Review of GSM/UMTS-handset Motorola MOTO U9

Mobile-review have posted their Motorola U9 review. Here is the final impression.

Impressions
The reception quality of the U9 was never an issue, for it is a typical Motorola-branded phone. The loudspeaker’s volume is pretty average, though you won’t miss calls when the handset is in your clothes; the vibro alert is moderate strength-wise or a tad better than that.

It may sound strange but the U9 has no direct competition – neither the Sony Ericsson Z610i nor the Sony Ericsson Z750i is among them, although they sport similar finish, plastic and styling. These phones are too different dimensions-wise and will appeal to completely different audiences. We could waste a ton of time trying to find a rival for the MOTO U9, but just like it was with the Motorola PEBL, the truth is that there are none. As for its indirect competition, this would be almost any folder-type phone aimed at women.

Much like the PEBL, it is a niche model with no real aim at the top of sales charts. However, its owners will also benefit from this situation – the device won’t be too ubiquitous, and yet it will carry a name of a known and respected maker. Another thing to keep in mind is that the U9 isn’t much of a music phone – this positioning feels very made-up for this particular solution.

Having addressed the previous missteps with pricing policy, Motorola has learned the lesson and set the price tag for the U9 at 380-400 USD. In Europe it will sell for 250-275 Euro (before taxes or carriers’ offers), which is a steal for a device like this. If you look at the pricing policy applied to the company’s other latest and greatest offerings, you will notice that in every case it strives to get the maximum possible premium, and with the U9 it seems to ditch it. Why? Do they really feel that the MOTO U9 is such an important product? By no means. The fact of the matter is that over at Motorola they don’t believe that they can make it vastly popular, and they don’t want to end up with another PEBL on their hands, when it retailed for 140-150, which was a joke for a pretty good fashion-savvy device.

The MOTO U9 starts shipping early in January in most European countries. First supplies will get to Russia late in February, and before this moment the market will probably receive some grey phones going for 600 USD and more, however getting the U9 for this much money is very unwise.