2nd February , 2004

This is a review of the third 3G Motorola handset ( Motorola A835 ) and was undertaken in January, 2004. This phone, is of course, the successor to the Motorola A830.

My first impressions of this handset is that it is "Slick" - a cool looking handset which is packed with 3G features and applications.

This review covers the Motorola A835 only and does not review the 3G Network.

How does it shape up. See below.

 

This really is a nice looking candy bar style handset that oozes a lot of quality.

The phone iteself appears to be made of sturdy plastic in silver and bluey grey.

It offers the latest in multi-media applications, with advanced messaging, video phone, Bluetooth™ wireless technology, full browsing and a large display capable of supporting up to 64,000 colors.

The Motorola A835 is just small enough to fit nicely in your palm but it is still a big phone when compared with non 3G phones.

A picture of the front of the phone is here below.

SEE PHOTO

One of the first things you need to find out about is where to slot in the 3 SIM card and how.

SEE PHOTO

This Moto looks and feels the part.

Front, rear and sides all look good and is colour co-ordinated and gels.

In some respects you could say the handset is engineered and moulded to create a statement - and perhaps that statement is "I am a quality handset".

Photo of the rear of the phone below. There is a picture / video camera on the rear of the phone.

SEE PHOTO

Photo of the rear of phone with back off below.

SEE PHOTO

I have shown the handset to 20 people and all but a few have said this is a really nice looking phone.

A few said this is too big for me yet were also still impressed with the phone's capabilities.

However, to some people - size does matter.

On the front of the handset you find a large viewable screen, easy to use key buttons ( more later ), 4 way navigation key ( more later ) and the first picture/ video camera.

A close up of the key buttons and navigation key is below.

PHOTO HERE

The back and sides are all colour co-ordinated which I admit to liking a lot.

On the right side is the handsfree kit socket, camera key and the SIM card door (( handsfree kit socket ( top ), camera key ( middle ) and the sim card door ( bottom )). See photo left.

On the left side is the volume key.

Photo of the right hand side of the phone.

SEE PHOTO

 

Photo of the left hand side of the phone.

SEE PHOTO

Tri-Band

900/1800/1900 MHz

 

Will work on WCDMA ( 3G from 3 ) and on GPRS ( O2 ).

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) allows the user faster call set-up, higher data speed, and an “always on” connection.

This is a weighty phone by today's standards but is about 44 grams lighter than the Motorola A920.

145cc

Volume gives the cubic centimetre (cc) measurement of the phone.

137 x 55.6 x 26.5 mm

A large phone by today's standards. This is smaller than the Motorola A920 by some 11.5mm in lengh. The Moto A835 feels comfortable in the palm of your hand.

Nearly a year ago, 3's flagsjhip 3G phone was the NECe606.

When you look at the two phones alongside each other it is clear that the e606 looks dated.

SEE PHOTO

Li-ION 3.6V 850mH

Li-Ion stands for Lithium-Ion. The Li-Ion battery has twice the charge capacity of a Ni-Cd battery and further has the advantage of having a slow rate of self-discharge.

The main advantage of a Li-Ion battery is that it is stable and safe and has the highest energy capacity among others.

The cradle is also used for battery charging and yes battery supply is not great and you are best to have one charger at home and one in work for total piece of mind. Particularly showing off all those battery guzzling videos.

 

A word of caution the first time you try to take off the battery cover it may be incredibly tight. But it will come off.

See photo of battery here.

SEE PHOTO

A navigation key ( 4 way ) provides easy navigation around the phone. It may take a short while to get in-sync with the low pressure needed to operate this.

Keypads are a good size and make operation quite easy.

A close up of the key buttons and navigation key is below.

PHOTO HERE

A screenshot showing the colour screen is below.

PHOTO HERE

Built-in camera with up to 4 x digital zoom

Still max = 640x480 Animations = 176x44

There are two on-board cameras - both for taking pictures and videos. There is one each on the front and rear of the phone.

A neat idea is the camera key on the right handside of the phone.

Good video picture quality. Video conferencing picture quality is adequate to good.

Infra red works fine. A photo showing the infrared port on the top edge of the phone is shown below.

SEE PHOTO

USB (universal serial bus) is a fast (1Mbps) path for data transfer between the phone and an external device, such as a pc.

 

See photo of the USB connector socket and battery charger socket.

SEE PHOTO

J2ME (Java) is a programming language developed to run on your mobile phone. It provides the ability to download easy-to-use, graphically rich, interactive content right to your Java enabled phone. Games, messaging and other applications are all enhanced

Downloadable wallpaper, themes, screensavers and ring tunes

The A835 supports Java but 3 has locked the damn thing so you cant download games.

see more here

2 Way Video Call

With an integrated digital camera and high speed data transmission, you can enjoy the next best thing to being there.

Combined with services from the network service provider, Motorola’s integrated AGPS technology enables you to find your way around.

AGPS helps you find your favorite stores or restaurants at a moment's notice

Global Satellite Positioning (AGPS) enabled for enhanced location services

Phone software supports digital downloads of ringtones to personalise your phone.

This phone is equipped with Haptics. This means that the phone, when setup, will vibrate and flash for certain functions like incoming calls.

Polyphonic ringer tones add a powerful audible experience for alerts and ringer tones. Richer musical tones will resonate from your phone each time it rings.

Loud springs to mind for speaker volme.

This phone is equipped with Haptics. This means that the phone, when setup, will vibrate and flash for certain functions like incoming calls.

Groovy baby.

Integrated Stereo Headset Jack and Integrated Speaker Phone provide an enhanced audio experience.

Use your mobile phone like a landline speaker phone. No need for an optional accessory - With just the touch of a button bring others into your conversation with the in-built speaker phone . Great for meetings, second opinions or just showing off.

This phone has been engineered to ooze quality. It works for me.

You can usually judge how good a phone is by what people you show the phone comment upon.

You are advised that this material is the copyright of Kevin Thomas 2004 on behalf of www.3G.co.uk and is my own personal view only. (C) All rights reserved 2004.

Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this review, Kevin Thomas nor 3Gcouk cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or authenticity of the information it contains, or any consequence arising from it.