Motorola V276 Review - Introduction and Design

Reviewed by: Allen Tsai - Nov 14, 2005

Introduction

Surviving well past a year, when most phones are retired in a matter of months, the Motorola V265 was a staple to the Verizon Wireless line-up, providing uncompromising business phone looks and essential functionality.

Twelve months since the launch of the V265, Motorola has released an upgrade, the V276. Featuring a different external look and improved Verizon Wireless software, the V276 is essentially identical to the V265. Similarly bundled with an integrated speakerphone, advanced voice recognition, and location based service capabilities, the V276 has essential tools necessary in any business device.

But the V276 isn't all work and no play. Including a built-in VGA camera, BREW technology for downloadable games and applications, and multimedia messaging and chat capabilities, the V276 a device for both professional and personal needs.

Design

Motorola V276 Closed Diverging from the sleek black exterior of the V265, the redesigned V276 is encased in a metallic shell. Offering similar conservative designs, the brushed metal front plate gives the V276 an edgier feel. Measuring 91 x 46 x 23 mm, and weighing 107 g, the V276 is the same size and weight as the V265 and average among clamshells.

Closed, the front plate houses an external grayscale LCD, displaying basic information such as time, network status, and battery strength. Situated above, a VGA camera lens is able to take photos up to 640 x 480 px in resolution.

Offering quick access to shortcuts, the Voice Key on the right side allows users to record memos and issue voice commands, while the left side contains Volume Keys and the Speakerphone Key, doubling as a Smart Key to provide access to frequent functions by anticipating likely subsequent actions are to follow.

Outlets for the Headset Jack and Charger / Accessory Port are located on the top and bottom respectively.

Open, the V276 reveals an internal 65K-color 128 x 128 px screen. Positioned below, Menu and Left and Right Keys offer convenient navigation through the menu structure, while a 5-way navigation keypad is flanked by Send, Camera, Clear, and Power / End Keys. Fairly standard, a numeric keypad allows iTAP predictive text messaging with a few simple key presses.

Out of the box, the Motorola V276 comes with a standard 820 mAh Li-Ion Battery, Travel Charger, Quick Reference Guide, and User Manual.

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