Billed as an entry-level phone, the Motorola v180 is actually a feature rich black beauty with quad-band global coverage capability. Instant messaging, MP3 ringtones, dual displays, USB connectivity and gaming support are all here-- a significant step up from entry level phones of the past. It's the perfect companion to T-Mobile service.
Design
The phone features a sleek clamshell design with a large 128 x 128 color display with 65,000 colors. The outside cover of the handset sports a supplementary 96 x 32 monochrome display that can display time, call information, battery and signal strength, and more. A stub antenna is placed on the top right side of the unit. Up and down buttons for volume control are placed on the left side. Most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button on the handset's control pad. A USB-capable data port is housed on the unit's top edge. There's a standard jack to accept universal hands-free headsets on the bottom of the handset, next to the phone's charging port. Face plates are available so you can create the look you're after on the phone's outer casing.
Calling Features
The V180 supports polyphonic ringtones as well as MP3 ringers, allowing you to use portions of your favorite songs to alert you to incoming calls. You can also assign pictures and ringers to your most common callers. A number of ringtones come preloaded on the phone and more ringtones can be downloaded from T-Mobile's t-zones service. There's even an included application, MotoMixer, that enables you to mix your own ringtones.
Speed dialing, which allows you to call pre-programmed numbers with one button is built in, as is a vibrating alert. A built-in speakerphone makes it easy to talk without having the phone to your ear. Voice activated dialing makes calling your friends, family and associates as easy as saying their names.
Messaging, Internet and Tools
The V180 has all the bases covered when it comes to messaging and Internet connectivity. The phone features support for ICQ, AOL and Yahoo! instant messaging applications (T-Mobile messaging charges apply). There's also a built-in web browser for t-zones downloads and mobile web browsing. T-Mobile's t-zones service lets you receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more. Traditional text messaging, as well as picture and sound messaging are also supported by the phone. iTap text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.
A number of handy software tools are bundled with the V180 including a voice memo recorder, a calculator, a notepad, a calendar and an alarm clock.
Imaging and Entertainment
The V180's USB connectivity can be used to transfer pictures, sounds and graphics to the phone's memory from your PC. Screensavers, themes and wallpapers can be set to your tastes. The V180 is Java enabled, meaning it supports games and application downloads written on the Java platform. Games are available via the T-Mobile t-zones service.
Vital Statistics
The V180 weighs 3.26 ounces and measures 3.43 x 1.75 x .91 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5.83 hours of digital talk time, and up to 275 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.
What's in the Box
Motorola V180 handset, lithium-ion battery, power supply/charger, user's manual.
1 Intermittent malfunction, otherwise a good phone.
I had one of these phones from T-Mobile for a few months, and was pleased with it for the most part. The audio quality and signal strength were very good in my experience. Its battery life was very good. It just worked very well as a basic cellular phone, and served me well... except for the occasions when it malfunctioned for no apparent reason. Sometimes, when I would try to use the Phonebook or Voice Dial features, or to access my Recent Calls, the phone would just tell me to "Please Wait" forever. T-Mobile and Motorola tried to help me troubleshoot the problem to no avail. I had to send it in for repair. It appears to be a software problem, rather than a problem with the phone itself.
2 Pretty decent phone
I have had this phone for about six months now and have had no problems. It's small and has pretty decent features like an alarm clock which I constantly use. My reception is pretty great, and I have even used this phone in the elevator where I work with no problems. I like use my t-zones to check out stuff on yahoo like movies and news.
My only problems are, I am not able to download games which is a bummer,(i can play online games though through t-mobile), and once in a great while while i am text messaging, the phone screen has gone black. It recovers, but I hope that isn't going to be some big issue.
3 underwater conversations
I have this as a replacement for my Samsung e-105 which was a fantastic little phone that I never had a problem with, until my lack of care caused it to finally collapse. Phones (other than Nokia, IMO) only last about 14 months these days.
I have no complaints about the design - the LCD is not NEARLY as clear as the samsung, and it is cheap plastic, but it's free - what should I expect?
The problem is that every conversation - whether to a landline or another mobile - sounds like the other person is under water! They're garbled and hard to understand. I always have to ask people to repeat themselves.
Second problem - the battery. After an hour, even when not in use, it needs more juice.
I already called TMobile and ordered the next Samsung - their interface is considerably better.
(and any problems with TMobile might just be from the particular agent - i've never had a problem, and I've been with them for 6 years - since they were Voicestream!)
4 Very poor quality
Bought two of these phones in late January and have now replaced both once and are having problems with both new ones. The displays keep having problems and the batteries either don't hold charge or shut off completely. Cingular is perfectly willing to keep replacing them but will not allow us to upgrade or change to a different phone. I have now spent hours on the phone to no avail and am considering completely switching over my service even it we have to pay the penalty. Frankly, we have found these phones to be faulty equipment and after researching them on the internet and speaking with someone at Cingular they apparently have known this for some time but have continued to sell them. In fact, we asked Cingular after the first one quit working if there was a problem with this particular phone and were told it was just a random problem and that there were no common complaints about this model.
5 Fun little phone
I just upgraded my phone to the V180 great little phone with fun features. Yes the phone's screen could be a little bit bigger. But it's really simple to use. And I found a great website for more wallpapers and ringtones! I would recommend it. I have T-mobile service now, maybe the previous ppl that have had problems with this phone should go to a new carrier.
6 Excellent "Entry Level" Phone
Excellent entry level phone. Good reception, easy to use, rugged and small. Nothing fancy (i.e. no camera, video, etc) but for those looking for a reliable, basic phone, I would have no trouble recommending it.
7 Piece of Junk
I would rate a -0 if I could. I went to charge my phone and the pin inside the port broke off. Called Cingular and was told it was physical damage and not covered on warranty. The phone is 2 months old! Service with Cingular is minus minus zero, as with all large corporations. I have a contract for 2 years of service with Cingular and will do whatever I can to get out of it without paying fees - what a rip off!! I will begin my letter writing campaign from the Attorney Generals office to the CEO of Motorola and Cingular.
8 Is there a way to put a MINUS-SUPER NEGATIVE star?
I had the same problem other people had with LCD screen. The phone company (T-Mobile, also super negative service) wants to charge me for replacing the phone claiming abuse. I used the phone only for 3 days and it went bad.
Get another phone and brand.
9 poor performer
As a business we have purchased several of the V180 flip phones. Every phone that we purchased has had problems, from dropped calls to blank screens, some of the phones would die with a full charge. We contacted our rep and suggested that they check these phones out, there is obviously a mechanical problem with. I would advise that you be persistant with them, its not you, there is something wrong with these phones and they should exchange it.
10 TOP OF THE LINE PHONE - EASY - THE BEST
This phone is the best phone I have found yet! There is not one thing I have to complain about with it! It is much easier then any other phone for everything - text message, phone book, calculator and everything! This is the best phone you could get! The speaker phone is an awesome addition! I love this phone and would highly recommend it to everyone I know!
11 I liked it until the crystal display broke
Had the phone for 3 months. Worked ok until today when I took it off my belt clip to make a call and noticed the outside display was half gone with a big blotch in its place. Did not drop/bump it, etc. There is no reason the display should have gone bad. It doesn't affect the functioning of the phone and the main display is ok. It just looks ugly as hell on the outside now. Plus I now have to open the phone to check the time and caller ID since I can't read the outside display anymore. I was going to call Cingular or Motorola but after reading other people's reviews it sounds like they will just tell me its not covered under warranty and that I must have dropped it or something.
One other major complaint I have is the battery life, or lack thereof. If you buy this phone, and I don't recommend it, make sure you have the charger handy cause you'll need it every other day if you talk much.
CAP
12 Great phone !!!!
This phone is very nice. I am not sure
this receives bad reviews. Works great for me !
I guess, you have be careful when handling nice
phones like this !
Treat the phone with some respect. You bang it up you
get a banged up looking phone. Hence, damage to screen ?!
13 Great Phone
This is a great phone. Not sure why it gets bad raps from other reviewers.
PROs:
-Long stand-by and talk time.
-Small and light weight.
-Easy to use. I didn't even need to read the manual to program it.
-Great receiption even in difficult spots.
-USB port to synchronize data with PC. (cable and software optional). The Motorola software is simply the best. Not only can you synch the phone data, you can also upload pictures and ring tones.
-With the USB cable and driver software, the phone can be used as a PC modem for dial-up internet access or as a fax machine. T-Mobile does not block DATA connection. The speed isn't great but it's a technology limitation.
Cons:
-Plastic construction. It may not take abuse well therefore buy a case for it.
-Color screen could be bigger.
14 Cracked Screen
I bought the phone...two days later I experienced the same cracked screen. Didn't drop the phone, smash it...nothing! Opened it up and the screen has a wierd blueness to is. Brought it back and i was told it isn't covered under warranty. Unreal! Avoid this phone...I'm out the money I paid for the phone with no help from the Cingular dealer (corporate store).
15 Don't bother
Got this phone a week ago, and the outside LCD screen has already cracked. Have no idea what happened to it, simply took it out of apocket and it was cracked (inky looking blotch on the screen). Seems to be a quality issue, no abnormal use, it seemingly spontaneously cracked, and of course this is not covered under warrenty.
16 An inexpensive phone great for making and receiving calls!
If all you're looking for is a phone, no bells and whistles, then look no further. I have this phone in the Chicago area and it gets much better reception then the T610 which it replaced. I don't miss having a camera (which was worthless on the T610) and this phone has great battery life.
17 The Motorola V180
I recently purchased this phone and after only three weeks the LCD screen started acting up, coming on scrambled and at times I would flip the phone open and it would display just a black screen. I figured maybe it was just a bad phone so I exchanged it for another V180. I have this new phone for about a week and a half, and I am seeing similar signs which led to the problems that I had with the first phone. This phone is aesthetically nice looking and has some nice features, but until they work out the bugs its not worth it, I would pass on this one.
18 Don't waste your money
This is easily the worst cell phone I have ever owned. The quality is very poor(cheap plastic...the phone actually creaks when you flip it open). The screen in too small and dark even w/the brightest setting. The menu is non-intuitive and the simple task of using the phone book is a hassle. My 3 year old Samsung was of much higher quality and better in every aspect. With all the choices on the market don't waste your money - Fred B.
19 Cheap fragile screen in front
I still do not know what happened, but one minute the screen on the outside front cover was working, the next minute it was cracked so now there are ink blots. I only had it for 3 days before this happened and I know it was not dropped. I only paid $20.00 for it but would definitely NOT pay any more for it. Otherwise, it works fine.
20 I love this Phone
I have had my phone for a week, it took a little time for me to get used to the features, being a Nokia user but once I got the hang of it, I fell in love. This is a great phone for a reasonable price and I like that i wasn't forced to get a camera, just because I wanted a flip style phone. The design is sleek and very attractive. Its very user friendly and anyone interested in a good economical, but stylish phone will enjoy this one. I do agree that a belt clip would have been nice, but they aren't expensive to buy.
21 Almost Perfect! But great enough to buy!
I have been using this phone through T-Mobile for about 2 weeks. The battery life is so long that I keep checking the battery indicator to make sure it still good by the end of a full work week without a recharge. The sound clarity is just as good as my previous phone (Nokia) and the signal seems strong as well as the clarity. This phone is also very light and you could fit into a shirt pocket without the major droop of the pocket like other phones. The features are basic, just like I wanted (without camera etc..) and the display has a nice resolution. My only major complaint is that the external volume control is right where I place my thumb when answering calls, or my fingers will rub against the buttons while the phone is ringing when I grab to answer. When this happends I unknowingly lower the volume of the ringer, and the next call I get I sometimes miss because the ringer volume is now lower. This has happend several times, and I wish I could deactivate this external feature, and just use the internal menu volume control. The only minor complaint is that this phone did not come with somekind of belt attachment or pouch. I had to buy it seperately, but it was only a few dollars extra.
Overall, I recommend this phone to people who want a lightweight phone, that has long battery life, and is nice and small to carry for work or personal use. This doesn't have every bell and whistle like (camera, mp3, bluetooth etc..) But, it does have a custom ringer feature where you can upload your own songs as a ringer (I haven't had time to do this, maybe in the future). Great quality phone!
