Motorola Razr V review

Motorola's close affiliation with Google hasn't necessarily helped the manufacturer get any advantages when it comes to Android updates. The handset originally shipped running the Ice Cream Sandwich build of Android, which is still what's running the show.

There's no word on whether a Jelly Bean update can be expected either, but given the temperamental nature of Motorola updates in the past, it probably shouldn't be expected.

When you first boot up the handset, you're blown away by a fluorescent wallpaper that pops out like a pair of 80s shin warmers. It's jarring at first, but thankfully not a permanent addition to the handset. Most likely, it's just a way to show off Motorola's ColorBoost technology by giving you a wallpaper that pops off the screen.

Motorola's customisation to Android is no longer known as MotoBlur, which is probably a good thing. While blurring is never really a good thing in a world of HD screens, the actual UI skin on the Razr V is an enjoyable one to use.

The Motorola lock screen is a pleasantly simple, intelligent affair. A virtual switch sits in the top right hand corner for muting the device, while a circular unlock button pulsates in the middle of the screen.

Swipe the button to the right and you unlock the phone. Swipe left and the phone will automatically launch the camera. Swipe up and the phone enters phone mode, while swiping down takes you straight to the messaging app.

It's not a revolutionary way to unlock a handset, but the actions are smooth and it's more convenient than manually unlocking a device and finding the relevant app (we're looking at you, Apple).

Once unlocked, the phone features five dedicated home screens, all of which are customisable. They are also preloaded with shortcuts to apps and Optus bloatware widgets. While the Optus stuff can't be removed from the device completely, you don't have to have it on your home screen, which is a relief.

Running across the bottom of each home screen are the standard permanent apps, including phone, contacts, messaging and camera, plus the 'all apps' shortcut key.

You can customise these apps by dragging and dropping, and the Razr V also supports folders within the bottom drawer, so you can create multiple shortcuts to frequently used apps.

Because the Razr V is only running Ice Cream Sandwich, there isn't quite that same buttery smoothness you experience using Jelly Bean. What's worse is that there's no indication that the Razr V will ever get an upgrade to 4.1 (or 4.2), which makes it a tough sell when the Razr M is available today.

But because of Ice Cream Sandwich, the phone does offer a shortcut to settings in the notifications bar, while the 'Menu' soft key at the bottom of the screen offers recently used apps on demand. Being able to shut them down with a long press is also a nice touch.