By 
The long wait is finally over. The LG VX9900 (aka LG enV), an upgrade to the popular VX9800, has finally arrived. Skatter Tech readers are in luck since Verizon Wireless was kind enough to send us a unit a few days before the launch. With a ton of new features, a new body, new interface, and a reasonable price tag, the phone has definitely met our expectations.
The phone looked quite big at first since we recently spent time reviewing the Motorola KRZR and LG VX8600, but according to the specs is actually much sleeker and shorter than the original “The V” phone. In terms of basic features, the LG enV (pronounced “envy”) features an impressive 2MP camera w/ flash, microSD expansion, stereo speakers, bluetooth, a full QWERTY keyboard, and standard V Cast Music/Video functions. This phone might just be Verizon’s “best phone of the year”.
LG VX9900 Specifications:
- Provider: Verizon Wireless (1.9GHz CMDA)
- Form Factor: Laptop-like w/ QWERTY keyboard
- Dimensions: 4.64H x 2.08W x 0.78D (inches)
- Weight / Battery: 4.6oz / 4hrs 30mins talktime
- Screens: External 128×160 & Internal 240×320
- Digital Camera: 2 megapixel camera and camcorder
- Storage: ~50MB internal + microSD (2GB max)
- Others: Bluetooth 1.2 + Stereo Speakerphone
- Price: $150 with a new 2-year contract
LG enV Body: 4/5 stars
Although the VX9900 is larger and very block-like compared to most flip phones, it’s still more compact than the VX9800. The phone can not be placed upright since all sides are rounded or even placed down on its back properly since the camera bulges out. The inside of the phone is designed quite well and everything is where it should be. The keyboard keys are backlit and spreadout. Overall the phone is a bit bulky for average users and isn’t the best looking phone, but size and looks can be thrown out considering the features it has packed inside.
Displays: 4.5/5 stars
The outside display (65K 128×160 px) is a way too small, but luckily the enlarged interface allows access to most required functions. The internal display (262K 240×320 px) is pretty bright and the colors are just stunning. It’s one of the best displays we’ve seen in a while.
Music Playback: 5/5 stars
The VX9900 support playback of unprotected MP3 and WMA files plus purchased V Cast Music. Music can be browsed by Artists, Albums, Genre, or Songs, similar to iPods. A neat addition is “Music Only Mode” which disables incoming/outgoing calls limiting the phone to just a Mp3 player to save battery life. Although the music player takes a few seconds to load, with the right setup music can be started in just 2 clicks.
Speakers: 4.5/5 stars
The enV has dual speakers for stereo surround, which makes music sound a whole lot better. Even when the volume is loud, the sound is still clear. The phone also utilizes the same speakers for calls, making it probably the best speaker phone we’ve used. The only downside is that, since the speakers are on the inside, they only sound good when the phone is open.
Digital Camera: 5/5 stars
The enV features a 2 megapixel camera which can snap shots up to 1600×1200 px. The images are bright, clear, and crisp, which is pretty good for a camera phone. (click to enlarge sample) The camcorder can record up to 1 hour clips at 320×240 px, but only 15 second clips can be mailed. Photos can be taken with the phone closed and held sideways like a traditional camera, but can also be taken using the larger internal display when open. Since the cam is on the back, the outside display turns on for self-portraits when flipped open. Other than that the phone also has a mechanical lens cover, flash, night shot, self-timer, and some extra effects.
Interface: 5/5 stars
We have to congratulate VZW for finally giving the interface a huge make over. The ugly red bars and menus are gone! The new “communicator” style has a new layour, soothing blue colors, and some animated items. However the important internal menus are still organized the same way as regular VZW phones. Some items in the main menu seem misplaced, but it isn’t a big issue. VZW has also included another style which is very similar to the classic theme, but with new icons/colors.
MicroSD: 4/5 stars
Music can be transfered to the phone using the “Sync” feature, however we were unable to do so since Verizon hasn’t released the USB cables or drivers yet. (check back for that) We instead directly copied the music onto the microSD card using an extra card reader/writer. Card access is easy, it is right under a flap on the right-side. Update: We got our Music Essentials Kit, but there are still some bugs. When syncing with Windows Media Player 11, the software keeps detecting the phone as a new device each time it’s plugged in. (auto-sync won’t work) We were also unable to get the Album Art to display on the phone, which worked perfectly with the KRZR. Card Reader/Writer Users: Format the card in your phone first. Folders for music, flix, and pics will be created. Finally just place the proper files into the correct folders.
Bluetooth: 5/5 stars
The Bluetooth (v1.2) on the enV now supports many new profiles, which include: headset (mono), hands free (ex. car), data modem, stereo speakers, image printing, contact cards, file transfer, and wireless keyboard. Supports saving up to 20 different device “pairings”.
Overall we would recommend this phone for people who take a lot of photos, heavy email users, music listeners, and “computer geeks”. If you usually only use your phone for making calls I’d suggest finding a smaller phone, which you will definitely appreciate more. If you do plan to get it, it will be available in stores and online starting Monday, November 27, 2006. If you are a current Verizon customer and are eligible for the every two year upgrade, the phone can be yours for as low as $50 + tax. However it will cost new customers signing up for a 2 year contract $150. New customers can get the phone for FREE after a Mail in Rebate online. (link below) For the features this phone has its an extremely good deal.
DEAL ALERT: FREE LG enV w/ New Plan (via Amazon)
Links: Verizon Wireless – LG VX9900
Related: LG VX9900 Data Sheet (.pdf)
Recent Reviews: Motorola KRZR Review
my family and i are available for an upgrade and i have been considering the enV. i have heard several things about this phone, some good some bad. one complaint that i’ve heard is that the reception is terrible and that this phone is bulky. i have looked at consumer reports and they show the enV as only fair. i was hoping to get some insight from someone who actually owns and uses this phone.
I have had the phone for 2 days, and have found the H700 bluetooth headset really sucks for sound quality (I am half deaf), and I am not able to synchronize with my mac computer to set up contact lists, pictures, tunes etc. Any suggestions as to getting around these things before my 30 days are up? Bill
what is nextyears new enV going to look like?
For everyone: The main complaint I have heard is the voice quality when the phone is closed. I hae seen a lot where it sounds tinny or echoy. Anyone know about this?
For MSH (and other Mac-ers): I, too, am am mac user and am wondering what you have figured out so far. I have heard you can only use an sd card to transfer music (as opposed to a bluetooth transfer). Have you tried that? Also, can you sync iCal and your address book easily via bluetooth or do you have to use another calendar and adress program. Anything you can offer would be great. I’m due for my new phone in September and Mr. Orange is my #1 pick! Thanks!
I have had my enV for over 1 month now. I absolutly love it!! Can say too much about it. I carry in my back pocket many times and it is not too bulky. Love the ability to vibrate and ring different ringtones (last phone could not) I text alot and I rarely use the inside – text from the outside – very verisle
I have downloaded bitpim (which also works on my Linux computer) and am simply waiting for the connection cable to arrive. I have also ordered a different bluetooth earpiece, which might give better audio. I am really at a loss as to how these phones are supposed to have adequate sound quality for MP3 listening….. Picture setup and recovery is really slow! No fast snapshots here. Bill
You can bring movies from your pc to your cell phone. Google a software called “Super”, which is free and legal. This will allow you to convert movies into .3G2, which is the format the enV cell phone read.
Im a tech and i have the envy and can honestly say ive never needed anything but my phone. great camera…great music player…and its actually REALLY durable! plus it has wireless sync!! Ill never go back to another standard flip phone!
Ummm, I am not that computer or phone savy but I have had my phone the enV Orange about 2 days now I am loving it so far,I was wondering if Bill Knew he can turn up the volume of his bluetooth headset on the phone itself (not the phone volume but the bluetooth volume? At first I thought my moto headset was screwed but to my relief, I found the volume for it. Maybe it will help, maybe not. Like I said I’m not the brightest star in the sky when it comes to tech stuff, but heh I can learn, does anyone know if I can transfer my pix from my razr to the enV, I forgot to send them to my pix place and have tried thru the bluetooth connection but can’t seem to get anywhere, any ideas would be appreciate. But, i still love this phone so far.
I just got an enV, i’m not sure how to put music on it. Do i just put the music in the microSD and put that in my phone?
I hope there is someone out there besides me and James, cuz I can’t help him!
@James and Victoria
There are a few ways to transfer music. The fastest way is by using the micro SD card. You basically put the micro SD card into the SD adaptor into your pc/laptop. Drag a music file in the SD card folder call “my_music”(could be .mp3, wma and other format I think). Then, put the micro SD card back into your enV. This is one way of doing it.
Aim: eatfishy
Chat about EnV cell stuff….
Can you take music from the memory card and set them as a ringtone? Or can you take a music file that is sent to you via text message and save it as a ringtone?
To use real music as ringtone, you have to order it from a website. There’s a trick to actually use your own music and set them as ringtone for free. Do a search for this in Howard Forum.
Is the a hack to change the amount of text messages u can store in the inbox? My razor holds thousands and 50 doesnt seem like many!
I have an enV and i noticed that the signal has the “EV” and the “1X”. On my last phone(vx8300) I could go into the menu and change the NAM to automatic and that would fix it. This phone dosent have that option. It is just set to NAM 1, and I cant figure out how to change it. Is there a way to get into the service menu? I have seen other sites that say “press the menu button then zero, then the password is 6 zeros”. I know people are not suppose to mess with these settings but I cant even get to the menu. Is there something I’m doing wrong? Thank you in advance if you can let me know about this.
Man i really hope someone can help me i really need it. Ok so i bought my enV two days ago. I love the phone no complaints. So i took out the micro SD card from my old phone (a950) and stuck it in its adapter and put it in my computer. I tried to delete all the files at once and it didnt work, it froze up my computer and made this huge ordeal. So i figured oh wat the heck, and i stuck the micro in my new enV as soon as the card was in, my enV shut itself off..i was kinda weirded. but i figured. wat ever. the phone turned itself back on. but did not read the card. i tried formatting it. and it said formating failed. i dont know wats going on with my phone and card. could someone please help me. im desperate!
this right here sounds about exactly wat happened to me
Edit: atleast memory card wise anyways
i was wondering if the extended battery really makes a difference on the 9900 and if 4 gig cards are not supported on any of the new upgrades
@Ben
Re-format your sd card on your pc (right clicking on it then format). This will erase your SD card back to default. Then your enV should the card fine and will create 4 folders in your SD card.
[Comment ID #28501 Will Be Quoted Here]
You can save songs as ring tones if you want and here’s how to do it…
First if you try and do this with a full 3 minute song you won’t be able to do it. When you email it Verizon will reject it so you have to cut the size of the clip down using Nero or something similar to that or you can find short clips of songs all over the internet. Next you have to email the file from your computer to your phone. I found that Yahoo! mail is the fastest as far as the time it takes from when you send it until it reaches your phone. The address you send it to is your phone number with no dashes @vzwpix.com (ie 4125551212@vzpix.com. Once you receive the picture message on your phone select “options” on the bottom of the screen and when the options menu pops up select “save as ringtone.” The next screen allows you to name the file. After you do so select “OK” and it will be saved with your ringtones. You can now go to “menu” –> “settings & tools” –> “sounds settings” –> “call sounds” –> “call ringtone” –> “all calls” and pick your ringtone and select “OK.” Hope this helps you out! I know when I had my LG VX8300 I called about a problem I was having and I was telling the guy at the call center about it and he was like “WOW I didn’t know you could do that!” So I’m not sure how many people know how to do it but that’s how!
Hey for all you guys out there with memory card issues with the phone, here a very likely reason you are having problems. Most cards people are purchasing these days are generic and produced with very cheap materials. A very large portion of these memory cards that are shipped out are defective. They easily are corrupted and in many instances can not be restored even after formating them. It is very possible that the phone it self could be defective as well, so try the card on a friends phone or computer to help eliminate the problem. If you can’t get it to work on any device, it is likely that the card is defective. If it is manufactured by companies such as SanDisk they will usually replace it. And if the place you purchased it from has in-store warranty give that a shot as well. Before asking any more questions, please try eliminating the problem. As for the phone, if you think your unit is defective, Verizon will replace it with a refurbished unit. But before doing that try a working card on your phone to check whether its the card’s problem or the phone’s problem! – Skatter Tech Admin
well i dont think its a problem w/ the card. its sandisk. and it worked really well on my old phone. but then i messed around w/ it on my computer and tried to delete everythin on it. and it just would freeze up my computer it was really weird. so i talked to a gateway worker, they tried to help me out as much they could but they didnt help very much, ill try all these things though. i really want it to work!
Whomever recommended the Myxertones.com for free ringtones Thanks so much worked like a charm…
I just got my enV on Friday and I love it so far. This phone rocks!!!!