Customer Reviews

LG enV3 VX9200 Phone, Blue (Verizon Wireless)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

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.

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 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.

At first I loved this phone. It makes texting easy. I could even handle one phone sporadically turning off and having to get a replacement. However, phone #2 had the exact same problem. It turns out that whenever I applied pressure to the back of the phone it would turn off... same as phone #1. I did a little research and found out I'm certainly not the only one having this problem. When I went to Verizon and told them this they said I was the only one with this complaint. Apparently they have bad memories. I even tried calling LG, but they said it's their company policy to only keep sending the same phone OVER AND OVER AND OVER again. Now on to phone #3. I was SO excited to get this phone out of the box and discover that it does not turn off when pressure is applied to the back! Finally!! This morning after getting off a stalled Metro train I tried to call my boss to let her know I'd be late... I thought I was just a victim of bad cell phone reception. After work I tried calling my mother... but I couldn't hear the phone ringing. Finally it dawns on me--the earpiece is broken!! Luckily you can call people with this phone flipped open. I called Verizon and they told me I need to call them back on another phone--FUNNY VERIZON. I PAY YOU FOR THIS TO BE MY PHONE.

The short version of this story--LG ENV3 is a waste of time and money and neither Verizon or LG cares enough about customer service to fix the problem.

I've had this phone for a week and overall I'm happy with it.
The phone itself is really nice, sleek, easy to use. The battery lasts days! I love that the key locks automatically, goodness knows how many random calls would have been made.

I have been experiencing bad reception, but that may just be Verizon...what typically happens is that I will have 4 bars but as soon as a call comes in my bars drop like flies. UGH!

I love that the speakerphone is nice and loud, however, it seems that whenever I use it my calls tend to drop. If I talk with the phone closed no problems. Which brings me to another gripe, why do I have to have the phone open to have it on speaker? I'm going to give it another week before I decide if I'm returning it.

This is my second cell phone on the Verizon network and it is awesome. I previously owned a Nokia 6205, but started text messaging, so I researched cell phones with keyboards on ConsumerReports.org , Verizonwireless.com and places like BestBuy.com in case I wanted to purchase it at a store. Versatility is the best word to describe this mobile phone. You can text using the front keys and screen or you can flip it open to a bigger screen with a full keyboard for full texting purposes. Obviously, the keys are designed for smaller fingers, but that's not a problem with me. The screen is nice with good color and very readable text, but can be hard to see in sunlight. I keep the phone in my front pocket with my wallet and it never dials on its own or unlocks. Actually, it locks fast, which can be slightly annoying for some, but doesn't bother me. The battery life is great as I can send multiple messages and have a couple of 20 minute or so conversations before the first bar on the battery life disappears. Voice quality is excellent, as the first call I made, the person on the other end couldn't believe how loud and clear I was talking. The ring tone loudness could be a little better, but it's fine. The design is very sleek and cool in slate blue. All-around great phone for any Verizon user who wants versatility and reliability from their phone in style.

Have had this phone for 5 months. Have received 2 replacements in this time because it continues to power down by itself. Have been to the store several times and have been told it requires a software update. Less than hour after getting miraculous update we have the same problem with the phone shutting down for no reason. Would not purchase LG products in the future,

This is the kind of phone my daughter wanted for texting, but it is our second one because the first would randomly power off 3 to 4 times a day, in the middle of use.
The problem is continuing with this new one, but she has decided to put up with it because of the phone's features. We don't have a plan that supports touch screen phones, so her choices are kind of limited.

I am onto my third phone now. My son has the enV2 so I thought that it would be great to get the next version when it came out since his worked so well. Bad idea, I have nothing but issues with the phone cutting out for no reason, when I am talking on it, when I am not. My family and friends have such a hard time getting in touch with me. I have finally come to the conclusion that I am going to go back to Verizon each time I have an issue so that I become such a thorn in their side they will do something. DO NOT GET THIS PHONE. It is so frustrating at times that I will have just turned it on and then I start texting and it shuts off again. It really hinders getting anything done.

I really like this phone. It is fast, very easy to use and to customize. The keypad is easy for texting, and easy to use with one hand. Call quality is EXCELLENT; sounds like a landline. Battery lasts two days. Web browser is good, e-mail is easy to read and manage, BUT you cannot send e-mail. I pay T-Mobile $9.99 a month for unlimited data along with my regular plan. I get traffic, news, mobile web, email, facebook. Connects to PC via USB cable, and can use it as a modem. I share calenders, contacts, appointments, music, and photos, and other files with my PC using Samsung PC Suite. Mp3 player and camera are lots of fun; has a photo editor and is easy to send MMS messages. Hot swappable micro SD card up to 8 gb, possibly more. I love bluetooth for sharing music, photos, contacts, and more with other phones. It supports other bluetooth hardware. It is very light, small, easy to pocket, and feels very, very good in your hand. I bought two more to share with my teenagers. Amazon carries different skins to customize them. Cannot give it 5 start because there isn't WI-FI, or 3G, and camera is only 1.3 mp, no video support, and it isn't a smartphone. But for less than $100, it gets the highest rating possible. I give it 4 stars because it is an affordable phone that works great for those who don't need a smart phone and don't want to pay alot for a data plan.