Review: Motorola MOTOFONE F3
Entry updated Feb. 12, 2008 at 12:52 p.m.
I finally got my SIM card in the Motorola MOTOFONE F3 on Christmas, and I must say: It's a phone.
You can't use the MOTOFONE to take photos, listen to MP3s, play games or anything else beyond talking and sending text messages.
But that's the point.
The MOTOFONE is Motorola's "no-manual" phone that is universally easy to use no matter what your country of origin. Since mine happens to be America, and that I am also well-versed with cell phone technology, using this phone was damn simple.
In fact, I almost had trouble understanding how it worked because I keep expecting a GUI to aid me along. Also, the included instructions were definitely not in English, though they are offered on Motorola's Web site for download.
The phone itself is only 9mm thick, weighs 68 grams, is candybar shaped, and features a brilliant EPD (Electrophoretic Display) screen that acts a lot like book-reader technology used by Sony and Amazon. The black and white screen is easy to read in sunlight, uses less batteries than LCDs, and cuts manufacturing costs.
The lack of overhead helped push the price of this phone below $50 -- J&R is selling them unlocked for $39.99.
The MOTOFONE fits nicely in a back or front jeans pocket. And its ringer/ is loud enough to hear in a crowed bar.
Typing text messages is a little slow since it doesn't have the adaptive text input of other models.
Cycling through previous numbers, your phone book and other data can also be frustrating since the screen only displays one set of information at a time. Sometimes you need to scroll horizontally to read everything.
It also only comes in black as far as I can tell. I did read rumors of a red version, but it probably only exists overseas.
But those are small qualms when it comes to my overall opinion.
And though this phone was originally designed for developing nations, it fits my needs perfectly.
I wanted so badly to get away from the battery-draining features of my previous phone (Samsung t629). Like other folks, I only used my camera during the first few months of ownership to take horrible quality photos.
And the video camera? Forget about it.
The MOTOFONE also allows me to break away from the service provider grid, meaning I only need T-Mobile for service and not equipment.
The old phone will likely be up for sale on ebay in a few weeks.
If you're looking for a cell phone that's sturdy, easy-to-use and brilliantly designed -- it's also very hip -- please consider the Motorola MOTOFONE F3.
Thanks for the excellent gift Eric!
Four comments
We bought a couple of these phones after seeing a news article about them. I used mine once or twice then put it away to use my Samsung flip phone. When that phone broke last month I dropped my T Mobile SIM chip into the Motofone to use while deciding on/awaiting a replacement. I realized that I only ever used my phone for voice or text communications. Not as a camera or music player. I have far better dedicated devices for these jobs than any phone could ever be. For voice this phone simply Rocks. For text, it is different but once used to it I can text away quickly. The battery life is awesome. The form factor is perfect. And the design is elegant and durable. I liked it so much I bough another as a spare. When Upgrade time rolls around from T Mobile, I may as well give it a pass. Thats how much i like this phone!
@Lili
I had the same reaction as you did to the Motofone.
I had several phones in the past with cameras, both photo and video, music players and other features. But rarely did I use them on a consistent basis. Those apps also sucked battery life -- what good is a phone that has no power?
I still use the Motofone as my everyday phone and love it. Glad you're having the same experience.
I just bought one of these on ebay.. I was tired of being made fun of over by old "brick" style nokia but I just feel that a phone is used to make calls and everything else is just background music.. I think this'll be a good way to get my techie friends off my back.
@ajh
Now you'll get vintage-tech cred. I hope you enjoy the phone!
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