Overview
Motorola’s MPX200 Smartphone claims to be the complete multi-media package. This phone boasts a Microsoft Windows Mobile powered system that brings the capabilities of a desktop computer at the palm of your hand. With its Windows powered system the internet, video clips, digital photos and other documents could easily be viewed and edited while being mobile. It has a high-resolution (4,098 colors) color display and lets you appreciate multi-media messages to the fullest. This Smartphone is very reminiscing of the SMART Amazing Phone, which was released last year.
I have taken the liberty of presenting this review in a rating type format in order to give our readers a clearer gauge in scrutinizing the MPX200 (5 stars being the highest score and 1 star being the lowest). Let’s break down the qualities considered in choosing a mobile phone and see how the Motorola MPX200 fared:
Style
External - The MPX200’s streamlined clamshell design is indeed a head turner. Its black and steel finish gives it a sophisticated, sleek and elegant look. It also has an external LCD with an aqua colored backlight, which could be configured into 3 display types. Holding an MPX200 makes you think that you are holding a communicator from the Star Trek series.
Internal – Its large high-resolution color display screen is a definite joy to look at. I especially liked using the Default display because it reminds me of a desktop Windows display. You could also configure your screen to show not only your cellular network, profile, menu icons, and time but also your schedule for the day.
Keypad configuration – Once you get the hang of using the soft keys, texting and navigating through the MPX200 is a breeze. Keypad configuration is very much like most Nokia phones, plus it has large 5-way navigation key for faster access to its menus
Rating: *****
Performance
Memory – The MPX200 boasts of more than 58 MB of memory (that's approximately
about the memory size of 10 Nokia 6600 units). the problem is most of the
memory is spent on its Windows operating system. The truth is, about only
10 MB of memory could actually be utilized. In terms of pictures- around 30 still photo shots or almost 4 minutes of video could be taken and recorded respectively. I was quite disappointed with this hard truth.
Speed – The first 2 weeks of with the MPX200 was a joy to use. The next was definitely disappointing. After putting the MPX200 to the limit (I got around 500+ messages), I experienced numerous occasions where the unit either hanged or rebooted. Heavy texters and speedy fingers beware – the MPX200 is not the phone for you.
Battery Life – This is a field where Motorola is not known for and the MPX200 is no exception. Taking the unit to its limits through heavy texting, constant calls, maximum volume and vibra- alert, the MPX200 lasts approximately less than 24 hours. Carrying a charger or a spare battery is a necessity and not a choice.
Rating: *
Additional Features
Digital Still and Video Camera – The Motorola MPX200 does not have an integrated digital camera, but it does have photo and video capabilities. The digital camera compatible with the unit is sold separately. It does not have any night mode and has low quality resolution but images & pictures sent via MMS and infrared are crisp and clearer. The unit also has some fun with it as pictures can be taken using cool and wacky new frames. Video Recording is not limited to the conventional 9 seconds, with the MPX200 multiple clips, with a total of 4 minutes, is possible (depending on free memory).
Expandability – Since the MPX200 is Windows Mobile powered, loads of games and other programs could be downloaded to the phone. Aside from this, the Motorola MPX 200 has an SD/MMC (Memory Card) slot that expands the capabilities of your phone. I inserted the Memory Card of my 9210 and I was able to view my pictures and wav tones.
Connectivity – Connecting the MPX200 with your desktop or laptop is such a snap since the package comes along with Windows Active Sync software and a USB port cable that lets you view, edit and transfer all the information stored in your phone to your desktop computer.
Rating: ***
Overall Rating: ***
The Motorola MPX200 performed fairly well but not good enough. As earlier mentioned, the MPX 200 is very much like the SMART Amazing phone just packaged in a sleeker body. The problems that afflicted the Amazing Phone – frequent hanging, slow shifting from function to function and the hassle of placing an add-on camera were never really solved. The MPX200 sounds cool, looks cool but definitely lacks the teeth to provide anything revolutionary to the mobile phone market. Contrary to its namesake, this Smartphone is not a Smart choice.
SPECIAL PHONE FEATURES:
1 High Resolution 4,098 color display
2 Tri-band (GSM 900/1800/1900)
3 Windows Media Player for playing Music and Videos
4 Expandable SD/MMC slot
5 Windows Pocket Outlook Applications and Pocket Internet Explorer Web Browser
6 Windows Mobile Activesync syncronisation
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