LG VX8600 - Black (Verizon) Cellular Phone

I just got my LG VX8600 a couple of days ago to replace my LG VX6000 (a great phone in itself!). But during these few days, I've basically tested out most of the features and I know im bound to find more new ones. I've rated each of these features on a scale of 1 to 10:

Design (10/10) - Phone is slim, sleek and sexy. Nice chrome accent trim around the phone. Glossy finish is great but attracts fingerprints (im constantly wiping it clean so it looks good, get a nice case for it!). Very comfortable to hold while talking. Everyone raves about my new phone!

Screen (10/10) - Main internal screen is big, bright and beautiful. It's one of the best things about this phone. External screen is just as great and one of the largest i've seen. Can be used as a "mirror" for self portrait shots by pressing the camera button on the side. Best of all, the banner and wallpaper can be different for the internal and external screens.

Call Quality (9/10) - Call is clear and crisp. Most importantly, loudness is user adjustable and very loud!

MP3 Player (7/10) - Has just about the same features and use as a regular MP3 player (repeat, A-B, displays ID tags, music info, quality etc). Requires seperately buying the Verizon Music Essentials Kit (contains USB cable, software CD and earbuds) and a MicroSD card (for larger storage of music). After software is installed, getting music to the phone is pretty easy to do and playlist is easy to sort. External MP3 Player touch sensitive buttons are responsive and is a nice feature of the phone. Is automatically locked to prevent accidental activation in your pocket/purse/bookbag. Can be unlocked by pressing any of the side keys.

Battery Life (9/10) - Usually lasts up to 3+ days for me, thats with regular calling and mp3 player usage. When using the online EVDO network, drops down to 2 days of use (but can be disabled for increased battery life). Overall, the battery life is excellent.

Speakerphone (7/10) - There is a dedicated button for the speakerphone on the side. Couldn't find it at first but eventually did. Sound is a bit low, which is surprising since the ringtones are loud. Other than that, it works well, people can hear you clearly on the other line.

Camera/Video (8/10) - Overall, picture quality is great for a 1.3MP cell phone. Sometimes you'll need to make changes color and balance in darker environments (no flash) but its easy to use. Not great for action shots since there is a 1-2 second pause. Video quality is lower, but generally thats with all phones today. Store either 15 second video message clips or up to 1 hour of video (if you have a MicroSD card for larger storage)

Bluetooth (8/10) - Fairly easy to use, my phone is connected to my laptop to transfer ringtones. Its fast and I haven't dropped a connection yet. Range is around 15-20 feet, if not more.

MicroSD Slot (9/10) - Necessary if you want to store additional pictures, videos and music. Easy to pop in and very small (easily lost as well!). The cards are very cheap so its a great upgrade to get.

So far, the phone is excellent. I know I will be tinkering around and with it since its packed with stuff that i'll probably discover later on. If your looking for a new sexy Verizon Wireless phone at a great price and packed with features, this is the phone for you! If you have any questions/comments about the phone or my review, don't hesitate to contact me via eBay. Please vote YES if my review has been helpful to you!

LG VX9400 (Multimedia Phone)

The amazing LG VX9400 for Verizon Wireless takes mobile TV to a whole new level. One of the first Verizon Wireless phones to support live TV broadcasts, the LG VX9400 means you can still catch the season finale, the big game or entertain your kids when around town. Just flip the screen to landscape mode and tune in to current broadcasts on your phone! The LG VX9400 also offers streaming and downloadable music, stereo Bluetooth, a 1.3 Megapixel camera/camcorder and more in a pocket-sized phone


Highlights
One of The First Verizon Wireless Phones To Support Streaming Live TV Broadcasts Through V CAST
Plays Either Downloaded V CAST Music or PC-transferred Music Files
Wirelessly Stream Music To A Stereo Bluetooth Headset
High-speed Data Downloads Let You Surft The Web, Watch TV Or Listen To Streaming Music
1.3 Megapixel Camera Takes Print-quality Photos And Extra-long Video Clips
Advanced Voice Dialing Lets Your Operate Your Phone Without Pre-training
Large, Crisp Color Display
Instant, Text, Email, Picture Or Video Messaging Capable With TXT+PIX+FLIX Add-on Rate Plan Feature
What's In The Box With The Phone
Additional Items Included - Battery, Wall Charger, User Guide
Advanced Features
Digital Camera - 1.3 Megapixels (1280 x 1040 Pixel Resolution Max), 5x Digital Zoom, Flash, Self-timer, Night Mode
Streaming Multimedia Support - Get On-demand Streaming, Live TV and Music With V CAST Mobile TV Add-on Plan Feature
V CAST Music Player - You Can Download WMA and MP3 Songs From V CAST Music And Store Them On Your Phone
GPS Services Support - Yes, Get Turn-by-turn Directions with VZ Navigator from Verizon Wireless Get It Now Service
Bluetooth Wireless Technology - Yes, v1.2 Supports HSP, HFP, DUN, SPP, OPP (vCard), and Basic Print (BPP) Profiles
Video Capture / Camcorder - Yes, QVGA-quality (320 x 240 Pixel Resolution Max), 1 Hour Recording Max, Set Videos As Wallpaper
Bluetooth Stereo Headset (A2DP) - Yes, Stream Stereo Music To and From Compatible (A2DP) Bluetooth Devices
Voice-driven Menus - Yes, Advanced Technology Requires No Phone Pre-training
Data Capable / Use This Phone As A Modem - Yes, With Bluetooth or USB Cable and Software (Sold Separately)
PC Synchronization - Yes, With Bluetooth or USB Cable and Software (Sold Separately)
Parental Controls - Yes, VZ Chaperone Service Capable So You Can Track The Location Of The Phone
Messaging Features
Multimedia Messaging - Send and Receive Picture and Video Messages With TXT+PIX+FLIX Messaging Add-on Rate Plan Feature
Verizon Wireless Mobile Web 2.0 - WAP 2.0 Browser Built-in, Near-broadband Speeds With Verizon Mobile Web 2.0 Add-on Rate Plan Feature
Text Messaging (SMS) - Send and Receive Text Messages With TXT+PIX+FLIX Messaging Add-on Rate Plan Feature
Email Client - Yes, POP3 Format Supported With TXT+PIX+FLIX Messaging Add-on Rate Plan Feature
Instant Messenger Built-in - Yes, Supports Instant Messaging With TXT+PIX+FLIX Messaging Add-on Rate Plan Feature
Personalization and Fun Features
Polyphonic Ringtones - Yes, Downloadable
Pre-loaded Ringtones - Yes
MP3 Ringtones - Yes
Ringer Profiles - Yes
Picture Caller ID - Yes
Multiple Languages - Yes
Languages Supported - English, Spanish
Games - Yes, Download BREW Titles
Customizable Graphics - Yes, Downloadable
Core Features
Color Main Display - 320 x 240 Pixels, Over 262,000 Colors Displayed, Display Rotates To L

The VX9400 is an excellent upgrade from the Chocolate phone that I had owned previously. Dont get me wrong, I loved my Chocolate, but after too many accidental call outs it was time for something else.

First of all, it looks great. The swivel screen definitely grabs attention. Whenever i'd take it out to use it people would always say "wow, that's a cool phone." The next thing they'd always say is "can you talk with it open like that?" Well yes you can, but you dont have to. LG makes it so you can dial your number, then swivel the screen back to the "closed" position and continue your call. Next is "why does it open like that?" So then i get to explain that you can watch tv on it (not available in my area yet) - cool! You can also purchase a neat belt clip that doubles as a tv stand - nice!

Aside from the looks and tv capability, the VX9400 is very similar to the Chocolate in features. As usual pictures are great, full of color and sharp. Video is a HUGE improvement. At high quality (320X240 res) pixelation is minimal. Movements are smooth and sound quality is exceptional. The VX9400 also lets you video in 15 second clips or up to 1 hour.

The VX9400 has a nice big speaker which makes listening to music even without external speakers a pleasant experience. The sound is rich compared to other phones. Ringtones sound especially nice! One thing i do miss is a dedicated music button.

There is a dedicated camera button, but it doesnt work if the screen is in the closed position - weird. You have to swivel the screen open, press the camera button, then use the camera or you can swivel the screen back down and press "OK" to continue to use the camera. Its still less work than going through the menu to get to the camera, but still, it wouldve been nice to access the camera with the screen closed.

One notable feature is that you can edit pictures after you take them - change to b&w, resize, even crop. Then after editing, just press "save" and it will store your new edited pic, not overwrite the original picture.

Texting will take a little bit to get used to. The number buttons are behind the screen and up away a bit from the navigation keys which are needed to change to numbers and symbols, case, etc. Text fanatics will get a nice thumb workout. One small gripe about texting, the text inbox is rather shallow. at about 50-60 texts it will start warning you that your inbox is getting full. This can be remedied by setting the "auto erase" feature but still rather dissapointing when other phones can hold hundreds of texts before you have to start erasing.

PROS: Great Pictures (up to 1280X960 res)thanks to 1.3 mega pixel cam, Great Video quality (and video capture up to 1 hour), nice loud speaker, great sound quality, TV capability, Recent Call folder is huge (i have calls stored from April), Nice LG display theme, Great display - screen is big, clear and colorful, very durable phone (i have already dropped mine numerous times - even once in water - still works perfectly - it didnt even shut off.)


CONS: No dedicated music button, signal reception is a bit weaker than most phones, texting needs getting used to, need to Swivel open screen to access camera, video, Get It Now, and VCast, battery life is mediocre at best.

Overall I enjoy my VX9400. I've had it for a few months now and have been quite happy with it as an upgrade to my Chocolate

I must admit, who would NOT buy this phone because of its looks? When I first saw the phone in a store, I was just stupified at how the device looked and felt while placing calls!

I first activated a line w/ Verizon Wireless and purchased the phone just to find the device to match up with my interest in style and fashion with clothing. (Yes, it almost seemed to match what I was wearing! lol.)

But it doesn't stop there: The phone is jam-packed full of features which gives it more than just a pretty face: 1.3MP camera, Bluetooth support and Stereo headset support, VCast Music with glowing external touch keys for music, All-Digital with BroadbandAccess on Verizon's EV-DO network, VCast, Get-it-Now, and slim user interface that has revamped the down-right horrific Verizon GUI.

User-wise, I'm an avid TXT fan, so the smooth keys were a bit hard for me to get used to, but then again, I have high finger dexterity which allowed me to pick up the keys without too much trouble. I'm sure others would have equal problems though as I did, if not worse. Also, the front housing attracts dust and fingerprints like no other, meaning I'd have to wipe down the front constantly to keep it in tip-top shape. And also, the device is just awesome with user-friendly features and downloading/placing calls with an awesome speakerphone and clear voice reception as well!

The reason I'm giving this phone a 3 is because of the durability of the phone, of which I ended up learning the hard way. Just my luck, I didn't purchase insurance and two weeks later ended up dropping the phone once. Once it hit, a screw on the right side just flew out of the phone and caused the housing to just flip from side to side. And the funny part was it was on carpet! DEFINITELY invest in some Total Equipment Coverage with Verizon Wireless to protect the phone from any sort of damage, especially if you're like me and tend to drop things lol.

Otherwise, I LOVED the phone, just sad to see it go to waste. =)

This is a great phone! I didn't even know about it until I saw it at the Verizon store when I was due for an upgrade. I've been using it for 3 weeks now and here's what I've found:

Pros:
-Sleek, slim design! People ask me about it all the time..definitely a head turner
-1.3mp camera--very good quality for a camera phone
-touch sensitive audio controls (also allows you to access parts of the phone without flipping it open--e.g. can view text messages)
-nice LCD screen--big and very clear display
-great call/audio quality
-very responsive and quick--no lag time between menus as seen with the Razr

Cons:
-somewhat low battery life--especially if you spend significant amounts of time in areas where reception is not good
-fingerprints/scratches--​but the prints wipe off really easily. you can also purchase protective clear covers off Ebay.
-flimsy covers for the battery and memory card slots
-flushed keypad..only a problem when trying to type something in fast
-speakerphone not too loud

Hope this helps!