Motorola V60g review: Motorola V60g

When the V60c first came out, it immediately became the phone of the moment. Following the success of that model and the V60t, Motorola has announced a GSM, world-roaming version of this stylish mobile. The V60g is the same size and weight as the original V60, but it has some noteworthy additions, including wireless Web access and compatibility with next-generation GPRS networks. While it faces stiff competition from upcoming stylish models from a variety of manufacturers--including Motorola--the V60g will not disappoint most globetrotters. Like the CDMA and TDMA versions, the V60g opts for an anodized-aluminum exterior that seems scratch resistant, even when carried in the same pocket with a set of keys. It also doesn't show fingerprints like Nokia's chrome 8860 does. This model shares the original's size (3.4 by 1.7 by 0.9 inches), weight (3.9 ounces), and second, external LCD, which allows you to view caller ID, text messages, or the time and the date without flipping open the phone.
The V60g's screen displays only three lines of regular-sized text or two with the larger font. That's not exactly ideal, especially if you plan on using the phone to access the wireless Web over high-speed GPRS networks. If you have less than stellar eyesight, we recommend that you really check out the phone's display before purchasing it. While we prefer the customizable menus found on the V70, the V60g's controls are easy to navigate once you figure out how to access the more-advanced features. These include a voice-recognition system that allows you to create voice-command shortcuts to favorites or dial up to 20 contacts by saying their names; a voice recorder that stores up to two minutes of voice notes; a 400-entry phone book; a date book; games; and a calculator. The phone also comes with call history, caller ID, an alarm, three-way calling, and customizable ring tones.
For further functionality, Motorola offers TrueSync software (including the cable) so that you can sync the V60g's phone book and date book to a PIM on your Windows PC. The phone is also compatible with Motorola's optional FM radio accessory and data kit, which turns the mobile into a wireless modem. When it came to talking, we had no complaints about the phone's ergonomics and had an easy time finding the earpiece's sweet spot. As with its CDMA and TDMA siblings, the V60g boasts pleasing sound quality, and we found that signal strength was good using VoiceStream service in the United States and various countries in Europe--namely, Sweden, Spain, and some areas in England. Battery life was impressive, as well; we managed to meet the rated 200-minute talk time, and our standby time of 116 hours fell in the middle of the company's claimed range of 75 to 150 hours.