By 
Last week Verizon Wireless announced the true successor to the popular LG enV (VX9900), the LG enV2 (VX9100). I was wrong to have previously concluded that the LG Voyager (VX10000) was the replacement. The Voyager seems to have been a “premium” version of the enV meant to take on iPhone sales, while the compact and affordable enV2 remains in the same class as the original. When the VX9900 originally was released it was quite a robust and powerful phone featuring the latest technologies, however the enV2 doesn’t seem to have any revolutionary features. The phone seems to be merely a simple upgrade to its predecessor with a new user interface, a compact body, a better build quality, and other minor improvements. There’s plenty of good and some bad, so lets get started.
LG VX9100 Specifications:
- Provider: Verizon Wireless (800MHz / 1.9GHz CDMA )
- Form Factor: Laptop-like w/ QWERTY keyboard
- Internal Display: 2.4-inch 320 x 240 pixels
- Media: MP3, WMA, AAC plus WMV, MP4, 3GP
- Imaging: 2.0 mega pixel camera and camcorder
- Other: Bluetooth, microSD (8GB max), stereo speakers
- Battery Life: 320 Mins Talk-Time or 520 Hrs standby
- Dimensions: 4″ H x 2.13″ W x .65″ D (inches)
- Price: $130 after $50 rebate plus a 2 year contract
LG enV2 Body: 4/5 stars
The enV (VX9900) was a more compact version of the LG V (VX9800) and now the enV2 is even smaller. The phone is quite small and can fit in just about any pocket. It’s a bit heavier than I had imagined (4.23 oz), but it’s still lighter than the enV. The enV2 is a whole lot shorter and thinner than the enV, however it is slightly wider. Both the front and back are pretty flat and all edges are smooth and rounded. It’s a pretty good looking phone and is easy to handle as well. On the front you’ll find a tiny display at the top and improved numeric keypad right below. The backside of the phone has the removable battery and the 2.0 megapixel camera. The right side of the phone has the 2.5mm headphone jack and microSD card reader/writer while the left side has the volume toggle keys and the camera button. As for the inside of the phone, the top portion features the 2.4-inch display with stereo speakers on the sides and the bottom portion has the QWERTY keyboard. And finally a micro-USB port can be found on the bottom under a socket cover for charging and data transfer. The only thing that I found disappointing was the extremely small screen on the front which has been rendered almost entirely useless. I feel that there would have been more to gain by making the keypad a bit smaller and by adding a larger screen.
The Screen(s): 4/5 stars
In terms of brightness and colors, both the internal and external displays are top notch. The internal screen is much bigger and brighter than the one on the enV. It looked quite good especially when I was able to view images I had taken in a full screen mode, which the enV didn’t allow. Watching videos on the internal display was quite decent as well. The external screen is now a rectangular strip which doesn’t offer enough room to perform most tasks. The external display on enV was more of a square and it’s menu system was quite fulfilling. Both screens were bright enough to be visible in direct sunlight.
User Interface: 4/5 stars
After messing with the internal interface of the phone I’ve got to say there’s a lot of improvements. Everything was quick and easy to learn and use. The interface will be quite familiar for previous enV owners. The phone also offers a layouts for messaging or multimedia, in case you plan on using one or the other more. I personally opted for the standard menu interface. Some of the stylish curves seems to have eaten up some screen estate which could have been used for displaying more information, however it wasn’t a problem. Overall the internal interface has been improved and works smoothly. The main fall back of the phone would have to be the external interface which I feel is a disaster. First off to get into the interface you’ll have to unlock the keyguard using the OK button. Next since there are no true soft keys, the up and down buttons launch the your contacts and message, respectively. The clear key which is usually centered on most phones has been placed at the top right which was quite awkward to use. The top left button is now the ‘Music’ button which should have just been one of the two customizable soft keys. The contacts list can only display two contacts at a time, however you’ll survive since it has a search function. The phone allows sending a text messages from the tiny front display, however the interface is confusing and slow. Even viewing ‘recent calls’ was quite tedious. If LG had offered a larger display and Verizon had built a better interface this would have had potential.
Media Playback: 4.5/5 stars
The interface for playing back music on the enV2 is pretty much the same as what it was on the enV. There doesn’t seem to be too many changes. I do however feel that it is about time that the player got a new look. Despite that caveat, the has and continues to player run without any problems. For those who have not used the interface on a previous phone, it allows searching or browsing by Songs, Albums, Artists, or Genres. It supports MP3, WMA, and AAC formats. It’s good news for both iTunes Plus and Amazon MP3 customers since all that content will be compatible. The V CAST Video also has been improved, streaming seems to function smoother than before and there wasn’t as much frame rate drops as there was on the enV. If you want to add your own video clips onto the phone, you can do so easily using 3rd party software and converting the content into WMV, MP4, or 3G2 formats.
MicroSD + Syncing: 5/5 stars
The LG enV2 doesn’t have too much room for storing content on it’s internal memory, however it has a microSD expansion which solves the problem. The phone now supports up to 8GB microSD cards, which should be plenty for the majority. Syncing music onto the phone is also a cinch. You can either use a micro-USB cable and sync content using a program such as Windows Media Player 11 or use a microSD card reader to copy content into the automatically created folders on the card. Even those with limited computer knowledge should be able to figure it out easily!
Speakers & Headphones: 5/5 stars
LG has once again improved the speakers on the enV2, making it better than those on the enV. I’m glad they improved on this, I was worried after I heard the speakers on the expensive LG Voyager. The speakers are clear at even full volume and manage without beginning to crackle. The sound great both for listening to music and when used as a speaker phone. If you plan to use headphones you’ll need to purchase a 2.5mm to 3.5mm converter to use with standard headphones. Listening with headphones will satisfy the average consumer, however don’t expect top notch music playback out of this phone.
Digital Camera: 4.5/5 stars
The main improvement in the digital camera on the enV2 would probably have to be the speed it takes pictures at. The enV constantly lagged and it often took forever for the camera to focus, snap, and save the image. The enV2 acts almost instantaneously. There are few disappointments with the enV2 such as the loss of the build in flash, which made a big difference for closeups taken in under-lit situations. The camera is also still a 2.0 mega pixel which was the same as what was on the enV, so no improvement there. And finally the lens cover has also been removed leaving the camera exposed. The video mode functions smoothly as well, there were no problems there. The front screen can be used to take photos and can also be used for self portraits when flipped open, however due to the small screen size, only a small strip of the full image will be visible. Overall the enV2’s camera functions as it should with some speed improvements, however the camera hasn’t been upgraded and there are no new features.
GPS VZ Navigator: 5/5 stars
I have to mention this feature, since it is one of my favorite part of Verizon Wireless phones. The VZ Naviagor, now on version 4, now includes tons of new features including traffic alerts. The interface is quick and easy to use and the phone can detect your exact location in a matter of seconds. It’s actually much more accurate than the locater on the Apple iPhone. The application will be an addition to your monthly bill unless you have a premium plan. The maps offer live turn-by-turn directions with voice overs which actually state the street names. Address can be saved into the phone. The local search can help find businesses or restaurants instantly. The program also displays the phone number of the address and can dial the number for you. And finally it can lookup movie showtimes near your location and assist in booking tickets. The new version also locates the cheapest gas in near your location.
Messaging (IM, Email, & Text): 5/5 stars
This is a great phone for those who message a lot. It’s got a built in chat client which supports AIM, MSN, and Yahoo!. The software now allows viewing your full contact lists, which was previously limited. The new Mobile Email client supports Yahoo Mail, Windows Live Hotmail, AOL/AIM Mail, and Verizon. If you use another provider, you can just enter the POP3 or IMAP servers and it should work perfectly. The Email Client also can be setup to notify you each time an email arrives in any of your inboxes. The text messaging component is vastly the same, but there are some improvements. The inbox and outbox is no longer limited to 50 messages. (In addition the phone can now hold 1000 contacts.)
Conclusion:
This is a great phone for those who love to message others wirelessly since it has a QWERTY keyboard. The phone is also a great improvement to the enV with a whole new look and a compact design. I wasn’t too fascinated by the maroon color, but I found the black version to look a whole lot better. It does lack some features such as a flash, a lens cover, and auto-focus all for the camera. It also doesn’t yet have a HTML browser. The main complaint I have would have to be the tiny external display, but if you set that aside the rest of the phone is quite impressive. The phone is also quite affordable and will be of interest to many Verizon Wireless customers looking for a new phone. The phone is now available on Verizon’s website and in Verizon Wireless stores for $130 after a $50 rebate and 2 year contract.
Limited Time Deal: LG enV2 for $50 with a 2 Year Contract
Links: Verizon Wireless | Data Sheet (.pdf)
Related: LG VX9900 Review | LG VX10000 Review
i wanna that phone for b-day
This phone sucks. It randomly dials all the time and it’s cheaply made. I’ve had 2 in 2 weeks. DO NOT GET IT. it’s not worth your money.
Come on people, stop putting your phones in your pockets. Use a case, it will significantly prolong the life of your phone. I have had certain phones for years and had them in cases and never had any problems with them. Even though a lot of people were complaining about having to replace them within a few months. Look putting your phone in your pocket is only asking for trouble. Get some kind of case for your phone and DO NOT swing your phone around, or put in the situation of a possibility of being dropped. If you want a phone that is nearly bulletproof, and won’t die after being abused, get a phone made for that. There are a few phones that Verizon sells that are extremely durable. They don’t have qwerty keyboards, but won’t die on you.
To a certain extent I agree, you should be cautious and treat your phone carefully. But then again a phone should be fairly rugged enough to handle slight wear and tear. Placing it in your pocket should NOT be an issue. Placing it in your pocket is very different than dropping it. I had the LG enV for two years, it made it though a few drops just fine!
lets face it this phone is the Down syndrome of Cell phones.
I love this phone your boguess
I love it too! I bought a new battery instead of using my ‘new every 2’. I refuse the pay for a data plan that I won’t use, and the only phones you can get without one are crap.
What? I love this phone! Apart from the fact that you have to connect this phone to your computer using a usb cable, this phone has many great qualities. QWERTY keyboard, easy to use menus, and absolutely spectacular sound quality via inner speakers. Plus the fact that it’s built surprisingly well and doesn’t seem like it will fall apart if you drop it from too high like the older Sidekicks. That doesn’t include the fact that since the outer screen is so small, it won’t scratch as easily as a larger outer screen. I am definitely happy with my new phone and I hope to someday get the LG enV2.
Just over a year than a year “QUIT” , Took It venison store , bat- ok –phone dead already used insurance, ” so I’so I’m a fisherman “. Phone is just dead offered to let me have a loaner for 100 bucks return ok no return 250. for a a refur. no way .may go to altell same company.
I better tie it on better Hy.
Fishen my heart out
Just over a year than a year “QUIT” , Took It version store , bat- ok –phone dead already used insurance, ” so I’so I’m a fisherman “. Phone is just dead offered to let me have a loaner for 100 bucks return ok no return 250. for a a refur. no way .may go to alt ell same company.
I better tie it on better Hy.
Fishen my heart out
I have this phone. I give it a 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Problems:
1. I can be texting my friends and my phone just turns black and I have to turn it on. Thats been happening to me about 2-3 times a day.
2. The external screen is too small.
3. There is no different font styles unlike other cell phones.
4. The OK button on extertal does not work very well. I have to push it about 10+ times to make it work.
5. There is up and down buttons on external but no left and right which makes it hard to go back to your place in a text message.
6. If you’re like me and you send your pictures to your email, it takes FOREVER!
7. In contacts, you can’t put notes or addresses.
Good things about this phone:
1. Large buttons on external; easy to dial.
2. Overall internal is good.
3. Easy buttons to text on.
4. Able to access Music, Pictues, Calls, Video, Games, Web, etc.
i hated the camera on the env2. it pissed me off to no end. you couldnt focus it even if you wanted to.
sure, it was faster at taking pictures than the first env, but you could turn the auto-focus off on the old env if you wanted pictures. It also had this exposed little lens that would get dirty or scratched. The combination made all of my new pictures milky and foggy looking compared to the old pictures on my micro SD card from my previous env. I mean, i got over the fact that the camera sucked huge balls compared to the old one, but then all the silver… coating.. stuff on the outside flaked off and left a black ring with little silver flecks still stuck on it all around the phone. I had to go out and buy a phone cover it was so ugly.
I only had it for about 6 months too.
it got stolen though, right before the 1 year point. yeah… Now it looks like im gonna have to re-activate my old env. (thankfully i kept it!)
now im wondering if the env THREE sucks any more balls then the second one did?
bueno ami no me a pasado nada con este telefono aaaaaaa k la memoria no me la kiere leer me dise k no ay memoria en la ranura y eso yo no lo considero como problema
aaaaa como lo conecto a mi pc por k kiero pasar mp3 y no e podido aaaaa no manda mp3 por el Bluetooth, me encantari resorver eso por k me dise k no encuentra los driver usb del dispositibo alludenme con eso bye
aaaa mi coreo es el_breo_078@hotmail.com para k me alluden con ese problema
I love my phone but recently it just turns itself off. Any idea why this happens. It is fully charged.
I noticed my phone has that problem when I flip it completely open. I had to open it only partially until I bought a new one.
I upgraded not to long ago from an old razer to the lg ev2. Now I’ve had the phone closing in on 6 months and its been awesome. haven’t had any trouble with the buttons or shutting off or anything. Have been waiting for something to happen but thus far its been an awesome phone for me. Sits in my pocket bouncing around against countertops and such all day. Nothing has peeled off or anything. I’m tough on my phone so I’m happy this one has not been problematic.
My EnV2 interior screen is cracked so now I can’t see anything, I can’t upgrade yet since I just got the phone in March 08. Can anyone tell me step by step what buttons to push on the interior so that I can forward text messages to my email address?? and if it’s not too much…also what to push step by step to forward my pics to my email, before my phone completely goes boom! Thanks
Sorry that was March 09!
lol can somebody plzz tell me where i can get the screen? my phone went into the sink and damn the screen burned. i need the screen. i luvvv dis phone and i dont want to get rid of ita!!!1
this phone is terrible. the silver outline is peeling, somethings out of nowhere it says connecting message retreival cant be received when i didnt even tell it to do anything. when i press the button once it goes farther than i wanted it to. i cant receive or send pictures or videos. and now it wont even turn on or charge. it doesnt even respond. this is the second time its happened but now my warrentys over and i cant pay for it because my parents said no. fuck verizon.
My phone wont receive calls and the voice command comes on every minute. It boots you out of whatever you in… Why is that? how can that be fixed? HELP ANYONE !!!!!
I’ve had my EnV2 for a 1.5 years. I’ve been having problems with it for the past year. The Ok and 0 buttons on the front do not work. The phone shuts off all the time. I’ll pick it up after it’s sitting for a while and it will be off or I will be in the middle of a call or text and it will shut off. I’m bringing it to the Verizon store since there is now an extended warranty on it because of so many problems. The verizon customer service rep said if they check the battery and it is ok, I can send it in for a new phone. Luckily I just have to make it until August to upgrade. Never had so many problems with a phone!
how did you go about this because I have the EXACT same problem and customer service basically told me I have
how did you go about this because I have the EXACT same problem and customer service basically told me I have to pay for another phone (they will just discount it) and I have to pay for the data package on it (that I don’t have on my current contract)…I am so upset right now with them!
I have had this phone for almost 2 years now and it is so anoing! It turns off by itself! Just yeasterday it turnd off up to a total of 8 times! LG fix this problum please!
I have had the EnV2 for almost a year and a half. It was a GREAT phone up until about a week ago. First, the 789 buttons stopped working, then it fell off one of it’s hinges, now the screen is white and won’t show any pictures what so ever. does anyone know if i can get it replaced?
umm.. Im getting the env2 2day but hearin all the bad comments are making me want to go ahead and go with the LG Dare! Should I?
I’ve had the env2 for almost 1 1/2 years…and I love it! My brother had the Dare and hated it. He returned it because the touch screen was too sensitive.
I’ve had two of these phones. The first one Freaked out on me and the screen started going staticky and then the internal screen quit showing any sort of display completely. Then the phone’s speakers stopped working. I got a Refurbished one and the female charger port became loose. I am very frustrated. the Phone will not charge AT ALL.
I have this phone in maroon i had it sense last april and i got it taken away and it also fell in the toilet lol but any way:this phone is horrible
Pros:
1.Good texting key board size,
2. good music player
3.inside screen is a reasonable size
Cons:
1.the front screen isTOO Small
2. the WHOLE FRONT SCREEN STOPPED WORKING now i use the inside
3.internet is too sloow
4. shuts down autimatically
5.video is too short like “30” seconds thts impossible n too short
6.short battery life
7.typos when texting
8.calls are lost alot
9. memory barely hold anything like realy
10.Waste of my monet i rather get the rogue or env touch !
Yes, this phone I have here is all good and everything but here the other day the inside screen just completely went out and never came back on. So I just need to know what I can do to fix and resolve this problem and get it back going again but the outside screen is good just the inside screen is out all the way thanks.
my scrren blew out of now were need some one to tell me step by step hot to delete my messages please thank you