- 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
Amazon.com 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. |
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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.
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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.
I’ve had mine for about 10 days. It’s not a bad phone, but it’s got some very surprising quirks that will probably cause me to ditch it in favor of a Blackberry. Or I may revert to my 2-yr old LG VX-4500.
Apparent Quirks (if there are workarounds, please Comment):
Speakerphone:
(a) Phone must be opened to use the speakerphone? Sometimes, if I *voice* dial with it closed, the voice seems louder than if I speed- or finger-dialed.
(b) No volume control (other than on/off)?
Calendar:
(a) Again, phone must be opened to use it.
(b) When phone is closed, the calendar alert flashes on the external screen but only tells you to open the phone for details. Very annoying!
(c) I entered 3 events for October (all starting with “Gig”). When I search for “Gig” they display in the following order: 10/10, 10/31, 10/16 (yes, the years are all 2009). This is not a deal breaker, but very peculiar.
So those are some things I think should be different. I use a phone primarily for talking, calendar management, and checking e-mail. You could probably do better than this phone for those purposes. Might be fine for heavy texters and others who wouldn’t mind having the phone open most of the time. YMMV.
Rating: 3 / 5
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
Rating: 3 / 5
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.
Rating: 1 / 5
LG Envy 3 Cell Phone
Tired of slow texting and small screens? The LG Envy 3 can fix all of this and more. With a full QWERTY keyboard and a huge screen on the inside the Envy is a great text-messaging phone. This phone has a 3.0-megapixel camera and a flash for pictures in the dark. There is only one thing about this phone I don’t like and that is on the front screen you cannot set the entry mode to t9 word. I would recommend this phone because it is a good texter. It has a full keyboard for quick typing and sending. The camera takes very clear photos that appear large on the front screen. Last the phone is pretty small and can easily fit in your pocket. This is a great phone because of its features. Don’t waste your time with other phones when you can get this one!
Rating: 5 / 5
I typically go for no frills phones that I can get for discount at the beginning of a new 2-year renewal with Verizon. For $30 after rebates, I got the LG eNV3.
The good:
The keyboard is very convenient.
The phone itself has a very cool look to it.
The camera is better than any I’ve had before in a phone.
The bad:
It pocket dials CONSTANTLY. The OK button right in the middle is the unlock key, so once that is pushed while in my pocket, the phone will dial any combination of random numbers.
A lot of the functionality of the phone can only be accessed when the phone is open. Meaning that if you only can use one hand, you may have a hard time getting the phone to do what you want if it’s anything other than actually making a call.
Overall I don’t know that I could recommend it for a guy who carries his phone in his pocket, but I’ve spoken to girls who have it and it doesn’t dial from their pocketbook/handbag, so it may be better suited for women.
Rating: 3 / 5