Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #181 in Cell Phone Accessories
• Color: Red
• Brand: LG
• Model: GR500
• Released on: 2008-05-04

Features

• 3G-powered smartphone in red with 2.8-inch touchscreen and slide-out QWERTY keyboard; customizable and intuitive user interface
• Compatible with AT&T Navigator GPS, Video Share, AT&T Mobile Music, and streaming video from Cellular Video service
• 2-megapixel camera/camcorder; Bluetooth stereo music; MicroSD expansion (to 16 GB); digital audio/video player
• Up to 4 hours of talk time, up to 264 hours (11 days) of standby time
• What's in the Box: handset, battery, travel charger, user manual, quick start guide

Amazon.com Product Description
A quick messaging phone boasting a full keyboard for text messaging beneath its vibrant colors, the LG Xenon for AT&T also offers a large touchscreen display with a customizable and intuitive user interface. The phone can quickly download video, music and more over AT&T's lightning quick HSPDA 3G network. Additionally, with AT&T's 3G network, you can listen to a conference call on a headset while sending and receiving e-mail attachments, picture messages or Web pages at the same time. This GPS-enabled phone can access the AT&T Navigator service for turn-by-turn directions as well as its Video Share serve, which enables you to send video of yourself to another compatible phone while making a voice call.

The LG Xenon in red with a 2.8-inch touchscreen with vibrating feedback....

The Xenon's large touchscreen with vibration feedback and enhanced user interface make menus, shortcuts, and contacts available right at your fingertips. And with its compact, slideout QWERTY keyboard, you can quickly send text messages and emails. Other features include a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth for handsfree devices and stereo music streaming, MicroSD memory expansion (up to 16 GB), organizer tools, access to mobile email and instant messaging, and up to 4 hours of talk time.

AT&T Service
This AT&T phone can handle high-speed data connectivity via AT&T's 3G mobile broadband data network, which is available in most major metropolitan areas. The AT&T 3G network uses the dual-band 850/1900 MHz 3G network (UMTS/HSDPA), which provides download speeds ranging from 700 Kbps to 1.7 Mbps, and upload speeds ranging from 500 Kbps to 1.2 Mbps. This makes it possible to enjoy a variety of feature-rich wireless multimedia services, and it gives you the advantage of offering simultaneous voice and data services.

In areas where the 3G network is not available, you'll continue to receive service on the AT&T EDGE network, which offers availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. Providing average data speeds between 75-135Kbps, the Xenon is fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services, including video and music clips, full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go. You'll also enjoy quad-band GSM connectivity, which allows you to make calls in more than 190 countries and access data applications in the more than 135 countries where AT&T offers international data roaming.

With 3G connectivity, you'll be able to access AT&T's Video Share service, which enables you to send a live, one-way video stream to another compatible phone during a standard voice call. The service also allows you to switch the direction of the video stream during the same phone call. (Customers must be in an area served by the company's 3G network and have a Video Share-enabled phone.) While using Video Share with family and friends is a fun way to communicate, it's also very useful for business. For example, a majority of users in the architecture, engineering and construction industries rated the ability to share live video through Video Share highly, according to research commissioned by AT&T. Video Share lets you see progress on a job site or review the day's work without having to drive from an office or other site to do so.

...and a smooth, slide-out full QWERTY keyboard for easy text messaging and writing longer emails.

You can take advantage of the AT&T Navigator GPS software and service, a full-featured premium navigation application that includes audible turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates and re-routing options, and 3D moving maps (additional charges applicable). AT&T Navigator offers several other features to make your commute more enjoyable and reliable, including mobile access to Yellowpages.com. Additionally, AT&T Navigator is the only mobile phone-based GPS service that provides integrated speech recognition for address entry and points of interest search.

With 3G connectivity, you'll be able to access AT&T's Cellular Video (CV) service and the Internet while on the go. Cellular Video features content from CNN, The Weather Channel, iFilm, Comedy Central and exclusive premium content from HBO and much more. And you get access to AT&T Mobile Music, which enables you to buy tracks while on the, access the Napster and eMusic subscription music services, stream music video, discover what's playing with Music ID song-recognition software, and find out what's hot with The Buzz music news portal.

The phone has a built-in web browser for MEdia Net downloads and mobile web browsing. AT&T's MEdia Net service enables you to receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more.

It's also pre-loaded with AT&T's Mobile Banking application, which is compatible with accounts from banks including Wachovia, SunTrust, Synovus, and BancorpSouth. Mobile Banking from AT&T affords you the flexibility to stay on top of your banking needs while you're on the move, enabling you to check your account balance, securely transfer funds between your eligible accounts, view and pay bills, and review your transaction history. AT&T customers pay no additional fee to access mobile banking and, because the application resides on the handset, the service is optimized to reduce the number of new page views necessary to complete a transaction. Minimal data usage charges apply and vary based on individual use.

Phone Features
The LG Xenon has a 2.8-inch LCD touchscreen with a 240 x 400-pixel resolution and support for 262K colors. It provides haptic vibration feedback when you touch icons or the onscreen keyboard, and it also has an accelerometer for auto-rotation of the screen when you turn it from portrait to landscape view. Below the screen you'll find just three buttons--one for accessing the main menu and standard send/end keys. The Home screen menu from LG's Flash user interface (UI) provides quick access to your calendar, alarm clock and digital audio player, and it provides an intuitive tab-based layout for accessing phone, multimedia and other tools. The phone also offers a four-row full QWERTY keyboard that smoothly slides out from the left side of the phone (when viewed in tall portrait mode).

The phone comes with an 80 MB internal memory, which is expandable via optional MicroSD memory cards (up to 16 GB in size). The internal phonebook can store up to 500 contacts, with each entry providing space for up to five phone numbers, two email addresses, and a picture ID. The phone also includes nine speed dial options (eight entries plus one voicemail) and support for caller groups as well as designating a specific ringtone to a contact.

hands-free communication is easy thanks to the integrated speakerphone. This phone also provides Bluetooth wireless connectivity (version 2.0), and includes profiles for communication headset, hands-free car kits, and file transfer. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. 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). You can save up to 20 Bluetooth pairing and the phone supports two simultaneous pairings.

The Xenon also features GPS navigation, Bluetooth stereo music streaming, MicroSD expansion to 16 GB and a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder.

The digital audio player is compatible with MP3, AAC/AAC+, and WMA files, and it allows you to create and manage playlists directly on the phone. Other features include a customizable equalizer and visualization, the ability to multitask in other phone applications while still playing music, and easy transfer of files from your PC via USB (optional cable available separately). The phone also includes a flight mode, which allows you to continue playing music while turning off the cellular radio.

The 2-megapixel camera offers four resolution modes (1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480, and 320 x 240 pixels) and it has a 2x digital zoom. It also features white balance and brightness controls, multi-shot capabilities, night mode for enhanced imagery in low-light conditions, multiple quality options, and your choice of shutter tones (including silent). Additionally, this phone can capture video clips with audio in either 320 x 240 or 176 x 144-pixel resolutions. You can record clips up to 32 seconds for sending via MMS messaging or up to 60 minutes for saving to your PC.

Other features include:

• SMS text and MMS picture/video messaging
• Threaded messaging displays messages in time-order from a contact
• Mobile Email--Yahoo!, AOL, AIM, Windows Live, AT&T Yahoo!, & BellSouth Accounts
• Instant Messaging--AIM, Windows Live, Yahoo! Messenger
• Organizer tools: alarm clock, calendar, notepad, calculator, tip calculator, world clock, tasks, stopwatch, unit converter
• RSS Feed Support--quick access to updates on regularly changing web content
• Speaker-Independent Voice Commands
• USB mass storage capabilities and charging via computer (cable sold separately)
• Java 2.0 support for application and game downloads
• 10 unique ringtones with vibrate and silent modes; compatible with MP3 real-music ringtones
• Shortcuts menu--add up to 9 shortcuts to the standby screen
• Voice memo recording (MMS and general modes)
• Bluetooth version 2.0 with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), BPP (basic printing profile for text, email), DUN (dial-up networking), FTP (file transfer), OPP (object push for business cards, calendar items, and pictures)

Vital Statistics
The LG Xenon weighs 3.81 ounces and measures 4.16 x 2.11 x 0.62 inches. Its 950 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4 hours of talk time, and up to 264 hours (11 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as AT&T's HSDPA 3G network (850/1900 MHz).

Customer Reviews

Too fragile to use
This has the potential to be a great phone. Love the form factor, touch screen, keyboard, light weight.

However, it has a fatal flaw: the touchscreen is too fragile for use. The first day we owned it, the screen cracked on the inside. The outside of the phone has no scratches or scuffs whatsoever, and we did not drop or otherwise damage the phone. When trying to resolve the issue with AT&T, the logic is wonderfully circular: "the phone worked when it left the store, so if the screen is cracked it must be your fault". As a result, they will not take it back.

Do not buy this phone unless you buy the insurance and are willing to pay the deductible to replace it.

Great phone!
I have been using the phone for just over a week and have yet to have any problems -- I'll update this review if I do.
It keeps a good charge -- even sending and receiving texts and going online a couple of times a day the battery stays charged for 2-3 days. And it charges in only a couple of hours. Bery nice.
I'm not a big texter, but I have to admit that the keyboard is wonderful! Even when I'm entering contacts it works great and switches itself to numbers or letters depending on what field (name or number) is being worked on.
The camera, although only 2 MB takes very nice pictures -- I do miss a zoom function, though.
The screen is bright and easy to read and I can easily adjust the sensitivity and vibrations as necessary -- I say this because I don't know if the other people who said their screens cracked were juggling their phones or using them to prop up a book case or what... It's sturdy enough for 'normal' use and I think it's works just fine.
Now, the phone has frozen up on me twice, but I've figured out why -- and I'm not all that smart! Both times it froze I was on the internet and it froze when I was trying to load a web page. Either the browser in the phone couldn't handle the action or the page I was trying to load wasn't in a WAP accessible format and so wasn't able to load. Either way a simple removal of the battery for a few seconds took care of this. (Personally, I think it's the browser as I surfed the internet for a couple of hours one night -- I had the charger plugged in; only going to WAP sites. When I tried to load a site I KNEW wasn't WAP the phone froze). This doesn't make the phone bad. It just says the pre-loaded browser sucks.
Also, when I was playing around with the GPS function while on a trip -- my wife was driving -- the phone got pretty hot. Well, this is to be expected of any electronic device! Again, not really a failing.
Overall I was trying to decide between the Xenon and the Samsung Impression and decided on this one because a reviewer on youtube said the keyboard was nicer. And I would agree, and would like to say that I am very happy with the phone! (Thanks PhoneDog).
ps -- Finding a good case for the Xenon -- I don't mean a plastic hard shell snap-on case -- isn't easy, though and I had to do some looking to find anything I liked.

Nice design but has some flaws
I want to like this phone... it's small, has a full keyboard that is easy to use, good feedback (the amount is adjustable) on the touch screen, the touch screen can be calibrated for individual use (I believe lack of calibration is why some people are having problems with the touch screen). It does have a 2 megapixel camera with flash, however it isn't as good as the one on my old Sony Ericsson W810. That phone also had better reception as well; I've dropped a few calls with this LG in places that I shouldn't. Speaking of drops, this phone is also pretty delicate... one short drop (maybe 2 feet out my car door) chipped the outside. And if you are planning to keep this in your pocket like I do the screen scratches pretty easy. If you get this phone buy the rubber skin (protective shell) and screen saver plastic BEFORE you use the phone. Also, be aware that there is no adaptor available to connect a standard 3 mm headphone jack. Your only options are blue tooth headphones ($$$) or the cheap headphones AT&T sells. NO ONE makes a mini usb to 3 mm adapter that will work on this phone; although I have a nice pair of Senn noise isolation headphones I can't use them with this phone. Check this issue out the LG forum on the AT&T website (my S.E. W810 came with this adpator). Also be aware that there is no software available that will let back up your address book. Lose the phone and you lose your numbers. Lastly there are some software bugs.... took several re-boots of the phone to get the address book properly loaded. I've used this phone for almost a month; it has some nice features but I feel it isn't quite ready for prime time.