This guide explains the difference between the two Razr models offered by Motorola for Cingular Wireless: the V3 and the new V3i as well as the low cost alternative from Motorola the T720g that offers similar styling at about half the price.  If you find this guide helpful, please help others find it by clicking “Yes” in the blue title bar below this guide, thanks for reading.  JustCellular on eBay

Cingular Wireless and the Motorola Razr have a storied past, when Motorola originally released the original Razr, the V3, it did it through and exclusivity deal it cut with Cingular Wireless.  When Motorola decided to add a music player to the Razr (the V3i), it cut another deal with Cingular Wireless who had the exclusive right to sell it for 3 months.  This guide lays out the basic differences between the two models, the software upgrade released by Motorola for the original V3, as well as a brief discription of the T720g, Motorola's low cost alternative to the pricey Razr. 

  The Original Razr V3

The Original Razr, the V3.  The V3 started the Razr craze and is GSM (meaning it uses a sim card) and is now offered by all the GSM carriers in the US, including Cingular Wireless, T Mobile, SunCom and Cellular One/Dobson Cellular.  If the phone is unlocked, you can use it interchangeably with many carriers (see my guide Unlocked Cell Phones: What it Means to be Unlocked). 

One thing to look for here is that Motorola did a major software upgrade (revision) after the phone had been on the market a while to fix some bugs with the original software on the phone and also added a Camcorder/Video Recorder function to the phone.  Most phones go through software upgrades to fix minor problems, however, the original V3 Razr went through a major one.  When the phone was first released it had a lot of bugs,  causing the phone to freeze up, etc. and when they released a software upgrade to fix it, they also changed the software so the phone's camera could also be used to record video.  I would strongly advise if you are going to buy a V3 (as opposed to the V3i), to make sure it has the Video function, that is the surest way to know that the software was upgraded on the phone.  The original software version had a lot problems that the upgrade solved.   

With that said, here are the most Notable features of the V3. 

1.  Camera with Self-Timer & Glass Lens

2.  Speaker Phone with Full Duplex,Talk and Hear at the same time

3.  Bluetooth

4.  Picture ID and Picture Messaging

5.  Voice Dialing

6.  Polyphonic Ringtones, supports MP3 and has a built-in ringtone composer

7.  Email Client

8.  It is a Quad Band World Phone:  This Means that it can be used anywhere in the world that there is GSM service (uses a sim card) which is just about everywhere in the world.  There are four GSM frequencies in the world 850 and 1900 in the US and 900 and 1800 in the rest of the World.  The V3 & the V3i are the only Razrs that are GSM and the only two that are World Phones.  (see my Guide: What Cell Phone do I need for My European Vacation for a discussion on world phones).

9.  Video Camcorder.  If this feature is important to you, look for it specifically, because not all V3 have this feature, however, it is just a software upgrade and there are places that can upgrade your phone for a fee.  The best thing is to buy it already programmed.

The phone has all the other standard features of most cell phones, however, it does not have a music player which is the primary upgrade in the Newer Razr Model, the V3i, see it below.  

  Motorola's V3i with MP3 Player

The V3i, the Razr with Music.  This model is the successor to the V3 and Cingular Wireless got the exclusive on this one for while and then it will role out to the other GSM (sim card) carriers like T Mobile, SunCom, and Cellular One.  If you can get an unlocked one, you can use it with the other GSM carriers, check the ads to see if its unlocked. 

The styling is very similar to the V3 and there are few notable upgrades and several minor ones.   They are as follows. 

1. The V3i ads an MP3 Player which is also compatible with iTunes (Apple’s IPod). 
2. A Flash Memory Slot to store Pictures and other information.
3. 7 extra megabytes of memory (12 with the V3i and only 5 with the V3)
4. The camera is a little sharper
5. The battery has more standby time, same talk time, but 50% more standby time.
6. The V3i speaker phone also supports voice controls on the phone, the V3 has a speaker phone, but it doesn’t work with voice controls.

   Motorola T720g GSM in Magenta

Motorola T720G, Motorola's Low Cost Alternative to the Razr.  Motorola has a low cost alternative to the Razr, the T720g, that has a similar styling and look to the Razr that sells for around half the price.  This phone does not have a camera or a music player, however, it does have sleek styling and comes in some great colors.  You should check them out.

If you found this guide helpful, please help others find it by clicking "Yes" in the blue title bar below. 

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