Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This is a nice phone. Nice looking, nice functioning, and nicely priced. The sound is great during calls and while using it as a MP3 player. The bluetooth file transfer between my laptop and phone seems pretty speedy. Having video recording capability is nice for someone who only had a 640x480 still camera on my last phone. I have yet to try out the stated 4Gb SD card to see if it works (I could only find SDHC 4Gb cards so I'll soon find out if the phone is SDHC compatible). I'll update the review when I receive the card. [update: the phone is compatible with the 4Gb SDHC card.]
The things that bother me are the PTT button as the other reviewer mentioned and the lack of voice dialing on the phone. Yes, AT&T does offer voice dialing on this phone, but it is only through their network so you have to pay extra for it. I HATE it when corporations make you pay extra for something that should be installed on the phone. I assumed that in this day and age, voice dialing would be standard on all phones. Never should I assume anything with electronics and corporations.
The PTT button as the other reviewer mentioned is a definite hassle. My last phone I always opened one handed by cradling it with my fingers while prying the lid open with my thumb. This phone I can cradle, but as soon as I put any pressure on the left side, I immediately push the PTT button, thus negating the advantage of opening it one handed. Either I will have to immobilize the button by dribbling some superglue around the seam of the button, or sand down the button with my dremel to make it concave. What a PITA!
As a visual design, the flush camera lens on the face is beautiful. Functionally, it either should have been recessed or a raised ridge put around it to minimize scuffing of the lens. One of the industrial designers dropped the ball on this one.
I like the phone, don't get me wrong. I'm still within the trial period so I could bring it back if it was really a POJ. I think I'll keep it though as it is a vast improvement over my last phone. That, and I've already begun the task of entering all my contacts...
UPDATE: Feb 9 09- I decided to keep the phone. I eventually bought a clear plastic shell for the phone and only installed the cover on the flip portion of the phone for two reasons: The edge on the plastic protector gives my thumb something to grasp when opening the phone one handed, and the case protects the lens of the camera, preventing scuffing while in my pocket. It added negligible thickness to the phone since I left the rear portion of the protector off the phone. It was, i think, 4$ with shipping. Had I seen the black one, I would've gotten it instead of the clear:
http://www.amazon.com/SOLID-BLACK-SNAP-COVER-PROTECTOR/dp/B0018J3FAY/ref=pd_sim_cps_6
overall, I'm pretty happy with it and probably would recommend it to a friend. I'm keeping the 3 star review though since my original complaints are (to me) glaring flaws by the designers/developers.
Click Here to see more reviews about: LG CU515 - Cellular phone - 3G - WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM - folder (flip) - AT&T
A much-anticipated successor to the LG CU500 phone, the quad-band CU515 is loaded with multimedia features, including a built-in music player, a 1.3-megapixel digital camera, and support for AT&T's high-speed HSDPA wireless network. The combined functions make it an ideal choice for people who don't want to invest in an expensive smartphone but still want to take advantage of broadband-like speeds and video capture.
Design The CU515 comes in a standard, black clamshell shape, with a stylish, cool exterior and elegant interior. A large 176 x 220 color display that supports more than 65,000 colors dominates the inside of the top cover, while the outside cover sports a supplementary 96 x 64 LCD display that shows the time, call information, battery and signal strength, and more. Most of the phone's features and onscreen menus are controlled by a five-way button on the handset's backlit control pad. And neither communication or storage are a problem thanks to the integrated USB slot and expandable microSD/TransFlash memory card slot, which supports up to 4 GB. Lastly, the phone includes an internal antenna that's safely tucked away, keeping the design compact and portable.
Calling Features The CU515's internal phone book can hold up to 500 contacts, while the built-in speakerphone makes it easy for your whole family to chat with grandma at once. The phone also includes Push-to-Talk functionality, which lets you instantly speak with one or up to 30 people at once. And because the CU515 is Bluetooth enabled, you can configure wireless headsets to the phone and enjoy total hands-free operation. Other calling features include voice dialing--which makes calling your friends, family, and associates as easy as saying their names--and a host of built-in ringtones.
Messaging, Internet, and Tools The CU515 is a messaging and wireless Internet powerhouse. With support for AT&T's HSDPA network built right into the phone, you'll be streaming and downloading at speeds so fast your head will spin. More significantly, the phones 1.3-megapixel camera and video recorder opens up a whole new world of message opportunities. You can send photos, graphics, and videos to friends, or, when used in combination with AT&T's Video Share, you can share real-time streaming video with family. The latter feature is terrific should you want to share baby's first steps with your in-laws or show your pal the winning touchdown in real time.
The phone also supports instant messaging via AOL Instant Messenger, Windows Live, and Yahoo! Messenger. Text messaging is about as easy as it can get on a numeric keypad thanks to the phone's T9 predictive text technology, which anticipates and finishes your words as you type. And the CU515 is ideal if you need basic Internet access, as it includes a built-in WAP 2.0 web browser and an e-mail client that supports Yahoo!, AOL, MS Live, and POP3/SMTP protocols.
A number of handy software tools are also bundled with the CU515, including a calculator with a unit conversion feature, a calendar, an alarm clock, date finder, a notepad, and a tip calculator. Or you can use the phone's Bluetooth capability to set up a wireless link with a Bluetooth accessory--such as a wireless headset--or connect to a computer or handheld device to exchange and synchronize data. The unit also supports USB mass storage, meaning you can use your phone as a portable hard drive, making for easy file transfers between phone and PC.
Imaging and Entertainment With such features as a built-in audio player, stereo Bluetooth headphone capability, and an integrated camera, the CU515 shines in the entertainment department. When the feeling hits, you can jam out to your favorite music on the unit's advanced MP3 player, which supports MP3, WMA, AAC, and AAC+/eAAC+ files. Because the CU515 also sports a microSD/TransFlash memory card slot, you can easily load up all your favorite music and bring it with you (cards sold separately). Additional audio features include a customizable equalizer with visualization, playlist management, and the ability to sync music from your PC to your phone using Napster or eMusic.
The phone's 1.3-megapixel camera, meanwhile, offers such features as an 8x digital zoom, video recording, customizable shutter tones, brightness and white balance controls, and an image editor that lets you resize, crop, color, and rotate your photos.
Vital Statistics The LG CU515 offers 55 MB of built-in memory and includes a lithium-ion battery that offers 3.5 hours of talk time and 400 hours of standby time. Running on the 850/900/1800/1900 GMS/GPRS/EDGE and 850/1900 UMTS/HSDPA frequencies, the phone measures 1.97 by 3.78 by 0.71 inches (W x H x D), weighs 0.2 pounds, and comes with a one-year limited warranty.
