LG ENV3 REVIEW

More than a year after the release of its SMS-happy predecessor, the aptly-named enV2, LG has come out with a new, midrange fold-out-keyboard phone with their surprisingly-named enV3 on Verizon Wireless. Check out the LG EnV3 review after the jump.

Cosmetically, the LG enV3 for Verizon Wireless is very similar to its predecessor. The buttons on the front are large and tactile, with a "contacts" button replacing the previous music shortcut, and the entire phone folds open to a keyboard and directional pad, juxtaposed with a screen and speakers on the opposite side. But unlike the previous iteration, the buttons appear to have more of a visual separation, rather than just being similarly-sized black chunks of plastic with different colored text on it. Also, the LG enV3's space bar has relocated itself to a more keyboard-like location in the center of the phone, unlike the previous model. Unfortunately, this new keyboard layout has caused the keys to be a bit close together--a problem for the big-handed folks among us, but not a big issue for most.

Software-wise, the usual features are included in the LG enV3: Bluetooth (with stereo bluetooth headset support to alleviate the inclusion of a 2.5mm headphone jack instead of a 3.5mm one), GPS for VZ Navigator, calendar, HTML web browser, and VCast support. Along with all of this comes support for threaded text messaging and an optional visual voicemail service ($2.99 a month) a la the iPhone--a very welcomed feature.

Both screens of this top notch messaging phone have received an upgrade, with the internal screen going from 2.4 to 2.6 inches, and the external screen going from 1.45 to 1.56 inches. In the camera department, the megapixel-age has jumped from 2.0 to 3.0. And akin to most modern cell phones, the enV3 supports microSD memory expansion up to 16GB.

You can own the LG enV3 for $179.99 with a 2-year-contract, and $299.99 unlocked.

Pros

• Bigger screen
• Bigger camera resolution
• Bigger phone
• Improved phone locking system
• Threaded text messages and visual voicemail

Cons

• Slower EV-DO than usual (not Rev. A HSDPA for all of you speed-freaks)
• New charging port
• 2.5mm headphone jack--can a phone company please remedy this?
• Visual Voicemail not free