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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
What is BITPIM and can it mess up your phone?
HELP! I love this phone – love it! I left a Treo 600 for it and wouldn’t have it any other way.
BUT, I was using BITPIM and tried to transfer ringtones to my phone. Somehow something went wrong – now I have sounds on my phone I cannot erase – I get an error. But they also don’t play AND they are taking up all my memory. Anyone have any idea what to do?
Hi…..I got my new 9900 the other day and love it so far, I have a heard a little static like some others have been saying, but nothing is as bad as the nextel I had before, so i don’t mind….BUT…I am having serious problems with getting videos to play on the phone, they are on my memory card under my-flix, and they say they are sync’ing but I cant play them on the phone, or even find where they are stored (I was assuming my videos, but, nope) Anyone else having issues with this, or know what to do to fix it?
Let me start by asking…What format are the videos that you are trying put on the phone? They need to be 3gp or mp4 videos.
I cannot get my own mp3’s on this phone to play through the media player whatsoever. I can transfer files into all folders created on the sd card but none of them show up in the player. The only way I can play them is to put them into the mysounds folder and then play them through the mysounds option. This sucks. I have tried every folder and even tried to create my own folder called sdmusic with no luck. Any suggestions on this and possibly how to sync via bluetooth? I got my wife the chocolate and I cant even transfer files via bluetooth on it.
Are songs in itunes considered mp3’s or WMA’s. For i really want this phone, but half the reason i want it is to use it as a portable music player. How can i get the music from my computer that i btw transferred from my CD’s to my computer onto my enV and is it possible. Please get me an answer to this dilemma ASAP, thankx!
ok. when i first saw this phone i wanted it REALLY badly. i have spent so many hours on so many forums it might be an obbession. i have heard LOTS of great things about it. but also a lot of not so good things. things that i dont care about is the size, external screen, how it doesnt lay flat, and the flash not being very good. i dont think that speakerphone inly working while open will bother me either. but i heard that you have to shut off your music if you’re going to email. is this true? how much does the screen size bother everyone else? is the enternet really worth it and can you access myspace? for the email will MCHSI work? im just not sure about this phone anymore. please reply someone.
This is a great phone and for those who are debating between the $5 2.0 mobile web vs. the $15 Vcast pak, Im pretty sure the VCast pak has unlimited airtime where the 2.0 mobile web uses your minutes. I’d check for sure with Verizon but I think thats what they said.
One problem Im experiencing is when trying to format my Micro SD, it asks me for an unlock code. Ive tried every number I can imagine but I can’t get in. Anyone have this issue? Thanks
I have been doing hours of research. im with tmobile and i really dont like it. i been researching the enV a lot. most reviews say the quality and sounds are way better than the sidekick 3. Its overall a better phone. im switching just to get this phone. for christmas im paying of mobile and getting the enV. my friend has the sidekick 3 and i kinda like it but not really. if the enV would work on its looks it would blow out the sidekick 3 in sells. thats all people say good about the sidekick 3. im getting the ENV.
Travis: Getting the music on. I used the vcast muisic essentials software (from the web site) and the USB cable that comes in the music essentials kit to load mp3s onto the phone. It worked. You might want to try that, then pull the memory card and see where the mp3s are.
Headphones: Has anyone got the music essentials headphones to work without holding the button? Verizon has been giving me the run-around. One rep told me to find another store that has the LG music essentials kit in stock, and have them open it up and try the headphones. I haven’t had a chance to try that.
One thing I did discover while I was at the VZ store, was about the tiny headphone-like jack on the side of the phone. That appears to be a line-out. I was able to plug a pair of large headphones into the jack. The stereo speakers cut off, and I could quietly hear the music coming out of the headphones. It’s possible that I didn’t properly set the volume (master volume didn’t make much difference), but it seems like it is just line-out. By the way, this jack is smaller than a standard mini stereo jack you would see on iPod headphones. Note that the music essentials headphones plug into the bottom of the phone, where you would plug in the charger, not this jack.
Memory card: My brother and I got 2GB Corsair micro sd flash cards. His card works. I put mine in the enV without turning the phone off. It seemed to work. I moved 3 pictures onto it, and then tried to transfer some music on. That failed with something like insufficent space. I checked the space free and it said 0/0 free. The card was no longer being recognized, and the 3 pictures I moved are now lost. I put the card into my laptop with the sd adapter and the laptop won’t recognize it either. The phone won’t format the card, a razr won’t either. This may be your warning to turn the phone off before putting in the memory card. So far bad luck all around trying to use this phone for mp3s: headphones and memory card that don’t work.
Camera: The built-in camera is VERY slow to take a picture. It takes 5 seconds after you push TAKE. Then you have to push “Save”, and it takes several more seconds to do that. It also likes to lose pictures you have pushed “SAVE” on. I lost several pictures from the Getty Villa today.
Navigation & Keyboard: LOVE IT. This is the killer app for this phone. It is extremely easy to enter an address or store name using the keyboard. The GPS and navigation work extremely well. I have an older Garmin GPS, but the phone does a better job. It speaks the name of the upcoming street. I have been just leaving the phone open to hear the speakers, and setting it in my lap while I drive. I only have to listen to the directions. I plan to make some kind of holder on the dash for it.
The headphones that I got with my music essentials kit plug into the mini-jack port on the right side of the phone. Where do your’s plug in? And I don’t have to hold the button down…When I press and hold the button, it opens up the “All calls” list on the phone and if I press it again it calls the selested contact/number. Also, if someone calls, I press and hold the button to answer the call.
Also, the volume coming thru the headphones is painfully loud with music, and this is on the lowest volume setting. Also, I have a 3.5mm to 2.5mm adapter and have used it with my normal headphones…still painful to listen to.
The headphones I got plug into the bottom of the phone. The kit has a sticker on the top of the box that says “Supports: LG VX8500 & VX8600 phones”. Can you tell me what yours says (sounds like I got the wrong kit)?
Thanks for the info on the 2.5mm to 3.5mm adapter. Did that come in your kit? I am going to look for that adapter tomorrow.
High volume: Have you tried changing the earpeice volume in the sounds settings?
Ah…that’s the problem…My music essentials kit says “Supports: LG VX9900 Phone” on the top. Make sure and get THAT one.
And no…The adapter does not come in the kit…I got mine on eBay. They are very cheap on there, but just make sure that you get one that has three rings on the plug itself, if it only has one or two, it will not fit correctly (you would have to wiggle it in and out into just the right spot in order to hear anything…this is because the rings separate the stereo speakers 1 left, 2 right, and 3 the mic.)
Oh, also, I have a 2GB SanDisk micro SD card, and I haven’t had any problem with it at all. I have transferred music, and shot/moved photos and videos.
To do list. Is there any anyway the 9900 will support some kind of to do list? It says PDA functions and I understand the calendar and contact list, but at my age I would be lost without a to do list. Thanks.
To do list: I looked through the “Get new app” section of “Get it now” and didn’t find any To Do list. I am curious to know if there is any third-party software available for this phone. I want a car mileage tracker. I would also love to have a programming language like Python.
got the camera a few days ago and LOVE it!
does anyone that owns the camera find the camera lens rotator to feel somewhat loose?
Still nothing on to do capability. OK anyway I can set appointments with no time? Can’t seem to figure it out. Thanks.
How simple is it to watch video files on this device? Is it as simple as placing an MP4 on a micro SD card and just playing it or is there some particular way these need to be configured. Also, if video files can be played, what is the complete list of file formats the device can decode?
im going to get this enV phone after christmas and i been doing reviews on it and i really like it… i just want to know about all the upgrades for the software and i reaalyy want to know if i can get the full buddy list like the sk3 and also can u tell me how i can browse the web is it fast and all that… i like to check my myspace while im on the road is this phone good for that lol.. thank you i appreciate it
Ya i am wondering the same thing.. also if someone can take a screen shoot of what the AIM display looks like i would greatly appriciate that.
thanks again
Ive had this phone for a week now. I liked your review of it. I did find that you left out one of the best and most useful features I didn’t even know about until after I bought it. The phone gives you step by step directions via gps to anywhere, very easily. I am constantly using this feature to find my way around unfamiliar parts of the city.
sam…Just to make sure…you do know that that will cost you $10/month after the first 14 days right? You will have to repurchase it thru Get it Now.
Does anyone know how to upload games into this phone? What program do I need? Please e-mail me direct. I should know this but I do not. Thank you!
What USB cable and programs do I need to download music to my 9900? Thanks.