The Motorola i730 was a mid-2000s clamshell phone aimed at business users: compact design, external subdisplay, speakerphone, voice-activated dialing, simple personalization, and basic data via Java apps. It lacks Wi-Fi, modern mobile data, and many features expected today; compatibility with current networks is limited.

Overview

The Motorola i730 is a mid-2000s clamshell feature phone designed for workplace users who needed push-to-talk style communications, basic data, and hands-free calling. For its era it combined a compact flip design with several conveniences - an external subdisplay, speakerphone, and simple personalization options - yet it lacks features expected in modern smartphones.

Design and interface

The i730 uses a clamshell (flip) form factor with an external display and an internal color screen. Users could change wallpapers, adjust simple color palettes, and pick from a few font sizes. Navigation is straightforward compared with contemporary smartphones, but the numeric keypad has recessed keys that some users found hard to press accurately.

Calling and hands-free features

The phone supports speakerphone and voice-activated dialing, which made hands-free calling practical for drivers and busy workers. It also offered flexible dialing options such as wait and pause dialing used for automated systems.

Contacts and basic data

The i730 stored personal contacts and supported multiple numbers per contact. It included a basic user dictionary for text entry and a simple voice recorder for memos. It relied on Java-based applications for additional functionality rather than a modern app store.

Location and connectivity

Some versions of the i730 were marketed with location-capable features. The phone did not include Wi-Fi or modern cellular data (LTE/5G). It was designed for networks and services common in the mid-2000s, such as push-to-talk systems. This limits its ability to work on today's networks in many regions.

Performance and battery

For its time the i730 responded adequately to calls and simple tasks, though its interface and data speeds feel slow by modern standards. Battery life was reasonable for a feature phone, allowing a day or more of typical use depending on network and usage patterns.

What it gets right and what to expect today

The i730 represents a class of business-oriented feature phones: rugged, simple, and focused on voice and basic messaging. It does not, and cannot, replace a modern smartphone: no app ecosystem, no Wi-Fi, limited web browsing, and likely incompatible with many current carrier networks. Collectors or users with legacy networks may still find it useful, but for everyday modern use a smartphone is the practical choice.1

Bottom line

Preserve the i730's portability and straightforward calling tools, but don't expect modern connectivity or performance. It's a snapshot of mobile phone priorities in the mid-2000s - compact hardware, voice features, and modest data capabilities - now largely superseded by smartphones.
  1. Confirm whether the Motorola i730 included built-in GPS/location hardware or relied on network-based location services.
  2. Verify the exact contacts storage capacity (number of entries and numbers per contact) for the i730.
  3. Verify which network technology the i730 required (e.g., iDEN or another) and the current compatibility/shutdown status of those networks in major regions.

FAQs about Motorola I730 Phone

Was the Motorola i730 a smartphone?
No. The i730 is a feature phone from the mid-2000s. It supported Java-based apps and basic data, but it did not offer a smartphone-class app ecosystem, Wi-Fi, or modern cellular (LTE/5G) connectivity.
Does the i730 have GPS and location features?
Some versions were marketed with location-capable features, but the implementation and availability varied by carrier and region. Expect limited location functionality compared with modern GPS-enabled smartphones.
Can I still use an i730 on today’s cellular networks?
Probably not on many modern networks. The i730 was designed for mid-2000s networks and push-to-talk systems; carriers have phased out many legacy networks since then, so compatibility is limited in many regions.
What were the i730’s main conveniences?
Its main conveniences were a compact flip design, external subdisplay, speakerphone, voice-activated dialing, support for multiple numbers per contact, a basic user dictionary, and a simple voice recorder.

News about Motorola I730 Phone

Motorola i730 (Nextel) review: Motorola i730 (Nextel) - CNET [Visit Site | Read More]

Motorola i760 (Nextel) - PCMag UK [Visit Site | Read More]

Motorola phones through the years: The best and the worst, in pictures - Pocket-lint [Visit Site | Read More]

Two new cellular phones built for abuse - NBC News [Visit Site | Read More]

Smartphone holsters were a blight on fashion – but I still miss them - Pocketnow [Visit Site | Read More]

Telus Mike network expands - The Globe and Mail [Visit Site | Read More]

Early-adopter blues: is it smarter to wait for new phones? - Pocketnow [Visit Site | Read More]