KRZR K1m vs E815

I'm in the market for a new Motorola phone for Alltel service and am considering the KRZR K1m and the E815. Any suggestions? I'm particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have experience using both of these phones and if there were any differences in signal strength, call quality, etc.

To place this into the context of what I'm looking for, I want a clamshell handset that will fit in my front pocket, includes Bluetooth technology, has a camera, and isn't too flimsy. Also, since I only invest in a new phone every 4-5 years I want to ensure that I get the most for my money as far as technology and features built into the phone. Thanks!

The E815 is an obsolete handset. Verizon removed it from the lineup when the RAZR V3c was introduced last December. Go with the KRZR.

Could you specify in what way(s) the E815 is obsolete other than the fact that Verizon no longer carries it? From what I can tell the main difference in the specs is that the KRZR K1m has a slightly shorter talk time, longer standby time, and includes a digital audio player which is of little importance to me. The whole style thing doesn't really matter to me either. Are there any other differences in features or quality (e.g. durability, software stability, signal strength, call quality) that I'm missing? I guess I'm just looking for a good reason to justifiy spending an additional $170 to purchase the KRZR K1m over the E815. Thanks for your help!

Quite frankly, I am surprised that Alltel even offers the E815 anymore. As I stated, Verizon got rid of the E815 because of significant issues with the charging port. The manufacturer is aware of the problem, which is why Motorola replaced it with the mini-usb port on ALL of their new phones. I see more E815, V710 and V267 phones brought back for charging problems than all the other phones we sell combined.

So, that being said, do yourself a favor, buy the phone that incorporates the latest and most improved technology.

Paulcman is definitely a Razr guy for sure. I have used the E815, my wife just inherited it from me when I got my Samsung A930. If you're not out for all the flashy stuff, etc. the K-Razr has, the 815 is a very good, dependable phone, definitely a work horse. The problem with the charging port is well documented, but with a new phone shouldn't be a big a deal; that problem occurs more over time. You just have to be really careful with it.

Other than that, the phone is still a good choice and you won't be disappointed if you go with it. And the extra $170 is also something to consider, that's a couple of extra months of $$ you could put towards your phone bill, or spend on Xmas shopping right now.

Guilty as charged....

Thanks for your help guys. One final question about the charging port issue...the E815's charging port is the same style that was included on other older Motorola phone models (or can at least use the same style charger as the older models), so did any of those models suffer the same problems that I've been able to read about for the E815? I have a 4 year old V60i that has never had charging problems with the exception of battery replacement. Did something change in more recent phone models like the E815 that caused the charging port to be crappier than before? Just curious.

To the best of my knowledge, it was primarily an issue with the E815 and a few older Vxxx models (V710 and V265 come to mind). I do not know if it affected any other models.

Thanks again for your help.

It mostly had to do with the way the phones were built and also how the charging port was housed in them. Most of the V60s were built tougher and more solidly than the 815, 710, etc.; they were flimsier and more plasticky. I did experience it slightly on my old V60, but not as apparent as with the 815 or 710. Like I said before, as long as your careful, you'll be okay. Where did you say you were getting the 815? They aren't available thru VZW anymore, not that you can't get them elsewhere.

Why not just get a regular razr?

Thanks for the advice. My wireless provider is Alltel so I'll be purchasing the phone through one of their brick and mortar stores. Alltel began offering the E815 in early May. Alltel

I don't like the size of traditional razrs. They look sleek and all, but aesthetics isn't very important to me.