Motorola KRZR K1 Unlocked Phone with 2 MP Camera, MP3/Video Player, and MicroSD Slot--International Version with No Warranty (Cosmic Blue)

Very Nice Phone (2010-09-02) : 4/5
This is a very nice phone. It looks great and is very solidly built. Be careful because it can get scratched. The finish of it also shows every smudge imaginable, which is an annoyance but not enough for me NOT to like this phone. I got this some time ago and the price has almost doubled since; why I don't know. Maybe because it's good? Anyway, I really like the size and feel of the phone. And, don't take this the wrong way, but it feels good in my pants (pocket). Because it's not bulky and has a rectangular shape and the finish is glass, it kind of just slides into your pocket. There isn't any resistence from rubberized backing, bulging buttons etc. I'm relatively old school when it comes to phones and I just use it to make calls and take some pics/videos once in a blue moon. But I have to say upgrading from the old V550 was quite a jump. This one holds a charge very well IF you use the charger that is supplied. If you use the USB charging from your computer, it seems to fill it up quickly, but the charge doesn't last as long. Still, it's awesome to be able to just plug it into a USB port and not have to hunt for the wall plug.

The thing I still don't like about Motos is that you have to buy software to sync. Why can't it seemlessly integrate with Outlook somehow, or some other PC based email client? I shouldn't have to buy a smartphone for this feature. I really don't need this functionality. But honestly, they should supply it for free. In non-USB versions they'd even get you for the sync cable too; what a rip-off. Anyway, there are other sync alternatives beside the Moto software if that is important to you and I'm sure because it's USB based there's at least a way to backup your contacts. That's important.

As of this writing I've had the phone almost two years and have no complaints really. Oh, I've tried the media player on this thing with bluetooth and it works great. Very nice sound. So, it'll do for an good MP3 player in a pinch. That's nice when travelling; one less thing to have to lug around, get lost, stolen or broken and have the TSA interrogate you over.

In the end, it's a phone. But for the money (at least at the price I got it at) it's been a good choice.
Excellent Small Phone For Basic Calls/Texts/Pics/Videos/Web (2010-08-24) : 5/5
Can't believe I was compelled to come in and write this long retro review, but I've a unique perspective because I've lived with it, gone beyond it, and come back to it out of necessity -- which is rapidly changing to choice. And though Motorola has discontinued this phone, you can still buy them as the stock gets cleared out, and people should know what they're buying. There are plenty of sensible and/or budget-conscious consumers who've resisted the smartphone craze (or won't go there until they absolutely have to because there's nothing else to buy), and just want a phone and texting device that can take a decent picture. For the record, I'm an electronics/gadget freak with a large dose of common sense: if it isn't broken, I don't fix it. I also like my devices to remain separate; a camera, an MP3 player, a PDA... don't like them all housed in one place, because if one breaks they ALL break. And as it comes to phones, so long as the network can support them and I can buy batteries for them, I keep them until they die if they do a proper job. I'd assume anybody who's looking at buying this phone at such a late date would have to have similar habits, and this review is for them.

I got this phone when I changed carriers in '07 and could get the KRZR at a great price, not quite a year after it was released. At the time it had advanced features, but thrown into today's smartphone storm it's rendered fairly basic. (It's truly amazing how quickly cell phones become dinosaurs.) But not so fast. Going back in time -- a little over three years -- I loved this phone from the get-go. Compared to its predecessor the RAZR, which I never owned but was familiar with via friends, the KRZR had a bit more girth but felt far more appropriate in the hand. (The RAZR was thin, sure, but it still felt odd to hold to your ear, like talking into a shoe -- just like modern smartphones!) The size of the KRZR is nothing short of perfect in the hand, at the ear, and in the pocket. It sports a strong, sturdy, quiet hinge and offers smooth, solid flip action. Also excellent: battery life, call quality, signal strength -- pretty much all I look for in a phone. Though I never buy phones for their photo and music-playing capabilities, the pictures are surprisingly good so long as you don't employ max zoom. Can't vouch for the music player as I never used it. Loved the web access. Ditto: the vivid screen / the voice dialing (not an add-on, billable feature, but a feature of the phone itself) / the simple USB interface for charging and connecting to the computer (easy download of pictures/video) / the MicroSD card slot / the velvety, rubberized back / the bluetooth (never a problem). The menus took some time to learn (not always intuitive), but it came with a full user's manual. There was slight lag in character entry when texting, but who texts in an emergency? Use the phone! Overall the KRZR was a real winner for me.

That said, there was a con as regards design. The thin glass front panel, though sleek and attractive, was a fingerprint magnet (though nothing compared to today's smartphones) and cracked six months after I got the phone. I believe this was due to having banged it against something. Ordered a three-pack of new ones for next to nothing online and replaced it myself. I then dropped the phone some months later and the glass panel cracked again, but this time I got wise and covered the new panel with crystals (see image). The glue and added "glass" strengthened the front and that was that, it never cracked again. And believe me, it was dropped! (Others, particularly you guys who might not appreciate an embellished phone, replaced the panel with rubber or hard plastic -- surprisingly easy to do.)

Batteries do get tired, and I felt the need to replace the battery a year and a half later (bought a very affordable one here on Amazon). And that's that. Used the heck out of the phone, dropped it, got it wet (yes, it sports the dreaded red water damage dot inside), but it performed like a champ. And then last year I was due for an upgrade. I was intrigued by the new smartphones, and for the first time went for something new when I didn't need it (yet). Never swayed by the fruit craze, I was looking for a non-Apple device, and AT&T gave me a deal on the Samsung Impression. Loved the larger AMOLED display, some touch capabilities and full slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Missed the voice dialing (they wanted to charge me for that). Missed the rubberized back. But quite honestly I didn't upgrade for any other reason than curiosity. Since this isn't a review for the Samsung Impression, I'll skip to the chase and say that for almost a year it was a stand-up, useful device until the screen went black any time I opened it (following a drop) -- so much for using the keyboard! I dealt with that until the screen went completely black last week. Since I'm not due for an upgrade for some months, and don't want to purchase a replacement or consider another newer phone until then, I decided to kick back to the KRZR and wait it out with old faithful.

Guess what? I prefer the KRZR. My busy "digital life" hasn't changed a bit in comparison; still taking/sending pictures and video, still tweeting, still accessing the web. The KRZR goes places huge smartphones can't. It feels more natural in my hand and at my ear. (Though I do miss the keyboard for longer entries, it's almost easier to text because this phone's easier to hold.) All the things I gave it excellent marks for three years ago are even more noticeable now. Such loud, clear calls... and oh how I missed the fabulous battery life! Though the Droid looks appealing, who knows what will be out there months from now when I'm due for an upgrade? But I'm half tempted to stay right where I am with the KRZR until it's dead for good, which at this rate could be more years! I still say buy one while you can get one if you don't need a smartphone. I may even buy another myself.
Nice, neat and small KRZR (2010-07-06) : 4/5
This KRZR K1 is very neat and small, and carries alot of features. The time and callers Phone number is seen on the outside of the phone when someone calls, so you can screen your calls. It's trully a nice neat phone
KRZR K1 (2010-05-24) : 4/5
I like the phone, but have not been able to figure out how to send pictures as the unlocked setting is not set for AT&T. Like the sleekness and vivid screen. The manual I got with it was not the greatest, so did an online download to my computer which was most helpful.
cell phone (2010-03-24) : 4/5
I purchased this k1 for my daughter. every thing on phone work perfectly, she like it. I want to buy one more for myself,but the price went up.Very good phone at the price.