Motorola C975

As high-tech and capable as they may be, 3G phones have got to get three issues sorted out before they really rule the roost. Firstly, they’ve got to be smaller. This, the C975 from Motorola, is one of the smallest 3G phones on the market yet it’s still a brick in comparison to a regular, non-3g handset from any other manufacturer. Secondly, they need to be lighter, too. The C975 is nearly half as heavy again as its Motorola stable-mate, the V3. Finally, the batteries need to last longer. The afore-mentioned V3 has a quoted standby time of 290 hours and a 430 minute talk time. And the C975? Not so long. In fact, you’ll get a talk time of just 130 minutes and a standby time of only 150 hours.

This seeming lack of flexibility on the C975’s part isn’t a freak case, it’s endemic to all 3G phones and, in our minds at least, is a real pain. Particularly when all you get over and above a regular, non-3G phone, is the ability to use video calling and download the occasional video clip. In terms of games, you’ve access to exactly the same titles as anyone else with a java-equipped handset. Downloading them is fractionally faster if you’re fortunate enough to be among the lucky 70% of the UK population currently able to receive a clear 3G signal. If you’re not, the phone switches to what it calls ‘2.5G’, which is essentially a regular GPRS mode that provides the same performance as a £40 pay as you go model from Argos.

The one key advantage that the C975 has over the competition, 3G and non-3g alike, is in its hardware. The colour screen is among the best we’ve seen and is crisp, detailed and bright enough to be viewed comfortably outdoors. Likewise, the speaker is impressive, too, though this only tends to be put to good use when playing video clips; most games are designed without a great deal of thought to the audio. If you must have a 3G phone, then this is by far one of the best. But if you’re not sold on the whole concept by now, the C975 isn’t going to win you over.