LG VX8550 Review:

LG updates its Chocolate slider phone to the LG VX8550 with improvements including a new metal navigation wheel, 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, LG VX8550 phone is also enabled with the Get It Now service, which allows you to easily download ringtones, games, and applications. LG VX8550 runs on Verizon’s CDMA 850/CDMA 1900 frequencies and EV-DO high-speed data network.

LG VX8550 - Imaging and Entertainment

The LG VX8550 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 LG VX8550′S 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.

LG VX8550 Design
The LG VX8550 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.

LG VX8550 Calling Features
The LG VX8550 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 LG VX8550 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 LG VX8550’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 LG VX8550 lets you easily assign pictures as well as ringtones to your most common callers. In addition to vibrating alerts, the LG VX8550 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.

LG VX8550 - Messaging, Internet, and Tools

The LG VX8550’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 LG VX8550 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 LG VX8550 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 LG VX8550 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. LG VX8550 runs on the CDMA 850/CDMA 1900 frequencies.

LG VX8550 User Said:

I have had my LG VX8550 for about a month now. Before this I had the old chocolate (VX8500). The old one gave me so many problems. They keys had worn out and you could no longer read some of them The touch send key was horrible and caused me to constantly send txt messages before I was done with them. I would regularly unlock the phone on accident in my pocket (press any button twice). The touch “wheel” was annoying and not very useful.

I recently got LG VX8550 phone just because my mom got it free but wanted to keep her old “V” for its keyboard. If I had picked a phone, it would not have been this one simply because of my bad experience with the old one. But I am glad I have it now. The new send/camera/end keys on the inside work so much better than the old ones. I haven’t accidentally sent anything yet! The new camera software is way better and you can even crop/zoom/rotate and then save the new version of any picture on your phone. I also notice that the menus are faster and more responsive than on the old chocolate. The new wheel and ok button are way better also, they feel solid and you don’t accidentally touch them or anything. I honestly don’t have anything bad to say about the LG VX8550. I do recommend that you get a case of some sort for it however. My old one quickly got scratched and I try to take very good care of my phones. This new LG VX8550 chocolate is a better phone but is just as vulnerable to scratches, so I’m just giving you a heads up.

—– By J. Godoy

LG VX8550 Features:

• Lightweight multimedia powerhouse in black with new Trace Motion Light navigation wheel
• Supports both WMA and MP3 music formats for more versitility in music listening; Bluetooth stereo headset support
• Expandable memory slot compatible with optional 4 GB microSD memory card for storage of up to 2000 songs
• 1.3 megapixel camera with digital zoom; video capture up to 1 hour
• Up to 250 minutes of talk time, up to 350 hours of standby time

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