Two promising new non-iPhones
Cell phones with iPhone-like design are garnering most of the attention as manufacturers begin to roll out their 2008 models. But we're also impressed with some conventional handsets that are taking more original, if not subtler, steps toward better cell-phone design. Here are two of them:
LG enV2 by LG. The original enV, with its tiny, hard-to-see keypad didn't impress us much when it debuted a more than a year ago. But, based on an initial look, this second incarnation, available this month from Verizon for $130 with a 2-year contract, seems to have fixed the problem. For one thing, the keypad is wonderfully large—roomy enough to accommodate the widest thumbs. It's also noticeably thinner and smaller, measuring just 4 in. x 2.13 in. x 0.65 in. (For a closer look at the enV2, click on the image at right and the one immediate below.)
Like the old enV, it opens up like an eye-glass case to reveal a 2.4-in. screen, stereo speakers, and full QWERTY keyboard to satisfy heavy texters and multimedia addicts (though the keys did appear to be a tad more narrow than those on the original). Other niceties include support for GPS navigation and stereo Bluetooth headsets.
(Complete details of the original LG enV are found in our Ratings of cell phones, both available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers.)
Motorola MOTO Z9. GPS navigation, while flourishing on the Sprint and Verizon networks, has not been an option for most AT&T customers, save for a select group of smart-phone users (that doesn't even include owners of the iPhone, which lacks true GPS). That changes with the Motorola MOTO Z9, available now from AT&T for $250 with a 2-year contract. (Click on the image at right for a closer look.)
This GPS-enabled phone, which is compatible with AT&T's 3G data network, has a large, 2.4-in display that promises comfortable viewing of real-time, turn-by-turn directions offered by the extra-cost service. The Z9 is also compatible with AT&T's Video Share, which lets you stream live, one-way video of your special moments to another compatible phone. You can also download content directly music from eMusic and sideload tunes from Napster To Go. Other features include support for microSD cards up to 8GB and stereo Bluetooth headsets.
—Mike Gikas
Posted by: madeline hyman | Nov 10, 2008 5:33:18 PM
A few months ago I purchased two Samsung U940 from Verizon. They had problems from the start. The touch screen is out of wack. You touch one button and another completely different button switches on. For example: If I want to talk to my friend Eddie, I go to Contact and touch it. Maybe Contact will light up, maybe the texting icon will. Now, suppose I actually get to the list of contacts, I try to scroll down using my finger on the screen. It may work, it may not. So I open the phone and try again and it works. Then I touch Eddie's number and Jill's lights up. And on and on.
I have taken both phones back to Verizon and was given a new one. We have now had 5 and each is exactly the same. I called Verizon and asked for a store credit. I was told they would not do that. I could either exchange it for another U940 or, as a big favor on their part, I would be given a LGenV2. I have not checked out the LG enV2, but the rep on the phone said it had less features than the Samsung U940 and did not have a full keyboard, just the phone pad type of keyboard.
Posted by: Bobby | May 12, 2008 10:50:39 PM
Please compare the enV2 and the Voyager with the new Samsung SCH-U940 (aka Glyde) for Verizon. They all seem to share many features but there is a quite a difference in the price.
Posted by: Byron "billionairebb" Burke | May 5, 2008 6:29:14 PM
The enV phone takes a toll on your eyes after viewing the screen for a while. The drop call rate is pretty good, I used it in the Time Square area where many people in NY loose calls because of all the building in the area. Other than that, its a good phone and this is a great report.