Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6570 in Cell Phone Accessories
• Color: Black
• Brand: LG
• Model: LG-VX9100
• Released on: 2008-05-06

Features

• Sleeker, redesigned clamshell phone opens to reveal QWERTY keyboard and large 2.4-inch screen
• Access Verizon's V Cast Music and Video service via fast EV-DO data network; GPS-enabled for turn-by-turn directions
• 2-megapixel camera with video capture; Bluetooth for headsets and music streaming; microSD memory card expansion (up to 8 GB)
• Up to 5.3 hours of talk time, up to 520 hours (21+ days) of standby time; measures 4 x 2.13 x 0.65 inches (HxWxD)
• Includes: handset, rechargeable battery, charger, quick start guide, user guide

Amazon.com Product Description
More compact and lighter in weight, the LG enV2 updates the original enV with a redesign accentuates both sleek style and easy usability. The front of the enV2 now features a numeric keypad with larger keys, and it opens up to reveal a large 2.4-inch LCD and its signature hidden QWERTY keypad--perfect for all your text messaging and email needs. Advanced features like auto text readout, message sort, and the ability to store up to 300 text messages enhance your mobile messaging experience.

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 2.0-megapixel camera with video capture capabilities, Bluetooth connectivity for communication headsets and stereo music streaming, microSD memory card expansion (up to 8 GB), and over 5 hours of talk time.

Flipping open the env2 reveals an easy–to–use QWERTY keyboard that makes texting and emailing a snap.

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

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.

Getting on the Internet is easy using Verizon's 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. Verizon's Get It Now 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 Get It Now service.

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

Slim and powerful, the enV2 keeps you connected and entertained.

Phone Features
Much more easily pocketable, the enV2 has slimmed down to 0.65 inches thin from the original enV's 0.78-inch depth, and it's shorter at just 4 inches tall (down from 4.64 inches). The camera on the enV2 is now flush with the back, where the original had a ring that was slightly raised around the lens. The front of the enV2 has a wide, thin 1.45-inch LCD screen with a 160 x 45-pixel resolution and 262K colors. The keypad features large, widely spaced keys for easy dialing, a dedicated music button, 5-way navigation, and send/end buttons. Flipping open the enV2 reveals the full QWERTY keyboard and a large 2.4-inch LCD (20 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 63 MB internal memory and offers memory expansion up to 8 GB using optional microSD memory cards. The enV2'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 23 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 enV's voice recognition software supports voice commands from any user, not just a pre-programmed user's voice. What's more, many of the phone's functions can be controlled by the sound of your voice, thanks to advanced voice recognition technology. Text-to-speech technology enables the enV to read emails and text messages to you, if you so desire.

A one-touch speakerphone means you can easily talk hands-free, while Bluetooth (version 1.2) allows you to use your favorite wireless headset. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. It also includes profiles for printing images directly to printers, dial-up networking, and sending vCard and vCalendar items to other phones. You can save up to 20 Bluetooth pairings.

The 2-megapixel camera has four resolution modes for still photos (from 1600 x 1200 for printing to 320 x 240 pixels for sending via MMS). It features a 10x digital zoom, self-timer, night mode, and customizable settings for brightness and white balance. An internal image editor enables you to rotate, zoom, crop, and add color effects. The camera can also capture video with sound and it offers two resolution settings (320 x 240 and 176 x 144 pixels). You can shoot for up to an hour for saving or 30 seconds for sending.

You can easily add new music to your collection while on the go from Verizon's V Cast Music service and listen to them on the integrated digital audio player, which offers compatibility with MP3, WMA, AAC/AAC+ file formats. You can sync your tunes from your PC (Windows Media Player 11 or higher), as well as create and manage playlists right on the phone. The enV2 can also play video clips from Verizon's V Cast Video service, and ti's compatible with WMV, MP4, 3GP, and 3G2 formats.

The enV 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. The enV ships with a number of handy tools, including a calendar and a voice memo application. An alarm clock and calculator are also included. The enV supports V Cast 3-D games, as well as other 2-D-based games, which are available from Verizon's Get It Now service. You can also customize the phone's wallpapers and screen savers to give your phone a look that suits your style.

Other features include:

• Bluetooth version 1.2 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)
• USB charging via computer (cable sold separately) and mass storage capabilities
• Large in-box for text messages (up to 300)
• Dual speakers for stereo music playback
• Voice Clarity function auto adjusts listening level and reduces noise for the listener
• Speed dial (993 entries + 6 preprogrammed)
• Hearing aid compatible = M3/T3
• TTY/TDD support

Vital Statistics
The LG enV2 weighs 4.23 ounces and measures 4 x 2.13 x 0.65 inches. Its 950 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5.3 hours of talk time, and up to 520 hours of standby time. It runs on the 850/1900 CDMA/EV-DO frequencies.

Customer Reviews

Great little phone with lots of extras
My Verizon contract was up in November, but I debated for months as to whether I should re-up, change providers, or just stay with Verizon with no contract. I wanted a new phone, but couldn't decide what I needed. I was stuck in inertia. I was also afraid that the day after I bought a phone, something new would be released and I'd be kicking myself for two years!

Waiting paid off. Early in May, Verizon introduced the LG enV2, a nifty cross between a regular cell phone and a smart phone. I decided to step into the 21st century and ordered one in a snazzy maroon color.

Can I say I love this phone! As a phone, it blows me away. The sound is crystal clear and the battery life astounding. I even love the selection of standard ring tones. But beyond being a phone, the enV2 is like carrying around a miniature laptop.

I took a month's free trial on Verizon's Internet access plan and have been enjoying checking email and reading news on my phone. I didn't think I needed it, but I find that when I'm stuck somewhere waiting or away from home or my office, it's great to be able to check email. I'm definitely going to stick with this feature.

The phone looks great and opens up to display a miniature QWERTY keyboard that makes writing text messages simple. Plus it just looks cool!

I would recommend this phone to anyone who wants something more than a simple phone but doesn't want to invest in a full smart phone. The LG enV2 is smart enough for me!

a few annoying flaws make this phone less than perfect
I upgraded from my Razr V3m to the enV2. I used Verizon's backup assistant to store the contacts from my Razr before the new LG phone arrived. That made it a breeze to download them to the enV2. Verizon now charges you to transfer your contacts from phone to phone at their retail stores. Shipping was quick with FedEx and I had the phone in two days. Verizon had a $[...] online rebate that I would not have received in a store, making the net cost of the phone $[...].

Voice quality has been good, but I've seen more dropped calls than I had with the Razr. I have a partial hearing loss but I have no problem hearing with this phone. As others have commented, the keypad feels like a calculator, which is fine. The numbers are large, which saves me from hunting for my reading glasses. The outside display is small, but large enough to easily see the information displayed.

Some people have complained about the MUSIC key on the outside keypad. I like it, as the ability to play mp3s was one reason I choose this phone. When the phone arrived, I inserted the 1 gb micro SD card that had been in my Razr and the enV immediately recognized the tunes that were stored on the card. Not satisfied with 250 soungs, I purchased an 8 gb card to store my library of 1,600 songs. That was too much for the enV2 to swallow. After waiting 90 minutes for the songs to load on the phone, I gave up and went back to the 1gb card. Another attempt with only 2 gb of music would not load after an hour of waiting. As I said, this phone is less than perfect. Using the Verizon Vcast software and a good cable, I was able to upload my entire library and have the phone recognize it on the 8gb card, but it took several hours to do this.

The inside qwerty keypad is handy, but small. If you have large hands like I do, it will not be easy to text. I use my thumbnails to avoid hitting the wrong keys. The 2.4" inside display is clear and easy to navigate. For texting and email, this phone rocks! While waiting out an airport delay, I was able to use AIM to catch up with friends. The phone let's you select from AIM, Yahoo or Windows Messenger. You pay for every text you send and receive, so make sure you have a message plan! Also, make sure to turn OFF instant messaging when you don't want to use it. Simply exiting the program will not do this and you will see dozens of IMs coming through from your buddies (not a good idea when you are at work).

The calendar feature is handy, but it is buried in the tools menu. That's easy to fix by including it in your shortcuts which can be accessed by pressing the right arrow key on the internal keypad.

On the positive side, I had no problem mating the enV to my Motorola bluetooth headset. A lot of states require hands free while driving, so that was handy. Another option is using the speaker phone, but the enV doesn't make that easy. You have to open the flip to activate the speaker phone. This should have been put on the outside keypad.

As a professional photographer, I will not be using this phone to replace my gear but the photo quality was the best I have seen from a camera phone. I was able to easily rotate and crop two photos using the software in the phone to add the images as my internal and external wallpaper. That was cool.

The Vcast video is nice. You can download ESPN MVP if you are a sports junkie. There's a free trial so you can decide before you buy. Mobile Web 2 let's you check your Yahoo or Hotmail email from the phone. While it doesn't have an html browser, the email is handy and it will cost you a lot less than a blackberry!

I would rate the phone 9 out of 10. The flaws are small. I can live with the mp3 problem as I have an ipod, but it would have been nice if it had worked better.

Update 1/5/09: Using Verizon's Vcast program, I was able to download all of my music to the phone but it took over four hours to transfer 5gb of mp3s. After a few months, I had a problem with the battery retaining a charge. My local Verizon store was nice enough to give me a new phone. After a few weeks, I went to play some music and realized that when they gave me the new phone, they never replaced my 8gb microSD card. Ouch! The new phone is working fine. I have not had the problem of "pocket dialing" that some have complained about. On the contrary, the locking feature activates quickly, sometimes too fast for you to select the feature you are looking for in the menu before the phone gets locked again. My next phone will have an html browser, something this phone lacks.

Awesome phone...some Verizon problems
This is an absolutely awesome product. I have been playing with it for the past two days, and it is just incredible. Such an improvement over the original enV. On the front, the keypad is extremely satisfying to type on. The screen is small, but perfect for what is supposed to do (telling time, showing signal strength etc.) The keyboard is very nice and makes typing anything awesome. Even if you are not a huge texter, this keyboard is so much better than any regular cell phone number/letter pad. The internal screen is also great. Great quality, everything is very sharp. The speakers are also very nice, and sound good. So does the speakerphone.

My only problem with this phone is about Verizon. Ringtones are $2.99, songs are expensive, data transfer also costs money, even using the VCAST video service costs $3.00 a day, the email client is expensive, so is VZ navigator. Games also run on subscription. If you don't use many of these things, then you should have no problem. But I think that Verizon is really being greedy. Many more things should be involved with the service contract. Other than this, this is a perfect phone.

Also note, it is much smaller in person than it is on the screen.