LG Versa now available from Verizon Wireless
Right on time, the hit-or-miss LG Versa has made its sales debut online and at Verizon stores. This modular LG phone will set you back $199 with a $50 mail-in rebate and a 2-year contract, as reported. Official specs from the site:
- 1900/800 MHz CDMA
- EV-DO Revision A (Rev. A)
- 3.0″ display with 262K color, 480 x 240 pixels, ambient light sensor and proximity sensor
- 2.0 Megapixel Camera & Camcorder with Autofocus, Flash & Image Editor
- Virtual QWERTY Keypad & Detachable QWERTY Keypad
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
- Music Player for MP3, WMA, Unprotected AAC & Unprotected AAC+ formats
- External memory card slot that supports up to 16GB microSD
- 2.5 mm headset jack
- Text, picture and video messaging with threaded messaging
- Support for a variety of Verizon services including: Mobile Email, Mobile IM, Mobile Web Email, My Verizon, VZ Navigator, Chaperone Parent/Child
- Mobile Broadband Connect Capable (tethering)
- Speakerphone and voice commands
- Bilingual interface – English and Spanish
- OTA Device Software Update
- 4.16” (h) x 2.07” (w) x 0.54” (d), 3.81 ounces
- 1,100 mAh battery providing up to 290 minutes of usage time or 430 hours standby time
If anyone dares to take the plunge and purchase this unusual device, definitely hit us up in the comments and let us know what you think.
The game module and the rest too is a nice touch, is there a mandatory data pack?
Anyone actually planning on taking the plunge?
I think I’ll wait a week or two to see the reviews. It seems like it will be top-heavy when using the keyboard.
im going to get it later this month with NE2
This phone does not capture my interest its’s so ugly looking. Come on Verizon deploy the Blackberry Niagara 9630 ASAP.
Is This A SMARTPHONE?? Will I require a DATA plan? I have CONNECT PLAN now…
But I don’t think I will take the plunge cuz the camera is only 2Mp and it doesn’t have a 3.5 headphone jack….
Nice features, the bottom part of the phone reminds me of the LG Voyager quite a but actually. And i’d like to see that detachable keypad accessory
Hell no.
The features and design don’t justify the price. Compared to the iphone and storm, it only really wins in size and weight:
http://www.clashem.com/phones.php?id1=1188&id2=2&id3=717
Probably not enough to justify the price tag.
I never understood the appeal to this phone. So what if it has a detachable QWERTY keypad that is part of a bulky leather case? Since when has adding bulk been appealing when the phone should have the feature in the first place?
It seems to be just a repackaged Voyager, so why is everyone getting so excited about it?
I wouldn’t buy this oddball thing.
I have an LG Voyager. I looked at the Versa today. The physical qwerty keyboard didn’t have a send or end button. The virtual qwerty was no better than the dare. I’ll hang onto my Voyager.
I just picked one up for my brother today and for the price tag i am glad i bought my storm! I thought the keyboard was going to be off balance but it was actually very well designed!….
This is an interesting phone. My opinion of it would be a lot higher if not for one thing: In order to snap on the keyboard you have to remove the battery cover of the module. It would be a lot more appealing if you could simply hold onto the touchscreen core and slap on the keyboard at will, but nope!
it would be cool if they had a 8mp camera add on i would buy it for sure then
Why do CDMA phones always have such lousy cameras?
This phone Is stupid. Buy the onmia if u want a real phone
Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).
(Response to “buy the omnia”)
Yeah, and if you want a real data bill.
How was it gone unnoticed that this thing supports real flash in the browser? I mean you can go to anywebsite, and play videos, etc. This is crazy!! I am dumbfounded for a couple reasons… 1) Why would you put a breakthrough feature like this on THIS phone… and 2) Why isnt this THE story to talk about with this thing?
Bought my Versa yesterday after returning my 3 week old Blackberry Storm. The Versa has been WONDERFUL so far, especially in comparison to the nearly useless Storm.
The Versa’s qwerty keyboard is a dream. I have big klunky thumbs, but have penned out about 3 dozen texts so far without a problem. Can say with confidence that after using several touchscreen keyboards, I will NEVER use a touchscreen keyboard again. Again, the Versa’s detachable keyboard is simply wonderful so far.
Being an daily iTouch user, was surprised to see so many similarities between the menu touch operations between the Apple and LG Versa phones. I like the LG better, as it doesn’t feel NEARLY as fragile as the iPhone or iTouch. The Versa has a thickish and slightly heavy feel to it, but honestly, the durable black plastic cover surrounding the QWERTY keyboard attachment makes it feel like an armored electronic, not like the Granny’s fine china fear-of-holding feel of the Apple ISeries.
There is little or no hesitation switching between menus, in fact, there is almost no processing lag in any of the applications I’ve used so far.
I read that there was supposed to be a heavy monthly data charge that was mandatory for use with the Versa….but not so, the monthly data charge was a fraction of what the BB Storm or Palm products cost. I’m actually saving a good chunk of monthly data charge by switching to the Versa, and honestly the functionality of the Versa “modules” is better than any phone I’ve previously used.
The menu layout is intuitive. I really struggled to learn the Blackberry and Palm menus, but was up and running with the Versa almost instantaneously. Yeah, what a relief.
I have noticed that because of the great menu access, the speed of use of texting and emailing is WAY fast. The layout makes sense, and there’s no lag, so it’s easy to jet through tasks.
There’s a ton of thoughtful design in the setup menus, one that comes to mind is an “air travel” mode, which I guess allows you to shut down the cell radio of the Versa while still using it for other functions like music and reading. The setup menus are full of cool features that show cutting-edge consumer usefulness.
The camera has a ton of photography flexibility, and there is actually post-processing control over color and hue and contrast and brightness and cropping and lots of other stuff I used to have to do download to my computer to accomplish.
There aren’t a lot of games available yet, hopefully they’ll be available and affordable in time. The Verizon rep told me that a gaming attachment can be used in place of the qwerty keyboard, and that more cool detachable devices are in the works. Maybe that’s why they call it the Versa, ’cause it’s already the most versatile cell phone I’ve ever used.
Hey, in short, I’ve only had the Versa a day, but can say WITH CONFIDENCE that it’s EASILY the best cell phone I’ve ever owned, and I’ve had a ton of high end smart phones equivalent to Blackberry, Palm and Apple.
If there are shortfalls to the LG Versa, I haven’t found them yet. Heading out to get another one for my girlfriend just as soon as I hit send on this review.
B cool, everybody
Wild Bill
@ WILDBILL
Thank you so much for that, pretty thought out review. You have actually put me over the line of not getting this and getting it, I will be picking mine up tomorrow!
hmmm… that is one very positive review. can’t see this phone being a huge hit though. 2mp camera is pretty weak and it’s certainly limited in it’s capabilities in comparison to storm/omnia/touch pro. i’ll stick with my omnia for the time being. but i’ll give them credit for packing flash lite 3 in it.
I bought the Omnia and brought it back because I couldn’t get used to the keyboard. But I miss it. I wonder if the Versa can fill the void…
this phone is absolute garbage!!!!!!!!!
looks like something zack morris had on saved by the bell. the storm rocks and is by far the best verizon has to offer. all you whiners about the storm’s touch screen are obviously to technology illiterate to use a phone of such power.
versa has about as much of a shot at winning as the prick that killed his wife on american idol.
AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN
Remember that the Versa is not a smartphone. You cannot expect it to have the capabilities of the Storm, Omnia or Touch Pro. For people who do not want to pay for a data plan, just occasional internet access, this phone looks pretty decent to me. I may buy it.