Motorola A925

Posted by T3 Online on Wed 31 Oct 2007

Familiar face gets a bit of slap-on

If you think you've seen this phone before, you probably have - it's actually just a redesigned A920 (T3 92, 3/5). To justify the revised model number, 3 has upgraded the software - but don't be fooled: this is essentially an admission by the network that it got things wrong with the original.

In that instance, 3 took Motorola's mighty PDA phone and transformed it into a glorifi ed organiser. Now it's lifted the pointless restrictions it placed on the fi rst release. Users can finally take advantage of the phone's built-in Bluetooth and add third-party Symbian - the same OS used by the Sony Ericsson P900 (T3 94, 4/5) - applications rather than just those from 3.

There is a noticeable improvement in screen quality, and battery life has improved a shade - though it's still not as good as we'd expect. Looks-wise, the exterior has been updated to fall in line with the company's other 3G handset, the A835 (T3 94, 3/5). The chunky size remains the same, although in its favour, it isn't much bigger than rival PDA/phone combos.

Frustratingly, the 3 network still prevents the A925 from utilising its best feature: lightning-quick mobile data. Hooked up to a laptop via Bluetooth, this could be the ultimate portable modem. Instead, only 3 content can be downloaded, but footie highlights and video clips do look stunning on the widescreen display. Bluetooth headset support also enables you to make video calls without having to use the speaker phone or a wired headset - a 3G first in the UK.

Though technically not a new handset - A920 owners can have their software updated for free to enable all the same features - this is a marked improvement and at least shows that someone at 3 is listening.