Motorola V195s (T-Mobile)
Manufacturer: Motorola Part number: V195SSLVTMB
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Motorola V195s will appeal to T-Mobile customers who want a Bluetooth phone with good call quality and no camera.
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Where to buy
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CNET editors' review
Motorola V195s (T-Mobile) price range: $0.00
- Reviewed by: Kent German
- Reviewed on: 05/14/2007
The good: The Motorola V195s offers decent call quality, long battery life, and solid features that include Bluetooth connectivity, multiple messaging options, and world phone support.
The bad: The Motorola V195s' speakerphone wasn't completely reliable.
The bottom line: The Motorola V195s will appeal to T-Mobile customers who want a Bluetooth phone with good call quality and no camera.
Last year when we reviewed the Motorola V195 for T-Mobile, we were excited to see a cell phone that offered Bluetooth connectivity without having a camera as well. Though Bluetooth connectivity is a popular feature, it's typically found on higher-end phones with multimedia offerings that many users don't need or want. That fact alone raised the V195 to our editors' top basic phones list, despite some shaky call quality. So we were excited to see Motorola and T-Mobile try again with the V195s. Almost identical to the V195 in form and function, the V195s adds support for T-Mobile's My Faves service and thankfully, it offers improved audio quality as well. You can get it for $19.99 with service.
Design
The V195s looks no different than the V195. It has the same minimalist shape with rounded edges and an internal antenna, and it has an equally simple two-tone silver color scheme. At 3.6 inches by 1.8 inches by 0.9 inch, it remains one of the larger flip phones on the market today, but it weighs less than you might think, at 3.6 ounces. Though the back cover is plastic, the handset has a comfortable feel in the hand, and the hinge has a sturdy construction.
Like many basic Motorola phones, the V195s uses a rectangular external display with a monochrome resolution. It shows the time, the battery life, the signal strength, and caller ID. Photo caller ID isn't available, but that's hardly an issue since the phone doesn't have a camera. The only controls on the outside of the handset are a volume rocker and the Motorola Smart key on the left spine. The rear-facing speaker isn't in the most ideal location, but we like that the V195s uses separate ports for a wired headset and the charger. Both sit on the phone's bottom end, under a protective rubber cover.
The 1.75-inch, 65,000-color display is unchanged as well. It's not terribly bright or vibrant, but it's fine for most uses. We're really hoping Motorola implements a new menu interface soon, as the current design is getting old.
Below the display are the navigation controls which also are carried over from the V195. That's a good thing, as we enjoyed their spacious layout and tactile feel as well as the generous number of shortcut options. Besides dedicated keys for the Web browser, the main menu, and the messaging folder, you can designate one-touch controls for the four-way toggle, the two soft keys, and the smart key on the left spine. Other controls include an OK button in the toggle's center and the talk and end/power buttons. The backlit keypad buttons seem a bit changed, however. They're big with large numbers, and they seem more flush with the surface of the phone. They're also a tad slick, but that's not a big deal.
Features
The V195s' 1,000-contact phone book has room in each entry for six phone numbers, a street address, an e-mail address, a birth date, and a nickname (a SIM card adds 250 more names). You can organize callers into groups, pair them with one of 45 polyphonic ringtones or alert sounds, and assign them a photo for caller ID. Just keep in mind that the images won't show up on the external display.
Basic features on the V195s include a vibrate mode; text and multimedia messaging; AOL, Yahoo, and ICQ instant messaging; a calculator; a datebook; an alarm clock; a wireless backup service for your contacts; and a voice memo recorder. On the higher end, the V195s offers a speakerphone, Bluetooth, and voice dialing though the last one is usable only with a headset. Voice dialing is an especially nice addition to a phone without a camera, particularly as more businesses are restricting camera phones in the workplace.
You can personalize the V195s with a variety of wallpaper, color styles, screensavers, greetings, and alert sounds. If you'd like more options, you can download them via the WAP 2 wireless Web browser. You can also buy more ringtones from T-Mobile, use your personal MP3 files, or create your own tones on the phone. The V195s comes with demo versions of three Java (J2ME) games (Bejeweled, Midnight Pool, and Pinball). Total memory on the phone is 10MB of shared space.
Performance
We tested the quadband (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) V195s world phone in San Francisco using T-Mobile service. Fortunately, call quality was improved in comparison with the V195. We noticed none of the static that we encountered on the previous model, and there was plenty of volume. Outside of some wind noise, callers reported no significant problems on their end, but we did have some trouble being understood by an automated calling system.
Speakerphone calls had a decent amount of volume, but we don't like that the speaker on the rear face directs sound away from you. Also, we had to be quite close to the speaker in order to be heard properly. Bluetooth calls were fine, as was the voice dialing. It's disappointing, though, that you can't use the voice dialing without a headset or a car kit.
The Motorola V195s has a rated battery life of 8 hours talk time and 17.5 days standby time. Our tests revealed an impressive talk time of 8 hours and 20 minutes. According to FCC radiation tests, the V195s has a digital SAR rating of 1.6 watts per kilogram (the highest amount allowed).
User reviews
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Great basic cell phone
by GatorManSteve on May 20, 2007
Pros: Sharp looking phone, good battery, good signal strength
Cons: Bland colors on inside display
Summary: I use a cell phone to make and receive calls. I did not need a built-in camera or mp3. This is a good phone with a better than average battery. ...
Summary: I use a cell phone to make and receive calls. I did not need a built-in camera or mp3. This is a good phone with a better than average battery. I won't have to charge this thing more than once or twice per week. It has good signal strength, which to me is the most important thing in a cell phone. I don't wear a watch, so I like the fact that the time is constantly displayed on the front.
7 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
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work good and easy to use
by norbak1258 on May 15, 2007
Pros: bluetooth and voice dial
Cons: only 5 numbers for voice dialing
Summary: I got this phone as a replacement for my moto v180. At work I can not have a camara so that puts a limit on the phones that I could ...
Summary: I got this phone as a replacement for my moto v180. At work I can not have a camara so that puts a limit on the phones that I could choose from. I wanted bluetooth, so I got the v195s. Work very well, the only complains is the amount of pleople I can put on voice dial and that I can not upload mp3 for ring tones.
5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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A Great Phone!
by OriginHacker on July 11, 2007
Pros: Excellent audio quality - plenty loud, clear display, looong battery life, and no external antenna
Cons: Cheap plastic design that may squeak/creak when it gets older
Summary: This is the best cell phone I've used to date. I've used many phones and thrown them all away: Nokia 8801, Motorola V3, Samsung T509, and many other ...
Summary: This is the best cell phone I've used to date. I've used many phones and thrown them all away: Nokia 8801, Motorola V3, Samsung T509, and many other top of the line phones. My number one problem with the above phones: You can't hear the other person talking even at top volume. I've talked to others who also agree.
The Motorola V195s has solved this issue and is plenty loud. The audio quality is better than any phone I've seen/used to date. The display is perfect even in daylight! Amazing battery life (I've gotten 10 hours talk time (I use my cell phone for work)) and standby time.
I used the Motorola V195 before this and my only complaint was - when it got old (6 months of 4+ hours/day use) the cheap plastic creaked and squeaked when opened up all the way. We'll see if Motorola fixed this in the V195s.
The V195s definitely clears up some audio problems that the V195 had - the crackling and popping noise in the background. The V195s is almost so clear I have to make sure I'm still connected when no one is talking.
For those of us that need a cell P H O N E (not an MP3 player, internet surfing, picture taking, keyboard text messaging phone) - this is the best modern cell phone out there today. (Nothing beats the Nokia Bricks of the past though).
A+ phone.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Ok... not great
by bsaxton on May 31, 2008
Pros: Bluetooth, speakerphone, charges from computer, quad-band, lots of basic features...
Cons: Almost non-exist 1-touch dialing! Features are hard to get at.
Summary: This is a fine basic phone for someone who just wants to call people... It has many features, but many of them are difficult to get at. For example - ...
Summary: This is a fine basic phone for someone who just wants to call people... It has many features, but many of them are difficult to get at. For example - 1-touch dialing - which should be so simple to program and a key feature of a phone for me - was almost non-programable. It took me literally hours to find a work-around solution...
Many other features require multiple levels of menus that don't always make sense - voice-dialing for example - requires more button-pushes to access than just dailing the phone number (unless you have a headset).
On the plus - the power supply is mini-USB and can be charged from a computer with the appropriate connector. I was also able to sync contacts with my Mac (once I downloaded pluggin for iSync). Call quality has been great. Good battery life.
In the end, I would go for a Nokia over this phone. They just seem to have the feature and menuing system down. Being on pre-paid, this was the cheapest option with BlueTooth, so I went for it.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Good product - solid sound quality, OK interface.
by gobrons on December 1, 2007
Pros: Great sound quality and volume level.
Cons: Interface: a downgrade from Samsung interface but still OK. Slightly bulky.
Summary: This is my first bluetooth phone: I know, a bit late, but I couldn't pare from my old Samsung (X195) which offered great sound quality.
The V195s offers great ...Summary: This is my first bluetooth phone: I know, a bit late, but I couldn't pare from my old Samsung (X195) which offered great sound quality.
The V195s offers great crisp sound quality coupled with good volume level. The bluetooth is working great if you have a good headset (such as plantronics 510). The speaker phone is as loud as you want it to be.
The motorola interface is a bit pale and insipid when compared with the Samsung one. But it still does an OK job overall.
The phone is a tad bulky and slightly on the heavier side. Battery level has been good so far.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Such a dependable little thing...
by mzshineshine on June 17, 2009
Pros: It's dependable, fits nicely in the hand, and offers a long talk/standy time. It's a basic phone but offers many extras. Texting isn't too big a pain and I prefer my flip to any of the keyboard phones out there. Lots of phone book space, too!
Cons: Most likely TMobile's fault, but signal reception could be a bit iffy at times. Also, towards the end, the talk time decreased significantly. (Still able to get about 4 hours.) Due to age, pieces came off, but the loss didn't interfere with its use.
Summary: I have had this phone for more than a good 2 years. It's dependibility and ease of use earns it a star in my book. The phone is highly ...
Summary: I have had this phone for more than a good 2 years. It's dependibility and ease of use earns it a star in my book. The phone is highly customizable as far as options go. Even though it does not have a camera, I received pictures with ease in good quality. In my search for a new phone, I always compare its features to this one. If it doesn't resemble the long talk/standby time, sport easy-to-use keys and vamped-up basics this phone does, I don't want it. This little phone has spoiled me all the way up to the end. (Sadly, the screen is going out and I need to replace it. I'll miss my lil' baby. Sad day. :()
*The battery power remained pretty constant for the last two years. Features don't really make a significant pull on the power, save the energy needed for the java games. Even then, I could play multiple rounds of Midnight Pool on a "low battery" signal. xD Also, after the phone has completely died, I've been able to turn it on after a spell and it gained back some of its charge. Not sure if all phones do this or not, but a plus to be sure.
*You are able to upload media to the phone via a port in the bottom, but I have never used this feature. In fact, I just realized what in the world it is. (Like, just now.) As you can see, there are features I'm still finding out about even after 2 years. There's lots of extras on this phone, basic as it is.
*Some might say that the design is bulky, but it's a nice weight and feel in your hand. Without so much as a protective cover, this cellphone is in pretty good shape (even though it's been dropped a hundred times). The keys are metal in design, but a riveted surface prevents slippage. (After a while, you can decipher the keys without looking. :D)
*When texting, I prefer the enter method to the smart-input function. (The smart-input is agonizingly slow and really a waste of a time.) When texting at a faster speed, the screen might freeze but I've learned to keep texting anyway. As soon as I stop, the cellphone catches up in a second or two. It might not have a keyboard, but I've made pretty good use of my unlimited texting feature. :D
*The speakerphone worked alright for me. If anything, I was more likely to not hear the listener than they were to not hear me. The speakerphone does what it is supposed to, but it's more efficient to put the phone to your ear. This is inconvenient at times, I will admit.
All in all, this phone might not boast the extras of the "newer" phones but I am confident that it can outlast them. In the last year, I have lost ********** on one/half of the volume button on the left side. Also the two disks that cover the screws below the screen have come off. Despite these losses, the ability to use the phone has not been affected. There are multiple ways to get the job done on this phone and that has really helped over the years.
If you're not into all the bells-and-whistles, this phone is perfect for you. It might not have a specific music player or camera, but it is able to support the products of those applications. The design is sturdy, if a bit bland. I do concede to wanting a slimmer phone, but at least I know this one won't slip through my fingers.
It might not be beautiful, but it sports a lot of personality.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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V195/V195S, undoubtedly best in class....
by ermayo on December 27, 2007
Pros: Battery life(phenomenal), screen(bright and clear), call quality(clear and loud). Bluetooth with no bells and whistles and no camera. Best phone for its type I have tried other than Nokias.
Cons: CSTN display very slightly washed out but still good considering its not TFT
Summary: Shame it's being discontinued. T-Mobile and Dobson have a winner with this phone.
Summary: Shame it's being discontinued. T-Mobile and Dobson have a winner with this phone.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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A phone good for talking? YES!
by jjcarmonajr on December 7, 2007
Pros: Great basic phone no problems with bluetooth
Cons: No EDGE and speakerphone is no good
Summary: I read the review of this phone before I went and bought it. Got it for $50 with a 1 year extension. It lasts all day and the bluetooth to ...
Summary: I read the review of this phone before I went and bought it. Got it for $50 with a 1 year extension. It lasts all day and the bluetooth to my surprise works flawlessly...
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great Phone
by cbibbs on July 16, 2007
Pros: Solid call quality and great battery life
Cons: No frills, no camera, no music player
Summary: I love this phone. I've gone roaming with it and a T-Mobile MDA and every place I went the V195s had better reception than the MDA. It doesn't ...
Summary: I love this phone. I've gone roaming with it and a T-Mobile MDA and every place I went the V195s had better reception than the MDA. It doesn't have any extras, but if you don't want/need them, this little guy is perfect.
It does have one "frill" with the Bluetooth, but that's almost a practical feature now with so many headsets requiring it.
Even after I upgrade I'll keep this one in the drawer for emergencies.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Always Reliable
by uesspo on October 22, 2009
Pros: This phone does what a phone is suppose to do and that is answer calls and make calls and the voice dial even works. The Bluetooth works as advertised and we get 3 1/5 to 4 hours of talk time over and over and over again with the Motorola H715.
Cons: Too bad the other phones and manufacturer's can't compete with this phone. It's simply the best cell phone for the money out there.
Summary: This phone I can't say enough about for just being rock solid. Motorola you have my total admiration here. I've had Nokia, Blackberry 8320, and older MTAC phones ...
Summary: This phone I can't say enough about for just being rock solid. Motorola you have my total admiration here. I've had Nokia, Blackberry 8320, and older MTAC phones and this one has been through hell and back in my line of work where the others couldn't hold a candle to Motorola's quality and workmanship. The Blackberry reboots and creates delays but has been useful in a pinch but I defer to the V195 for daily use. The Nokia's stay in the drawers just in case we need one in an emergency, but so far that hasn't happened.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Motorola
- Part number: V195SSLVTMB
- Description: A compact classic, now myFaves-enabled. The Motorola V195s has AIM and Yahoo! instant messaging, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, and a speakerphone so you can easily keep in touch with family and friends.
General
- Product Type Cellular phone
- Service Provider T-Mobile
- Width 1.8 in
- Depth 0.9 in
- Height 3.6 in
- Weight 3.6 oz
Cellular
- Technology GSM
- Band GSM 850/900/1800/1900 (Quadband)
- Phone Design Folder type phone
- Antenna Internal
- Vibrating Alert Yes
- Polyphonic Ringer Yes
- Voice Dialing Yes
- Call Timer Yes
- Conference Call Capability Yes
- Voice Recorder Yes
- Caller ID Yes
- Speakerphone Yes
- Wireless Interface Bluetooth
- Additional Features Intelligent typing (T9), GPRS support
Messaging & Data Services
- Short Messaging Service (SMS) Yes
- Messaging Services ICQ, Yahoo! Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger Service (AIM)
- Internet Browser Yes
- Messaging / Data Features Text messages
Multimedia Features
- Downloadable Content Games, Ring tones, Wallpapers
Organizer
- Alarm Clock Yes
- Calendar Yes
- Calculator Basic
Display
- Type LCD display
- Color Support Color
Display (2nd)
- Type LCD display - Monochrome
Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories Battery, desktop charger, Headset
Power
- Type Power adapter
Battery
- Capacity 1000 mAh
- Talk Time Up to 480 min
Accessories
Manufacturer info
- Motorola
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Motorola products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.motorola.com/
- Address:
600 N. Highway 45, Libertyville, IL 60048 - Phone: 847/576-5000
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