Introducing the V188, a classic feature phone from Motorola
Released in the fourth quarter of 2004, the V188 was one of the most popular feature phones on the market at the time. With its sleek design and impressive features, it quickly became a fan favorite among mobile phone users.
The Specs
The Motorola V188 was a lightweight device, weighing only 80g with a thickness of 22.9mm. It was built to be compact and easy to carry around, making it perfect for those on the go. The phone did not have a card slot, but its internal storage was enough for basic usage.
Network and Operating System
The V188 was a GSM phone, which means it operated on the 2G network and could support GSM bands 850, 900, 1800, and 1900. It also had GPRS, Class 10 technology, allowing for faster data transfer. As a feature phone, it did not have any fancy operating systems but was still capable of handling basic tasks.
The Launch and Discontinuation
The V188 was announced by Motorola in the fourth quarter of 2004 and was available to the public soon after. It quickly gained popularity due to its design and features. However, like all good things, its time in the market eventually came to an end, and it was discontinued.
Design and Display
The V188 was designed to be a compact and sleek device. It had dimensions of 86 x 45.2 x 22.9 mm and a relatively small weight of 80g. The phone also had a Mini-SIM for connectivity. Its display was a CSTN 65K color screen, with a resolution of 128 x 128 pixels and a 1:1 ratio. It also had a second external mono display of 96 x 32 pixels, which allowed users to check notifications without opening the phone.
Memory and Camera
The V188 did not have a card slot for external memory, but its internal storage was sufficient for basic usage. It could store up to 500 entries in the phonebook and keep records of 10 dialed, received, and missed calls. The phone, unfortunately, did not have a camera, so users could not take pictures with it.
Sound and Connectivity
The V188 did not have a loudspeaker, but it had vibration as an alert type and supported downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones. It also had a composer, allowing users to create their own unique ringtone. However, it did not have a 3.5mm jack for headphones. As for connectivity, the phone did not have WLAN, Bluetooth, or radio capabilities. It did have a miniUSB port for data transfer.
Features and Battery Life
The V188 came equipped with some handy features that made it stand out from other feature phones at the time. It had sensors, such as a stopwatch and voice memo, and supported messaging services like SMS, EMS, MMS, and instant messaging. Its browser also supported WAP 2.0/xHTML for simple internet browsing. The phone also had Java support and predictive text input, making texting easier for its users. As for its battery life, the V188 had a removable Li-Ion 830 mAh battery, providing up to 225 hours of standby time and up to 5 hours and 50 minutes of talk time.
Final Thoughts
The Motorola V188 may be discontinued, but its legacy lives on as one of the most iconic feature phones from the early 2000s. Its compact design and useful features made it a top choice for many mobile phone users at the time. While smartphones have taken over the market, the V188 will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who owned and loved it.
Available Colors
The V188 was available in two colors, silver, and black. Both variants were sleek and stylish, giving users options to match their personal style.
Motorola V188 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
GPRS
Class 10
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2004, Q4
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
86 x 45.2 x 22.9 mm, 82 cc (3.39 x 1.78 x 0.90 in)
Weight
80 g (2.82 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
CSTN, 65K colors
Size
Resolution
128 x 128 pixels, 1:1 ratio
Other
Second external mono display (96 x 32 pixels)
Screensavers
Downloadable screensavers, wallpapers