Motorola RIZR Z3 review: Sliding Moto

Messaging, just as in every Moto phone

The Messaging menu is the same as in all recent Motorola models, meaning there are different Message Inbox and Email Msgs inboxes. There are also the Drafts, Outbox, Voicemail and Sent Msgs. When you create a message, the editor asks you, as always, if you'd like to create a Message, Voice Msg or Email. A new thing is the character counter as it counts from zero on, not backwards. It tells you how many messages will be sent when you get to the point of confirming the person you're sending the message to.

Message Centre • Message type • writing SMS

The Email client works with attachments. POP3 and IMAP protocols are supported too. There are options to preset the intervals you email inbox will check for new messages. There is also the feature to download the headers of new emails only.

Email settings

A music phone? No.

Motorola RIZR Z3 has a relatively loud loudspeaker. It can be heard in noisy environment. This is great but the quality of the sound is not so good and that's why we don't recommend it as a music phone. You can plug in your favorite headphones if you find a audio jack-to-USB connector. The software music player in the phone is quite nice, actually. It supports shuffle, replay, playlists and a long list of music formats.

Music player • List of music files • Player menu • Playlist options

When minimized, the music player can be controlled by the ways of the four-way button. Regrettably, there is no option of running more applications simultaneously. For example, you cannot run a game and play a tune in the same time. Also, you cannot do anything and start the camera application as the latter will shut automatically down any other running application.

Video playback

Camera - almost there

The phone's camera is very simple and easy to use and anybody who has owned or owns a Motorola camera phone would have no troubles getting used to work with this camera application. It has the basic customization features like brightness, color schemes, image rotation, blur, inserting frame, contrast, etc. You can also adjust in what format you want the phone to take the picture. Of course, we advise you to set to it on the 2 megapixel setting as it gives out best results.

Taking pictures with Motorola RIZR

Viewing a taken picture • File too large message • Different effects • Free space information

Adjusting image settings • Browsing the images folder

When it comes to picture quality, it seems that Motorola almost got it right this time. The pictures are smooth, there is no excessive noise even in low light. The resolution is good for a 2 megapixel camera. The only department where RIZR is lacking is the colors. They are quite dull. What is strange, the color balance is different throughout the frame at least on the testing unit (final version, not beta). At the left side of the frame you can see a slight green tint, on the right side - slight red tint, for example take a look of the stripes of the Mini or the photo of the elephant.

Motorola RIZR photo samples in full resolution

Motorola RIZR sample video

Camera interface and various options

EDGE is here, but no 3G

The RIZR model offers the customers GPRS and EDGE connectivity as well as USB and Bluetooth for short-range connections. Regrettably, Motorola have not implemented any 3G module in this phone. Every single feature works seamlessly and USB connection with a PC is perfect when you have the appropriate drivers and software installed on you computer.

mini USB port • cable connected

Bluetooth menu • USB connection established • USB Settings