Customer Reviews

LG CU500 AT&T GSM CAMERA CELL PHONE

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

This phone has a lot to offer that may phones of this size cannot do, or just don't do quite as well. Although some people did not have an excellent experience with this device, so far, I have had a great one.

PROS:
Form factor - Following the new trend of the thin Razr-esque style, this phone is in a durable easy to open and close casing with well spaced keys and a mostly finger-print resistant shell. Buttons clicks very easily and with the exception of the somewhat slim side buttons, the overall casing is excellent. People with large hands may have a little trouble with the music controls on the front, but the same menus can be accessed with the phone open.
Interface - This phone is just plain fast. My last phone was the Motorola L7 Slvr, and that has some major lag to it. This phone is lightning quick. The text messaging speed, browser load up speed, and music player interface are almost immediate. This is by far the fastest phone that I've come across, and very easy to navigate in. The only flaw is the split between the actual media center and mp3 player, but I adjusted fine, and really, I don't use it that much that it makes that big of a difference.
Screen - Excellent screen. Very bright, very vivid. Even when the screen dims itself, it is still easy to read, and the colors just pop. The external screen is decent at best, but usually the external screens aren't up to par on phones of this size. Text is sharp, and darks are really rich.
3G - For those that aren't familiar with exactly what 3G is, it is basically at type of internet access. It allows you to essential travel the internet at broadband speeds. While most webpages are pretty large to fit on this phone, and example of speed could be that MySpace took about 5 seconds to completely load. The AOL Instant Messanger (and other IMing apps) load pretty quickly... it took about 10 seconds to completely sign on and load my buddy list. Instant Messages are lightning fast, and feel as if it were in real time.
Camera - This is a MegaPixel camera. 1.3 to be exact. Although there are 2MP and now even 3MP cameras in phones of this size, the clarity in mid-range lighting is still really good. It is a little muddy in dark areas, and if there is too much light, it is over exposed, but for a camera that has no flash, I found the pictures to be relatively good. Also, the camera swivels for self portraits or snap shots. If your photos are upside down, there is a reverse photo option that's easy to get to that just takes a second.
Bluetooth - I would say an essential to phones these days. File transfers are quick. I haven't actually used a bluetooth headset on it, but it will accept all standard ones to my knowledge.
MicroSD Card Slot - Although I think it can only accept a 1GB maximum at this point, it is still great to have, especially in an MP3 phone. I have heard speculation about a firmware update to get 2GB cards to read, but I can't confirm it. Make sure you ask your provider which brands will work, because not all MicroSD cards will work (all cell phones you should ask).
Multimedia - The MP3 player is pretty good. I found that music that came out of it to be pretty clear, and the interface, although it takes some getting used to, is pretty good. This phone isn't designed to be an MP3 phone, it just has that option, so don't expect this to be above your expectation, but it still is very good.
Call Quality - Very good. There was a nit pick I had about it, but that's later on in the review.
Battery Life - I find it to be pretty good. It lasts about 3-4 days with casual talking and texting. You could probably stretch it to a week if you are a rare cell phone user. The AC adapter securely locks into place, and there is a rubber covering to protect it when not charging.

CONS:
Talk Issue - My only issue with the call quality, is that when the person you are talking to gets very quiet, the phone doesn't have anything that comes out of the speaker. Granted, I hate static, but at least I know my call didn't drop. I have yet to get a dropped call from this phone, but the sound dip kind of concerns me.
Streaming - Streaming is only at 15FPS, so it's not too exciting, but pretty cool.
Radio - The radio is a great addition, but uses hellacious amounts of data, I recommend getting an unlimited data package if you use this.
Awkward MicroSD location - It's actually located behind that battery, so it's almost faster to transfer wirelessly than going through the hastles of a card rearder (unless you buy the USB connection).
Media Package - I don't know if I just got ripped off, but when I was at the Cingular store, I was required to purchase the Media Works package for the internet and such. Granted I was going to get it anyways, but for people that just want to get this phone off Amazon for free, it's kinda iffy. I don't know if Amazon requires you to get this deal, but I recommend it because data gets expensive. Plus with a camera and 3G, the features get addicting.

BOTTOM LINE: Better than the Razr and Katana by far, but not up to par to some of the large candy bar phones and slider phones from Samsung. LG sceptics can rest their anxieties, because this truly is a quality phone.

I recently upgraded my phone to an LG CU500. I am very pleased. Here's why:

This is a very attractive phone. It looks similar to the RAZR, but it does not have the same wide body. (I do not care for the wide body of the RAZR, it makes it hard to fit in pockets.) I also like the slim body. It is slim enough, but it still feels sturdy. The phone is black with chrome around the external display and the external music controls. When you flip open the phone, you see a great, bold colored screen. You can customize BOTH screens with wallpapers and how you want to display the date and time.

The reception is great. I can hear crisp and clear, and for those other phones that you've had that just don't get loud enough when you're talking, the highest talk volume (7) on this phone is plenty loud enough, I have to keep it on 5 so I won't go deaf. I didn't think the reception would be so clear because of the internal antenna, but it is as clear as it could be.

The buttons on the phone are raised above the surface, unlike many other slim phones, such as the RAZR, the KRZR, or some of Samsung's slim phones. Under the external display are the music buttons. Which are Rewind/Back, Play/Pause, and Forward/Next. On the left side of the phone are two buttons, the rocker and the task button. If the phone is closed you can punch the task button and you can go to the MP3 player, take a photo, or record a video. If the phone is open and you hit the task button, you get the "Task Menu" which brings you to all the available tasks. (MEdia Net Home, Music Player, Games, Applications, Call, Write Message, Message Box, IM)

The phone has a 1.3 mega pixel camera, which is capable of video too. It takes clear, crisp photos and can zoom. The camera lens can rotate 180 degrees to take a self portrait, or to take one of someone else. Each time you rotate the lens, the display is upside down, so you hit the rocker button to flip it right side up.

If you hit the right soft key, the phone pulls up My Menu. This menu is extremely convenient. You make this menu, adding the items you want.

I have not tried the MP3 player yet because you have to buy a separate USB cable that hooks up through the charger port of the phone. You can add memory to the CU500 with micro SD cards.

The ringtones are loud and get attention. There are only a few that I really like, but the rest are OK. The ringtones are ascending, so it starts out average volume and increases to loud, and there is no option to change it, but it's not a big problem for me.

This phone is also 3G capable, which means it can get Cingular's fastest internet speeds.

I highly recommend that you get this phone. It is the best phone out right now. I don't think they will come out with a phone better than the LG CU500 soon.

[...]

This phone is heavier than the razr, but is SOOO much better.... reception is comparable to my old phone which did well everywhere... sound is AWESOME... I actually feel the vibration in my pocket so I get my calls on time now.... the camera takes great pics and video.. bluetooth allows me to put every pic and video on my computer for storage... has customizable menu for personalized "favorites" like interface...

I am SOOOO pleased...


CONS: phone is so cool I feel like making calls all the time... eating up my plan minutes....OH and a couple of real things...
1. the alarms do not turn on the phone... so if phone is off... no alarm (alternative: put phone in airplane mode... no calls in or out as if you turned it off)
2. phone has to be open to use the speakerphone ( but works great... no one knows they're on speaker either...awesome sound quality

This phone gets a lot of good reviews for all of its gadgets. I enjoyed better picture quality and the novelty of video streaming. However, as a phone, this device was a nuisance.

What I didn't like:
- The ear piece hurts my ear even if I'm on the phone for just a few minutes and pressing lightly. The edges of the speaker are sharp.
- The sound quality of the voice on the other end is awful. It often sounds staticy and cuts in and out. I also have heard my own voice echoing in my own ear which makes it nearly impossible to talk.
-Drops calls. I have had the same service and live in the same area and didn't have this problem with the razr.
- Bulky, feels awkward in my hand. Not easy to flip open/shut.
- If I set the phone on silent, the alarm that I use to wake up will also be silent! Not so on the razr.
- Texting awkward, doesn't autofill words. No parentheses!
- Battery life is terrible. Razr has way better battery life which is hard to believe.

I've read a bunch of reviews on this phone and most of them say that the media accessories are great but the actual phone part of the phone is awful.

I really thought I was getting a phone that did neat tricks. All I got was the tricks. I'm returning it and getting another razr since my other one was stolen. Mostly, I'm tired of having a sore ear.

This is a great phone!! I got rid of my Razr and got the CU500. It has everything. With the micro SD card I have tons of pictures that I can use as backgrounds, and tons of music. Tne look and feel of the phone is wonderful and the sound is great. It also automatically connects to my bluetooth as soon as I turn on my headset. No more trying to connect like with the Razr.

I've had this phone for a few weeks now and love it. It looks sharp (like a black RAZR), but not many people have this. I got it because it was cheap and different. It has Cingular Video and high speed data (3G, but only in certain large areas). Good battery life and clarity. Loud speaker phone, blue tooth. Cool camera too, seems like a nice, durable phone.

Cons:

It doesn't allow you to change to soft keys. The phone ring type ascends only, you cannot change this. Seems like the voice of the person you are talking to also ascends slightly. The alarm doesn't have volume controls, but I don't use that anyway. There are a few minor user interface flaws, but overall a great phone. I would recommend it.

I switched from the razor to the CU500 and I must say im pretty glad I did, well far as better options. Unlike other phones I had, it would be difficult to see when the sun is shinning unless you play with the screen controls. But when I got this phone I dont have that problem.



~PROS~

- Like I mentioned the screen is good even when the sun is shinning directly on you. You can still see the screen clear

- The photo editor is GREAT!. Same thing with the GIF maker

- LOTS! of options. I had this phone for about two weeks and I find new options everyday lol. Just like yesterday I found out you can take pictures of the video you've recorded

- Recording a video is a big plus. Record up to 14 minutes


~CONS~

- Im under pick your plan and using the MP3 player uses up data towards your bill. I never reliezed that untill I kept wondering why my minutes would be so low everyday. Unless you get unlimited usage best bet is to not use the MP3 player

- Same goes for the radio. Uses lots of data. Same with mobilTV, and Cingular video

- You cant assign text message tones. It has annoying text message tones. The only way to turn them off is to completly put the phone on vibrate

- As everyone else said, the phone doesnt come with nothing but a charger. I brought the phone from the cingular store and the USB cable there was 24.99. But on other sites I seen some for 8.99


~Summary~

Its a good phone its just some things that LG should of took a second look at before releasing the phone. Because I text alot and those text message tones are annoying as hell lol. Especially the message that lets you know the text message was sent or even when you delete something. Plus its hard to constantly keeping your phone on vibrate when your at home. Thats just for the text message junkies. If you dont text or text that much you shouldnt have a problem with it.

I also wanted to like this phone like the other reviewers. I've had this phone for almost 3 weeks, but it's going back to Cingular. It has a great looking design, and on paper it looks to be loaded with lots of neat features. BUT:
- The battery in this phone drains very QUICKLY. I should have realized this b/c the specs on the phone rate the talk time at 3.5 hours for UMTS mode and 5 hours for GSM mode. Compare that to the Sony W810i (9 hrs talk time!). I haven't figured out how to keep the phone in GSM mode so that the battery might last longer.
- Good luck with the micro SD memory card used on this phone. Just do a Google search on "problems with LG CU500 memory card" and you will see what I mean! The biggest problem is the error message "card not ready." IF you get past that hurdle, a lot of people still complain that the card takes way too long to store data, or gives other errors. I think manufacturers are rushing these new phones to market way too quickly, complete with all the bugs.

Sorry, I felt I must warn people out there. BEWARE of these problems. Other than those gripes, the phone had great clarity and volume in the earpiece. If you're not tech-savvy and all you care about is using the phone as a phone, you'll be OK, but the wimpy battery is still going to annoy you.

I think others may be having a problem with Cingular's coverage or something, because mine works very well all over Austin and Dallas/Fort Worth. In fact, in three months it's only dropped one call. That's no exaggeration; it occurred while going through a tunnel in Dallas (so I don't think we can blame that on the phone). I have another model phone for work that's also on Cingular service, and it doesn't compare. I'm pretty impressed with the LG.

Pros - sounds good for music or talking, has a durable finish, is easy to use, and is reliable

Cons - battery life (the indicator seems accurate, though, unlike some phones), only has ascending ring tones, keypad will not light up when alarm clock goes off (hard to know if I hit snooze or "end" when I'm waking up in the dark)

I've always had pretty terrible luck with mobile phones, and I couldn't be happier with this one.

I had this phone for about 2-3 weeks and ended up trading it in. I liked the features and the look & feel of the phone, but was not happy with this phone in particular,(there are other phones out there that have most of the same features). Here's why I returned it:
1. Ascending ring. -Couldnt hear it at first until it finally gets louder.
2. The phone would go silent on me or the person on the other end alot. And no, it wasn't a problem with Cingular's service because I have had other phones that have worked just fine in the same areas and I wasn't traveling at the time of these happenings. I would be just sitting at home, talking, and suddenly the person on the other end would be like, "hello??" I could hear them, they couldn't hear me! This happened 3 times during one phone call!!! Thats not acceptable to me when I've had a Motorola, a Nokia, and a Sony Ericson phone before and did not have this problem!!
3. While the rotating camera is a cute idea, it is also a pain since it rotates way too easily in my opinion.

I ended up returning this LG phone for a Razr v3xx, which I love! I've never had a razr before, but am so happy with it, (had it now for 2 weeks)! I do like to give phones a chance before I just return them, and I wont be returning the Razr. It has alot of the same features as this CU500, without the above problems!