Get info about new reports and updates
Entry-level prepaid candy-bar cell phone with music player
- No contract
- Inexpensive
- Music player, stereo Bluetooth
- microSD slot
- Good call quality
- Very good battery life
- No camera
- Tiny, dim screen
- Battery cover is difficult to remove
- USB port poorly placed
- Music player is just so-so
- Key size
Like some entry-level candy-bar cell phones, the Motorola VE240 lacks a camera, but it does include an MP3 player, Bluetooth capability and a microSD slot (up to 8 GB) for storing your music. Reviews say the music player is not nearly good enough for someone primarily interested in playing tunes, but it's fine for someone who is looking for a cheap phone that can play music and requires no service contract. A review at PCMag.com says that call reception is good, but that the Motorola VE240's basic WAP web browser is essentially useless, given the dim 1.5-inch display. The same review points out battery life as a plus -- PCMag.com's test reveals five hours and 44 minutes of talk time per charge.
The Motorola VE240 has no support for instant messaging and email. Owner reviews point out a few design flaws. First, large-fingered people may have some difficulty typing text messages because of the small keys. Second, the microSD slot is located behind the battery, and some find the cover difficult to take off and put back on. Also, some owners indicate that the USB port/charger is inconveniently placed atop the Motorola VE240 rather than on the bottom, and that makes it difficult to charge in the car. Professional and owner reviews suggest that you get what you pay for -- the Motorola VE240 is better than cheaper phones like the Cricket EZ and not as good as a more expensive Cricket offering like the Samsung MyShot SCH-R40, which has a camera but no MP3 player.
We found the only professional review at PCMag.com, but fortunately it's an excellent one, with thorough testing, including battery life. Other usual go-to sources like CNET and WirelessInfo.com don't review the Motorola VE240, and Consumer Reports doesn't rate any Cricket products. We found no owner reviews at Amazon.com, but there is a smattering of helpful user opinions at PhoneArena.com and PhoneScoop.com.
Our Sources
1. PCMag.com
PCMag.com rates the Motorola VE240 as good for kids on a budget because it has an MP3 player and good battery life. It recommends the VE240 as being better than a couple of other Cricket phones, the Cricket EZ and the Samsung Spex.
Review: Motorola VE240 (Cricket, MetroPCS), Sascha Segan, Jan. 8, 2009
About 10 owner reviews give the Motorola VE240 a decent overall score, with most saying it's good for the price and a few very negative reviews bringing down the rating. A common thread is that the keys are too small for large-fingered folk, and the battery/microSD cover is difficult to remove.
Review: Motorola MOTO VE240 Reviews, Contributors to PhoneArena.com
About a half-dozen owner reviews combine to give the Motorola VE240 a good overall score, but some say the USB/charger port is inconveniently located on top instead of on bottom. One review notes that the MP3 player is OK, but that it isn't a good primary reason for buying the phone.
Review: Motorola VE240 , Contributors to PhoneScoop.com
4. PCMag.com
This is basically an overview of discount service providers such as Cricket that includes mention (and links to full reviews) of two Cricket phones, the Motorola VE240 and the Nokia 1606.
Review: Is Cheap Wireless the Recession's Bright Spot?, Sascha Segan, March 12, 2009
