As is often the case, when electronics manufacturers can't significantly improve the performance of a particular item, they turn to the aesthetics of it. Such has been the case of late with cellular phones. After digital phones hit the airwaves some time back, and the wireless web followed suit, manufacturers essentially started running out of ideas for improving the phones. Sure, they've added on PDA features, jacked the price up into the stratosphere, but what else could they do to get the public to continue to upgrade and spend all of that money on new phones? Simple. Make them sexy.

And Motorola has clearly succeeded with their V60c model. But as with other sexy phones on the market, the style comes with a price. This follow-up to the earlier Motorola model V8160 is cased in a rugged aluminum housing, has nice, extensive features and an external LCD, and matches up well against other stylishly elite phones.

As indicated, instead of a plastic casing that encases most other phones, the V60c has an anodized aluminum casing that is seemingly scratch resistant. The phone also features a sturdy, retractable antenna and good-sized, well-positioned keys. Put it all together and the phone measures 4.5 by 3.42 by 1.77 inches and weighs 3.6 ounces. Pretty light weight for a phone containing so much metal and so little plastic.

Of course, sleek looks won't help you much if this phone doesn't perform. Fortunately, when it came to talking, I had no complaints about the phone's ergonomics and had an easy time finding the earpiece's sweet spot. Using Verizon's service in New Jersey, I was generally satisfied with the sound quality, and signal strength was good, even when I roamed over to the western part of the state.

Unfortunately, like several other similar Motorola phones like the V8160 and V8162, the V60c doesn't offer great battery life. Motorola says you'll get up to 150 minutes of talk time and 150 hours of standby time from its standard shipping battery. My results were a little short of those factory figures.

Aside from that drawback and, of course, the phone's high price, there's much to like here, particularly if you're a fan of ultracompact phones. And it'll certainly look good on you. Of course, you'll have to decide the value of that pro.

Full specifications listed below. Thanks, as always, for reading...

Specifications

* New Motorola User Interface designed to be intuitive and easy to use, with improved user navigation, and visual cues.
* Display: 3 lines of text, 1 line of icons and 1 line of prompts all with Electro-Luminescent Backlighting.
* Web Browser.
* Mobile Originated SMS Capable.
* External Caller ID Display - Identify your caller without even opening the phone! Also displays time, date when closed and in the idle state.
* Last 10 Numbers Dialed, Last 10 calls received/dialed/missed.
* 32 Standard Ring Tones.
* VibraCallTM Alert.
* Phone Book that holds 400 names and numbers.
* Voice Dialing for up to 20 names in your Phone Book.
* VoiceNoteTM voice recorder to record conversations, memos (up to two minutes recording time).
* Date Book - Calendar, schedule and alarm clock.
* Personalize your Features - Customize main menu, keys, greeting and banner.
* FM Stereo Radio - accessible when used with optional headset accessory.
* OTA Capable.
* External Caller ID Display - Identify your caller without even opening the phone!
* Microbrowser - Internet access for news, scores, stocks and more.
* SMS messaging - allows you to send, receive and store short alphanumeric messages.
* FM Stereo - listen to the integrated FM radio through optional headset accessory.
* For use on CDMA 800/1900 and analog 800 MHz networks.


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 375