RAZR V3 & SMS ???

[gene2598]

Has anyone a RAZR V3 and tried it with SMS? I am moving back to the US soon (from Germany) and I need a new phone. I had an Siemens S55 (awesome phone), but can't find a new one anywhere (bought it two years ago).

Anywho, I have heard how great the RAZR V3 is, but I haven't heard anyone say anything about if it has worked with SMS?

Another question: Does it have internet connectivity (browsing) capability?

Thanks!!

[ger3sf]

I bought a Razr last June to replace a Samsung S105. It's the slimmest, lightest phone since my old Ericsson T28 (which had a 2-line screen and tiny keys).

The Razr has a relatively large screen, web browsing capability (with a data plan), bluetooth headset, luminescent keypad, and tri-band. I don't do text messaging on the phone and only receive short text messages (e.g. from United Airlines). I prefer doing web browsing/e-mails on my Treo 600.

The only thing I dislike is the screen that is washed out in direct sunlight. I have to block the sun to read the screen.

[Terry Kennedy]

Anywho, I have heard how great the RAZR V3 is, but I haven't heard anyone say anything about if it has worked with SMS?

Another question: Does it have internet connectivity (browsing) capability?The RAZR supports SMS, but on the ULF-based cars (at least with the 387 ULF) messages don't get to the car. I'm not sure about your Assist-based Bluetooth.

Yes, the RAZR has web browsing. Note that it uses GPRS data (relatively low-speed, like 19200 baud) and not the high-speed EDGE (which is only starting to be deployed in the US). I haven't had problems with Internet speed on mine.

[bimmer7]

Has anyone a RAZR V3 and tried it with SMS? I am moving back to the US soon (from Germany) and I need a new phone. I had an Siemens S55 (awesome phone), but can't find a new one anywhere (bought it two years ago).

Anywho, I have heard how great the RAZR V3 is, but I haven't heard anyone say anything about if it has worked with SMS?

Another question: Does it have internet connectivity (browsing) capability?

Thanks!!

I think most of your questions have been answered by the individuals above me. I just wanted to point out that there is a Black version of the Razr V3 that was released exclusively for the Oscars guests to carry around, and apprently there is a limited supply of these black special edition V3 Rzr's. My friend has one and I will post pics soon on this tread whenever I get a chance in the next few days...but trust me the black version is so much more slick and cooler then the regular version of the V3 Rzr. If you are interested in the black version I might be able to get you one or for that matter anyother phone you are interested in...as I have a few contacts who are in the business.
I currently use the Nokia 7610 the silver/white edition which I have had for for more then a year.....I bought it and was the one of the very FIRST ones in Toronto to have acquired it so early in May of 2004. I love this phone and might be switching over to the Nokia 8800 w/chrome casing :bigpimp: very slick and sharp.
Again my friend bought that phone 2 months ago, one of the FIRST ones to have it.....when it comes to phone me and my friends are the FIRST ones to have it..... :D
anyhow....so if you are interested let me know. . .

[Liverman]

Has anyone a RAZR V3 and tried it with SMS? I am moving back to the US soon (from Germany) and I need a new phone. I had an Siemens S55 (awesome phone), but can't find a new one anywhere (bought it two years ago).

Anywho, I have heard how great the RAZR V3 is, but I haven't heard anyone say anything about if it has worked with SMS?

Another question: Does it have internet connectivity (browsing) capability?

Thanks!!
Very cool phone. You can now get the Black Razr from a variety of places in the US. It is, IMO, a much nicer phone to the touch and eye than the all silver one. It is really an awesome phone with a gorgeous screen. And it is quad band - 850, 900, 1800 and 1900.

Both Cingular and T-Mobile are selling them with two year contracts. You can check out their websites for current offers as they change frequently. These phones are locked to the provider. If you are going to be using Cingular in the US you will want the Cingular software on the phone becaue it enables hand-offs between the Cingular and AT&T cell towers. The unbranded or T-Mobile phones do not have that capability without mods.

It works fine with SMS, though some of the SMS experience is controlled by the service provider. Having just migrated from the AT&T TDMA service to Cingular GSM, I notice some differences in how SMS works with email - no diff in ******to****** SMS.

Terry mentioned that the Razr uses GPRS (slower) internet connectivity rather than EDGE (faster). I compared the Razr and the Nokia 6230 (not the 6230i). The Nokia has EDGE and it was quite a bit faster in acccessing the internet and displaying resiults than the Razr. The Nokia has a 128x128 screen compared to 176x220 for the Razr - the bigger screen might account for some of the slower response.

I decided to go with the Nokia 6230 because I found I liked the Nokia menu better and the fact that BMW has come out with a Bluetooth cradle for the 6230i/6230.

They are also selling on eBay quite briskly. BTW I am selling my barely used black Razr V3 on eBay (PM me for a link if you are interested).

[bimmer7]

Very cool phone. You can now get the Black Razr from a variety of places in the US. It is, IMO, a much nicer phone to the touch and eye than the all silver one. It is really an awesome phone with a gorgeous screen. And it is quad band - 850, 900, 1800 and 1900.

Both Cingular and T-Mobile are selling them with two year contracts. You can check out their websites for current offers as they change frequently. These phones are locked to the provider. If you are going to be using Cingular in the US you will want the Cingular software on the phone becaue it enables hand-offs between the Cingular and AT&T cell towers. The unbranded or T-Mobile phones do not have that capability without mods.

It works fine with SMS, though some of the SMS experience is controlled by the service provider. Having just migrated from the AT&T TDMA service to Cingular GSM, I notice some differences in how SMS works with email - no diff in ******to****** SMS.

Terry mentioned that the Razr uses GPRS (slower) internet connectivity rather than EDGE (faster). I compared the Razr and the Nokia 6230 (not the 6230i). The Nokia has EDGE and it was quite a bit faster in acccessing the internet and displaying resiults than the Razr. The Nokia has a 128x128 screen compared to 176x220 for the Razr - the bigger screen might account for some of the slower response.

I decided to go with the Nokia 6230 because I found I liked the Nokia menu better and the fact that BMW has come out with a Bluetooth cradle for the 6230i/6230.

They are also selling on eBay quite briskly. BTW I am selling my barely used black Razr V3 on eBay (PM me for a link if you are interested).

Yea, Edge is certainly used in some of the series 60 nokia phones with the symbian OS loaded on them, they indeed are user friendly phones. :thumbup: . hmmm as for the Rzr's doesnt mater where you buy from you can always get it unlocked, I unlock my phones right and left......NEVERRRRRR SIGN A CONTRACT!!!!!!!!!!! biggest SCAM & BS ever. I mean seriously they are providing you with a near to free phone that seems more attractive then what you are getting yourself into....IMO always buy through respectable members @ HoFo, ebay or dealers, in essence private deals are the best way 2 go for cellphones...you get them fast no hassle no contract new phones and some are willing to negotiate! :thumbup:

[gene2598]

How do you get the unlock codes and procedures for the phones?

[kd2789mo]

Mine is sliver...the blacks look nicer

[Hattori Hanzo]

. hmmm as for the Rzr's doesnt mater where you buy from you can always get it unlocked, I unlock my phones right and left......NEVERRRRRR SIGN A CONTRACT!!!!!!!!!!! biggest SCAM & BS ever. I mean seriously they are providing you with a near to free phone that seems more attractive then what you are getting yourself into....IMO always buy through respectable members @ HoFo, ebay or dealers, in essence private deals are the best way 2 go for cellphones...you get them fast no hassle no contract new phones and some are willing to negotiate! :thumbup:

Hi, it sounds like you know what your talking about. I tried to get the RAZR but my contract doesn't expire until Feb 2006. Can I purchase a RAZR on ebay, then simply pop in the chip from my current Motorola phone? Whats locking/unlocking mean?

Thanks.

[Liverman]

Let me see if I can answer the questions Hattori Hanzo and gene2598 have posed.

Research Sources

Where would you go if you wanted comprehensive info about BMWs? bimmerfest!
Where would you go if you wanted comprehensive info about phones, carriers, features, modding and unlocking? http://www.howardforums.com/ (there are lots of other phone forums, but this one is like the Encylopedia Britannica)
For in depth info about modifications of Motorloa phones (flexing and flashing) go to http://motomodders.net/
For in depth info about Nokia modifications go to http://nokiafree.org/
Etiquette: Asking in a reputable phone forum "How do I unlock my XYZ phone" is considered to be in as poor taste as asking "What kind of deal did you get on you 760Li at Passport BMW?" is here.:nono: And, like here, search and read before posting.
Technology
Modern GSM cell phones have lots of locks - to lock the SIM, to lock the keypad, security codes to prevent unauthorised access to your private data and something called a subsidy lock. This lock prevents the cell phone from being used with a service provider different from the one that originally sold you the phone. Right now you can buy a Razr V3 from Cingular for $199 with a two year contract. That phone can only be used with Cingular. If you take out the Cingular SIM card and put in one from T-Mobile or Orange or Vodaphone, the phone will not work.

Why do they do this? Economics. They want you to use their service at $50, $100 or more per month!

If you try to buy a Razr or any other phone without a service contract, the price jumps by a factor of 1.5 or 2 or more. The phone companies are subsidizing the cost of the phone (hence "subsidy lock"). Right now on eBay, unlocked Razr phones are selling for 1.5 times the subsidized price from Cingular.

Motorola
Different phones use different methods to unlock the subsidy lock. From what I have read each Motorola phone (uniquely identified by its serial number or IMEI number) gets a unique subsidy unlock key at the time of manufacture. Motrola makes those keys available only to the company that they sell the phones to. There is no way to mathematically generate these unlock keys. Therfore, you have to get the key from the company that sold you the phone (and subsidized the sale). Or buy an unlocked phone at a higher price. Or purchase an unlocking service from one of the companies who advertise on the forums I mentioned above.

Nokia
You can calculate the keys if you know several pieces of information: phone model, service provider, IMEI and something called the GEN. You can usually find out that info about your phone by searching the forums listed above. Or get it from your service provider. Or use one of the unlocking services.

Others
Dunno. I have only researched Motorolas and Nokias.

Summary
If you like puzzles and problem solving, go to the forums above and read - lots of info and you can figure out what needs to be done. If you just want it done, check the unlocking services that advertise in those forums. The cost is nominal, though in some circumstances you need to send your phone to them.

You might ask, if the phone company has you locked into a two year contract, why do they care about locking the phone? Got me. Maybe to help you renew with them after year two.. :)

Afterword
One final word - almost every lock of every kind on every brand of phone has limits as to how many wrong entires it will accept. Three is a common limit. The penalty is usually having to get another unlock code (which is usually harder to get than the first one) or having to send your phone off to the phone company, phone manufacturer or third party service company that has some magic hardware and software to reset your phone. Moral: you really don't want to try guessing unlock keys.

[Liverman]

Can I purchase a RAZR on ebay, then simply pop in the chip from my current Motorola phone?
Yes, if the phone is either (1) locked to your phone company or (2) unlocked.

[Spectre]

Motorola
Or purchase an unlocking service from one of the companies who advertise on the forums I mentioned above.That's the trick. I did that before taking my V600 overseas. I can't see much value in doing it in the US since switching to another service provider hits you with an early contract termination fee which probably covers the subsidy nicely.

[bimmer7]

Yea, Edge is certainly used in some of the series 60 nokia phones with the symbian OS loaded on them, they indeed are user friendly phones. :thumbup: . hmmm as for the Rzr's doesnt mater where you buy from you can always get it unlocked, I unlock my phones right and left......NEVERRRRRR SIGN A CONTRACT!!!!!!!!!!! biggest SCAM & BS ever. I mean seriously they are providing you with a near to free phone that seems more attractive then what you are getting yourself into....IMO always buy through respectable members @ HoFo, ebay or dealers, in essence private deals are the best way 2 go for cellphones...you get them fast no hassle no contract new phones and some are willing to negotiate! :thumbup:

Yup I think pretty much the others have elaborated on what i pointed here above. . ..HoFo is short for Howard Forums and on this forum I know a very good member and long time friend 'YESH' that I have dealt with for years. This website is a very good for trading cellphones. ALso locking and unlocking a phone makes you able to use a SIM card from any cellphone service provider.

Hanzo,
So agreeing with what LiverMan said there are a multitude of ways of unlocking a phone.....usually its smarter to buy an unlocked phone from private dealer (best choice IMO), direct order from manufacturer (takes too long IMO I cant wait that long for my phone :thumbdwn: ), private individual (if you dont mind mint condition) or some other electronics stores that just sell cellphones with a slight markup and do not provide talk plans or other cellphone services.
YOU DO NOT WANT TO BUY AN UNLOCKED PHONE FROM A SERVICE PROVIDER! they will jus rip you off because they have a high markup on it..... :p

[ssbimmerx5]

When I bought the Razr, it was relatively new, and I had to pay premium bucks for it.(500) W/e, I am very happy with that phone, slim, stylish , and filled with gizmos, (that bluetooth is great). and then they had to come out with the black one :mad: ..i like my silver v3 but the black one is just awesome..w/e i will wait a little while. . enjoy this one..and then get a new one.. :thumbup: