 710 mAh battery rating. The company states 200 hours of standby time and almost 7 hours of talktime.
The phone in reality lasts for a couple of days with around 5 hours of talktime and a lot of usage of the phone's camera and music (played via the speaker). That's more-or-less decent battery life, but had there been no music playback via the speaker, the battery life would have been higher.
Conclusion
The Motorola RIZR sells for Rs. 13,300 with a one year warranty. At that price, the slider from Motorola is worth the flaunt. It may not be all sleek like the D series from Samsung nor is it all that feature-rich like the Samsung sliders.
But we can't rule out the style that of the Motorola's posse; and the number of RAZR handset users is proof to that so I ain't just making a statement.