Motorola VE66 Unveiling Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Design and Build

The Motorola VE66 was introduced as a sophisticated and sleek device, reflective of Motorola's design philosophy of the late 2000s. With dimensions of 103 x 49.5 x 15.2 mm and weighing approximately 121 grams, it was a substantial yet manageable device, easily fitting into the user's palm. The build quality was commendable for the time, with a sturdy plastic body that provided a solid feel, complemented by subtle ergonomic curves.

Display

The VE66 featured a 2.2-inch TFT display capable of displaying 256K colors. Although the 240 x 320 pixels resolution with a ~182 ppi density was typical for feature phones of that era, it offered vibrant visuals with a sharpness that was adequate for viewing images and basic videos. Its screen-to-body ratio of ~29.4% reflects the designs of its time, where displays were considerably smaller compared to modern smartphones.

Camera

One of the standout features of the VE66 was its 5 MP autofocus rear camera, offering a competitive edge in the feature phone market. Equipped with an LED flash, the camera was capable of taking decent quality photos under various lighting conditions, aligning with the user's casual photography needs. The inclusion of video capture capabilities added to its functionality, though these were limited by the technological constraints of the period.

Performance and Platform

Powered by the 500 MHz Freescale MXC275-30 CPU, the Motorola VE66 delivered satisfactory performance for a feature phone. It ran on the Linux-based MOTOMAGX platform, an unconventional choice that provided a balance between functionality and user experience. Although limited in power compared to today’s smartphones, it was efficient at handling basic tasks such as messaging, calling, and browsing light web pages through the Opera browser.

Storage

The VE66 offered 110MB of internal storage, which was expandable through a dedicated microSD slot, allowing users to store additional media and applications. The device's ROM of 256MB facilitated smooth operation for the software available at the time, although intensive applications were beyond its capability.

Battery Life

Equipped with a removable Li-Ion 810 mAh battery, the VE66 could last up to 400 hours on standby, delivering about 6 hours and 40 minutes of talk time. This longevity was advantageous for users who required a reliable phone without the frequent need to recharge, a stark contrast to the battery demands of modern smartphones.

Connectivity and Networking

The device supported GSM bands of 850/900/1800/1900, making it versatile for global use. Motorola included GPRS and EDGE Class 12, providing adequate data connectivity for its era. Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g with DLNA support and Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP were also present, offering wireless connectivity and data transfer options, complemented by a microUSB 2.0 port for wired connections.

Multimedia and Additional Features

The VE66's multimedia capabilities included a stereo FM radio with RDS and a loudspeaker for audio playback, though it lacked a 3.5mm headphone jack—compensated by Bluetooth A2DP supporting wireless audio devices. The absence of a selfie camera was typical at the time, reflecting the primary communication focus over multimedia. Its web browsing capabilities were facilitated by a WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (Opera browser).

Market Reception and Legacy

Announced in November 2008 and released in February 2009, the Motorola VE66 was eventually discontinued. Priced around 100 EUR, it provided value through its rich feature set for a feature phone. Although dwarfed by the smartphones that followed, the VE66 remains a testament to the innovation that bridged the gap from basic mobile phones to the smartphones of the future.