LG enV3 VX9200 Phone, Blue (Verizon Wireless)

Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 8:00 pm

Manufacturer: LGIC
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List Price: $399.99
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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.

Product Details

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

Video Reviews

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Customer Reviews

turn off

Review Date: February 23, 2010

Reviewer: Mauricio Cortes, NJ USA

This phone turns off randomly and contacts disappear. Bad software. Bad hardware. Do not buy this phone!

Good Phone With A Couple Of Huge Problems

Review Date: February 4, 2010

Reviewer: CD Junkie, Dayton, MN United States

I've had this phone for about 5 months now. The keyboard's great, the menus aren't bad, the layout's pretty good, and the sound is OK. So, for the first couple of months this was a great phone. However ... I have now had BOTH of the common problems with mine - The "turn off" problem & the "pocket dialing" problem. My phone started turning off a half dozen times a day. I looked like someone important - always checking my phone, as if something vital might be coming in any second. Hey, I just wanted to make sure it was still on. Took it to Verizon store, they downloaded the new firmware & it worked well for a couple of weeks then started again. Web searches suggest a battery connection problem. I just returned it under warranty. I'm crossing my fingers. Other problem: This is a pocket dialing machine. I have it set to the "double push" lock mode, but it doesn't actually lock anything. I made almost as many inadvertent calls as real ones. I WAS able to fix this by using a belt case and adding a thick piece of leather with a cut-out for the OK button. This keeps that button from touching anything when I move. It works, but I'd rather have the phone in my pocket. Overall this would be a nice phone if it worked like it should - but it doesn't.

Disappointing

Review Date: January 30, 2010

Reviewer: James, Henderson, NV USA

After reading the other reviews, I was under the impression that the problem of pocket calling with this phone had been adequately addressed. Unfortunately this has not been the case. Although the phone automatically locks, it constantly unlocks in my pocket and constantly makes pocket calls, pocket texts, saves numbers in my pocket, and shuts off in my pocket.

I gave this phone two stars because it has a good keyboard for texting. It also seems to be durable, since I've dropped it on hard surfaces several times.

A much better choice would have been the LG Dare, which my wife and son purchased.

More data, please.

Review Date: January 23, 2010

Reviewer: Chaos Herder, Western Nebraska

I understand that this is not a "smart phone," and that really was not my expectation. I've had two smart phones, but did not have the need for all of the applications. This seemed like exactly what I wanted, in terms of style and features. It is not over-the-top with media toys, but has lots of media capabilities and seems less fragile than the touch-screens that seem to be taking over the world. It is email-ready, and I love the visual voice-mail (subscription feature) that allows you to see a written summary of voicemail without having to access the voicemail box and wait through less-important messages to find the one you're after.

It is perfect for teenagers or people who don't really have "data responsibilities." First, the contact list is limited: one field for each type of data (no auxiliary work phones, no birthdays or miscellaneous space to keep anniversaries, membership passwords, points-of-interest). Second, the Microsoft Outlook Sync application (which was easy to find and install) will ONLY IMPORT PHONE NUMBERS AND EMAIL ADDRESSES, NOT MAILING/STREET ADDRESSES to contacts and LIMITS THE TYPES OF DATA WHICH CAN IMPORT TO THE CALENDAR, which means that those fields would have to be entered manually, defeating the purpose of the synchronization. Where my relatives' birthdays are in Outlook as Contact data (which Outlook cross-references into the calendar), as opposed to calendar data, they cannot be pulled into the calendar properly. As the information hub of my family unit, I cannot be without these little, easily-forgotten pieces of information.

My teenage son received the same phone at the same time, and he loves it. I don't find fault with the phone for what it is. I simply wish to inform that there are a few limitations.

PROS: rugged, stylish, great sound/image quality, very comfortable hand-feel and key-placement, great camera with flash, email capabilities, visual voice-mail capabilities, Micro-SD expandable, sensible menus and navigation

CONS: limited data capabilities

Good phone otherwise -- buggy bluetooth support, trick you to be charged for data usage

Review Date: December 31, 2009

Reviewer: Edison, United States

I just noticed after using this phone for couple months, you could be tricked to pay mobile data charge that you did not really intended to use.

When you open the lid of ENV3 phone, the keypad has a left arrow key "<". If you touch it, without warning or prompt, you will be connected to the Mobile Web. Even you immediately changed to other key, they will add 1.x MB data usage on your account. If you look your monthly bill closely, each month they will add [...] or more of mobile data usage to the total charge. If you signed up auto pay, you probably don't even realize this charge, since touch that key is so easy and there is no prompt of any kind.

I don't understand why big companies like Verizon Wireless would trick little people like you and I for that [...] or more charge each month that people did not really should be charged for.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The env3 is a nice phone by itself in many ways. It is a good size, can sync with outlook for phone book (except the address part not synced) and calendar (sure you have to download the driver and software from LG web site).

I give it a low rating simply because LG has really bad support and its buggy firmware does not have good bluetooth support. On the 1/3/2010, LG released new firmware V06, that fixed some of the bugs. But bluetooth bugs still exist. After I stopped my car and walked away from the car for 5 hours, the VX9200 still thought itself still connected to the car bluetooth kit -- while the car bluetooth totally powered off 5 hours ago. After that, I tried to re-pairing the phone and car, it would not reconnect any more. as matter as fact, it would not pair with any bluetooth headset or handsfree devices, until I took the battery off from the phone for a minute. In addition, the battery ran out within 24 hours with bluetooth on. All my four LG phones have the same problem.

I contacted Verizon Wireless, they told me the problem is the LG phone and gave me phone number to call LG. VZW also suggested each time before leaving the car, open the phone to disconnect the bluetooth first -- which obviously troublesome for me, I used to have Nokia phone with same car with no problem like this. So I called LG support. A lady with nice voice came to the line, told me the problem was not their phone, but car bluetooth kit. I asked her how could she say that, when car kit powered off for 5 hours, VX9200 still thought itself connected to the car? She replied that I have to send all four our LG phones to LG then she asked me to listen so that she could read me LG's warranty policy. I asked her what could I do while I sent all our phones to LG? since we will have no phone to make or receive calls and still have to pay Verizon Wireless. She told me that is not LG's problem. Luckily, she did not ask me also send my car to them also. I did not send the phone to her, since that is really not realistic. Maybe that was the way LG to tell me go away.

I think for customers who brought phones with buggy firmware getting this kind of response is not right. I am not going to buy any LG product with this kind of attitute toward obvious LG's product quality problem.