The Motorola RAZR 2

Motorola has today officially unveiled the successor to one of the most iconic mobiles ever made, the RAZR 2. Available in 3.6Mbps HSDPA, EV-DO, and GSM / EDGE variants as the V9, V9m, and V8 respectively, the GSM and CDMA versions of the device comes in 2 millimeters slimmer than its predecessor and -- on some versions, anyway -- will be the second to use Motorola's new Linux-based platform (the first being the Z6). It includes something Moto is calling "Crystal Talk" technology that automatically adjusts volume and tone based on ambient noise. Other features include external music controls, haptics (read: vibration) for tactile feedback when external touchscreen keys are pressed, a full HTML browser, 2 megapixel cam, the full suite of Bluetooth profiles, Windows Media Player sync, a 2-inch QVGA external display, 2.2-inch QVGA internal display, and twice the screen resolution of the original RAZR. GSM versions start shipping in early July, with CDMA following up later in the summer.

[andy @ May 15th 2007 11:25AM]

I never really liked the RAZR before, but these are actually some decent upgrades. I've got myself hooked on using a smartphone so it's still not for me, but not bad.

I like that "crystal talk" feature.

[chris @ Sep 16th 2007 6:32PM]

its got the same features as the moto razr maxx ve that i have now but mine looks better and was cheaper

[teel @ May 15th 2007 11:30AM]

Urgh. Still as fugly as the first one :(

[Chris @ May 15th 2007 11:41AM]

Why do people call this phone ugly? What more do you want, it's so small there is little way of changing it without affecting functionality. I mean what does a "pretty" phone even look like?

[anonymouspimp @ May 15th 2007 11:59AM]

What? The RAZR is fugly?

Well, over 50 million people disagree... apparently.

http://www.mobiletracker.net/archives/2006/07/18/motorola-razr-sales

And that data is almost a year old.

[Caveman978 @ May 15th 2007 2:51PM]

You want fashion? The "pink" one wasn't good enough for you?
Afraid it might clash with your new shoes?

It's a PHONE! not a new purse.
I have never picked a phone for it's "looks".
I'm more concerned with making a call and having good coverage.

[babydoll @ Sep 10th 2007 5:51AM]

lol, i think my pink razr is beautiful, but i must admit the razr 2 is looking kinda ugly.

[randy @ May 15th 2007 11:34AM]

HOT! If Apple can't ship iPhone orders in a timely fashion this will be a great substitute.

[randy @ May 15th 2007 11:36AM]

HOT! If Apple can't ship iPhone orders in a timely fashion this will be a great substitute.

[Spencer @ May 15th 2007 11:51AM]

I'm curious about something, they touted the music playing ability of this phone but I don't see a headphone jack. Does it have one, or is it purely through A2DP?
Because the whole benefit of super-slim phone is kinda lost if you have to lug around battery-and-bluetooth-equipped headphones (as opposed to a small set of earbuds)with you.

[Jeffrey @ May 16th 2007 5:35AM]

yes it does come with headphones, the sound quality if very good too!

[Caleb @ Aug 30th 2007 5:32PM]

Why would you need a headphone jack when you can stream stereo audio wirelessly over bluetooth with this device?

[Mrfreezie @ May 15th 2007 11:55AM]

Obviously, they will have a hard time fighting the iPhone, especially if it's fighting for the best looks. But, I think if Motorola plays their cards right, they won't be swept under the carpet immediately. Price, for one, will be a key issue here. If they can price this at $150-$200(with contract) I think that that will give them an excellent chance.

[Mrfreezie @ May 15th 2007 11:56AM]

Obviously, they will have a hard time fighting the iPhone, especially if it's fighting for the best looks. But, I think if Motorola plays their cards right, they won't be swept under the carpet immediately. Price, for one, will be a key issue here. If they can price this at $150-$200(with contract) I think that that will give them an excellent chance.

[Zeek @ May 15th 2007 11:57AM]

meh-torola.

[McGinley @ May 15th 2007 12:21PM]

No no you're pronouncing it wrong.Its MO-torola.Mo!Not Meh-torola!

[Zeek @ May 15th 2007 11:57AM]

meh-torola strikes ag'in.

[Kevin Daub @ May 15th 2007 11:58AM]

And none of these features will be available with Verizon Wireless.

[Gene Greenwalt @ Jun 6th 2007 4:55AM]

Verizon will cripple this one too. That is why I went to Alltel to use the features of the phone. I am finished with Verizon.

[Spencer @ May 15th 2007 7:58PM]

Actually, Ed Zander (Motorola's CEO) mentioned at the announcement that they have sold over 98 million RAZRs, and are expecting to hit 100 million by the end of the quarter

http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/15/live-from-motorolas-mobile-experience-event-with-ed-zander/

what a difference a year makes...

[VedicHymn @ May 15th 2007 12:01PM]

Hopefully this new Linux based OS is better than the current Motorola phone OS, because let's be honest people, the Motorola phone OS blows.

[McGinley @ May 15th 2007 12:17PM]

I think its alright...had a v360 now for over a year and never had any probs.

[Brad @ Aug 8th 2007 8:32AM]

Agreed the OS really blows. I just got the KRAZR
after my son sank my RAZR. When I push the contacts
button, there is a 4 SECOND delay before my contacts
pop. (and I only have about 50 loaded) This delay
is long enough to cause me to think the phone didn't
register the input...push another button...OOPS.
This delay is persistent in many areas and menus.
I'm trading in this POS.

[Warhorse @ May 15th 2007 12:03PM]

One thing that the motorolla has though is loyalty and everyone sure loves the razar style. They should do just fine when this one releases vs the I-Phone.

[sinrtb @ Aug 24th 2007 12:13AM]

I liked the style when I saw it advertised even when i held it in my hand. But I will never get another one. To be honest it is not even motorola's fault (mostly the slow load times sux) its how disabled the final product is. It took hours of hacking and downloading various programs before it was half as good as the un messed with version.

[anonymouspimp @ May 15th 2007 12:03PM]

I don't think this phone will be in competition with the iPhone. At all.

They are targeting two pretty different groups.

[Cesar Cardoso @ May 15th 2007 12:16PM]

Uh, this big beautiful external display...

[theninthcloud @ May 15th 2007 1:04PM]

the GSM and CDMA versions of the device comes in 2 millimeters slimmer than its predecessor and -- on some versions, anyway -- will be the second to use Motorola's new Linux-based platform (the first being the Z6).

Will the GSM version make use of the new OS?

[Steve @ May 15th 2007 1:06PM]

I like the look of this thing. The outside LCD looks great also.

FYI this it not the Moto phone that is to compete with the iPhone. they are working on one but you will not find any info on it anywhere. they have it under lock and key at this point. When it does get leaked you will see one sweet phone tho.

[Chris @ May 15th 2007 3:12PM]

If it's under lock and key, how did you find out?

[red @ May 15th 2007 1:15PM]

good looking phone, but moto quality is suspect. i'd rather hold out for an iphone, or maybe a helio...

[AndrewNeo @ May 15th 2007 1:54PM]

The RAZR series never had a headphone jack, they use mini USB to 2.5mm or 3.5mm adapters.
Also, too bad the CDMA version likely won't have any of the nice features like the browser and Linux OS.. we all know that kind of stuff is too nice for a Verizon phone.

[MasterCKO @ Jun 14th 2007 8:04PM]

Think Sprint, yo.

[Steve @ May 15th 2007 3:23PM]

Extended family member works for Moto.

[Steve @ May 15th 2007 3:26PM]

An extended family member works for Moto

[Tom @ May 15th 2007 4:06PM]

I love my RAZR. My only complaint right now is the lack of RTSP video. I really hope this one supports that because all the other features sound great! It also better have the standard USB port as well!

[Derek @ Apr 24th 2008 6:50PM]

It comes with a converter from the old USB style to the new.

[Darnell @ May 15th 2007 4:13PM]

What the hell is going on with the comments here? Anyway--nice looking phone and packed full of features. I too prefer smartphones because of the qwerty but you can't ignore that this does it's fair share.
I disagree though--this is as much about style as it is substance and that alone puts it up against the iphone. Trendy people will have a tough choice in coming months. Throw in the Wing , Curve and q9 and you'll have quite a bit of a free for all. Which I don't mind....
Makes me wonder though--when is the Blackjack 2 coming out?

[Brian @ May 15th 2007 5:06PM]

Wow its been a long time since I wanted a new Moto but this thing is looking very very sweet... Hope I can afford it!

[Just Sam @ May 15th 2007 5:26PM]

Very nice, any word on when this will be available in Australia?

I would really like to get it, I've been on the lookout for something matching this description.

[Chuckles McGee @ May 15th 2007 5:29PM]

Aww... I've always associated the RAZR with "ultra slim", but the iphone is still slimmer! No word on improved battery life either...I'm lucky to get more than a day of standby out of mine...

[coprock @ May 15th 2007 5:39PM]

It's just a phone folks! My Razor lasted exactly one unlucky drop. Did nothing particuraly well. $179 to replace under plan. Meh. I love my $19 cingular go phone which works with my sim card and will let me talk for 12 hours with one charge. It does nothing else, but it does what it's supposed to quite well. if it breaks, i buy another one.

[PENIX @ May 15th 2007 5:41PM]

The RAZR is a piece of garbage. Even the guys who work at the store and get them for free don't use them. If this one is up to par with all the other phones on the market, it will be a huge improvement.

[Thomas Tolleson @ May 15th 2007 6:25PM]

There's a few tech specs I'm new to in this article. Do any of them mean wi-fi? Because without that ability, it's nothing like the iPhone. I get free wi-fi in my apartment building which means means free web surfing with any wi-fi device. If this doesn't have that feature, it's just an added expense I don't need.

[Lance @ May 15th 2007 6:27PM]

Price?

[alime @ May 15th 2007 7:10PM]

I hope Verizon doesn't cut the features this phone too.
Aaron B. Allison

[nikster @ May 15th 2007 8:01PM]

Yeah the RAZR was cool when it first came out which was like.. what.. 10 years ago?

I like the features on this phone but the looks are severely disappointing. Mo-no-new-ideas-torola.

Samsung's Ultra series looks a lot better than the RAZR / RAZR 2. Or that new flat Sony Walkman phone. The RAZR 2 looks tired next to those. Just talking about looks, not features [where the ultras are lacking]

I agree that this doesn't compete with the iPhone - different category of phone.

[Chris @ May 15th 2007 9:15PM]

Does anyone else really want to receive a text message from Dickon Isaacs?

[Chris @ May 15th 2007 10:03PM]

The inside display could be bigger. They are wasting a lot of space there to save money I suppose. Other than that it looks good.

[the-pandora-effect.blogsp @ May 15th 2007 10:57PM]

but.. hasnt this phone been out since last year? well, speaking from someone who lives in the south-east asian parts.

Pandora E;
regards.