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So-so smartphone with QWERTY keyboard
- Blazing EVDO network speed
- QWERTY keyboard
- Excellent battery life on Sprint version
- Supports many document functions
- Memory card slot can handle 32 GB
- Extended battery protrudes from back of Sprint version
- OS is a bit sluggish
- Stiff keys
- Camera, music player get mixed reviews
The Motorola Q9c is a candy-bar business smartphone with quick EVDO data speed and a full QWERTY keyboard that some reviewers like and others call a bit stiff. There are two chief criticisms in reviews., Motorola made the extended battery standard for the Sprint version (it had been an option), and there now is an almost buttocks-like bump protruding from the Motorola Q9c's backside to accommodate the bigger battery. (The AT&T Motorola Q9 Global includes both the standard and the extended battery.) Second, the sluggish Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system is the price one pays for wide-ranging support for various business applications like Microsoft Office. PCMag.com's Sascha Segan also notes that this model has just 25 MB for running programs, so you'll often be using Task Manager to free up memory, and some owner reviews complain about freeze-ups. The microSD memory card slot will handle up to 32 GB, so there's plenty of storage potential, at least.
Reviews say call quality is "decent" to "very good." The Sprint Motorola Q9c supports myriad instant-messaging and email functions, including Microsoft Exchange, and it offers GPS. It's not all work, either -- there's support for Sprint TV and a 2.4-inch screen to watch it on, plus a music player that gets mixed reviews and Bluetooth stereo. Reviewers are mixed about the 1.3-megapixel camera/camcorder (there is an LED flash but no dedicated camera button), and the video player draws no raves. Ultimately, PCMag.com's Segan calls the Sprint Motorola Q9c a better choice than Sprint's Palm Centro or BlackBerry 8830, while InfoSync rates Sprint's HTC Touch Pro atop its business smartphones rankings.
Most review sources rate one or two of the Motorola Q9 versions. PCMag.com, CNET and InfoSync have the best coverage of the Sprint version, while MobileTechReview.com covers the Verizon and AT&T models, and Consumer Reports ranks the Verizon. We found owner reviews for the various versions at CNET, PhoneScoop.com, Amazon.com and PhoneArena.com.
Our Sources
1. PCMag.com
The Sprint Motorola Q9c is included in this eight-phone roundup, and there's a link to the full review in which it's rated as "very good." The phone clocks in at seven hours of talk time in testing. The upgraded battery, however, adds to the bulk, and the Q9c is described as a bit sluggish, with a mediocre camera.
Review: The Longest-Lasting Cell Phones, Jamie Lendino, Aug. 28, 2008
2. CNET
CNET's Bonnie Cha gives the Sprint Motorola Q9c a rating of "very good," and about 75 owner reviews combine for the same grade. She says that call quality is "decent" and that messaging capabilities are "solid." She dislikes the added bulk in back from the extended battery.
Review: Motorola Q9c (Sprint), Bonnie Cha, Nov. 29, 2007
The Sprint Motorola Q9c gets a rating of "good," but it doesn't make the top business phone rankings at the bottom of the review. Matthew Ruiz says that call quality is "great" and that the email client is "excellent," but the music capability rates a "poor."
Review: Review: Motorola Q9c (Sprint) Slim Smartphone, Matthew Ruiz, Dec. 6, 2007
4. ConsumerReports.org
The Verizon Motorola Moto Q9c is among about two dozen smartphones ranked in a chart, and there are links to short individual reviews. But you'll need a subscription to see any of it.
Review: Smartphones Ratings, Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Reviewer Tony Zhang says call reception is disappointing, but the Verizon Motorola Q9c "has an excellent QWERTY keyboard, corporate data syncing, push email, a strong Office suite and WiFi's a possibility thanks to the miniSD card slot."
Review: Motorola Q9c for Verizon Review, Tony Zhang, July 25, 2008
Reviewer Lisa Gade says the AT&T Motorola Q9 Global gets 4.5 out of five stars because it offers a great keyboard, good call quality, fast web browsing, "Documents To Go" software, and initially slow but ultimately effective GPS.
Review: Motorola Q9 Global, Lisa Gade, Nov. 10, 2007
More than 60 owner reviews combine for a mediocre score, with most of the complaints concerning freeze-ups, sluggishness and poor battery life (on the standard, not the extended battery).
Review: Motorola Q9m and Q9c Reviews, Contributors to PhoneScoop.com
