With the Audiovox CDM-8900, Verizon Wireless adds another stylish camera phone to its roster. As a worthy competitor for the stellar
LG VX6000, this model has a striking design and impressive camera features that will appeal to young urbanites. But the CDM-8900's performance falls short, and its list price of $179.99 isn't a bargain compared to that of similar offerings.Largely resembling the
Audiovox CDM-8600 in style and appearance, the CDM-8900 has a brushed-silver finish and sleek lines. Measuring 3.3 by 1.6 by 0.9 inches and weighing a slight 3.5 ounces, it's trim enough to slip into a pocket, yet it feels sufficiently sturdy to handle frequent use. On the phone's exterior, you also find a one-inch antenna, as well as blue LEDs on the hinge that flash during an incoming call.
![]() Features for more), it has a pleasant, streamlined shape that is more attractive than the 8600's external porthole display. Open the phone and you'll find a crisp, 65,000-color screen that is great for viewing photos. The blue-backlit keys provide ample light in dark environments, but the buttons lay flat on the unit, so touch-dialing is slightly difficult.
The CDM-8900's well-spaced navigation keys are an improvement over the CDM-8600's crowded controls. A four-way navigation key provides one-click access to contacts, Web browsing, messaging, and Verizon Wireless's Get It Now service. An OK button in the middle of the four-way key and two soft buttons allow for easy menu navigation. You can access the camera by pressing either the OK key or a dedicated button located on the mobile's left hinge. Located at the top of the phone, the camera lens is well placed for taking pictures.The Audiovox CDM-8900 has a 300-entry phone book that can store up to five phone numbers and two e-mail addresses for each contact; you can also specify a ring tone for each name. Other features include text and multimedia messaging, a Web browser that runs on Verizon's high-speed 1xRTT network, a calculator, USB compatibility, a scheduler, a world clock, and a stopwatch. Like the CDM-8600, the 8900 has a speakerphone that can be activated with a single click. Though it doesn't include any games, the mobile comes with 25 polyphonic (15-chord) ring tones, and you can download titles, additional ringers, wallpapers, and other applications from Get It Now. While there is no monthly fee for the service, Verizon charges per application, and airtime charges while browsing do apply.
![]() Pix Place online album, where you can store up to 1MB of pictures, upload images to your PC, and edit photo albums. Sending picture mail to other Verizon customers with MMS-enabled handsets or e-mail messages requires only a few clicks, and you can easily access your contact list from the picture-messaging menu.
![]() Average User Rating 3.5 stars out of 90 user reviews Rating Breakdown -
5 star: 25 -
4 star: 33 -
3 star: 16 -
2 star: 12 -
1 star: 4 My Rating 0 stars click stars to rate product Most Helpful User Review 0.5 stars 3 of 5 users found this review helpful Pros Nice looking but has problems Cons sub display Summary Got one in January from US Cell. Last week the sub display (outside display) exploded while talking on it. A large dark spot developed where the full charge on the battery pack drained into my hand. The DC charge makes it so you can't let go. It took about ... Expand full review Summary: Got one in January from US Cell. Last week the sub display (outside display) exploded while talking on it. A large dark spot developed where the full charge on the battery pack drained into my hand. The DC charge makes it so you can't let go. It took about 3 seconds to drain the fully charged battery into my hand before I could drop it. I recieved minor burns!
Audiovox help desk person, as well as US Cell can't explain. All I know is I was told I would be without my phone for 4 to 6 weeks while it is being repaired if sent to Audiovox, of course I will still be paying for my plan from US Cell.
Stay away from this piece of junk. As for a replacement phone as per my extended service contaract with US Cell, that will take 4 to 6 days before they can ship me a "loaner" phone that will cost me $75 to accept.
A phone call with a tech from audiovox (over 2 hours on hold) explained it as a problem they have seen a few times, but so far have kept the problem "covered up in house" due to the expected legal action if it got out to the public. Legal action I will be taking! It is not a safe phone !!! Most Recent User Reviews (Showing 2 of 90 reviews) Thanks for your submission!
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