Camera

The RAZR MAXX Ve's 2.0-megapixel camera with an 8X zoom is an improvement over the V3m's 1.3-megapixel lens, and offers five resolution sizes: 1600 x 1200 px, 1280 x 960 px, 640 x 480 px, 320 x 240 px and "picture ID" size for address book photos. Pressing the Camera / Video button once activates the camera, and the inside screen transforms into the viewfinder. A small frame in the middle of the screen acts as a subject centering guide.

Like earlier versions of the RAZR, the camera includes a function that turns the external display into a viewfinder when the clamshell is closed, making blind self-portraits a thing of the past.

Offering digital zoom, the lens doesn't magnify; rather it blows up a portion of the frame (much like cropping) without adding more clarity.

Besides the Flash, the camera's settings include a Self-Timer, Red-Eye Reduction, Brightness and White Balance controls, different Shutter Sounds, Color Effects and various "Fun Frame" themes including Santas and Shamrocks that would probably only interest the 9 and under set.

The Ve's camera takes sharp videos which are greatly enhanced by the Flash. While the Ve's video camera features extended capture and video sharing capabilities, unlike the V6 it does not support two-way video calling.

Pressing and holding the Camera / Video button turns on the camcorder, which records in two resolutions, 320 x 240 px or 176 x 144 px. The Ve's ability to record as much footage at the memory will allow is good news for citizen journalists hoping to capture footage of breaking events. The camera caps video messages at 15 seconds, and also includes a short, 10 second setting for those who like to keep their v-messages brief. Once a video is saved to the library, users have the option of trimming it.

Basic Features

Released for Verizon Wireless, the Ve compares closely to the LG VX8700 in design and feature set. Both phones are VCAST and Mobile-Web capable with broadband-only access and support Bluetooth stereo.

Slower and bulkier, the MAXX Ve runs on the first generation Verizon user interface as opposed to the newer Flash UI version found on recent versions of Samsungs and LG's, including the LG VX8700. The menu lists five pull-down tabs at the top of the screen: Get it Now (Verizon's offerings of music, video, news and games); Messaging; Contacts; Recent Calls; and Settings and Tools.

The Ve operates exclusively on Verizon's digital network on the EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) frequency. While the broadband-only connection downloads at speeds up to 3.6 Mbps and is significantly faster than GSM networks, most rural areas aren't covered.

The Ve's 880 mAh Li-Ion battery provides up to 215 minutes of usage time or 320 hours on standby. Users who use their phone to watch video or listen to music up to five hours a day will probably have to recharge their phone daily.

While the Ve's 60 MB of internal memory can be augmented with 2 GB removable microSD memory, access to the card requires removing the back cover, a ritual that many find annoying and requires turning off the phone.

For the hearing impaired, the Ve is TTY and hearing aid compatible.

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