Motorola PEBL U6 Pumpkin Orange Phone (Unlocked Intl. Version) no U.S. Warranty

I purchased the Orange PEBL (unlocked). I absolutely love the phone & always receive compliments on it. However, after 6 months of usage the handset volume just quit. I can only use the phone in speaker mode. So, basically the phone is now a glorified walkie talkie. After some online investigation, this seems 2 be a problem with unlocked PEBL phones. Apparently the issue can be corrected by "reflashing the firmware". Great, if you're tech savvy & don't mind downloading suspicious software.

Since the unlocked phones are not covered by warranty, I'd suggest just buying the phone through the carrier. It's worth it even if you have 2 pay more by not upgrading your plan. The amount you'd pay through the carrier would be about the same as buying it unlocked anyway.

In fact, if you're a T-mobile subscriber, phones purchased through T-mobile are still covered under a 2-year warranty, even if you don't purchase a plan. Hope this helps.

I abosolutely love my ORANGE PEBL U6 phone. I can't seem 2 stop looking at it, & customising it...This phone is all I want in a cell phone..the sexy look, feel, & color & not 2 mention my "cat meow" ringtone, keeps heads turned & wondering where did you get that phone. I initially bought a RAZAR...boo hoo definatly not all it is cracked up 2 be. It comes in a few other colors lime green, burgandy, black, blue...If you are looking 2 purchase something that stands out, this is it!!!!!!!. CONS: number pad attracts lots of smudges, constantly cleaning it & not a mega pix camera..still well worth it.

Roxanne

This item was not at all like it was described. I do not buy anything refurbished unless it is guaranteed "like new". This telephone looked like it really had been through the ringer. Furthermore it came with a little xeroxed pamphlet that left out a whole bunch of applications that the cell has, so I have 2 trial & error a lot of stuff. I would say rather than buy a used cell, pay the extra $50.00 & get a brand new one. Lastly, there is no way 2 insert a security lock on phone & previous owners "films" are still on the phone & I can't erase them.

Works as advertised - after struggling 4 a few hour 2 change the installed regional language from Polish cyrilic (!!!) @#$%^&* 2 English. Since one has 2 use menus & sub-menus 2 reach the correct function it was a real challenge. Otherwise I would have given it 5 stars.

Inspired by natures smooth curves & organic lines, Motorola PEBL is the essence of mobile sophistication & stylish simplicity. Hold it in your palm & youll understand its mysterious pull. Enjoy both form & function, with complete imaging, video capture & playback, & voice recognition features. Design at its most breathtakingly simplicity, Motorola PEBL reshapes the way you view mobile communication. No hard edges. No fussy lines. Just a sleek & smooth contour with an evolutionary single-touch open hinge.

Motorola's PEBL U6 is the second model in Motorola's high-end "four-letter word" line, following the super popular RAZR V3. The PEBL takes some of the same materials & technologies used in the RAZR, & packages them into a completely different kind of clamshell handset. While the RAZR is all about thin, sharp angles, the PEBL is more about design, making use of soft curves & smooth lines throughout.

Screen shots from the PEBL.

The graphite black finish on the smooth, rounded exterior of the PEBL U6 manages 2 appear very glossy while still having a visual texture 2 it. The effect is very cool in person, but the downside is that the phone is an absolute magnet 4 fingerprints. But that's just the cost of high fashion, isn't it?

The PEBL's biggest claim 2 fame is perhaps not its shape & look, but its unique opening mechanism. A series of custom hinges, a dampening device, & some magnets allow the PEBL U6 2 be opened up one-handed in a very smooth, elegant manner. When holding the device, you simply use your thumb 2 pull the top cover towards the bottom of the device a bit, which releases the magnetic latch that keeps the spring-loaded opening mechanism at bay. At that point you simply move your thumb out of the way & let the spring do its job. The motion is smooth & slow enough 4 the device 2 maintain its balance.

Once open, the PEBL's unusual keypad is ready 4 use. The directional controller & its center select button are very typical of mobile phones, but the rest of the keypad builds on some of the unique design elements we saw in the RAZR's keypad. The PEBL's keypad & softkeys are completely flat. The actual buttons are hidden behind a single sheet of metal that has a bit of give 2 it, allowing finger pressure 2 make its way 2 the switches underneath. Thin strips of translucent material let light filter in from behind, just as they do on the RAZR's keypad. The net result is a very distinct-looking keypad that probably sacrifices a little too much functionality in the name of fashion. Individual keys are simply much easier 2 find & press, even if they don't look nearly as sharp.

The inner workings of the PEBL U6 seem 2 be stock Motorola. The handset comes in two variations, each of which supports three GSM frequency bands & EDGE data. The North American version supports the 850, 900, 1800, & 1900 Mhz bands. The internal display is a 262k-color unit with a pixel resolution of 176x220. The battery should be good 4 over 6 & a half hours of talk time, or up 2 as long as 10 days of standby time according 2 Motorola. Bluetooth support more than makes up 4 a lack of infrared connectivity. The only aspect that seems a bit dated is the PEBL's VGA camera. For a high-end handset like the PEBL, you certainly would expect more resolution in the camera.

Other highlights include 5 MB of internal storage that can be used 4 MP3 or MIDI ringtones, photos & video clips, & downloaded Java games & applications. The addition of speaker-independent voice dialing & voice commands are welcome, & the PEBL's relatively low weight of 3.7 ounces (110 g) makes it quite pocketable.

Pros:

• Unique design
• Automatic opening mechanism
• Bluetooth

Cons:

• Low-resolution camera
• Difficult keypad

Motorola's PEBL U6 is a unique handset. Where it goes, stares & longing gazes will follow. It might not have the full range of high-end features inside, but 4 the see-and-be-seen crowd, it probably has everything 2 get the job done.

--Reviewed by Michael Oryl, editor in chief of www.MobileBurn.com