Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)The background paragraph: I work for a cell phone software company porting games to the many cell phones available on the market. What that can be boiled down to is that I have a lot of knowledge of handset quirks/bugs, stability, and look+feel, but not much knowledge for comparing handsets on how well they operate when placing actual phone calls, or trying to carry the phone around in your pocket, etc. It should also be noted that I mainly have experience with brew phones (Verizon, Alltel, US Cellular, Cricket, etc), and next to no experience with j2me phones (Sprint, Cingular, etc). The vx9900 is a brew device.
When it came time to upgrade my old LG vx8100, I choose the LG vx9900 Orange (enV Orange). Based on my own personal needs, I feel it is the best brew device on the market at the time of this writing. I did not give it a 5-star rating because the web browser on all current Verizon phones leaves something to be desired. This looks to be changing for the new models of phones being released later this year.
Below, any point which is a positive editorial is prefixed with a "(+)". Any point which is a negative editorial is prefixed with a "(-)". A neutral editorial is denoted with a "(.)".
SHAPE
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(+) The phone feels good in the hands. Not every phone does. Its edges are well curved.
(.) Nothing special about how well it is carried in a pocket. It's not as light as the various razr's, but it is the slimmest brew device that offers a qwerty keyboard.
(+) As a previous reviewer pointed out, the 9900 actually LOOKS like a camera when it is used for that purpose. See the "camera" section below for more details.
(-) When the device is opened, and if is placed on a desk to type on like a mini desk-top computer, it will wobble. This is because the back of the phone is not level, on account of the camera lens which protrudes 2mm. The wobble does make using the keyboard in this manner impractical, though not impossible. Luckily, it won't damage the lens due to the lens cover.
HOWEVER: Something which I have not read in other reviews which have written about this design flaw is that the wobble can be reduced to a practical level (but not eliminated entirely) if the phone is opened to a full 180 degrees. A little-known feature of the device is that it has two available angles when opened, about 135 degrees and 180 degrees. At 180 degrees, the wobble is reduced, but now the screen is flat with the table and so is not as convenient to look at, though not in a crippling way.
In field testing, I find that I'm rarely in a situation where I need to use the keyboard while sitting at a desk anyway. In those situations, there's usually an actual computer in front of me. Rather, I use the phone's keyboard when out on the town, in which case it is held in the hands. The thumbs do get sore when typing in this manner, however.
KEYBOARD
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(+) Along with its predecessor the vx9800, the vx9900 offers the best keyboard available on brew cell phones, hands down. Most notably because it has a dedicated row for the numeric keys. On all other qwerty brew devices, this is not the case... with the exception of the LG ax490, although its keyboard is impractical for other reasons (do a Google image search on the device to see what I mean). The keys give a quiet, mechanical "click" when pressed, which is nice feedback.
(.) A number of reviews have complained about the space bar not being positioned at the bottom center of the keyboard. Personally, I've had no trouble adapting to the space bar positions.
(.) A number of reviews also criticize the positioning of the volume keys. When the clamshell is opened to its 135 degree position, it's difficult to wedge your finger behind the screen to reach the volume key. However, when I need to access those keys I simply pop the screen down to its 180 degree position, easily play with the keys to my heart's content, then pop it back to 135 degrees.
(+) Unlike its predecessor the vx9800, the vx9900 hinges its clamshell in such a way that the screen folds behind the keyboard. This makes access to the two soft keys easier.
(+) The symbols written on the keys light up, making it easy for night time use. Handy since I mainly use the keyboard when out on the town.
(.) Some of the keys are shaded grey rather than black to make them stand out as keys to use as an alternate directional pad (there's already a dedicated directional pad on the keyboard.) As a game developer, I can fill you in that Verizon REQUIRES games to accept these keys as alternate directional input for the vx9900. So you know it is supported. However, I don't find them any easier to use than the dedicated directional pad. The only advantage I can think of is it may be more natural if you are left handed.
(+) The vx9900 Orange has a special button in the upper left corner labeled "enV". For the silver version of the vx9900, this button is instead labeled "email". Though I have not tried the button on my company's silver vx9900, I believe I've read that it only can bring up the email app, just like it's labeled. For the enV Orange, however, you can assign this button to any of a number of shortcuts. Unfortunately, you can not assign it to be ANY shortcut you'd like (what I'd really enjoy would be to have it launch the web browser to a specific URL of my choice.) Instead you can only assign it to one of 10 options granted to you (Email (which launches the web browser), Text Message, Video Message, Mobile IM, Wireless Sync, V CAST Videos, Picture Message, V CAST Music, Pacman, and Tetris). Holding the button down launches your assigned shortcut. Tapping the button brings up a list of all the mentioned shortcuts, for you to scroll to and then launch.
(+) There's a dedicated speaker-phone button right on the keyboard.
PHONE CALLS
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(+) I've yet to experience bad reception on my end.
(.) I do not know if I've had dropped calls due to my phone. There have been calls dropped, but the person I called blamed it on their phone.
(-) A complaint I've read about numerous times for the vx9900 is that it will sometimes launch a speed-dial when you are not using the phone. I've never used speed dialing on my previous phones, and after reading this complaint I've made a decision to not use it on this phone. Having not tried it, I can not comment on this. However this complaint has arisen enough times that it should be taken seriously if you are someone who enjoys speed-dial features. An alternate may be to use voice-command dialing instead.
As an aside, one of the reviews I read attributed this defect to the clamshell getting wedged in a carrying case or purse in such a way as to open its clamshell slightly, which would deactivate the key-guard for a few seconds, allowing accidental key presses during that time to launch their assigned speed-dial numbers. Out of curiosity I compared my enV Orange against my company's silver enV to see how far the clamshell needed to be opened in order for the key guard to be deactivated. My Orange needed to open by a smaller amount for this condition to be met.
CAMERA
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(+) The phone LOOKS like a camera when you use it as one. It is held horizontally, and you tap your finger on the top right corner to snap a shot.
(+) It has a lens cover.
(-) If auto-focus is activated, which you will want to use, then photos are not taken instantaneously. You have to wait for the click.
(+) 2.0 megapixels.
(+) Decent frame rate for videos. Better than my vx8100. There have been times when it looked choppy, but often it looks fluid. Examples are below.
(+) If you have a memory card, videos recorded to the card are not given a short time limit.
(-) When examined closely, the photos look grainy. I suspect, but have not confirmed, that the camera does not have the full range of millions of colors we are used to on computers. To see what I mean, take a look at the example photo linked to below. Look closely at the pink of the toy in that photo, or the red bow on the toy. The toy is supposed to be smooth plastic, but it looks a bit grainy.
If a photo is shrunk down (and they are rather large), this can eliminate the graininess.
(-) Videos look very grainy.
SAMPLE PHOTOS and VIDEOS:
I've put onto the web some photos/videos of a friend and I dismantling an Etch-a-Sketch to see what was inside. With the exception of the drawings, which were scanned in, the images were taken with my vx9900 Orange.
http://www.rashid-clark.com/etch-a-sketch/
Here's a direct link to a sample photo, taken at the phone's highest resolution setting of 1600x1200:
http://www.rashid-clark.com/etch-a-sketch/victim.jpg
Here's a direct link to a sample video, taken at the phone's highest resolution of 320x240. I speak very quietly by nature, so don't worry video volumes are normally ok. Also, the phone does not natively save videos to .wmv format, I had to convert them:
http://www.rashid-clark.com/etch-a-sketch/stylus.wmv
BATTERY LIFE:
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(+) So far I'm happy with this. I've been recharging maybe every 4-10 days, depending on how the phone is used that week. I'm not a heavy user. Do make sure to follow the carrier's suggestion of fully charging your phone before using it for the first time, and to fully (or near-fully) use up the battery before the first few recharges.
MISC:
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(+) The device comes with a GPS Navigation app, complete with a voice giving you directions. I have not had a chance to use this, as I do not have a car. Sounds cool. However, Verizon does charge you out the nose to use it. You can buy a monthly subscription, or pay to use it for a day. Also, the car...Read more›
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LG enV VX9900 Phone, Orange (Verizon Wireless, Phone Only, No Service)If you're looking for the ultimate in features and high-speed wireless broadband content, look no further than the feature-packed LG enV. Packed to the gills with the latest technology, the enV features a hidden QWERTY keypad, Bluetooth, a 2.0-megapixel camera, a microSD memory card slot (for memory expansion up to 4 GB), stereo speakers, an advanced MP3 player, and more. It's compatible with Verizon's V Cast Music Service, which enables you to purchase songs through your phone and download them via Verizon's fast EV-DO data network. Other Verizon service options include V Cast Video with clips from major networks, the VZ Navigator GPS turn-by-turn directions, BroadbandAccess Connect for using your phone as a modem to your laptop, and the Wireless Sync always-on email service.
Verizon Service Options With support for the EV-DO high-speed data standard, you'll enjoy fast access to the Internet and Verizon's multimedia services (additional charges applicable), with average download speeds ranging from 400 to 700 Kbps and peak rates up to 2 Mbps. (Learn more about where EV-DO coverage is offered.) The V Cast Music service enables you to download songs instantly to your phone, or purchase music through your PC and transfer the files to your phone. If purchased from your phone, you'll receive two copies of the song: a Windows Media Audio Pro Plus format at 64Kbps stereo is sent to your phone, and a Windows Media Audio 9 format at 160Kbps stereo is sent to your account in the V CAST Music online store for downloading to your PC. V Cast Music offers nearly 2 million songs, with more being added all the time.
The V Cast Video service enables you to stream or download video clips to your phone from a variety of news, entertainment, sports, and weather channels, including CNN, ABC News, E!, CBS Sports, The Weather Channel, and VH1.
Getting on the Internet is easy using Verizon's Mobile Web 2.0 package, which allows you to read and send e-mails, exchange instant messages and view your favorite web content on your phone. Verizon's Get It Now wireless download service is also fully compatible with this phone. This pay-per-download service features application downloads, games and productivity tools. You can also personalize your handset with ringtone downloads using the Get It Now service.
With this GPS-enabled phone, you'll be able to access Verizon's VZ Navigator service (additional charges applicable) for voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions, heads-up alerts, local search of nearly 14 million points of interest in the US (such as landmarks, restaurants and ATMs), and detailed color maps. And Verizon's Chaperone service lets you easily locate your loved ones from your Verizon Wireless phone or PC in real time. After defining a zone, such as an area designating a school or summer camp, you'll be sent an alert via text message when the Chaperone handset enters or leaves the zone.
With BroadbandAccess Connect (subscription required), you can use your smartphone as a modem for your notebook when you connect the two using a USB cable--or open a Bluetooth connection--enabling you to access the Internet or your company intranet. The tethered modem capability is ideal when you're traveling and need to use your notebook to check email, access corporate networks, or download large files like presentations and reports. And with BroadbandAccess Connect, you won't have to buy an extra PC Card or other devices.
Verizon's Wireless Sync always-on email service (subscription required), you can stay connected and get the job done while away from the office--without a delay and in a secure environment. Email is delivered to your device in real time across the National Enhanced Services Rate & Coverage Area, and you get the ability to forward large attachments via email as well as access both your personal and corporate emails on one device. Wireless Sync offers strong security with AES encryption (Advanced Encryption Standard) technology so that unauthorized parties cannot access or alter application data transmitted over wireless networks.
Phone Features The front of the enV features a large, 65,000-color screen with 128 x 160 pixel resolution and a standard dialpad complete with a five-way control button. Flip open the horizontal clamshell, though, and you're presented with a crystal-clear, 240 x 320, 262,000-color landscape display and a full QWERTY keyboard. Dialing function buttons are also duplicated on the internal touchpad. A pair of stereo speakers reside on either side of the display, and a microSD card slot is provided on the side of the device for additional memory expansion. There's a standard jack to accept universal hands-free headsets, while the rear of the device houses the 2.0-megapixel camera. Lastly, an internal antenna keeps the enV sleek and compact, and the provided USB data port ensures convenient connectivity.
The enV's built-in address book can store up to 1000 contacts for quick and easy management of phone numbers and e-mail addresses. The phone comes with built-in polyphonic ringtones plus a vibrating alert. More ringtones can be downloaded via Verizon's Get It Now service. The phone lets you match pictures with callers to identify them, and the enV's voice recognition software supports voice commands from any user, not just a pre-programmed user's voice. What's more, many of the phone's functions can be controlled by the sound of your voice, thanks to advanced voice recognition technology. Text-to-speech technology enables the enV to read emails and text messages to you, if you so desire. A powerful speakerphone unit means you can easily talk hands-free, while Bluetooth allows you to use your favorite wireless headset.
While the enV is a great platform for watching V Cast video content, it can also capture video that can be shared with your friends and associates via video messaging. The video unit records in MPEG4 format and can capture clips up to 15 seconds in length. Of course, you can also use the camera to capture still pictures, too. In addition to megapixel resolution (1280 x 960), the camera features an LED flash, macro and night modes, a self-timer, and brightness and white balance controls.
The enV has all the bases covered when it comes to messaging, too, with support for sending and receiving text, picture, and video messages. There's also a complete e-mail client on the device for POP- and IMAP-based accounts. And of course, the QWERTY keyboard makes it a snap to type your messages.
The enV ships with a number of handy tools, including a calendar and a voice memo application. An alarm clock and calculator are also included. Use the enV's Bluetooth capability to set up a wireless link with a Bluetooth headset accessory or to connect to a computer or handheld device to exchange and synchronize data.
The enV supports V Cast 3-D games, as well as other 2-D-based games, which are available from Verizon's Get It Now service. You can also customize the phone's wallpapers and screen savers to give your phone a look that suits your style. And if music is your thing, with the built-in memory card slot and the enV's advanced MP3 player, you'll never be at a loss for something good to listen to (memory cards sold separately).
Other features include:
Bluetooth version 1.2 with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), BPP (basic printing profile for text, email), DUN (dial-up networking), FTP (file transfer), HID (support for mice or joysticks), OPP (object push for business cards, calendar items, and pictures)
Flight mode for listening to music and watching videos with the phone functionality turned off
13 unique ringtones; vibrate and silent modes
One-touch speakerphone
Speaker-independent voice-activated dialing
Voice memo recording
Music format support: MP3, WMA
Vital Statistics The LG enV weighs 4.60 ounces and measures 4.64 x 2.08 x 0.78 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4.50 hours of digital talk time and up to 460 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/1900 CDMA/EV-DO frequencies.
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