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Motorola V188
Wireless/Mobile Phone/Cell Phone
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Rated 3.0 out of 5 Billed as an entry-level phone, the Motorola v188 is actually a feature rich beauty with quad-band global coverage capability. Instant messaging, MP3 ringtones, dual displays, USB connectivity and gaming support are all here-- a significant step up from entry level phones of the past. It's the perfect companion to T-Mobile service. 
Take a closer look at the V188's functions. You can also see it in action. | Design
The phone features a sleek clamshell design with a large 128 x 128 color display with 65,000 colors. The outside cover of the handset sports a supplementary 96 x 32 monochrome display that can display time, call information, battery and signal strength, and more. A stub antenna is placed on the top right side of the unit. Up and down buttons for volume control are placed on the left side. Most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button on the handset's control pad. A USB-capable data port is housed on the unit's top edge. There's a standard jack to accept universal hands-free headsets on the bottom of the handset, next to the phone's charging port. Face plates are available so you can create the look you're after on the phone's outer casing. Calling Features
The v188 supports polyphonic ringtones as well as MP3 ringers, allowing you to use portions of your favorite songs to alert you to incoming calls. You can also assign pictures and ringers to your most common callers. A number of ringtones come preloaded on the phone and more ringtones can be downloaded from T-Mobile's t-zones service. There's even an included application, MotoMixer, that enables you to mix your own ringtones. Speed dialing, which allows you to call pre-programmed numbers with one button is built in, as is a vibrating alert. A built-in speakerphone makes it easy to talk without having the phone to your ear. Voice activated dialing makes calling your friends, family and associates as easy as saying their names. Messaging, Internet and Tools
The v188 has all the bases covered when it comes to messaging and Internet connectivity. The phone features support for AOL Instant Messenger (T-Mobile messaging charges apply), and there's also a built-in web browser for t-zones downloads and mobile web browsing. T-Mobile's t-zones service lets you receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more. Traditional text messaging, as well as picture and sound messaging are also supported by the phone. 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 email and text messaging users. A number of handy software tools are bundled with the v188 including a voice memo recorder, a calculator, a notepad, a calendar and an alarm clock. Imaging and Entertainment
The v188's USB connectivity can be used to transfer pictures, sounds and graphics to the phone's memory from your PC. Screensavers, themes and wallpapers can be set to your tastes. The v188 is Java enabled, meaning it supports games and application downloads written on the Java platform. Games are available via the T-Mobile t-zones service. Vital Statistics
The v188 weighs 3.39 ounces and measures 3.39 x 1.77 x .9 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3.75 hours of digital talk time, and up to 14.5 days of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty. What's in the Box
Motorola v188 handset, lithium-ion battery, power supply/charger, user's manual.
Features of Motorola V188:
- entry level phone with a stylish and slim clamshell design
- external caller id so you can see who's calling before you answer your phone
- includes phone, charger and user documentation.
- quad band world phone that operates on 850/900/1800/1900 mhz
- talk handsfree with the 2 way integrated speakerphone
Reviews:
| Get a free unlocked Motorola RAZR v3i instead! | Rating: 4 |
| Why settle for less, or commit yourself to a specific cellular provider and service plan, when you can get a complimentary unlocked top of the line Motorola RAZR v3i cell phone that works with any cellular service provider and any SIM card. I got mine free at this web site: bestfreestuff.biz/razrv3i |
| 2 time loser | Rating: 1 |
I've had the v180 and the v188 (motorola's atempt at an upgrade?).
Firstly, I've had the outer plastic screen ontop of the caller ID crack within 4 months of getting both phones, and this was from completely normal use. Secondly the speaker phone function is completely useless unless you are in a dead silent area, otherwise it isnt loud enough. The phone also get terrible reception, the first time I had this phone I was with cingular, second time I was with T-mobile, I got sub-par reception with both phones/companies, when people with the same carrier would consistently get better reception no matter where we were. I've had the microphone begin to fail, ridiculous numbers of dropped calls (sometimes going 10 calls in a row all of them dropped within 15 seconds or just failing the call altogether (this being in an area I normally get 3-4 bars while i'm NOT holding the phone))
This phone is the biggest piece of junk I have ever owned, and so is the v180, the only difference between the two is aesthetic (the front faceplate on the v188 isnt as easily removed).
stay AWAY from this phone, even if you get it free with a plan, its still not worth it! Go with ANY other phone, or pay a few bucks for a better one, you'll regret it within a few months when you get this piece. |
| Very good no-frills phone | Rating: 4 |
| I'm in the pro-V188 camp. I think it's a solid, good-quality cell phone. The color screen is a bit small compared to more expensive phones, but hey, you get this for free before the generous rebate, so stop bitching about this not being a high-end phone, for it's not meant to be a high-end phone. It has good reception and voice quality, and is built rather like a tank: solid, durable, a little on the thick side. If you want something stylish go with a RAZR or PEBL or SLVR. If you want something small and lasts forever, go with a Sanyo PCS phone for Sprint. But the V188 is a good basic phone, no doubt about that. |
| Static problems and low volume after one year | Rating: 3 |
| This was a decent phone for about 6 months but I started noticing that the volume diminishing over time. In the last few weeks (after 1 year and just after the T-mobile warranty ran out), the phone has developed a lot of static and people say they have trouble hearing me. My wife's phone (the same model) is still working reasonably well after one year but she uses it very infrequently. From the other reviews I've seen, I think you can expect about 4-9 months of decent function out of this phone but it doesn't seem to withstand normal wear and tear. |
| Not Bad Until it Breaks | Rating: 3 |
I want to echo comments below--I am also a 2-time loser with this series of phones, the V-180 and V-188. The exterior LCD on the V-180 cracked at some point while it was in my pocket, for what reason I have no clue. T-Mobile said that this is a "known problem" with these phones and offered a warranty repair in two weeks with no temporary replacement. No thanks. Two weeks without your only phone is a long time. So I payed $50 and got a new V-188. Motorola had clearly improved this phone with a beefier plastic housing around the exterior LCD. After 4 months, that cracked while in my pocket, but the LCD was in tact, so I guess the upgrade worked. Later on, I dropped the phone once and now I have intermittent reception--it will work fine for a while and then not for a while. Yeah I dropped it and all, but I had two cheap Nokia bar phones before this that I could fling across a parking lot without any damage.
Other than that, I do love the flip phone concept--it's light and smaller than most other phones and the interface is intutive. If you want a cool, cheap, little phone short on superflous featurees, I recommend it. Just make sure to treat it like fine china.
I would like to go back to Nokia, but surprise given all the phones they make, the selection amongst the carriers in my area is pretty unimpressive. |
By Motorola |
The Mobile Phone Saving Network