LG VX8550 Chocolate Dark Blue Phone (Verizon Wireless)

Amazon.com Product Description

Slimmer, lighter and sweeter than ever, LG updates its Chocolate slider phone to the VX8550 with improvements including a new metal navigation wheel (which traces your finger's movement with a small light), vibrating touch keypad, and the ability to run the music player in the background while using the other features of the phone. But many of the much vaunted features of the original Chocolate remain: silky-smooth slider design support for V Cast Music, an integrated music/video player, a 1.3 megapixel camera/camcorder, stereo Bluetooth capabilities, and a microSD memory slot for up to 4 GB of storage. In addition to Verizon's V Cast Music feature, this phone is also enabled with the Get It Now service, which allows you to easily download ringtones, games, and applications. It runs on Verizon's CDMA 850/CDMA 1900 frequencies and EV-DO high-speed data network. (Learn more about where EV-DO coverage is offered.)

Imaging and Entertainment

The LG VX8550 Chocolate comes in three delicious colors and features advanced music playback features--including the ability to play in the background while accessing other phone features.
The Chocolate's is a 1.3-megapixel digital camera features a flash, as well as 2x digital zoom, self-timer, night-mode functions, and brightness and white balance controls. Other features include an in-phone image editor (zoom, rotate, crop) and a mirror for self-portrait capability. The camera can also capture video clips--30 seconds for sending and up to 1 hour for saving to memory card--at a 176 x 144-pixel resolution. It's compatible with playing MP3, 3GP, and 3G2 video formats, and you can set a video as your screen's wallpaper (as long as it's under 5 MB in size).

A built-in music player with a dedicated music key for easy access, stereo speakers and an equalizer, MP3 and WMA playback, and the ability to hide the music player while still allowing the music to play on in the background. You can create and manage playlists right on the phone, as well as synchronize music between the Chocolate and your PC (using an optional USB cable and connecting with Windows Media Player 10 or higher). You can also take advantage of the Chocolate's Bluetooth wireless headset capability, allowing you to hook up a pair of Bluetooth stereo headphones.

Design
The phone features a seriously attractive open-faced design with an internal antenna and a vibrant 240 x 320 pixel, 262,000-color TFT/TFD display. A touch sensor click wheel, similar to iPod, and sliding design set the phone apart stylistically. Opening the slider reveals a numeric keypad, as well as the 1.3-megapixel camera and LED flash, which are housed on the rear of the phone. The new navigation wheel with Trace Motion Light allows for easy navigation through phone functions, as well as quick and simple functionality while browsing music and videos. The touch keypad provides an improved feel for quicker input.

Calling Features
The Chocolate boasts powerful calling functions, such as speaker independent voice dialing, which makes it easy to call contacts by simply saying their names. No prior voice training is required and you can even speak individual digits to the phone for quick dialing of numbers you know by heart. And because the Chocolate is Bluetooth enabled, wireless headsets can be configured with the phone for total handsfree operation. You can save up to 20 Bluetooth pairings, and it supports the following Bluetooth profiles: headset, hands-free, dial-up networking, advanced audio distribution, phone book access, basic printing, object push for vCard and vCalendar (accessories sold separately), file transfer, and basic imaging.

The Chocolate's internal memory can hold up to 1000 contacts for quick access to email addresses and phone numbers. Each contact can store up to five numbers and two email addresses. The phone lets you easily assign pictures as well as ringtones to your most common callers. In addition to vibrating alerts, the phone supports polyphonic ringtones, and a number of ringtones come preloaded on the phone and more ringtones can be downloaded from Verizon's Get It Now service. Lastly, the Chocolate's GPS location technology pinpoints your exact location when you dial 911.

Messaging, Internet, and Tools

With Verizon's Mobile Email option, the LG Chocolate allows you to send and receive emails from MSN, Hotmail, and America Online, as well as access your address book and be alerted to new email.
The phone's support for multimedia messaging means that text, photos, video and audio can be sent with ease (Verizon messaging charges apply). When used in combination with the Chocolate's built-in camera, MMS opens up a whole new world of messaging fun. There's also a built-in web browser for downloads and mobile web browsing. Verizon's optional Mobile Web 2.0 package allows you to read and send emails, exchange instant messages and view your favorite web content on your phone. You can check your email, trade stocks online, compare prices while shopping, access flight information, get movie listings and find directions to the theater. T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.

With support for the EV-DO high-speed data standard, the Chocolate is fully compatible with Verizon's V Cast service. With V Cast music, your phone is a music player, letting you jam out wherever you are. It's also a music store, and you can download songs instantly to your phone. Save your songs to a memory card with a capacity that's right for you. You can even pause to take a call without missing a beat. You can also download and stream high-quality video--get the latest Accuweather forecast delivered right to your handset, or stream CNN news headlines. ESPN sports updates, entertainment news from E!, and even Sesame Street content for the kids. V Cast also serves as a portal for enhanced 3D games, making it possible to have more fun with a new breed of realistic games.

A number of handy software tools are bundled with the Chocolate including a voice memo recorder that can record calls, a calculator, a calendar, and an alarm clock. You can even set the alarm to wake you to your favorite music. Also included with the Chocolate is Verizon's VG Navigator software, which allows you to get real-time, turn-by-turn audible directions as you're driving.

Vital Statistics
The LG VX8550 Chocolate weighs 3.24 ounces and measures 3.85 x 1.87 x .67 inches. Its l800 mAh ithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4.17 hours (250 minutes) of digital talk time, and up to 350 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the CDMA 850/CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one-year limited warranty.

Customer Reviews:

Really like this phone!.......2007-11-25

I've had my Chocolate for 2 weeks now, and other than getting a bum battery the first time around (which Verizon replaced without any problem), I've had no issues with it. Sure, it took some training to get used to the touch pad and scroll wheel, but now that I've played around with it, it's easy - just a slight tap is all it takes. I've also not had the problem of my face bumping the touch pad during a call...but I also noticed that my phone locks the touchpad during a call.

I've made several calls on my Chocolate and the call clarity is excellent - it sounds like the person is right in the other room. I've not had any problems with dropped calls, either, with the exception of the known "dead" areas around where we live. Battery life has been pretty good - with a good battery and regular usage, I can get about 4 days in between charges (the bad battery was only getting me 2 days...I knew that had to be a problem).

The camera quality is pretty good for a camera phone. The images are quite a bit more clear than on my old phone (an LG VX8100) even though they both have 1.3 megapixels. The camera also comes with quite a few options, from photo colors (black and white, sepia, etc.) to zoom to different "shutter" noises (click, "say cheese", etc.) I haven't yet used the video.

I also haven't had a chance to use the mp3 player feature yet. I did get a USB cable in order to sync music, but you can also move music files over to a microSD card in order to play music on the phone. I've also downloaded a free program that will allow me to use my music files as ringtones and plan to do so when I get a chance.

So far, I'm really enjoying my Chocolate. It's a great phone and has lots of fun features. It's not 100% perfect - nothing is - and has some things that I might do a little differently. But the many pro's far outweigh the few "could be a bit different" things, at least in my opinion. To sum it up - I would recommend a Chocolate to anyone who wants a gadgety phone.

Not as bad as some would have you think!.......2007-11-11

First off I like the VX8550 blue mint chocolate so lets get that out of the way. I read through some of the reviews and really people! It's a cell phone that plays music not an i-pod that you make calls on. Those are called i-phones. As cell phones go it's been pretty durable so far, and I'm not the most gentle with these things. Yes the touch controls are a little sensitive, but the learning curve isn't impossible. A blue tooth device or a hands free adapter keeps your face off the touch pad quite nicely. A 5 star is really a bit rich of a rating, it's more like 4 1/2, nothing in this world rates a 5 star, except my wife. She by the way has dropped this phone twice and it still works great.

Some Solutions or Alternatives to Pamela's Problems........2007-11-11

"Cons:
1. The phone looks dead all the time. There are no visual indicators for missed call or voicemail unless you hit a button to power up the screen. There is not even a flashing LED to show that the phone is turned on."

Partial Solution: While there are no visual indicators, alerts sounds for missed calls, voicemail, and text messages are available for configuration in the settings and tools.

"2.The wheel selector and 'soft keys' are a poor design. Every time I pick up the phone it flashes through menus because I accidently touched a button. And I inadvertently move to a different menu each time I try and push the tiny ok button located in the middle of the wheel."

Solution: The lock function is your friend. Also sensitivity is easily adjustable for both touch keys and scroll wheels through settings. This is particularly personal preference.

"3. The mp3 player is geared towards teenagers purchasing music through Vcast. Why can't I drag and drop my mp3 files? I had to purchase the $30 cable (after purchasing a $30 micro sd card) so I could 'sync' my audio books using WIndows media player. I can't delete a few audio book cds and add a new book or podcast, it appears that I have to resync each time. When I tried the usual drag and drop method, the player did not recognize the mp3s. Unless you are a teenager and your parents are paying your cell bill (including vcast charges), DO NOT buy this for the mp3 player."

Solution: Use BitPM. http://www.bitpim.org/ I "downgraded" from a Verizon XV6700 Pocket PC. BitPM converted all my Outlook contacts and synced it with my VX8550. I was also customized my ringtones, wallpapers, and etc. The essentials music kit is required for BitPM to work as the USB cable for the VX8550 is not included. Syncing MP3s is extremely easy. I am not aware of Pamela's average tech level regarding cellular phones, but this is an extremely basic function. The VX8550 has become my primary MP3 music player.

"4. The mp3 player will not work with a standard bluetooth headset. You must have a stero bluetooth headset. Why? The mp3 player works with a mono headset/microphone plugged into the 3.5mm headset jack or a stereo/microphone plugged into the flat charge/USB slot. Why can't I listen to music, podcasts, or audio books in mono using the bluetooth? Bad design but shows the teenage marketing angle. I bought the phone to listen to audio books on a bluetooth headset and be able to take phone calls without fumbling with my mp3 player and phone while driving. Again, bad design and I'm really cheesed off about this one. Give me options LG!!"

Solutions: Standard stereo bluetooth sets will work-I have used logitechs stereo bluetooth sets and successfully partnered them with the VX8550. It is difficult to diagnose Pamela's problem without further description of the specific bluetooth headset. Bluetooth devices intended as pure communicative devices, such as the Motorola HS850, however, will not work without a customized hack, as is the case for most mobile phones. I currently use the Plantronics Pulsar 260 http://www.plantronics.com/north_america/en_US/products/cat1150057/cat5420035/prod5610022

The A2DP technology inherently supported in the VX8550 and the Plantronics headset also allows for simultaneous bluetooth stereo and communications. Furthermore, the Plantronics unit operates as a remote for easy track changes.

"5. You can't create a playlist from albums. This isn't really a problem for you music people, but if you listen to audio books you need to keep the tracks in seperate album folders because each disc has a Track 1, Track 2, etc. I have to funble with the phone to go to another album because there doesn't seem to be any easy way to do it.
5. The manual is lously. Again, it is geared towards teenagers purchasing VCast music and has very little information.

The phone looks nice, but I am really dissapointed that it has so many flaws and is a poor mp3 player, and appears to be made (by teenagers?) for teenagers."

Solution: Personally, I never had to use the manual for any phone. Making use of the phone's microSD would be beneficial in this case. It is plug and play, and drag n' drop.

Conclusion: I am unsure why Pamela continuously refers to this phone as geared for teenagers--using it as the crutch of her criticisms. Blaming many of the phones features on being "geared towards teenager" may have some truth, but the features of the phone should not be blamed for her inability to properly operate the phone. It is not very hard to make use of the Google search engine to effectively maximize the phone's numerous utilities. Many of Pamela's frustrations can be easily remedied through alternatives or investigating the settings and tools option in the phone.

Lastly, Verizon Wireless stores have appeared, at least in my area, like locusts. It is very difficult to drive anywhere without seeing a Verizon Wireless store every 5 minutes. While I strongly support consumer awareness, it is the consumer's responsibility to operate under due diligence. The stores are there for a reason--for the consumer to inspect and evaluate the merchandise before purchase. Should Pamela have even gone to her local Best Buy or Circuit City, she would have known the phone perhaps was not meant for her style, whatever that may be.

Personally, I am completely satisfied with this phone--so much that I had to respond to the above criticisms. Phones are stylized for the individual not the masses. Find one that is right for you.

Be advised that this phone has a surprisingly high SAR rating of 1.29 watts per kilogram

The phone looks sharp but has come major flaws.......2007-10-19

If you are buying this phone to use simply as a phone, it is probably acceptable. If you are planning on using the phone to listen to anything other than randomly arranged mp3, think again.

I loved the looks of this phone and purchsed it so I could listen to mp3 audio books in the car. The phone will pause the music (or book) and let you answer the phone, then resume the music. This park works fine. There are some other issues with the mp3 player and frankly it appears to be marketed for teenagers and geared toward making you purchase music using Vcast. Here are the pros and cons as I see them:

Pros:
1. Sharp looking product that comes in great colors
2. Sliding lock/unlock button located on the side
2. Nice display
3. Easy to use bluetooth headphone setup
3. Easy to make 'voice command' calls

Cons:
1. The phone looks dead all the time. There are no visual indicators for missed call or voicemail unless you hit a button to power up the screen. There is not even a flashing LED to show that the phone is turned on.

2.The wheel selector and 'soft keys' are a poor design. Everytime I pick up the phone it flashes through menus because I accedently touched a button. And I inadvertenly move to a different menu each time I try and push the tiny ok button located in the middle of the wheel.

3. The mp3 player is geared towards teenagers purchasing music through Vcast. Why can't I drag and drop my mp3 files? I had to purchase the $30 cable (after purchasing a $30 micro sd card) so I could 'sync' my audio books using WIndows media player. I can't delete a few audio book cds and add a new book or podcast, it appears that I have to resync each time. When I tried the usual drag and drop method, the player did not recognize the mp3s. Unless you are a teenager and your parents are paying your cell bill (including vcast charges), DO NOT buy this for the mp3 player.

4. The mp3 player will not work with a standard bluetooth headset. You must have a stero bluetooth headset. Why? The mp3 player works with a mono headset/microphone plugged into the 3.5mm headset jack or a stereo/microphone plugged into the flat charge/USB slot. Why can't I listen to music, podcasts, or audio books in mono using the bluetooth? Bad design but shows the teenage marketing angle. I bought the phone to listen to audio books on a bluetooth headset and be able to take phone calls without fumbling with my mp3 player and phone while driving. Again, bad design and I'm really cheesed off about this one. Give me options LG!!

5. You can't create a playlist from albums. This isn't really a problem for you music people, but if you listen to audio books you need to keep the tracks in seperate album folders because each disc has a Track 1, Track 2, etc. I have to funble with the phone to go to another album because there doesn't seem to be any easy way to do it.
5. The manual is lously. Again, it is geared towards teenagers purchasing VCast music and has very little information.

The phone looks nice, but I am really dissapointed that it has so many flaws and is a poor mp3 player, and appears to be made (by teenagers?) for teenagers.

Better than a sidekick.......2007-10-08

I bought this phone after having used a sidekick for over a year and it is amazing. They only things I miss are my internet based aim and qwerty keyboard. I get killer service and a great phone. Compared to both the customer service I recieved at tmobile with a sidekick and the quality of the phone the new lg chocolate is nearly perfect! I have to agree with a previous review the phone programs should be mac compatible.

LG OEM Dark Blue Standard Battery for LG VX8550 - SBPP0024102

Average customer rating:

LG OEM Dark Blue Standard Battery for LG VX8550 - SBPP0024102

Manufacturer: LGMU
ProductGroup: Wireless
Binding: Wireless Phone Accessory

LG OEM 800 mAh battery - Dark Blue
1 year warranty from LG

ASIN: B000VC56YM

Product Description

Be prepared to stay in touch when your original battery loses its charge. Replacement batteries provide a backup power source and also give you the opportunity to increase talk time.

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