LG VX8610 Decoy for Verizon

LG VX8610 Decoy

LG VX8610 Decoy

LG VX8610 Decoy

LG VX8610 Decoy

LG VX8610 Decoy

The newly released LG VX8610 Decoy from Verizon is an innovative and unique cell phone. This new CDMA device serves two purposes - one as a handset and the other as a hands free headset. Creative as it may be, a built-in Bluetooth headset in a phone is a relatively unexplored territory and with LG and Verizon partnering up to explore this new frontier, we are hoping that this sparks new innovation in the mobile industry - especially in an age where convenience and price matters most.

The LG Decoy is a slider styled handset that is draped in a glossy mirrored metallic finish on its front and a blue soft touch painted back. A large 2.2", 262k color QVGA (240x320 pixel) display makes up most of the front along with the device's two softkeys, the clear key, and the dedicated speakerphone key. Everything on the Decoy's front is covered in the reflective mirror finish, which caused major headaches when trying to view the phone's screen under direct sunlight, and it also is a fingerprint magnet.

The Decoy uses a flush-mounted joystick for moving through menus and applications. I found the joystick to be similar to the one used on LG's Shine CU720 and found it to be a bit too soft to be accurate at times. Around back is where you will find the 2-megapixel camera's lens and the phone's speaker as well as the Decoy's main attraction, the built-in Bluetooth headset.

The Decoy's headset fits firmly in place and pops out simply enough with a light push on its latch. When the headset is housed in the back of the phone, there is a slight bulge that extends out, but it is definitely is not a deal breaker especially when you factor in the convenience of having the headset on-hand at all times. The LG Decoy headset is actually quite small and slim, measuring 42.5mm x 22.5mm x 7.5mm (1.7" x 0.9" x 0.3"), and weighs just a quarter of an ounce (7.3g). Minimalist in design, the headset sports only two controls - a multifunction button and volume rocker. Designed for in-ear use, the headset did not provide a truly tight fit for me personally but it seemed to fit others well enough.

Pairing the headset up to the phone was a breeze and LG even provides a wizard for novices. It should be noted that the headset can also be paired up to other Bluetooth enabled devices, as can the phone. Once paired, upon removal from its storage space around back, the headset will automatically connect to the phone. LG provides a cover for the storage cavity when the headset is not needed, and the headset can be charged with the included charger if need be. Call quality was not the best we have ever heard but definitely is acceptable. Although the Decoy's headset does offer mono music support, users may prefer to listen to music with a pair of A2DP-enabled headphones for better stereo sound.

On the Decoy's left side is where the 2.5mm headset jack, dedicated camera button, and covered microSD expansion slot are located. Jumping over to the right side, things are kept to a minimum with the phone's volume rocker and a universal micro-USB charging port. The rocker not only adjusts the volume but can be used to put the Decoy in vibrate or silence mode.

With a quick flick of the thumb, the device slides up and snaps nicely into place to reveal a curved numeric keypad, which could be a tad slippery at times. The number keys, along with send/end keys and the dedicated voice dial key, provided ample tactile feedback when pressed. The device's end key also doubles as the phone's power button.

LG VX8610 Decoy

LG VX8610 Decoy

LG VX8610 Decoy