LG Venus VX8800 (black, Verizon Wireless)

Summary: This rating will be long but I hope the information is helpful for those thinking about buying the phone. And I won't get too much into NerdSpeak with terms that most people don't understand (3G,CDMA,UI, etc.)For me, this phone is an improvement over the enV. I do miss the QWERTY keyboard at times but only for not having to change input modes of text/word/number/symbols. And due to my work, I use the VZ Navigator a lot. This phone handles it much more smoothly and gives turn directions more quickly.

Not to knock other raters too much but I simply do not see how you can rate a phone the day you get it or even a week later. I have had this phone for three weeks and I use it everyday until the battery dies, often twice.

THE GOOD

Like other raters, I disagree with CNET regarding the touchscreen. I find it nearly flawless. I like the feedback feature but periodically get the haptic feedback but the phone does not open up the next screen as it should. This does not happen often and I push buttons quickly. This may be a "me" problem. And please, do not call this phone a "finger print magnet" if you respect yourself. It IS A TOUCHSCREEN. Buy another phone or wear gloves.

Camera/Video/Resolution: I find this very easy to use and like the landscape view feature for both the still camera and video. I use VCast videos daily for Fantasy Football. The resolution is decent for videos and great for everything else. Yes, the fact that there is not a flash is a drawback but honestly I don't see this as a big deal.

And one more thing, Bluetooth. I had the LG enV and this phone far surpasses it in the bluetooth arena. I have two headsets, the Jawbone, and a pair of stereo phones. The sound is great. And I used the same headsets with the enV so it is a reflection of the phone, not the headsets.

THE BAD:

THE BATTERY: If you plan to use this phone's full feature set, you will be annoyed because your options will be to: buy an extended battery (or additional standard one), buy a car charger, and/or bring the USB cable charger with you (if you have access). I don't buy phones for looks but for features I will use. And I use them all. And I text at least 50 msg/day, usually upwards of 100. I drain the battery everyday and I hook it up to my car charger on the way home from work. A positive note, this phone can use the same charger as the LG enV. That saved me money. However, I will buy the extended battery, adding about $50 to cost of the phone. I have used all my verizon phones the same and this, by far, has the weakest battery. But, it is the smallest phone too. Maybe a "me" problem.

Software Glitches. I took my first phone back because it locked up when receieving PIX/FLIX messages and when using ESPN MVP. The software still needs to be updated (again) and I have three confirmations of this. I do not, however, know if this will need to be done in the store. It doesn't appear so but if it does, you can deduct a point from my overall rating. In dealing with Verizon, both in-store and over the phone, it was disclosed to me that "the sofware need to be smoothed out." The same is true for the Voyager, which evidently has even more problems, returns, and complaints. The bottom line here is not surprising...Verizon released this phone too early to boost their bottom line for the holiday season. Disappointing but not surprising given Verizon's rep. I was told the kinks would be worked out in the "next two weeks." It is approaching tha mark for me. I still have a couple problems with Mobile Web pages not loading fully.

SPEAKERS/SOUND. Subpar in my opinion. The faux speakers on the front are just that, fake. The earpiece port is very small and requires specific positioning on the ear if you want to hear your calls. Even then, the volume needs to be jacked up almost all the way. When listening to audio from music or videos, the sound comes from the back of the phone. This is, dare I say, just stupid. This aside, I experience no crackles or hisses and I have been told that my voice comes through clearly to those I call. My solution: stereo bluetooth. I already had a pair of headphones but if I didn't, I may take the phone back. It is that bad in my opinon. I don't expect booming stereo quality sound from my phone but the speaker in the back is really baffling to me.

THE NETWORK: I live in the Portland (Oregon) Metro area. Signal strength is always strong. Dropped calls? None yet. Verizon touts it's network as its big selling point. Well evidently this is for calls only, not data transmission. I use CBS Sports (which won't fully load...see software, above) and ESPN MVP to track fantasy football. On Sundays, The Almighty Network gets completely overloaded. I can't connect to MVP and PIX/FLIX messages are significantly delayed. Anything that requires a fair amount of data transmission is seriously hampered. Is this not part of "The Network"?

OVERALL SYNOPSIS. This is a great phone will excellent features and improved UI. I find it very easy to use and like the touchscreen. It is a small and sleek phone that is packed with features. That comes with a price, battery drain, and the battery for this phone is poor for people who plan to use it for function rather than "Hey, look at how cool my phone looks." If you buy phones for your image, get the Voyager (if you are handcuffed to Verizon). I want a phone I can put in pocket. And finally, be prepared to buy extras. I have a car charger, a thin plastic case, a screen protector, and I will buy an extended battery very soon.

AND FINALLY, SAVE YOURSELF HEADACHES:

The slider action is great but this phone will get dinged and scratched if you don't get extras to protect it. And if you don't and don't have insurance on your phone, good luck getting Verizon to work with you in replacing it for problems with it if you have any. They will blame your lack of protection of the phone for its problems when these could very well be the software. Every scratch and ding reduces the chances you will get a replacement. And beware of "water damage" no matter what phone you have. In waiting in line for tech support, I saw at least five people not receive replacements because there was evidence of moisture in the battery compartment. Moisture is nearly impossible to avoid here in Oregon but use common sense. Be careful bringing your phone from cold to warm temperatures and hopefully you have enough common sense to not bring your phone in the bathroom with you when you take a shower. And to keep it in your pocket if it is snowing or raining. Verizon will give you a whopping $50 off a replacement.