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"It's a nice camera with a phone and MP3 player built in" on by ryman2222
Pros: AMAZING camera (for a phone), good MP3 player, sexy design, awesome screen, good call quality, WIFI and picture sharing, standard headphone jack
Cons: A bit bulky, not a lot of customization options, can't use the phone when its charging, difficult keypad for texting
Summary: I LOVE that I can ditch my camera and MP3 player. I've been waiting 8 years to do this. Finally there's a phone that can do all three things well. Believe me, I've been searching, and at the time of this review this is the ONLY phone that can. I was lured in by the new Samsung Behold because it had a 5 megapixel camera. Well, if your subject is standing completely still, the pictures are beautiful. But it took 5 seconds to get a shot out of it and if your subject moved (or you did) in that time your shot is worthless. That and it didn't have a real headphone jack. So I returned it. The Motorola is the only cameraphone with true camera optics and sensors, so you can rail off clear shots one after another faster than most digital cameras. Its really great to have a good camera with me at all times. The MP3 player works and sounds good and the phone looks good doing all these things. My main complaint is although the keypad looks cool, the numbers are not separated at all, and you only have a little jewel on the top of each number so texting is rather difficult. If you're more of texter than a photographer or music listener, this phone will disappoint. But if you're looking for a REAL camera and a REAL headphone jack, there is no better phone on the market.
Just as a correction to my review: I stated that you can't use the phone while it's charging. This is incorrect. You can. For some reason I thought I tried and couldn't but I must've been on crack or something because you can.
Updated on Nov 24, 2008
Updated on Dec 18, 2008UPDATE: So I've had the phone for a couple months and I still really like it. It's not perfect, but nothing is.
The camera is great. Its not an SLR obviously, so don't expect perfection. But to me, a casual shooter, its perfect. And I love that it is acceptable as an MP3 player as well, thankfully it has the full size headphone jack. I sold my Creative Zen. I only need one device. Not three. I love that about this phone. Beyond that, its just a well designed phone. I like a lot of its features.
Now the bad. It can be a little slow. Sometimes you'll hit a key and it won't respond for a second or two. Not all the time, but I can see how its a little frustrating for some. I can live with it, but its there. Also, the keypad is difficult to text on, I have to admit. Not painful, but if you text a lot, this may be a deal breaker. Again, I'm ok with it.
I like this phone, I expect a lot of other people will too. -
"The phone is quick and responive and overall amazing." on by clim0215
Pros: -Probably the best camera phone out there yet.
-Responsive
-Fast
-Very good phone that's new out there.
-Easy to navigateCons: -Design can be fixed, especially with the bump.
^Not really a big deal, but thick compared to my previous phoneSummary: I recommend this phone, especially if you like phones that are responsive and quick. The camera is like relatively fast compared to all other camera phones. Once you click you get the image instantly without massive blur.
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"Nice camera built-in, great phone: I hate touch screen" on by wwwumax
Pros: acceptable 5MP camera with flash, nice display size, nice support for video and audio, nice accessory and software included. FM radio, 3.5mm headphone hole. Correct weight with a little bit more. Wi-fi web ability.
Cons: system stuck sometimes, web browsing stuck in 2nd or more pages. Can do better phone books, can have more control on camera.
Summary: I bought this phone for its camera, period. I have DSLR with professional grade lenses on it, so I know what is a good picture, yet I can't always get an extra camera let alone DSLR with me to get pictures of my running kid. Hence I need a phone with OK camera to be with me. Compares to Behold with touch screen, keys are necessary as well. To be honest, all touch screen sucks despite their hypes on "human interface". Touch screen input are slower, error prone and non-professional.
Back to ZN5: it automatically adjust ISO, hence night shoots are always grainy. Flash may appear too harsh sometimes. But I can finally see the pictures twice. The camera controls can be more close to real camera if possible.
Camera aside, the voice quality is good as well, though I'd wish louder on speaker.
I like to idea of using standard 3.5mm headphone plug and the FM radio though go back to get used to wired phone is a little problem.
My complain is its Linux system that freeze from time to time and slow the first time accessing media files. For any folders having multiple files, the file management react slow as well. The wi-fi web browser works, but can't never go through 2nd page, maybe it is out of memory?
Another complain is to its phone book, maybe today's phone books are equally bad: my 10 years ago Sprint phone has the ability to choose another phone number from the entry of dialed or received number. Now, Nokia, Samsung, Moto all force you to go to main book to pick! What a waste of time!!
I like Motorola to have data cable and software with the package so that I can sync my old phone book in without separate buying.
I like this phone, even if it still not as fancy as N96. BTW, 3G function, GPS, and all sort of wasting function is not my concern at all. -
"For what I need, I'm VERY happy with my new Zine!!" on by Wyldcat89
Pros: The camera is excellent, I love the layout of the phone and it's ease of use. Battery life is excellent! Regular calls and speaker phone calls are crystal clear.
Cons: Would prefer keys on keypad to be seperated, this is the one flaw would change.. but it's not as bad as some make it out to be. OS isn't the quickest but again, not a deterent for me.
Summary: I wanted a phone with good call quality for regular calls and using speaker phone, decent battery life, a nice camera and the ability check my email. Not much to ask for right.. It's not the most advanced smartphone, so don't expect it to rival a Curve or an Iphone, but it's quite nice for what it is. I could check my email and facebook page with no trouble at all. The signal strength is very good and calls are crystal clear, even on speaker phone. I'm most impressed with the battery life and the phone's ease of operation. The camera has a lot of features and learning them doesn't take long. If the Zine's options fit what you're looking for, it'll meet your expectations. If you're wanting a higher level smartphone, this may not be your best bet.
Upgraded from a Motorola Razr MP3 phone to the Zine. Also considered the Blackberry Pearl Flip and Nokia 5610. The Zine was the right fit for me and I absolutely love it! -
"Worst phone I've ever had!" on by odgirl1201
Pros: The camera does , in fact, take beautiful pictures
Cons: The phone freezes CONSTANTLY !
Summary: I returned the phone to TMobile to tell them about the freezing/lagging problem. They put me on the phone with customer service who told me I just need to take the battery out and reset it. This wouldn't be a problem , if it didn't happen every.single.day! Who has time to reset the phone every day? TMobile customer service/tech support admits this is a known problem with the phone. I had to return it and get something different. If you text AT ALL do not get this phone! If you just looking for a plain phone that takes nice pictures.. this is your phone.
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