Motorola T720i

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cnet editors' rating 7.3/10 Very good Editorial policies >>
average user rating from 25 users 6.2/10 Good Read user opinions >>

Product summary

The good: Color screen; works on GPRS networks; downloads apps/ring tones; nice keypad; external LCD; changeable faceplates.

The bad: Could have better battery life; GSM coverage still spotty in the United States.

The bottom line: The T720 is a real head-turner with plenty of high-end features, but we wish it had better performance.

Specs: Carrier: T-Mobile; Band / mode: GSM 850/1900; Talk time: Up to 120 min See full specs >>

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Reviewed by: Joni Blecher

Reviewed on 6/18/03 Updated on: 12/19/02 Release date: 11/1/02 The T720 is a cross between two of Motorola's most popular models to date: the famous StarTAC and the slick V60 series. The result is a phone that's sexy, functional, and reliable. Add to the mix the latest in cutting-edge features, such as a large color screen, downloadable apps, and compatibility with GPRS networks, and it's clear that Motorola has another winner on its hands. But before you take the plunge, make sure you have sufficient GSM coverage in your area and can live with the phone's minimal battery performance. There's also a CDMA version available that works on Verizon Wireless's 3G network.

Design of Motorola T720i

At first glance, with its silver flip-style casing and rectangular external LCD, the T720 looks a lot like Samsung's SCH-A310, also available for Verizon Wireless service. If you don't like the shade, opt for changeable front and back faceplates. But once you open up the shiny cover, you'll note that the similarities end at the spacious nine-line, 4,096-color display. At 3.6 by 1.9 by 1.0 inches and 4 ounces, the T720 is also a little larger and heavier than the A310, but it feels comfortable in the hand and won't leave a bulge in your pocket.

This full-featured phone won't put a bulge in your pocket.

Fashion-friendly: Change the faceplate for a new look.

As mentioned, like the V60 series before it, the T720 sports an external LCD that displays time, date, network strength, battery status, and caller ID (when available). But it's the internal display that really pops. While it's not as bright as the one found on LG's 5350, its icon-heavy user interface really draws you in. With one-touch access to four programmable shortcuts and the phone book, this is one of the more intuitive menu interfaces we've encountered.

We also appreciated the large, backlit keypad, which keeps misdials to a minimum. Additionally, the four-way navigation key and the three keys placed above it add to the phone's ease of use. If you plan on playing a lot of games on your phone, you should check out a model with a joysticklike navigation key, such as the Sony Ericsson T68i.

Features of Motorola T720i

Rich in features, the T720 comes with all the usual suspects, including a 500-name phone book, a calendar, a calculator, a currency converter, two-way text messaging, voice notes and tags, caller ID, call logs, e911 compatibility, and 70 ring tones (33 included, 32 customizable and/or downloadable slots, and 5 vibrating styles).

This mobile is also BREW enabled, which means you can download new games, screensavers, wallpaper, and applications via the wireless Web to the phone's 1.75MB of dedicated memory.

You can also turn the phone into an FM radio when you purchase the optional FM-stereo radio headset. On top of that, the T720 is data ready and compatible with AT&T's next-generation GPRS network.

Fully loaded: The T720 comes with a plastic holder and a headset.

Performance of Motorola T720i

In our tests using AT&T Wireless's service in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area, the single-mode (GSM 1900) mobile consistently got good reception. Callers sounded loud and clear, and for their part, they couldn't tell we were using a cell phone. We should note, however, that the GSM networks are still expanding in the United States, and it's best to make sure that you have sufficient coverage everywhere you want to make a call before buying this phone.

Unfortunately, the phone didn't fare as well with battery life. We fell only a few minutes short of the 130-minute talk time and managed to get close to a week of standby time (it's rated at 336 hours). The good news is that the T720 requires only an hour to recharge. Plus, the charger is fairly compact, so it won't take up a lot of space in a suitcase.