Motorola V2397 Prepaid Phone (AT&T)

• No monthly bill, credit check, deposit, or annual contract
• Hot new phone design
• SMS support
• Up to 100 minutes' talk time and 110 hours' standby time with standard battery
• Includes $25 airtime refill card, battery, charger, headset, and blue phone wrap; allows you to migrate to a postpaid plan (credit check required)

The V2397 measures 6.5 by 2.0 by 1.1 inches, and weighs in at 5.2 ounces. While relatively large, the phone is lightweight, easily portable, and it sports dual-band/dual-mode electronics.

Motorola's characteristic smart-button navigation, commonly seen on the company's StarTAC phones, guides you through the V2397's menu options. The keypad design is less cluttered and confusing than StarTAC phones, however--a definite improvement. Although you still have to use the FCN (function) button to access menu options, all control keys (Function, Store, Clear, Recall) are well spaced. The raised, oval-shaped keypad buttons were quite responsive, and we rarely misdialed a call. The phone felt good to hold, and we could dial one-handed. The four-line screen (two lines of text, two lines of status icons) is backlit and easy to read. A standard 2.5-millimeter communication jack for hands-free devices is integrated into the phone.

The V2397's handy call management features, including scratchpad memory, nine assignable ringer tones, one-touch speed-dial locations, multiple call timers, and any-key answer, help you organize your communications. You can store up to 99 numbers in the V2397's phone book, although it does not support multiple entries per contact. Entering phone numbers is easy. Just punch in the number and a unique descriptor, and assign it a memory location. The 30-incoming and 20-outgoing call logs help you keep track of your conversations, and the incoming call log keeps track of missed calls to boot. The V2397 supports carrier-dependent features such as caller ID, call waiting, voice-mail alerts, and two-way SMS messaging, which lets you send and receive alphanumeric messages with other devices. Unfortunately, there is no way to tether the V2397 to a PC, so you can't use it as a digital modem, or import your computer's address book to the phone. Also, the V2397 is missing a minibrowser, PIM funtions, profile settings, and vibrating alert.

To keep your V2397 secure, you can use a three-digit code to lock the whole phone or to restrict outgoing calls to one of 10 numbers stored in special memory locations.

The V2397's NiMH battery is rated up to 100 minutes' talk time and 110 hours' standby time. In our testing, the V2397 held a call for 105 minutes, and it lasted for 112 hours in standby mode.

A basic phone for everyday use, the Motorola V2397 scores high marks in visual design and reliability, although it lacks many desirable features. Still, interchangeable phone wraps, two-way SMS messaging, and a very reasonable price make the V2397 as a viable prepaid option.

--Thom Arno

Pros:

• Flexible prepaid option
• Impressive new phone design
• Swappable phone wraps
• SMS support

Cons:

• Age restriction; you have to be 18 to purchase
• Awkward menu navigation

How We Tested Battery Talk/Standby Time

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phone battery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery life ranges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, because analog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital mode talk and standby times with each phone. Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital phone talk time, we turned the phone on, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and, when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook. When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when the phone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately and continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting that several phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers' ratings.

To test digital phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established a carrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone every few hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out. Because no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because the phone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, again assuming consistent carrier signal strength.