Motorola V60 (Cingular Wireless)

Reviewed on 6/12/03    Updated on: 11/22/02    When the V60c came out for Verizon's service last year, it made many users of competing carriers envious. Now a TDMA version of this stylish phone is available to AT&T Wireless and Cingular customers. And though it lacks wireless Web service, it's essentially the same phone with a reduced price tag.

Design of Motorola V60 (Cingular Wireless)

Like the CDMA version, instead of a plastic casing, the trimode (TDMA 800/1900/AMPS) V60t has an anodized aluminum casing that seems scratch resistant, even when we carried the phone with keys in our pocket. It also doesn't show fingerprints like Nokia's chrome 8860 does. We're also happy to report that after experiencing some problems with the V60c's retractable antenna, which has a tendency to break, Motorola has equipped the V60t with a more durable fixed antenna.

Aside from that, the two models are virtually identical, although this unit includes a high-capacity battery that adds a bit to the phone's size (3.42 by 1.77 by 1.07 inches) and weight (4.3 ounces). Also, as with the V60c, you get a second, external LCD that allows you to view caller ID, text messages, or time and date without flipping open the phone.

The V60t displays only three lines of regular-sized text or two with the larger font on its screen. That's not exactly ideal, but since this model doesn't offer wireless Web access, it's not a major shortcoming. But we do recommend that users with less than stellar eyesight really check out the phone's display before purchasing it.

Features of Motorola V60 (Cingular Wireless)

This model has the same user interface as Motorola's other mobiles. Overall, the V60t's menus are easy to navigate, but we can't say they're the simplest or most elegant we've seen. You'll have to read the manual to take advantage of the V60t's shortcuts and figure out how to use its more advanced features. They include a voice-recognition system that allows you to create voice-command shortcuts to favorite features or dial up to 20 contacts by saying their names; a voice recorder that stores up to two minutes of voice notes; a 400-entry phone book; a datebook; and AT&T's two-way text messaging, which must be activated with your service provider. Other standard features include call history, caller ID, an alarm, three-way calling, and customizable ring tones.

To add further functionality, Motorola offers TrueSync software (including the cable), which allows you to sync the V60t's phone book and datebook to a PIM on your Windows PC. The phone is also compatible with Motorola's optional FM radio accessory and data kit, which turns the V60t into a wireless modem.

Performance of Motorola V60 (Cingular Wireless)

When it came to talking, we had no complaints about the phone's ergonomics and had an easy time finding the earpiece's sweet spot. As with its CDMA sibling, we were pleased with the sound quality and found that signal strength was good using AT&T's service in New York and San Francisco, even when we roamed to an analog network.

As noted, AT&T is bundling a high-capacity battery with the V60t, which means you can get up to four hours of talk time and up to eight days of standby time. Our tests confirmed the talk time number but fell well short of the standby number; expect to get closer to five days at best.

• 4.9/10

  Average user rating from 85 users

  Mediocre
• Write your own review How would you rate this product?
• 3/10 Poor

  January 20, 2005

  "Replaced Antenna 3 times!" Read more >>

• 7/10 Very good

  October 7, 2004

  "Great Phone with a couple of issues" Read more >>

• 7/10 Very good

  April 12, 2005

  by fordtruckman84us (see profile)

  "The Motorola v60i is good value for what I use it for" Read more >>

• 1/10 Abysmal

  March 21, 2005

  by archie mackey (see profile)

  ""TERRIBLE"" Read more >>

• 1/10 Abysmal

  January 16, 2005

  "SUX BIG TIME" Read more >>

• 7/10 Very good

  January 12, 2005

  "Excellent fit and finish" Read more >>

• 7/10 Very good

  January 9, 2005

  "This phone is good! BUY IT!" Read more >>

• 6/10 Good

  September 29, 2004

  "This phone is a good talking machine, when your able to talk with it." Read more >>

• 7/10 Very good

  September 11, 2004

  "Great, except for vol. control" Read more >>

• 5/10 Average

  September 11, 2004

  "NOT ENOUGH MODERN FEATURES" Read more >>

• Write your own review See all 85 user opinions >>

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