Motorola V501 Comprehensive Review Specs & Value Analysis

Overview

The Motorola V501 is a classic mobile phone that was announced in the first quarter of 2004. Despite being discontinued now, it remains a noteworthy piece of technology from the early 2000s, reflecting the design and functionality priorities of that era. This device was part of the feature phone category and showcased a simplistic approach to mobile communication, packaged in a compact and sturdy body.

Design and Build

The Motorola V501 was designed to be compact and easy to handle, with dimensions of 89 x 46 x 23.6 mm. It had a mass of 113 grams, making it lightweight for its time. The phone came with a Mini-SIM card slot, a standard in mobile devices of that period. The exterior was finished in a sleek silver color, giving it a modern look for the early 2000s.

Display

The V501 featured a TFT display capable of displaying 65K colors, which was typical for feature phones of its time. The screen resolution stood at 176 x 220 pixels, providing adequate clarity for the text and simple graphics used in applications and menus. However, it did not offer a specific screen size in its specifications, but it generally displayed information in 8 lines, which sufficed for basic mobile communications and media viewing.

Camera

Motorola V501 included a single VGA main camera with a resolution sufficient for basic photo capture. While it lacked the advanced camera capabilities found in modern smartphones, such as high-resolution imaging or video recording, the camera feature was primarily for taking simple pictures that served personal and contact identification purposes within the phone's contact groups.

Memory and Storage

In terms of memory, the Motorola V501 had an internal storage capacity of 5 MB. This was considered reasonable for storing contacts and messages during its time. It could store up to 1000 phonebook entries, which included contact groups and photo calls. The phone did not support external storage options like memory cards, a limitation by today's standards but typical for devices from that period.

Network and Connectivity

The Motorola V501 was built to operate on GSM technology and supported multiple 2G bands, including GSM 850/900/1800/1900 frequencies. It could handle GPRS Class 10 data connectivity but did not support EDGE. Though it had limited connectivity options compared to modern smartphones, the inclusion of Bluetooth 1.1 allowed for basic wireless data exchange. Notably, it lacked WLAN, positioning systems, and FM radio, which are common features in present-day phones.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion battery, the phone promised a stand-by time of up to 390 hours and a talk time of up to 5 hours. This battery performance was commendable, considering the power consumption requirements of feature phones as compared to today's smartphones.

Ringtones and Sound

The V501 supported various alert types, including vibration and polyphonic ringtones, with an option for MP3 tones. It also featured a ringtone composer for customizing one's own sounds. However, it lacked a loudspeaker and did not have a 3.5mm audio jack, limiting its use for music and media consumption.

Software and Features

As a feature phone, the Motorola V501 operated on a proprietary operating system typical for its category. It supported messaging options such as SMS, EMS, MMS, email, and instant messaging. Additionally, it featured WAP 2.0/xHTML browser capabilities and Java support, enabling the use of basic mobile internet and 3D Java games.

Legacy and Conclusion

The Motorola V501 may seem basic in comparison to today's smartphones, but it reflects an era of mobile communication where reliability and simplicity were prioritized. This device showcased Motorola's commitment to creating functional and durable phones that met the essential needs of users in the pre-smartphone era. The V501 is a testament to how mobile technology has rapidly evolved, serving as a nostalgic reminder of the early days of mobile communication.