Motorola V600 Phone (T-Mobile)
V600 and T-Mobile: Almost Perfect
Summary -  <br /> <br />The phone does everything I expect of a phone.  Coverage in my area is excellent and T-mobile has installed a Cell in our office complex giving 100% inside and outside coverage at workplace.   Camera is nice add-on and speakerphone works but may not provide sufficient volume for a noisy car environment. <br /> <br />Since I already have a Notebook Computer, PDA, Video Camera and digital camera I was really interested in a phone that functions well as a phone and service that allows the phone to function in my home, office and area plus free roaming capabilities. <br /> <br />After many years of TDMA service with a competitor I finally decided it was time to update to GSM.  My carrier only offered the basic handset selection free to continuing customers.  Even though I was out of contract and would have gone with a new contract if they provided the phone of my choice (equivelant to the v600) - NO GO - They lost a customer. <br /> <br />Coverage - <br /> <br />Good coverage in all major cities and transit routes.  For my area, even though my home is shown on t-mobile's coverage map as merely \\"good\\", good equates to \\"excellent\\".  I've found no change in quality with between full signal and 2-bars or 50% signal (Their coverage map actually allows you to check to street and address coverage - outstanding feature) Reception is excellent! <br /> <br />The Phone - <br /> <br />The Telephone offers Bluetooth (not sure I'll use it much though I did test it and it works), a digital VGA 640 X 480 camera which works just fine and a myriad of audio, video and gaming \\"eye candy\\".  I generally think of a phone as a phone and this one is excellent as such.  The fact that it provides a usable camera is a nice touch I'll use and I do use the speakerphone but the remainder of the features (AOL, text messaging, etc) are excess baggage for me.   <br /> <br />The audio quality of the phone itself is outstanding as well as the sensitivity.  The menus are a reasonably intuitive though a little complex in order to support the extra features.   <br /> <br />For those wanting to use the camera for downloading photos to a computer, there is an optional USB cable and software kit available from Motorola and various aftermarket vendors.  Download can also be done via bluetooth if your computer has bluetooth. <br /> <br />Battery life may be an issue if you are heavily using the camera or doing ringtone concerts - but in normal phone use expect 3-4 hours of talk time and/or 3-5 days of standby time depending on your usage. For this class of phone, it's very good. <br /> <br />Pro's:  Phone: Good Sensitivity, good price (free after rebates), camera, speakerphone, Good voice quality <br />Plan:  Good cost, free nationwide roaming, best in price for a nationwide shared plan. <br /> <br />Cons: Phone: Speakerphone audio may not be sufficient for a noisy car environment, busy setup menu. <br />Plan: Coverage may be spotty in remote or rural areas (but aren't they all?) <br /> <br />The Service - <br /> <br />The provider (T-mobile) has provided knowledgable and professional assistance through the purchase and start-up phase. This explains the excellent rating given by consumer reports.  The coverage area for GSM appears to be similar to that provided by most other GSM services as most providers share service or site locations for a number of locations.  As a company in #2 position they appear to be \\"trying harder\\" which is a plus for the customer. <br /> <br />Be sure to check the coverage in your intended use area.  Reasonable return policy if it doesn't work for you.