[Jessikitty]

Let me just begin this review with stating: I only have the i9 as a work phone and that my industry is not construction based. I feel that this is key to point out.

Aesthetically the phone is pleasing, it feels great in the hand and it is easy to use. The phone has a lot of great features: 3.1 megapixel camera with flash and zoom (both through the internal and external screens), easy to use slide lock that locks all the external buttons when not in use, mp3 player, and it is Bluetooth capable.

The great points about the phone:

The style of the phone: I think this is the nicest looking IDEN phone that has been released to date. It is streamlined, has a great display and just has a wow factor. It doesn’t look like a typical IDEN phone. Unlike the V9M that went out to every carrier, this device is and IDEN device and I have not heard and rumors of a similar phone going to other carriers. Now, it looks like the V9M, but it doesn’t feel like it. The buttons are more solid and the touch screen is much more usable.

The weight: I don’t know about other people, but this phone is a great weight it isn’t as heavy as other IDEN phones, yet it isn’t too light. It just feels solid in your hand.

The hinge: The hinge feels solid and doesn’t feel like it is weak at all. I’ll see over the test of time, but I appreciate it for what it is now.
The Bluetooth: This phone allows you to listen to music without using a stereo Bluetooth headset. I like that Motorola allowed this feature in their phone.

The external display: Extremely easy to use. You can scroll through all the pictures you have stored in your phone, take pictures/videos, or listen to music without ever having to flip open your phone.

The camera: The camera is nice and takes great shots; the flash is nice and bright.

The speaker: The speaker is great and makes the walkie-talkie nice and clear. I have had no problems with those calls at all.

The negative points about the phone:

The style of the phone: Don’t get me wrong, I love the look of the phone or I never would have purchased the phone. However, this phone is not geared toward the majority of the IDEN customers. I am afraid to drop this phone. The phone I had on my account previously was the i570, I did not have TEP on that line. I had it for a year and I did not have a problem with that phone. As soon as I activated this phone I added TEP. I love the phone I just fear my clumsiness.

The battery: This phone comes standard with at 920 mAh battery. Now, yesterday I charged it to full, made a couple of phone calls and texts and played around on the web. I also forgot to charge it last night. I still have 2 bars left on the battery, however if I pair my Bluetooth and start to use other things on the phone I believe the battery is not going to go much longer.

GPS: This phone is being marketed as a GPS capable phone; however this phone DOES NOT have a GPS program at all. I did what I did with my i570, I went to the Java apps and Telenav was not there. Under the Tools menu of the phone there is a menu item labeled GPS, which will pick up GPS satellites, but won’t give you directions. I did attempt to go to the Sprint website to download the app, but it is not yet available for the phone. I can wait. That is what I get for getting a phone on the day it is released.

My major complaint though is what comes in the box: The phone after rebate is $200 and in the box all you get is the phone and the charger that is it. If you need a clip for your phone, you have to buy one. Now, the clip that they sell is nice than the average Nextel standard clip and seems more durable, but it isn’t in the box. And, it doesn’t come with a microSD card either. Both of these accessories are helpful for everyday use of the phone. The v950 comes with both of these and that phone is less expensive.

Overall, this phone is great. I love it. I’m afraid to drop it, but the clip is solid and I’m being extra careful. For now I’ll just watch the battery life on the phone and I’ll have to use my personal or landline if the battery dies for actual phone calls.