With the price of the Q9m dropping down to $50 with a 2 year renewal and 3 month promise of data package at Verizon, I couldn't resist going from a typically phone to my first Smartphone. Many of my friends are running around with the standard Q and I saw the usability that they had with it. Unfortunately I can't compare this phone to anything but a standard phone as I've not used anything but standard phones till now, but i can tell you this. The basics of this phone are outstanding. Windows Mobile 6 is just like any other Windows pakcage... it needs a good reboot every now and then. Outside of that, the functionality of having a web browser always at my finger tips, a MP3 player, a phone, and a document processor all in one is amazing. Definitely beats dealing with ATT and the Iphone. I ran into some problems that I'm positive were charger related, but outside of that, the phone runs great, is extremely customizable, and has all the great business apps and features that people on the go need.

Looks!

This thing is gorgeous. You will definitely catch a few eyes with it.Red accents, nice screen, very tech savvy and stylish look.

The Keyboard! It's simply amazing.Definitely worth a 10/10, I've used includingmultiple Treo's, and many other phones with keyboards. I love this keyboard more then any of those. The keys are... textured, your fingers will not slip. They extrude from the phone in JUST the right way. Texting is amazing with this keyboard, and quick.

Screen

The screen is beautiful.
65k colors, 2.5 inches, 240x320 resolution.
enough said, it's pretty darn nice.

WM6 and Software

O.k. everyone is of course mentioning...The sluggishness. It is a little bit sluggish, AT TIMES.
Unless you are a heavy business user, it will not really effect you though.
Sometimes programs start slow, switching interfaces is a lag, changing home screen etc. WM6, is very nifty though.
Probably contributes to the lag, considering the Q9m uses the same processor as the Q gen 1. But has a beefier OS.
The Doc's To Go are very awesome, sharing files with your computer is easy. Calendar and Windows Media work flawlessly.
Contacts can lag sometimes, but the system behind your contacts is great with this phone, letter and word searches while you are in the contacts etc. make it easy to find who you are looking for. Considering you have 60, 70, or many more contacts like I do it is helpful.

Camera,

1.3 megapixels of decent phone camera action.
It's not too shabby if you just need shots of whatever.
I mean if you really need to take nice pictures...
GET A CAMERA.
This is decent for a camera phone, zoom, edit, options etc. are useful and fun, can store plenty of photos, especially with an SD card.
Loading them to your computer is as easy as plugging it in and updating ActiveSync after installing the software.
Decent camera for the phone!

Battery

The battery is decent in my eyes.
Compared to a tiny phone like a Razr, it isn't so hot.
But compared to other smart phones it isn't that awful.
You can charge it in about an hour or less.
And it will last you all day.
Not too shabby unless you are away from a charger for more then a day?
If that's the case get the extended battery, charge both, bring them both.
And pick up the car charger etc.
I've gotten close to 5 hours AFTER the battery said that it was low and I should charge it, which makes you feel nice.

The breakdown

I've been using this phone for a week now and by far texting is what I do most. I have to keep in touch with friends etc. So that is the best part of the phone for me! The keyboard makes it easy. My reception is usually decent, I live near LA in southern California, sometimes it's not good, but that all depends on your location so I didn't rate that per se. The speakerphone on this thing is a beast, love to use it while chatting and on the computer etc. makes this phone even easier to use. Overall, I love this phone, it has been working fine so far and I would recommend it to anyone who needs a good phone, that can play music, rocks at txting, takes good pictures, and can view and save files.

I have been using the new Q9m from Verizon Wireless for a week. Prior I had been using a black Q for almost a year. I keep reading these reviews and a lot of users seem to be looking for perfection and I hate to break it to you but is never going to happen. The new Q9m gets you closer to ideal

Pros:

• OS Windows Mobile 6


• battery life has been increased using standard battery


• key pad has a better design


• screen has been enhanced along with the camera function


• Added Documents to Go which is a nice touch


• VCAST music another plus


• restyled the memory card door


• added dual screens one for work another for play


• Changed the center funtion toggle..much nicer


• added a few accessoies like converter and memo pad


• created a Personalize My Q


• New Active Sync 4.5


• uses same batteries as old Q, along with car charger and home chargers

Cons:

• Still need to clear the cashe "kill all" to free up the RAM. Again its a small computer deal with it.


• Low built in memory but can hold up to a 4GB card so where is the issue?


• screen is subject to finger prints ...what phone isnt


• Touch screen would of been nice but with that comes the TREO issues. No thank you.


• 's Stand up Cradle is not compatable with Q9m due to thickness

Overall I rate the new Q9m an A- (or 4.5 out of 5) After all nothings perfect. I think Motorola did a nice job listening to everyones suggestions when the original Q launched over a year ago. Not perfect by any means but if you want to make a clear call and organize your life this is the phone for you. If you want more flexibility get a laptop...oh and if you do your going to now need a phone.

I have noticed that the transition from the Q to the Q9m is fairly seemless. Overall in comparison it should definitely have a 5. However, there are still random things that it does that disappoint for being the long awaited upgrade.

The menu layout is a little easier to customize and gives more personalization but does not allow you to make subfolders or hide stuff like the start menu on a PC would. (and yes I know they are different this is an analogy)

Ringer volume and music playback seem to be a little louder and clearer then the Q but still not as full range as you would prefer from the "music" edition phone even with the small speakers....I have seen a 1" speaker thumb and be loud enough to be heard through the floor into upstairs so they coud do better.

Camera settings are nice since you jump right into a full screen view but it is lacking a 2megapixel like nearly every other phone on the market is coming with lately. Not a phone comparison just camera, the En-V camera blows the camera out of the water handsdown with clariy aside from size. So a better camera would be nice even though the camera is still very good and the flash is still amazing.

Backlight is my biased favorite addition on the Q9m. There is a sensor o front and back of the phone for backlight adjustment. I sat there and watched it and is much more efficient then the Candlelight program we are familiar with. Instead of bright and dim, there are multiple levels of adjustment.

Call clarity is very well in the earpiece and the speakerphone. However, there is still that small glitch that when you "bump" the speaker button you trigger speakerphone and I noticed that when it is on there is a bit of "clipping" in the speaker and mic.

Keyboard is AMAZING. Not being biased, it is just handsdown amazing in comparison to the original Q. The rubberized keys are easy to fly across and the keys are slightly larger and easier to use since they are right next to each other and not spaced slightly apart. Most all of my posting to EQ is from the Q9m...(figured you would appreciate that Chris & mods).

Internet Explorer is still a poor browser but is noticeably faster. I have hacked my device to increase performance and speed but prior to that I did not that it processes online a lot quicker and does not lag like the prior model.

All in all I would say this is a much better model and recommend it to potential buyers over the original Q. There are still some tweaks and adjustments that need to be done and improved upon in upcoming models but that will come in its own due time and for now we have reg key mods.

-A