Motorola Charm Review

[tase25]

Motorola Charm Review

Hi everyone, I thought I

 

[sookster54]

Pros:
- Solid build quality
- Great call quality
- Quick performance
- Running 2.1
- Price tag
- Trackpad
- Connectivity options
- Fast camera

Cons:
- Display resolution
- Too dull of a finish on the body
- Some apps won’t work on it

I agree with just about everything here, and as for some apps not working on it- most do but you have to download the apk yourself and install it via file browser since when you go on the Market or AppBrain the page won't display even though the app would work. I actually consider the trackpad a con, I disabled it after the first day of using the Charm because my finger kept touching it while interacting with apps, and I use the touch screen anyways, if there was a touchpad on the front I would've been much more comfortable with it using my thumb. Battery life is stupidly weak, if you look at talk time/standby time it's about a fraction of similar speced phones (Spica), I mean 6 hours? Come on, and I spoke with a Motorola rep and said there's no alternative battery for it... yet.

As for the screen, it's the only thing that bugs me, especially if you tilt it sideways the images becomes inverted much like those laptop screens did back in the 90's (dual-scan TFT?).

Also for pro, bluetooth 3.0!

 

[tase25]

In regards to the trackpad I guess it's just personal preference. I still like it.

sookster54 did you charge the battery properly the first 3 times? I was very careful with my first few charges and I think I'm getting the optimal performance out of it. It seems to be ok so far for me. You may want to try an app to save battery like JuiceDefender.

And how do you download the apk files yourself?

 

[Terry1100]

Excellent - review. All the things I really needed to know.

I have stubby fingers and desparately need a QWERTY bar android phone to repalce my HTC Tattoo (thick buttons is a good app which helps a lot)

I can live with the 320x24o resolution (which matches the Tattoo) and I'd gain the fact that it's capacitive.

All I need now is UK sim-free avaialbility at a sensible price (not a "rip of BRitain 1:1

 

[sookster54]

In regards to the trackpad I guess it's just personal preference. I still like it.

sookster54 did you charge the battery properly the first 3 times? I was very careful with my first few charges and I think I'm getting the optimal performance out of it. It seems to be ok so far for me. You may want to try an app to save battery like JuiceDefender.

And how do you download the apk files yourself?

Oh yes, I know how to charge Li-Ion batteries, brand new cells I usually charge 3+ hours the first time, let it drain to about 15-20% then charge over night (8ish hours) then use as normal. Compared to my other phones, this has probably the worst daily battery duration, I use during the day and plug it in every night, the HTC Desire is another phone with poor battery life but still not as bad as the Charm's.

As for downloading apk's, well having another Android phone that can download and install apks then be backed up with a backup app then transferred to my PC via adb then transfer to the Charm, a bit of a pain in the butt but there aren't alot of apps that don't show up on the market.

Terry, the domed keys are pretty good but like I said takes a little getting used to because they're so narrow. Have a feel at it at a store with a dummy model.

 

[sookster54]

Sorry to break the ice, but I'm now going to boycott Motorola, I'm not happy with their decision on non US customers, after seeing their decision with the OS updates, the chance of the Charm getting one just became slimmer.

In the meantime, enjoy your Charm.

 

[tase25]

What OS decision are you referring to??

 

[sookster54]

Motorola decision to not push 2.1 updates to non-US Motoblur phones, they originally said they will release 2.1 but changed their minds. They also advertised flash support on Motoblur phones (Cliq XT most especially) but flash is available in 2.2. And the unreleased Milestone 2 will have Motoblur, they simply don't care about anyone outside the US.

Given that, the Charm is still a decent midrange phone and I'd go as far as that, it'll probably be my last Motorola device after 15 some years of owning different Motorola phones.

 

[tase25]

Oh that sucks. I was using an unbranded version. Must have been US version since it was running 2.1.

I'd be PO'd if I were you too.

 

[TelusMilestone]

Motorola decision to not push 2.1 updates to non-US Motoblur phones, they originally said they will release 2.1 but changed their minds. They also advertised flash support on Motoblur phones (Cliq XT most especially) but flash is available in 2.2. And the unreleased Milestone 2 will have Motoblur, they simply don't care about anyone outside the US.

Given that, the Charm is still a decent midrange phone and I'd go as far as that, it'll probably be my last Motorola device after 15 some years of owning different Motorola phones.

Moto blur sucks and I could care less about 2.2.

I'm on Telus in Canada and I'm quite happy with my phone!

 

[kc2ine]

excellent review, thanks.
Just ordered this phone.
I don' care about low screen resolution, I had even lower on my old blackberry and it was completely ok. I won't install stupid motoblur so battery life should be better.