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| LG VX8550 Chocolate Dark Blue Phone (Verizon Wireless) | 
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| Brand: LG
Category: Wireless
List Price: $499.99
Buy New: $0.01
You Save: $499.98 (100%)
Avg. Customer Rating:  17 reviews
Sales Rank: 777
Color: Blue
Media: Wireless Phone
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 0 x 0 x 0
Model: MOTZ6C
UPC: 652810813358
ASIN: B000TJXK0O
Release Date: July 12, 2007
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Promotion: Data not available Terms and Conditions
Availability: In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served.
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| Customer Reviews:
 disappointed January 6, 2008
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
I am definitely disappointed in this phone so far- specifically the mp3 features. The phone does not appear to allow you to list songs on an album by track # on the phone- it arranges each album alphabetically. Major design flaw. Especially when you are listening to musicians who match beats across tracks or live recordings. I can only imagine what a pain it is for audiobooks.
For those who purchased this phone, not to use the mp3, was it a status symbol purchase? I don't get it- was the phone free?
As for the point by point counter to Pamela's post- some of the info is helpful- thanks. But I agree completely with Pamela- this phone was designed with teenagers in mind who would be likely to be purchasing single tracks through the vcast service.
The marketing campaign has been definitely designed to lead consumers to believe that this is a pared down competitor to the iPhone- it is clearly not. And for the suggestion that verizon stores are going to help you understand the limitations of the device- I am still laughing. I have been back 3 times (2 different stores) with issues and have yet to come across a competent employee. Friendly, yes, but knowledgable (or forthright?), no.
 Really like this phone! November 24, 2007
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
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! November 11, 2007
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
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. November 10, 2007
15 out of 16 found this review helpful
"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 October 19, 2007
13 out of 21 found this review helpful
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.
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