LG VX10000 Voyager Review

The new VX10000 Voyager is the latest phone from Verizon. It is the upgrade to the vx9900 enV. Some people are calling it Verizon's, dare I say, iPhone!

It features:

* Touchscreen
* QWERTY Keyboard
* Stereo Bluetooth
* 2mp camera
* microSD w/ support up to 8gb
* New web browser
* New messaging applications

Exterior
On the front touch screen the user can open up contacts, message menu, call logs, camera, and other applications, such as v-cast tv and music player (AAC/MP3/WMA). The screen itself is very clear. The front has send, clear, and end keys at the bottom. On the left side is a lock key, dedicated camera key and volume, which doubles as a zoom in/out for the camera. On the right side is the microSD slot and 2.5mm headset jack. The back, of course, is the 2mp camera.

After unlocking the phone, tapping anywhere on the screen brings up the main shortcut menu. Four home keys are on the bottom; messaging, calls, menu, contacts. The phone has an 'feedback' feature. When touching certain applications, like the calendar, it vibrates a little, as to say 'cool, you're touching my calendar'.

Interior
When opening up the phone, the layout is very similar to the vx9900. The QWERTY keyboard is about the same size. The 5 way navigation button on the right, end and send keys, stereo speakers are very similar. The menus for the vx10000 have been updated slightly. Instead of tabs they have been replaced with icons. The software itself is a little more 'flashier' and friendlier, but remain basically the same.


Camera
The camera has good amount of features in itself. When hitting the camera it prompts you to turn the phone sideways and use it like a camera. There are a number of different adjustability features that allow you do adjust the picture. As stated above, the volume buttons are now used as your zoom in and out. The camera is sharp, but 2mp is no upgrade from the vx9900. Verizon should've made it a 3mp or higher.

Usability
Navigation on the phone is what you would expect from Verizon. Simple, easy to get around, and user friendly. Touching the phone button brings up the traditional keyboard to dial a number.

The vx10000 has a slightly new feature of 'scrolling' right and left. Depending on the program you're in, you use the left and right scroll buttons to go to the next or previous screen. 'CLR', naturally, is your universal back button. The touch screen takes a little getting used to if you've never used one before. The menus themselves scroll and move around, which seems to be a new thing for any Verizon phone.

Messaging on the phone is much like the vx9900 as well, if you use the keyboard. Messaging on the exterior touch screen is a little different. The regular dial 'buttons' appear and pressing them multiple times gets you the letters you need, much like on a regular phone keyboard. (it has t9 of course)

Watching Video on the phone with vcast is nice and clear. This screen is the biggest that verizon offers (on non-pda phones) Wireless TV never looked so good

Overall, the vx10000 is a wonderful new phone and a great leap for Verizon into the next generation of multimedia smart phones. Is it an iPhone? Absolutely not, but it is as close as Verizon will come at the moment, and it has an actual keyboard.

Rumors say this phone will be released Nov 18th. No official price has been released, but we can take a guess at ~$200 w/ 2 year contract.


From the Verizon site:

The Voyager™ by LG from Verizon Wireless
The LG Voyager* is the first phone from Verizon Wireless that features a large external touch screen. Packaged in a lateral-clamshell design that hides a full QWERTY keypad, The LG Voyager is exclusive to Verizon Wireless and comes packed with a number of cool features, including a HTML browser for enhanced Internet browsing, full V CAST-capabilities - including V CAST Mobile TV, V CAST Music and the ability to play .mp3, .wma and unprotected .aac files, and V CAST Video. These capabilities, coupled with Verizon Wireless' high-speed wireless broadband network, make downloading music or surfing the Web while on-the-go quick and easy.