- Sleek, redesigned clamshell phone in maroon 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. 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.
This phone has an excellent set of features, and is great for texting. If you primarily text, this is a phone for you. However, trying to communicate via voice is an exercise in frustration. Poorest voice quality and worst reception of any cell phone I’ve ever used.
Rating: 2 / 5
With the exception of the internal keyboard and flip access (instead of slide), this is by far the worst phone I have ever owned. I got it through the “new every two” upgrade program in order to get a QWERTY keyboard which my Samsung Juke did not have. For texting only, the phone is fine. If you actually want to make a call from inside a building – say your house, for example – get something else. 95% of my calls drop within three minutes. Verizon was extrememly helpful and sent me a replacement after complaining about the poor reception. The second enV3 has the same problems and I am now awaiting a Samsung Alias 2. Samsungs work fine in my home as my husband has one and my Juke was quite satisfactory. I had LG phones for years and was so displeased with the last one that I swore I’d never get another. I bought into the hype about the enV3 and haven’t been this disappointed in a long time. I’m going back to Samsung because I know those are strong enough to get reception indoors.
Rating: 1 / 5
My 16 year old daughter got this phone in October 2009. The phone bill shows she sent+received a total of 11,300 text messages in December 2009. She has never complained about the phone shutting off. So I added the feature where I can control the hours the phone is operational. Verizon charges me $5 a month for this. I shut her phone off from 11pm to 6pm. She starts texting at 6am. Crazy.
Rating: 5 / 5
In June (it is now November), we renewed our phone contract and purchased to env3s and three env Touchs. The env3s have been replaced at least 4 times now due to malfunctions. It appears these phones are NOT designed for high-volume texters, even though it was highly recommended. Both of my children text constantly, but do not talk much on their phones. The external microphones have given out for no apparent reason and the phones started locking up after a while. And, the external backlight was not working on one of the phones.
When we take them back, they’re readily replaced with yet another phone that gives out after about a month or two of use. It’s driving us crazy and we’re going to work with our carrier to switch to a different phone style. So, if you’re a high-volume text person, be warned!! Other than that, the phones were fine!
Rating: 2 / 5
I enjoy this phone. It is a few steps above my last phone – a no nonsense Motorola phone.
I like the aspect of having two separate things the phone and then the text messaging/internet/e-mail capabilities. I’ve had many compliments on it sense purchasing it. It is a nice looking phone.
The camera takes good pictures as does the camcorder considering the size and space on the phone for it. I do agree with another reviewer who stated that it is hard to (really impossible) to adjust the volume once you have the phone open to the internal screen. Any attempt shuts the phone because the volume button is situated directly in the middle of the side of the phone and in closed over when the phone is open.
I do have to mention that I don’t feel that I get as good of a connection when using the phone aspect of this phone. I don’t know if that is a Verizon thing (I previously used US Cellular) or not – maybe it’s the phone.
Over all I think it is a good phone but I would never buy it outright at the prices they are going for now. I would try and purchase this in some combination of offers from the cellular company. If you want just a phone this is not the one for you but if you want all the bells and whistles out there right now then this phone is for you.
Rating: 4 / 5