For a site, a writer, and, by and large, a readership more inclined to drool over 5 megapixel cameras, WiFi, and VGA displays, begging Motorola to release its lowly
MOTOFONE F3 stateside seems like a sketch move. And don't get us wrong, an F3 is never going to replace your N95, your iPhone, or even your
Wireless Coupe. We're merely trying to say this: at its introduction, the F3 was (and still is) an extraordinarily innovative handset that redefines what a low-cost handset can be, and contrary to Motorola's beliefs, we see no reason why Americans shouldn't have access to it.
Thanks to the good folks at
Wireless Imports for the hookup!
The F3 showcases a Union Jack-style segmented e-ink display up front, making it likely the largest distribution of e-ink displays thus far considering the handset's widescale availability and low price point. The quality of the display is awesome, and let's be honest -- e-ink displays are
still fun to look at and play with, even though they've been around for a while now. It's visible in all conditions and covered with a matte plastic that gives it the typical "paper" look and feel. The segmented characters run across the middle of the display, used for phone numbers and text -- we'll admit, viewing and writing texts is a little painful, but we've got to remember that the focus here is voice calling, so any other functionality is a bit of a bonus.
Icons at the top and bottom of the display keep the user abreast of the phone's status and current mode, while two extra, dedicated e-ink displays at the very top display battery life and signal strength. We weren't able to fully test battery drain, but we imagine it'd run forever and a day; long run times are typically a focus for handsets targeted at emerging markets, and indeed, Motorola rates it at a solid 300 hours of standby. E-ink requires no power except when changing, so that's gotta help.
Admittedly, being left without a wealth of information delivered by a standard dot matrix display requires a learning curve, but the bottom line is this: the F3 doesn't do much. It's designed to make calls and be reliable -- that's it -- so it really doesn't take long at all to learn all its functionality and become adept with it. In fact, the entire user's manual is a single fold-out sheet of paper. For users that still find themselves needing a little extra guidance, though, the phone offers voice prompts that explain its operation. It's a nice little bonus, but one we didn't really find ourselves needing.
So why are we getting so worked up about a phone that does nothing more than work as a phone (imagine that!) and sells for less than $50 contract free in some parts of the world? It's not unheard of to find prepaid phones in the US at that price point, but good luck finding one that you can pull out of your pocket in company and turn into a conversation piece. It's innovative, it's attractive, it's just 9mm thick, and there's a beauty in its simplicity that's hard to deny. So, like we said: Motorola, give us the F3. Price it at $30 or $40 and make it accessible -- sell it in electronics stores, convenience stores, and everything in between. Heck, at that price, maybe we'll take two.
posted Sep 30th 2007 11:26AM
I second the motion
I looked at WirelessImports and this phone goes for $65 but is specifically marked as not for use in the US. Is that a technical issue (ie its not a SIM phone) or a *technical* isssue (ie the FCC)??
Freiheit, there are two versions of the F3: a 900/1800 version for most of the world and an 850/1900 version for Central and South America. We tested the 850/1900 and it worked great on AT&T, but you'll need to have it imported. Just make sure that the version you're purchasing is 850/1900 and you shouldn't have any issues.
Chris
check out tiger direct. They had an 850 listed for 49 bucks. Not bad for e-ink.
I purchased (impulse buy) one of these from Tiger Direct for $49. It's a 850/1900 version and I'm using it on T-Mobile. I've been using it for a couple of weeks now and I'm happy with it. I bounce back and forth between a Treo 650 and the F3 depending on what I'm doing at the time. I have to say I admire it for its simplicity. Battery life, sound quality and reception all seem commendable.
Gary
Woot! I've been wanting one of these since the first time I heard about them. I didn't know they had US bands! And I definitely didn't know I could buy one on Tiger Direct. Thanks a million. Buying one right now.
wow thanks for the tigerdirect reference. it is 39 before shipping. fantastic. just ordered one, after ordering a 800/1800 for oversea relatives two days ago.
Great. Three weeks after I buy mine, they lower the price by 20%. Call my lawyer. Who do they think they are, Apple? :o)
This may be a dumb question, but does the charger that comes with euro model (850/1900) on tiger direct work with US AC outlets?
Alan,
Yes it does. The charger has a US plug and no other adapters. It's also fairly compact.
:) thanks Gary! I may order one in the near future.
It's too big!
I live in Costa Rica, and we've had this phone for a while.
The only reason i didn't buy one (to carry it instead of my HTC p4350), was that reading SMS was impossible. The text didn't fit in the screen, so things looked like this:
Engad
get mob
ile is
a grea
t site
Trust me, that's annoying.
I agree with DrNeuralgia, we have had this phone in Australia for months and I have lost count of the times customers have bought one and then returned two or three days later wanting their money back. We sell it for $39 AUD, but the real problem lies in the fact that at this price point the biggest buyers are the teens who can't afford anything else and even with prior warning about the text message continue to buy this phone. I can say that I like this phone as coming from the industry I can see what a great piece of engineering it is. But for the average consumer it is more than basic and does not succeed in doing simple tasks.
exactly... the phone is nice looking, with basic features.
if it had a smaller font I'm 100% sure I would get this one unlocked as my "spare phone".
I know this is only ONE con, but a HUGE one, since Text messaging is now a MUST in everyphone. PRO's: all the other things this phone does are great.
I bought one on a recent trip to the UK for $20 (10 gbp). It's an excellent idea. Basically you can treat it as if it was disposable.
Voice quality was great. Breattery life was great. Txting sucks balls. No frills. But great for travle internationally.
I picked up this phone in India for about $25 only. This phone does its primary task, making calls, commendably. The battery life was really a surprise as I didn't expect it to last longer than one day. However, it goes for over three days on a single charge and that too in poor signal conditions as I travel a in Mumbai. The only jarring aspect is tha alarm clock. It sounds like a Siberian crane on heat. Really, its very very effective in making you wake up in the morning.
and WHY don't we have it here? Is it really set that moto won't market it here? Apparently they market it to third world countries first, but does that mean it'll trickle "up" to US and europe?
I order one from Tiger Direct.
I hope it work in the US. Its just what I need just a phone.
They won't bring it to the US because they can make more money with there higher end models and help the service providers get more people trying to get them.
Just Got it from Tiger Direct.
Worth every penny and then some.
Sound quality is great and works with t-mobile just like they said it would. Finally a phone for adults and not a super cool, over priced multimedia unit that no one really need.
I just ordered one =x
I can't wait 'til I get it :)
Had the F3 from Tiger Direct for about a week. 'Tis a gift to be simple. Excellent reception. Nothing but the very basics.
Interface takes some getting used to, but there's not that much to learn. The calculator-like display is a bit disorienting when a call comes in, but you get used to it.
Oh, and four people over 50 went crazy about the big text and not having to pay for all these features they will never use.
Yep, this is a great phone for basic stuff; even text messaging becomes better after you use it for a while.
Wanna see something funny? Look't this page, those bozzos claim they have ringtones and color screensavers for the F3! hahahaha:
http://www.ring-tones-ringtones.net/motorola/f3.html
Long life to the F3!...
P.S. I think Motorola thinks the F3's too cheap for americans, but it's just so convenient and sober...
I just got this phone and live in the States, has anyone been able to get the voice mail icon to display using that ATT network, phone works great except that and no call waiting :(
Same here....no voicemail waiting indicator on AT&T.
Actually, the phone is now gone from Tigerdirect. Anyone know any other place to get this phone for use in the US? What about the F3c (CDMA)? Anyone seen one of these for use in the US?
I have two. My son dunked the first one in a pool, so I bought a replacement that arrived today. I pulled the SIM out of the old one to put in the new, replaced the battery and whod'a thunk, but the old one came back to life after a week or so of drying out!
Pretty cool. I'll be sticking with these.
Hi every one. I bought this one in Colombia, i have to tell that is a really really great phone. Very affordable and well designed (looks pretty expensier). It has a great speakerfone (works great in the car, for example, or when busy in the kitchen, etc. -press TWO times up the 'action' key, when in a conversation). Here in Colombia i just had to pay us$16 -and a 'prepaid charge' of five bucks for TIGO operator-.
It also works with some codes, but Motorola does not provide them all. Anyone had discover the one to turn off the backlight?