Motorola Q9m Review - Conclusion
Conclusion
I had a bad experience with the original Q when I reviewed it some time ago. While I loved the smartphone's slim profile, QWERTY thumbboard, and always-on EV-DO connectivity, it crashed on me so often that I found it more frustrating than useful. I still remember being stuck in an airport waiting for a delayed connecting flight and trying to kill time browsing the Web on the Q. It crashed and crashed and crashed some more. The new Q9m is a bit of an improvement over the original in most regards, but packs basically the same hardware under the hood as its predecessor did. As such, Motorola has basically given us a cosmetic upgrade featuring a roomier, more comfortable keyboard, and not much else. Windows Mobile 6 is a bit of an upgrade on WM5, but the Q9m doesn't really have the horsepower to make the most of its multitasking, document editing, and HTML email features. Don't get me wrong, it's a serviceable device ... so long as you don't plan on doing much multitasking. If you look at the Q9m as less of a true smartphone and more of a messaging phone with access to the VCast music store, you might be happier with what you see. Verizon Wireless customers who want a handset that can do Email and music but don't like Voyager's bulk (or price tag) might just opt for the Q9m. If you're one of them, just make sure you install Opera Mobile and don't run too many apps at once on the Q9m - used within its limits, the new Q is a perfectly capable handset for the music hungry consumer who doesn't demand too much from his smartphone.
Compare prices »Fetch me more...Quickly jump to more information about related topics, cell phones, carriers or phone manufacturers mentioned in this In-Depth Review by using the links below. Reviews by companyApple, BenQ, BlackBerry, Eten, HTC, LG, Motorola, Nokia, o2, Palm, Pantech, Samsung, Sanyo, Sharp, Sony EricssonOur fancy algorithm says this stuff is related...During week 8 of the PhoneDog days of Summer, we saw one lucky winner take home the Motorola Q9m. Well our friends at Motorola want to keep the fun rollin' and have generously contributed 3 more Motorola Q9m devices for us to add to the sweepstakes!
We will continuously add the Q9m's to the list giving 3 more of you the chance to walk away with this great Verizon Wireless phone. I first glimpsed the successor to the MOTO Q back at CTIA Orlando in April of this year. A Motorola executive seated next to me at a Smartphone Summit panel discussion pulled a pre-production Q9 from his packet and used it to check his email while I tried to sneak a look. Eventually he noticed, and after I introduced myself he let me check the device out. I remember being impressed by the new Q's QWERTY thumbboard - the layout and individual... Verizon Wireless' Q9m is a full-blown smartphone designed to be consumer-friendly and music-centric. What's that mean in English? On top of the standard Windows Mobile 6 interface, VZW has added a custom home menu designed for easy access to their VCast music store, and a hardware key dedicated to bringing you back to said screen whenever you feel the urge to rock out.
The VCast store is quite good, second by the... The 2.4", 320 x 240 pixel display on the Q9m is fairly average by current smartphone standards. QVGA resolution isn't at all bad, but the 65k color depth is a little behind the 262k or 16 million colors supported by Q's competitors. Menus, images, and text all rendered clearly and crisply on the device, and unless you're used to a more state-of-the-art mobile display you probably won't really notice the relatively limited color... Messaging on Q9m works quite well. SMS and MMS messaging is supported, as are various types of Email accounts. A configuration wizard will attempt to set up your POP and IMAP Email for you based on your Email address, or you may enter account settings manually. Corporate Email is of course supported by WM6, including MS Exchange and Good Mobile Messaging. Verizon's own Wireless Sync system is also supported, though I... Hands-On: Motorola Q9m, SE w580i, Helio Fin
I've got a handful of new handsets soon to be given the full review treatment. To tide you over, some thoughts on a few notable new mobile phones recently delivered by the mail carrier:
Motorola Q9m (Verizon)I remember seeing the new Q back at CTIA when I sat next to a Moto executive at some panel discussion or another. I was kind of impressed back then, but in the six months hence...
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The Phonedog Days of Summer giveaway is coming to a close, but stay tuned for our new "Phonedog One-Paw Bandit Instant Winner Game", coming in November! We'll be giving away an iPhone in the very first week!
