Motorola MOTOFONE F3 - Black (Unlocked) Cellular Phone

This is a phone. No other bells and whistles, just a basic phone. That's why I bought it. If you don't want a Smart Phone with internet access or a date book or fancy color displays, or a choice of 20 ring tones, this is the phone for you. If I have any compaints, there are 2 significant ones. 1. I wish more data showed on the display. The large font is easy to read without my glasses, but the number of characters severly limits the information in the phone book. I can't list full names. If all you want is "Mom", or "Dad", or "Home", this is fine. I had to resort to nicknames or short first names and intials. Wish the display would show time AND date. Haven't tried to send and receive texts yet. 2. I have had several Motorola phones. On this model the charging port is different than the standard. My other Motorola chargers are not compatible. Don't want to buy another car charger. I guess this is what you get for $25.00 on eBay.

This is a very very long lasting GSM phone.

Its options are simple.

Write messages
Read messages
Call history
Ringtones
Alarm clock
Time/Date

That's it! Want more? Then maybe it is not for you! It has a very good quality sound, specially in speakerphone mode where most phones will usually give you some static with the F3 sound quality is close to perfect.

It has a very easy to read screen with very large characters, that you can read outside with the sun shinning on the screen, because the screen is not a LCD but a e paper type of technology that is close to not scratchable, and unlike a LCD very light. When it comes to it being sturdy, it handles falls very well, there is a video of a guy online stepping on the phone and showing it still being fine, you can try to bend it it is very difficult.

If you want email, picture messaging, camera, internet or anything on this phone then its not for you. This phone has the same features that wireless handset for your land line does, and that's what makes it a very good phone if that is all that you need.

Simple, functional and fashionable - MOTOFONE has the features we need and can count on plus the look I aspire for, at a price that fits my pocket. Billions of people around the world have yet to make a phone call - and billions more have only just begun to explore wireless technology. Technology can be intimidating however MOTOFONE is convenience in voice communication. Good item for a great gift. Convenience price.

Details
Dimensions (WxDxH): 47 mm x 9 mm x 114 mm
Weight: 68 g
Phone Design: Candy bar

Data
Short Messaging Service: Yes

Battery
Battery: Rechargeable
Standby Time: Up to 300 h
Talk Time: Up to 500 min

I bought the SIM card Motorola MOTOFONE F3 Black (Unlocked)
believing I could use it without any complications since it was sold as "unlocked" this I belived meant the fone could be utilized with any cell phone service through the world, NOT SO, works ok out doors with AT&T as my service provider in Chicago, where I live, barely any service bars though (1- 2) within my basement apartment. However I bought the fone for use in the Eastern hemisphere.

Nov 14, 2009 I visited a MAJOR local Manila cell fone service "GLOBE" the agent installed a local SIM card and soon declared the Motofone service acceptance as non functional. I thought somthing was wrong when upon my airport arrival the U.S. side AT&T go fone service was not available.

The fones functions are Elementary; basic B&W screen, no imagery, the marquise style text messenging sending and recieving sucks as messages scroll across the screen and out of sight via a touch click dial; making and recieving calls is poor; phone number storage sucks can take up to 2 seperate pages to view a 11 digit number, via the touch dial; there's an assortment of 7 digitized ringers to choose from; an alarm clock beeper; and an internal clock time set, ear phone and power adapter use the same plug in hole; and thats it!

I HATE THIS FONE BECAUSE IT IS NOT FULLY UNLOCKED AS I PERCIEVED IT TO BE, SAVE YOUR MONEY FOR SOMETHING THAT WORKS >>>>

First off, this is a very basic phone for the person that mainly just wants to make calls and which has some texting ability (which I do not use). I was looking for a cheap unlocked phone to work on the AT&T network. This one fit that need.

Pros: Nice and sturdy. Slim. Big display. Keypad is easy to use.
Cons: User interface is not that intuitive for such a simple feature set. Cannot sync to your computer using Motorola Phone Tools Software. You have to set date/time yourself everytime you disconnect the battery.

I plan to use this phone as a backup one, since the inability to sync contact info is a major concern for me. Other than that issue, I really like its simplicity and sturdiness.