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
ok so just so we are clear, if you are using something like freeringers.net, where you can send a mp3file to the phone and save it as a ringtone, that can not happen on the 9900? the chocolate will….i really hope the 9900 will as well
Can you use the speaker phone as a speaker phone when the phone is closed? Not stereo quality, just voice quality. I use my speaker on my a930 every day.
Very nice review!!! I can do the new every two tomorrow (Dec 1) and having this phone popup now is perfect.
I really enjoyed this review. I am going to get this phone ASAP
i had already (almost) decided to get the envy and this review cinched it. i am a heavy pda user and see an opportunity use both hands to drive. and the pda gps function to get me there. voice dial, speaker phone appointments and contacts are most important to me, if i can’t sync with outlook i will just manually enter the info.. one point of interest with verizon. i have been a customer for several years, my new every 2 plan expires on 12-3 they will not let me renew. get the new phone, even one day early. i even went from “please” to “i’m going to change carriers” nothing worked .. so any suggestions for customer service reviews, or don’t waste my time .. as a matter of fact i have 3 phone plans “so what” was the attitude
thanks
tom
hi this is for all the people with env i was wondering is the internet same at sidekicks internet and is there AIM and if there is does that charge as textx or go under the vcast plan
I don’t own the enV…yet…but I can tell you that the internet uses mobile web 2.0, with the Openwave browser tht is on most cell phones.
And, as with all Verizon phones, all messages sent and received in AIM and the other IM services available, are charged as txt messages.
My only question (and yes, i know it sounds petty) is can you get rid of the red verizon bar that goes across the top and bottom of the screen??? I can’t stand these bars and I know that with the lg vx9800 you can get rid of them….. anyone have any ideas? this will be my deciding factor between the vx9800 and vx9900. Thanks!
Yes…You can get rid of the red bars…actually…I don’t even think they are an option…There are two themes, the Communicator theme which is kind of a grey-ish turquoise, and uses icons for the main menu screen instead of tabs and lists…and there is the VZW theme which instead of the old red bars, uses black bars, and the normal tabbed menu system.
Here is a link with some screens of both themes…
Howard Forums – LG VX9900: Pictures of the phone
Just scroll down near the bottom and you’ll see a long post with pictures of each theme.
I got the enV yesterday, and it is by far the best phone I’ve used in a while. The only problem I’ve encountered so far is with a game I downloaded (Massive Snowboarding) forces it to restart and sometimes flash an Arrow into a Slot? Icon. Does the game require more memory than the phone can provide? If anyone else encounters this give me a shout. In terms of mac compatibility, if you have a newer Mac it should be Bluetoothy, and I’m currently syncing over an MP3. Hopefully itll play, in which case the only downside to mac/enV pairings will be the slow (6KB) transfer speed…
I got this phone yesterday and absolutly loved it! Texting and the camera are great! The only problem was when i tried to have long conversations on it. The reception is horrible! Is anyone else having this problem? My old phone sounded fine, but when I use this one the calls are filled with static. My friends can tell the difference too, complaining about the static they were picking up from my phone. It says I have 3 bars & I’m using in the same locations as the old phone. I haven’t seen any other complaints about this though…
salim…I’ve had that same problem with some games on my 9800…just call Verizon and they will tell you to delete the game (and they can tell…so don’t try to keep it anyway haha) and they will give you a credit for the game on your bill. I think it is just a glitch in the game that they generally find out about and fix for later buyers. I don’t know if they provide updates for the games to those who have already bought them.
Michelle…I have not heard of people experiencing bad, static-y reception. I have only heard of people having fewer bars show up than other verizon phones in the same spot, however, they still get the same sound quality as the others. You should maybe call Verizon…it might be an internal problem with your particular phone.
I bought this phone yesterday as a phone/PDA replacement, interested primarily in synching my Outlook contacts and calendar. I could do that via Bluetooth with my Palm Tx and laptop computer; looks like I can only send vCards to the computer via bluetooth, if I want to sync I have to subscribe to the Verizon Wireless Sync product, which I don’t think will go over with the IT and security guys here. Direct connection is one thing, third party server is entirely different. Can anyone tell me if it’s possible to sync contacts and calendar via Bluetooth, and if so, how? I like the phone otherwise, would rather keep it!
Mike,
I don’t think that it is possible to sync mail via bluetooth…
Bummer! Do you know if I could use a USB cable to plug in and sync up? I’m okay with not getting e-mail delivered in real time, as long as I can bring my contacts and calendar across once or twice a day.
Mike…
Using a program called BitPim, you can import your Outlook Calendar and contacts into BitPim, and then send them to the phone.
BitPim is a free program used for transferring files to and form phones. You can google it to find it fairly easily. However, this won’t fix the actual email issue, just the calendar and contacts.
Oh, and you will need to set the phone type to vx9800 for now, which will work just fine, until they update the program to include the new vx9900.
Hi. I was wondering what are the advantages and disadvantages while using the 000-0000 #? Will one be charged for dialing that #? And, I’ve seen on some forums that one can hack a phone, such as getting a VZ Navigator for free, rather than getting billed however $xx.xx/month. Now, when a person either hacks and/or uses the 000-000 #, then what will happen to one’s phone (LG VX-9800 or LG VX-9900, as an example)? Thanks!
It is possible to get email via the “email” button (it works through the internet access). However, I don’t think there is a true synchronization. If you want that, you need a PDA or smart phone which, of course, need more expensive rate plans for full capability.
Very interested in the phone.
Does anyone know the answer to this. I got my memory card and added music and pictures to it. The pictures showed up on the phone but the mp3’s and wma’s are no where to be found. Do you have to have the music essentials kit to transfer/play your own music(non Vcast music) on this phone or is there a way to put music on the memory card and just play them??? I hope I can play all my music I alreay have, I don’t want to download all new from Vcast. THANKS FOR ANY HELP .%&
First off…check to see how long the file names are…if they are very long this can prevent them from showing up.
But also…Try syncing them to the phone using Windows Media 10 (or the new 11). Maybe you just can’t drag and drop them into the folders anymore like you could with the 9800 and other phones.
I just bought the Lg VX9900 today, and from what i saw so far, it is a spectacular phone! I love everything about it. I reccomend you to check it out!
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Jason, Did you figure out how to access your outlook yet? I am trying different approaches but nothing has worked yet.
Thanks,
Kevin
Got mine today! So far I’m liking!!
Q: Do I need to pay for music?
A: Music purchased from places such as iTunes will not work, since they have DRM. But CD ripped tracks (or downloaded mp3s) without DRM will work just fine.
Q: How do I transfer music to the phone?
A: Two options. First option, purchased the Music Essentials Kit ($30). Best option for those who don’t know much about computers. It will include CD with software, USB Cable, and stereo headphones. Second option use a SD Card Reader/Writer to manage files. Read the instructions in our review to create the proper folders.
Q: Can I use my own Ringtones?
A: Verizon has blocked the tones so you have to purchase it from their store. There are some work arounds, check HowardFourms.com for more info.
Q: Can I sync Outlook via Bluetooth?
A: The phone doesn’t support it. Only way is to use Verizon’s expensive Wireless Sync. BitPim.com has software to manage contacts, but no support for this phone just yet.