Review: LG's VX9900 enV for Verizon

LG VX9900 enV

LG VX9900 enV

LG VX9900 enV

LG VX9900 enV

The LG VX9900 "enV", the subject of this review, is based heavily on the LG VX9800, later referred to as the "V" when marketers started realizing the strength of names such as those used by Motorola for its RAZR and SLVR lines. The enV shares the same basic communicator style form factor as the original V, but has received far reaching upgrades that turn what was merely an unusual and interesting handset into a downright killer device. Not only has LG improved the usage of the landscape mode interior display and its QWERTY keyboard, but it has also seen fit to add an auto-focus 2 megapixel camera as well.

Physical Aspects

The LG enV VX9900 is about the size of a typical candybar shaped handset from perhaps 2 years ago. At 118mm x 53mm x 22mm (4.6" x 2.1" x .8"), it is still very pocketable in spite of its communicator-style clamshell design. The enV's 133g (4.7oz) weight is on the heavy side for a non-smartphone, but, again, it is not bad when you consider the form factor and its benefits. When closed, the exterior of the phone houses a very normal alphanumeric keypad with d-pad that sits below a very small, but colorful 262k color 160x128 pixel display. The keypad has a reasonably good feel, and should prove adequate for most people.

The sides of the VX9900 are home to a decent volume control rocker switch, a dedicated camera shutter button, a headset jack, and a covered microSD memory card slot. A small LG power and data cable connector is located on the bottom, protected by an attached cover. The rear of the enV is where the 2 megapixel camera and its companion flash are located. Surrounding the lens is a chromed ring that opens and closes the protected lens shutter. It is a nice, simple design that works, though opening and closing it should automatically start and close the camera application. Sadly, it does not..

Things on the enV VX9900 don't get real interesting until it is opened up and the full QWERTY keyboard is exposed. The hinge for the clamshell has two positions that it can be used in. The first leaves the 262k color, QVGA (320x240 pixel) display at an angle to the keyboard in a position that seems to imply using it while it sits on a desk, something that does not seem all that feasible to me. The second position opens the enV flat, and is intended for use when the phone is held with both hands.

LG VX9900 enV

LG VX9900 enV

LG VX9900 enV

The QWERTY keypad consists of 4 rows of keys positioned to the left of the d-pad control cluster. Above the d-pad are the red and green call control buttons, and below the d-pad are the CLR and speakerphone buttons. The final pair of buttons are the two softkeys that are found above the keyboard, positioned near where their respective lables on the screen are displayed. The tactile feedback offered by the keys is decent, but I still found text entry to be slower on the enV that on many other QWERTY devices. In particular I do not like the position of the space bars and the Shift and Sym(bol) keys. The d-pad works well enough for typical use, but is not quite up to the task when it comes to some of the many action games sold by Verizon.

Overall the build quality of the enV VX9900 seems quite good. I would expect that the enV would be able to stand up to a fair amount of abuse before breaking. The silver painted finish stays clean looking and so far has not shown itself to be susceptible to scratching. The VX9900 might be a bit busy looking, but even if it is no beauty queen, I'm quite satisfied with how the enV's design has performed.

 

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