The Mobile Phone Saving Network

Motorola V171

Wireless/Mobile Phone/Cell Phone

Rated 2.5 out of 5

This update to the tried-and-true Motorola V66 features all the rock-solid features of its predecessor, plus a gorgeous color screen. You'll also get polyphonic ringtone capabilities, instant messaging, and enhanced text messaging -- making the V171 the perfect complement to a Net10 prepaid wireless account, which includes voice mail and text messaging services.

Design
The phone features a sleek clamshell design with a 98 x 67 color display with 4096 colors. Most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button on the handset's control pad. There's also a standard jack to accept universal hands-free headsets.

Calling Features
The V171's built-in address book that can store up to 250 contacts for quick and easy management of phone numbers and other contact information. The phone also comes with built-in polyphonic ringtones (20 of them!), and there's even a built-in composer so you can fashion your own ringtones. A silent vibrate mode is available, too, for times when you want to keep things discreet. And perhaps most importantly, the integrated airtime balance display shows you how much airtime you've used and how much is left, allowing you to keep an eye on your minutes.

Messaging
The V171 covers the messaging basics with support for sending and receiving messages that contain text and graphics. The phone also supports instant messaging. iTap text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile text messaging users.

Tools and Entertainment
In addition to offering customizable ringtones and graphics, the V171 ships with three games to keep you entertained while you're on the go. Plus, a calculator with a currency converter, as well as an alarm and stopwatch, are included.

Vital Statistics
The Motorola V171 weighs 3.14 ounces and measures 3.43 x 1.80 x .93 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 450 minutes of digital talk time, and up to 300 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the GSM 850/1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Motorola V171 handset, lithium-ion battery, AC charger, SIM card, user's manual.

Features of Motorola V171:

20 pre-loaded polyphonic ringtones, games, pictures, wallpaper and screensavers
compact, flip phone design with a vivid color screen
limit 5 phones per customer.
prepaid phones
text messaging with itap predictive text entry
voice mail, caller id, call waiting

Reviews:

This phone sucks	Rating: 1
service is terrible, no good ringtones, my missed calls list is always mixed up on the dates. Dont get it! You will end up paying the same if you have a plan!

Stop the Insanity	Rating: 3
This is a excellent product and will serve well as a emergency and "use every now and again phone". If your plan is to use it for everyday use then get a paid plan. [...]

Warranty? What warranty?

Rating: 1

I had been very happy with my Motorola phone until the battery started losing its charge within a day, even when the phone was turned off. The friendly but incompetent customer support kept me on the phone for an average of 40 minutes for the repeated calls trying to figure out the problem. After the phone had finally been sent to their technical service center, they returned it to me that the phone was irreperable "due to customer abuse." I have done nothing to that phone that could have caused any damage (unless using it to make phone calls counts as "customer abuse"), but got the same comment, without explanation after I had sent the phone in for a second time for reevaluation. It seems that Motorola is just trying to get out of fixing or replacing the phone free of charge under warranty. You'll be fine with a Motorola phone as long as it works. After that, you're on your own.

By TracFone