Camera

Activating the built-in camera converts the LCD into a camera viewfinder, with the lower portion of the screen displaying available memory and user settings. Featuring a 0.3-megapixel camera, the SLVR's built-in camera is rather disappointing. Being similar to the RAZR's camera, released last year, other camera-phones have progressed beyond 1-megapixel to 2-megapixels and above.

Capturing photos at up to 640 x 480 px in resolution, consumers shouldn't expect to use the SLVR as a replacement for a digital camera. But it still works as novelty item for taking photos of impromptu moments.

Photo quality can also be adjusted between QQVGA (160 x 120 px) and QVGA (320 x 240 px) resolutions, however consumers will probably opt for VGA since approximate image file sizes are 50 KB for VGA, 16K for QVGA, and 3 KB for QQVGA; virtually insignificant when compared to the 5.0 MB of storage space available.

Using the directional keypad, users can control the 4X digital zoom (Up / Down) or adjust brightness levels (Left / Right). While, not providing true zooming capabilities as optical zoom would, like all camera phones, the SLVR merely enlarges by increasing picture size much like editing images on a PC.

Bundled with additional camera settings and effects, features include Effects (Color, Black and White, Antique, and Negative), Contrast Adjustments, and Self-Timer. And for times when photos just won't do, the SLVR also supports MPEG-4, H.263, and AMR Audio formats; recording and playing back up to 30 seconds video at sizes of Sub-QCIF 1 (88 x 72 px), Sub-QCIF 2 (128 x 96 px), and Full QCIF (176 x 144 px) resolutions. Video quality isn't much to look at.

Basic Features

Being released for Cingular Wireless, the Motorola SLVR L7 is built on a quad-band GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 network, allowing it to be compatible in GSM networks in most North American, European, and Asian GSM markets, provided the phone unlocked.

Motorola rated the SLVR's 820 mAh Li-Ion battery at an impressive 6.33 hours and 420 hours of talk and standby times respectively. Users can prolong battery life if just listening to music. When switched to to Airplane Mode, the SLVR can last up to 30 hours. However, those are under optimal conditions. When manufacturers and carriers list talk and standby times, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Actual talk and standby times are lower.

Screen

The Motorola SLVR's 1.9-inch screen is a bit smaller than the 2.2-inch display found on the RAZR. But it delivers the same outstanding 262K-colors on a spacious 176 x 220 px resolution screen. Built with advanced TFT (Thin Film Transistor) technology, circuit transistors are placed directly on the glass; technology allowing for fast refresh rates from not having to scan each pixel location. Vividly bright and clear in indoor and outdoor conditions, the TFT display is second to none.

Due to the SLVR's block design, the LCD is exposed at all times. So extra care is needed to prevent subsequent bumps and scratches from everyday use.

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