The Bottom Line: The Motorola V195 is a basic flip top. It's not streamlined, nor does it have a camera. The volume isn't loud enough for me but it seems to be tough.
In re-upping our T-Mobile Contract a few months back we were given the option of free new phones. I was in telephone contact with the T-Mobile people asking which phones were available. She would give me the model and I would check it out on the Internet. Most were quite streamlined and had a camera feature built in. They also offered a basic phone, the Motorola V195 Cellular Phone, a simple flip-top, that looked much like the Samsung flip I have had a while but the sporty dark colour makes it look a bit more fashionable.
My wife also decided on the same phone. It's not lightweight nor slim but it does feel good in the hands. I like a slightly heavier feel and I don't like a phone that feels like a toy. This one has a nice balance.
Instructions Too general
The Instruction Book was OK to follow but it's too general for me. That said, my daughters pick up this phone and others like it and can navigate it and set it up without giving any second thought to it. I suppose it comes more natural to the younger generation. As an example I was looking to change the ring-tone from the T-Mobile jingle thing to something else. I couldn't figure it out, even with the book. My daughter had it in her hand a moment and found all the options. There were perhaps twenty choices, however, none were acceptable so we went and easily found another option and paid the small one time fee. Every time the phone rings now my wife listens to Stevie Wonder singing, "I just called to say, I love You, I just called to say how much I care." She loved being able to get just about any song in the world put on her phone. I think it's cool to and had ...added to my phone,
Setting Up
The real pleasure of this phone and others like it is being able to simply switch the SIM card from one phone to the next having all the phone numbers and names follow from one phone to the next. I really would not be happy if I had to input every name and number I have on my card manually. I have well over 100 with friends, family and business numbers.
The phone options for loudness doesn't offer the volume I would like. I needed something other than what this phone offers and after using it about a month I went back to my Samsung. The vibrator function worked better in the old phone than in this Motorola V195 cell phone. I found nothing in the new phone that I didn't have in the older one that made a switch important to me.
This Motorola came with a charger and a car adaptor cord. That was nice. I found that the battery lasted well enough, about three days of moderate use before a full re-charge was necessary. I liked that. The phone I'm using still has the battery working well and its when that one dies that I will go back to the Motorola V195 full time again.
This phone has a few new games in it that I rarely use. Actually I never use them any longer. The alarm was useless to me because I couldn't hear it.
Many other customizing options are described and explained for easy set up. The basic of these is setting up the phone book. This phone can store three numbers under one name, a mobile number, work number and home number along with setting up an E-Mail address.
One thing I think is very cool is setting up numbers in caller groups. I can have all my business numbers in one group and if I receive a call from any of them I can have it set up to a particular ring chime. I immediately know if its a business or other kind of call.
I also like the speed dial feature. I like simply pressing a button rather than all the false starts I had with voice recognition features.
Good Buttons
The telephones these days offer ease of use. Though the keypad part of it looks much like my old faithful Samsung, the keys on the Motorola V195 are raised a bit more and in good position for using without getting any serious hand fatigue. They have a positive response to my fingers. That's especially helpful because of all the Text Messaging I now do with my daughters and a couple of guys from the job. I like being able to text using the T9 mode of predictive text that makes use of a built in dictionary.
I have gotten pretty good with texting and this phone does make it even easier than my Samsung.
Pops Last Thoughts
After finding the vibration and ring options not quite serious enough for me, I went back to my Samsung phone. The Motorola V195 is good looking, yet a bit bulky. I happen to like that. It may not slip into my pockets easily but I am happy it's always available and it seems like a tough phone. I have dropped it a few times to no negative affect.
At first I was thinking I would want a phone with the camera option but that thought faded when I realize I have usually have my digital camera close by, all day, everyday. I have however received photos from my daughters via the Motorola and they showed good clarity on my end when they came through.
The front window is a bit hard to read when the glass gets a bit dirty or when outside on a bright day. It does help that the light goes on when I flip the top open. The numbers come across large and I don't need to put on my "cheaters" to read 'em.
The sound of voices coming through the phone are clear and I never had any real problem of dropped calls.
In the end I'll state that this is not a designer phone. It's a basic clunker in looks but feels good and seems hardy. The only reason I'm not happy with it is because of the low volume and the vibrator doesn't give me the same "charge" in my pocket as my Samsung.
Just an add on
It is a requirement for every reviewer must click one of the next four options for a review to be posted.
This cell phone is best for...
Adventurous Technophiles - Tough and Durable
Stylish Trendsetters - Hip and Trendy
World Travelers - Works Anywhere and Everywhere!
Professionals On-the-Go - Internet and Email is a Must!
Though I clicked the Adventurous Technophiles - Tough and Durable I do NOT include "Adventurous Technophiles" part of the answer. None of the other options even came close!!
The Motorola V195 boasts a unique, soft-touch housing in dark pearl grey with refined metal finishes. Lightweight and compact, the Motorola V195 is de...More at eBay
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