- Lightweight multimedia powerhouse in blue with new Trace Motion Light navigation wheel
- Supports both WMA and MP3 music formats for more versitility in music listening; Bluetooth stereo headset support
- Expandable memory slot compatible with optional 4 GB microSD memory card for storage of up to 2000 songs
- 1.3 megapixel camera with digital zoom; video capture up to 1 hour
- Includes: Standard Li-Ion Battery, AC Travel Charger and User’s Guide
Product Description
Now slimmer and lighter than ever, the Chocolate by LG comes in three new sumptuous colors to satisfy the most sophisticated palette. Of course, you’ll still be addicted to the silky-smooth design and high-end media capabilities. But you’ll also enjoy indulging in a few new treats like the touch keypad with vibration feedback and an improved navigation wheel with trace motion light. The Chocolate. Now sweeter than ever.Amazon.com Product Description
Slimmer, lighter and sweeter than ever, LG updates its Chocolate slider phone to the VX8550 with improvements including a new metal navigation wheel (which traces your finger’s movement with a small light), vibrating touch keypad, and the ability to run the music player in the background while using the other features of the phone. But many of the much vaunted features of the original Chocolate remain: silky-smooth slider design support for V Cast Music, an integrated music/video player, a 1.3 megapixel camera/camcorder, stereo Bluetooth capabilities, and a microSD memory slot for up to 4 GB of storage. In addition to Verizon’s V Cast Music feature, this phone is also enabled with the Get It Now service, which allows you to easily download ringtones, games, and applications. It runs on Verizon’s CDMA 850/CDMA 1900 frequencies and EV-DO high-speed data network. (Learn more about where EV-DO coverage is offered.)
Imaging and Entertainment
The LG VX8550 Chocolate comes in three delicious colors and features advanced music playback features–including the ability to play in the background while accessing other phone features. |
The Chocolate’s is a 1.3-megapixel digital camera features a flash, as well as 2x digital zoom, self-timer, night-mode functions, and brightness and white balance controls. Other features include an in-phone image editor (zoom, rotate, crop) and a mirror for self-portrait capability. The camera can also capture video clips–30 seconds for sending and up to 1 hour for saving to memory card–at a 176 x 144-pixel resolution. It’s compatible with playing MP3, 3GP, and 3G2 video formats, and you can set a video as your screen’s wallpaper (as long as it’s under 5 MB in size).
A built-in music player with a dedicated music key for easy access, stereo speakers and an equalizer, MP3 and WMA playback, and the ability to hide the music player while still allowing the music to play on in the background. You can create and manage playlists right on the phone, as well as synchronize music between the Chocolate and your PC (using an optional USB cable and connecting with Windows Media Player 10 or higher). You can also take advantage of the Chocolate’s Bluetooth wireless headset capability, allowing you to hook up a pair of Bluetooth stereo headphones.
Design
The phone features a seriously attractive open-faced design with an internal antenna and a vibrant 240 x 320 pixel, 262,000-color TFT/TFD display. A touch sensor click wheel, similar to iPod, and sliding design set the phone apart stylistically. Opening the slider reveals a numeric keypad, as well as the 1.3-megapixel camera and LED flash, which are housed on the rear of the phone. The new navigation wheel with Trace Motion Light allows for easy navigation through phone functions, as well as quick and simple functionality while browsing music and videos. The touch keypad provides an improved feel for quicker input.
Calling Features
The Chocolate boasts powerful calling functions, such as speaker independent voice dialing, which makes it easy to call contacts by simply saying their names. No prior voice training is required and you can even speak individual digits to the phone for quick dialing of numbers you know by heart. And because the Chocolate is Bluetooth enabled, wireless headsets can be configured with the phone for total handsfree operation. You can save up to 20 Bluetooth pairings, and it supports the following Bluetooth profiles: headset, hands-free, dial-up networking, advanced audio distribution, phone book access, basic printing, object push for vCard and vCalendar (accessories sold separately), file transfer, and basic imaging.
The Chocolate’s internal memory can hold up to 1000 contacts for quick access to email addresses and phone numbers. Each contact can store up to five numbers and two email addresses. The phone lets you easily assign pictures as well as ringtones to your most common callers. In addition to vibrating alerts, the phone supports polyphonic ringtones, and a number of ringtones come preloaded on the phone and more ringtones can be downloaded from Verizon’s Get It Now service. Lastly, the Chocolate’s GPS location technology pinpoints your exact location when you dial 911.
Messaging, Internet, and Tools
With Verizon’s Mobile Email option, the LG Chocolate allows you to send and receive emails from MSN, Hotmail, and America Online, as well as access your address book and be alerted to new email. |
The phone’s support for multimedia messaging means that text, photos, video and audio can be sent with ease (Verizon messaging charges apply). When used in combination with the Chocolate’s built-in camera, MMS opens up a whole new world of messaging fun. There’s also a built-in web browser for downloads and mobile web browsing. Verizon’s optional Mobile Web 2.0 package allows you to read and send emails, exchange instant messages and view your favorite web content on your phone. You can check your email, trade stocks online, compare prices while shopping, access flight information, get movie listings and find directions to the theater. T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit– a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.
With support for the EV-DO high-speed data standard, the Chocolate is fully compatible with Verizon’s V Cast service. With V Cast music, your phone is a music player, letting you jam out wherever you are. It’s also a music store, and you can download songs instantly to your phone. Save your songs to a memory card with a capacity that’s right for you. You can even pause to take a call without missing a beat. You can also download and stream high-quality video–get the latest Accuweather forecast delivered right to your handset, or stream CNN news headlines. ESPN sports updates, entertainment news from E!, and even Sesame Street content for the kids. V Cast also serves as a portal for enhanced 3D games, making it possible to have more fun with a new breed of realistic games.
A number of handy software tools are bundled with the Chocolate including a voice memo recorder that can record calls, a calculator, a calendar, and an alarm clock. You can even set the alarm to wake you to your favorite music. Also included with the Chocolate is Verizon’s VG Navigator software, which allows you to get real-time, turn-by-turn audible directions as you’re driving.
Vital Statistics
The LG VX8550 Chocolate weighs 3.24 ounces and measures 3.85 x 1.87 x .67 inches. Its l800 mAh ithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4.17 hours (250 minutes) of digital talk time, and up to 350 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the CDMA 850/CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one-year limited warranty.
LG Chocolate VX8550 Phone, Dark Blue
I very recently signed a new contract with Verizon, and received my LG Chocolate VX 8550 phone in the mail earlier today. After reading the online reviews for this phone, I’ve been very excited and even saved up the $150 to get it with a 2 yr. contract. I take great care and am very gentle with all my electronics (to make them last as long as possible), and was really upset when my phone jammed this evening. I only made 2 phone calls with this phone, and after my last call, I closed the phone like usual. A few minutes later, when trying to answer an incoming call, I was unable to slide open the phone. Up until that point, it had remained untouched, didn’t fall on any surface, have anything spilled or dropped on it, or any other trauma happen to it. I’ve tried to see if something somehow got stuck in-between the phone layers, and have tried really hard to slide it open again without breaking it, all to no avail. I suspect that one (or both) of the hinges on the slide has jammed.
I find it very irritating that something that costs $500 can be this fragile.
As for the rest of the phone, I found the keypad to be a bit annoying to use (not ergonomic) and I didn’t like that only PCs are compatible with this phone (for things like music downloads — I’m a devout Mac and Linux user). The glossy finish on the phone ensures constant smudging all over, which I find annoying. However, the aesethics of this phone are amazing. Very sharp and bright screen, nice quality photo camera, and fairly easy to navigate. Sound quality was good, as was ease of getting around the menus. I’ve yet to test the mp3 and downloading speeds. It apparently also has a voice recorder, but I’ve yet to find it (not easy to find).
From the many positive reviews I’ve read for this phone, it’s possible that mine was just a manufacturing glitch. But since it’s a brand new model, I am now skeptical to exchange for another Chocolate VX 8550 until more, longer-term, reviews are available.
Rating: 1 / 5
I’d just like to echo the points made above:
1) The scroll wheel is difficult to use and inefficient.
2) When you make/receive a call and your cheek hits the phone, the touch buttons activate, which can sometimes prohibit using the keypad until you figure out a way to get out of the menu.
3) The face of the phone scratches easily even when you are very, very careful.
4) The voice activated calling is a disaster and almost never calls the right person.
The phone is on its way back to Verizon today for something different.
Rating: 1 / 5
I wish I read these reviews before buying this phone.
Yes, it’s pretty but the it’s a pain in the a** to use!
As others have pointed out, the scroll wheel is way too sensitive even on “low” setting. If you make a call and have to dial an extension or if you have to make menu selections i.e. “press 1″ “press 0 to call the operator”, the touch screen turns and you get some random menu selection. It’s thinking you’re trying to do something else by pressing numbers after you call a number.
You CAN turn the touch off after making a call by using the Lock feature. BUT, this feature turns back on when you dial extensions or enter numbers after placing calls. It’s annoying having to hit lock every single time I want to do something.
Oh! and FORGET about taking fun pictures of yourself with friends!
When you try to take your own picture by flipping the phone around the touch pad turns on. So you have to make sure you ONLY touch the center of the phone. If your finger touches any other part, the super sensitive touch feature goes into a menu. You can’t even use the “Lock” feature to turn off touch for camera. Annoying.
Oh, and the texting! What’s the deal with no symbols? If i want to add an exclamation point or dollar sign I have to go into some symbol menu to add it to my text. Huh?
I returned this phone after a few days of use. When I returned my phone there was another customer returning his chocolate too!
This chocolate will leave a bitter taste in your mouth!
Wow, that was cheesy. Ok, I’m done.
Rating: 1 / 5
If you are buying this phone to use simply as a phone, it is probably acceptable. If you are planning on using the phone to listen to anything other than randomly arranged mp3, think again.
I loved the looks of this phone and purchsed it so I could listen to mp3 audio books in the car. The phone will pause the music (or book) and let you answer the phone, then resume the music. This park works fine. There are some other issues with the mp3 player and frankly it appears to be marketed for teenagers and geared toward making you purchase music using Vcast. Here are the pros and cons as I see them:
Pros:
1. Sharp looking product that comes in great colors
2. Sliding lock/unlock button located on the side
2. Nice display
3. Easy to use bluetooth headphone setup
3. Easy to make ‘voice command’ calls
Cons:
1. The phone looks dead all the time. There are no visual indicators for missed call or voicemail unless you hit a button to power up the screen. There is not even a flashing LED to show that the phone is turned on.
2.The wheel selector and ‘soft keys’ are a poor design. Everytime I pick up the phone it flashes through menus because I accedently touched a button. And I inadvertenly move to a different menu each time I try and push the tiny ok button located in the middle of the wheel.
3. The mp3 player is geared towards teenagers purchasing music through Vcast. Why can’t I drag and drop my mp3 files? I had to purchase the $30 cable (after purchasing a $30 micro sd card) so I could ‘sync’ my audio books using WIndows media player. I can’t delete a few audio book cds and add a new book or podcast, it appears that I have to resync each time. When I tried the usual drag and drop method, the player did not recognize the mp3s. Unless you are a teenager and your parents are paying your cell bill (including vcast charges), DO NOT buy this for the mp3 player.
4. The mp3 player will not work with a standard bluetooth headset. You must have a stero bluetooth headset. Why? The mp3 player works with a mono headset/microphone plugged into the 3.5mm headset jack or a stereo/microphone plugged into the flat charge/USB slot. Why can’t I listen to music, podcasts, or audio books in mono using the bluetooth? Bad design but shows the teenage marketing angle. I bought the phone to listen to audio books on a bluetooth headset and be able to take phone calls without fumbling with my mp3 player and phone while driving. Again, bad design and I’m really cheesed off about this one. Give me options LG!!
5. You can’t create a playlist from albums. This isn’t really a problem for you music people, but if you listen to audio books you need to keep the tracks in seperate album folders because each disc has a Track 1, Track 2, etc. I have to funble with the phone to go to another album because there doesn’t seem to be any easy way to do it.
5. The manual is lously. Again, it is geared towards teenagers purchasing VCast music and has very little information.
The phone looks nice, but I am really dissapointed that it has so many flaws and is a poor mp3 player, and appears to be made (by teenagers?) for teenagers.
Rating: 2 / 5
IS it 100% perfect No…
But LG listened to the peoples complaints about the 1st chocolate and fixed a lot of the issues. I love the scroll wheel. and all the new features. It is better than most phones and EVEN THE I-PHONE! All the I-Phone has is the stupid touch screen cuz this phone has lots of features the IPHONE doesn’t.
One issue for me was the CLR button gets in the way sometimes other than that I didn’t have problems moving songs onto the phone and YOU CAN DRAG & DROP!!
Rating: 4 / 5