Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #377 in Cell Phone Accessories
• Color: Blue
• Brand: LG
• Model: LG-VX9200
• Released on: 2008-05-06

Features

• Sleek, redesigned clamshell phone in blue opens to reveal QWERTY keyboard and large 2.6-inch screen
• Access V Cast Music (with Rhapsody) and Video servicse via fast EV-DO data network; GPS-enabled for turn-by-turn directions; Visual Voice Mail
• 3-megapixel camera/camcorder; Bluetooth stereo music; MicroSD expansion to 16 GB; access to personal email and instant messaging
• Up to 4.45 hours of talk time, up to 460 hours (19+ days) of standby time
• What's in the Box: handset, battery, charger, quick reference guide, user manual

Amazon.com Product Description
Perfect for power texters, the sleekly redesigned LG enV3 for Verizon Wireless looks like a nicely compact candybar-style phone with standard alpha-numeric keypad and 1.5-inch display on its face. However, it has a hinged side that opens up to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard and additional 2.6-inch screen--perfect for all your on-the-go text messaging and email needs. It also offers a Text Instant Reply feature, enabling you to automatically start a reply message when you read a message. Other improvements over the previous enV2 model include a 3-megapixel camera/camcorder, MicroSD memory expansion to 16 GB (from the previous 8 GB maximum), and a longer battery life with up to 5.45 hours of talk time.

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. You'll also stay on course thanks to the VZ Navigator GPS turn-by-turn direction service. Other features include a multi-format digital audio player, Bluetooth for both handsfree devices and stereo music streaming, HTML web browsing capabilities, access to personal email and instant messaging, Visual Voicemail, and a bilingual interface.

Nicely compact, the LG enV3 offers widely spaced external keys designed for easy dialing.

Verizon Wireless Service
With support for the EV-DO high-speed data standard, you'll enjoy fast access to the Internet and Verizon Wireless 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.

In addition to the V Cast Music service, this phone is also compatible with the Verizon Wireless V CAST Music with Rhapsody, which enables you to access this exclusive digital music service for RealNetworks and for MTV Networks. V CAST Music with Rhapsody delivers unlimited monthly access to music on up to three Rhapsody-compatible mobile phones and players and online on multiple PCs and Web browsers. In addition, customers who purchase music over-the-air are able to download the master copy of the songs or albums to their PCs free of digital rights management (DRM) software that restricts how and where music can be played.

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.

With this GPS-enabled phone, you'll be able to access the Verizon Wireless 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 the 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.

Getting on the Internet is easy using the Verizon Wireless 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. The Verizon Wireless Media Center 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 Media Center service.

Flipping open the env3 reveals an easy-to-use QWERTY keyboard that makes texting and emailing a snap.

With Visual Voice Mail, you can delete, reply and forward voice mail messages without having to listen to prior messages or voice instructions. Visual Voice Mail is the ideal tool for the busy mobile professional who may need to prioritize which messages he or she listens to first. Features include on-screen access to voice mail message status, save up to 40 messages for 40 days (or archive permanently), create up to 10 different caller ID-based greetings, and reply via call back, text or even voice mail.

With Mobile Broadband 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 Mobile Broadband Connect, you won't have to buy an extra PC Card or other devices.

Phone Features
Easily pocketable, the LG enV3 has a candybar-style face with a 1.5-inch LCD screen complemented by large, widely spaced keys for easy dialing, a dedicated contacts button, 5-way navigation, and send/end buttons. Flipping open the enV3 reveals the full QWERTY keyboard and a large 2.6-inch LCD (10 percent larger than the previous model) with a 320 x 240-pixel resolution and 262K colors. Dialing function buttons are also duplicated on the internal touchpad.

The phone has a small internal memory and offers memory expansion up to 16 GB using optional MicroSD memory cards. The enV3's built-in address book can store up to 1000 contacts, and each entry can store 5 numbers, 2 email addresses, and a picture ID. The phone comes with multiple unique polyphonic ringtones, and it has vibrate and silent modes when you need to keep things quiet. The phone lets you match pictures with callers to identify them, and the enV3's voice recognition software supports voice commands from any user, not just a pre-programmed user's voice.

Handsfree communication is easy thanks to the integrated speakerphone. This phone provides the latest version of Bluetooth connectivity--version 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), which makes pairing with a headset as well as other Bluetooth devices a snap. And with the embedded A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of Bluetooth stereo headphones or other compatible devices. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server (additional charges or subscription applicable).

The 3-megapixel camera can snap still photos in five resolutions (2048 x 1536 (default), 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 pixels), and it also features brightness and white balance settings, multiple shutter sounds and color effects, and a self-timer. It also includes a multi-shot mode with a Smile Shot feature that automatically takes a picture when a smile is detected and a Panorama feature that automatically takes 3 pictures in sequence as you move from left to right. The phone can also capture video clips for as long as you have available memory.

The enV3 has all the bases covered when it comes to messaging, too, with support for sending and receiving text, picture, and video messages as well as mobile instant messaging (IM). 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.

Other features include:

• Music player compatible with MP3, WMA, and AAC/AAC+ formats; create and manage playlists on the phone and sync from your PC
• Bilingual Interface: English/Espanol
• Airplane Mode
• Personal Organizer: Calendar with Scheduler, Note Pad
• Tools: Alarm Clock, World Clock, Calculator with Converter, StopWatch
• Voice Commands
• Speakerphone
• Embedded Ring Tones, Vibrating Alert & Silent
• 2.5mm Headset Jack
• In Case of Emergency Contacts
• TTY/TDD Support
• Hearing Aid Compatibility = M4
• Bluetooth version 2.1 with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), BIP (for sending images to another device), 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), PBA (transfer contacts), SPP (serial port profile)

Vital Statistics
The LG enV3 weighs 3.77 ounces and measures 4.11 x 2.13 x 0.65 inches. Its lithium-polymer battery is rated at up to 5.45 hours of talk time, and up to 460 hours (19+ days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/1900 CDMA/EV-DO frequencies.

Customer Reviews

ENV3, this is a great phone - (owned Voyager and ENV2)

I've owned every LG "V" series phone. I started with the LG 9800 V, then 9900 enV, 11000 Voyager, enV2.

I really believe this phone offers the perfect layout for a phone for people who love to text.

When the phone is closed. It is a phone. Big numbers and a display big enough to see what you need to see, but it doesn't try to do more. If you want more, open it up. Inside you have it all. The QWERTY board, great music player speakers, huge bright high res display. Photos look great, videos look good. My kids watch videos of cartoons on my phone.

It is clear that LG really interviewed previous owners of their phones.
The changes are more improvements than really "new" features. All that makes this phone that much better.

I'll compare it to the env2.
The enV3 is basically the same size as the enV2.

The improvements.

Better camera. Now 3.0 megapixel and an added flash.
The flash isn't super, but it is better than nothing.
There are some new options as well. Panoramic view shooting.
When you hit the camera button, it goes to the camera mode a lot quicker.
They also added a slideshow mode to the viewer.

When the phone is open, there are 5 key improvements
1) The QWERTY keyboard features a new layout. The space bar moved to the bottom middle
like a real keyboard. This is taking a while to get used to, but I will eventually.

2) There is a quick access text message button. I can't believe I lived without this, haha.

3) The display is quite a bit bigger inside. The image is brighter and high res.

4) The speakers play music really really loud, and way better quality. Not fantastic, but what do you expect.

5) They added a new quick contacts button. You can add 10 fav friends. It makes it that much easier to pull them up.


When the phone is closed there are four great changes.
1) The display is a lot bigger. You can see pics and read text messages wayyyy better.

2) There is a joystick that replaces the old up/down toggle. Nice improvement.

3) No more pocket dialing. You can set the unlock to having to push the "OK" button twice.

4) There is a new "Contacts" button that makes it quicker to get to your address book.

Carry over features are great as well.
The navigation system from Verizon is top notch. I never rent a navi with my rental cars anymore. My phone is superior.

The visual voice mail is a must. You can now select which voice mail you wish to listen to. You no longer have to listen to all of your messages just to get to the last one. All voice messages show up on your display with the caller ID attached.

Oh, and always sign up for the "Back-up Assistant". This sends all of your numbers to your Verizon account on their web site. If you lose of destroy your phone, you can pull all of your valuable numbers and e-mail addresses back off the site. This app is priceless.

Terrific phone, weak on extras
Pros:
Sleek, elegant design
Large, clear internal screen (which protects it from scratches)
Full, spacious QWERTY keyboard makes it very texting-friendly
Micro-SD slot for memory expansion
Excellent call quality
Excellent battery life

Cons:
Can't transfer photos or other non-music files by USB cable
Can't sync calendar with MS Outlook
Verizon's app selection is poor and overpriced
2.5 mm headphone jack requires a very specific adapter that neither LG nor Verizon sells

There's a lot to like about the LG env3, and despite my frustrations with several aspects, I will most likely keep mine (which I've now had for about three weeks). Although the design is very similar to the env2, somehow it looks far nicer. Like that earlier phone, the env3's design combines many of the best things about standard clamshell phones and full-screen phones like the LG Dare, while avoiding their weaknesses. In a nicely compact phone, only marginally larger than a typical clamshell, you get both a numeric and a QWERTY keypad, so you don't have to mess around with awkward touch-screen technology or cycle through letters using a numeric keypad. I don't exactly have delicate fingers, and I find the QWERTY keypad very easy to use. You also get a screen large enough to enjoy photos and videos, scroll through song listings, read texts, etc., but it's on the inside, where it's protected from scratches without any covering. Really a sensible design. (And if you prefer a larger, external screen, you can pay a little extra for the envTouch.)

I started to really like the phone, but then came the disappointments. Though you can sync music relatively easily from a computer (it works just like any MP3 player in that regard), you'll need an adapter to make your headphones fit the 2.5 mm plug. I don't know why they would use this, since there are smaller phones with full 3.5 mm plugs. To make matters worse, the 3.5-to-2.5 adapter sold on Verizon's website is not compatible with this phone (or so they say), and many other adapters won't work with it either. (For those looking, the adapter on Amazon's site listed wrongly as a Motorola [it's actually from Cingular] works with it.)

Worse, there is no way to transfer photos or videos to or from this phone with a USB cable. If you pay for a data plan, this is no trouble, since you can email them to yourself or post them to a website. But otherwise, you're stuck. There is a laborious process by which you can upload pictures from your computer onto a Verizon webpage, then send them as picture messages to your phone, but the picture quality is terrible, and this still doesn't get photos from your phone to your computer. It ought to work just like a camera -- plug the cord into your computer and transfer the pics -- but it doesn't. The only reason for this that I can imagine is that Verizon wants you to pay extra for a data plan, which just seems like a dirty trick.

The env3 also has a nice-looking calendar that you can use to keep appointments, but it won't sync with MS Outlook. Why would anyone want to input all that data again on a phone? It would just increase the likelihood of errors and missed appointments. PDAs were syncing with Outlook years ago. Why can't this? I realize the env3 is not a full "smartphone," but this should be easy. The data transfer problems also mean you need web access to download ringtones, which ought to be possible by USB cable as well. (You can access the web without a full data plan, but charges accumulate quickly.)

Verizon is also advertising this phone heavily as an app-friendly device, apparently to compete with the iPhone. The folks at Apple can sleep well for now -- Verizon's app store has very little to offer that is interesting, and the apps are generally pricey. (E.g.: "Drinktini," a cocktail database, costs $3.49 per month; the guitar tuner app costs the same, or you can buy unlimited uses for over $20.)

All in all, the env3 is a terrific phone for calls and texting, which are of course two of the most important features. If that's what matters to you, I think you'll be happy with it. But most of the other features that seemed promising on the env3 are a disappointment in practice, and especially the limited ability to transfer data by USB cable.

I like it!
I finally traded in my old Motorola RAZR and got an LG enV3. I am quite satisfied with it.

The phone clarity is very good, the battery lasts long, the menus are reasonably coherent, the build quality is excellent, the features are plentiful, and the ergonomics are well thought-out.

It excels as a text messaging tool, and it is lighter than most Blackberry models.