LG Accolade VX5600 - grey (Verizon Wireless)
Manufacturer: LG Part number: Accolade
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The LG Accolade isn't the best camera phone, but it succeeds where a cell phone should.
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CNET editors' review
LG Accolade VX5600 - grey (Verizon Wireless) price range: $34.99
- Reviewed by: Kent German
- Reviewed on: 03/16/2010
- Released on: 02/14/2010
The good: The LG Accolade is well made and offers agreeable performance. The feature set is functional.
The bad: The LG Accolade doesn't record video and photo quality is unremarkable. Speakerphone quality is a bit distorted.
The bottom line: The LG Accolade isn't the best camera phone, but it succeeds where a cell phone should.
In their long history together, LG and Verizon Wireless have given us more than their share of quality handsets. From high-end handsets like the LG Chocolate Touch to simple models like the VX5400, we've been mostly pleased with what we've seen. The new LG Accolade VX5600 is closer to the latter, but it also meets with our approval. It's not our pick for a camera phone, but it has an easy-to-use design, good performance, and a feature set that focuses on the essentials. And at $50 with service, or free online with an additional discount, it's fairly priced. Even if you pay the full price of $199, it's still a good buy.
Design
The Accolade has a common flip phone design that doesn't make an effort to stand out. The minimalist blue-gray color scheme is broken only by a mirrored plate on the top of the front flap. The mirror catches the light and serves as a rudimentary compact, but it's also a magnet for fingerprints and smudges.
The external display sits in the middle of the mirrored section. Though it's a bit smaller than we'd prefer (1.04 inches), it has a decent resolution (96x64 pixels; 65,000 colors). Besides displaying the date, time, battery life, signal strength, and photo caller ID, it also works as a viewfinder for self portraits. You can change the backlight time and clock style. The camera lens sits above the display, and the Accolade does not have a camera flash.
The left spine has the majority of external controls. You'll find a 2.5mm headset jack, the volume rocker, a voice-dialing control, and a micro-USB port for the charger and USB cable. Over on the left spine there's just a camera shutter. The Accolade's skin is plastic, but it has a relatively sturdy feel and the hinge is stiff. It's also compact (3.56 inches long by 1.83 inches wide by 0.72 inch deep) and portable (3 ounces).
The internal display is also a bit small for the phone's size (1.76 inches), but like its external sibling, it has a rich resolution (220x176 pixels) and vibrant colors (262,000 hues). Graphics and photos look good and we could navigate the menus easily. You can choose from three menu designs (list, tabs, and icons) and you can customize some menu choices. Other customization options include banners, wallpaper, display themes, the font type, and font size.
The navigation array is spacious and comfortable. You'll find a four-way toggle with a central OK button, two soft keys, a dedicated speakerphone control (nice), a clear button, and the Talk and End/power keys. All controls are slightly raised, so we were able to use them by feel. The keypad buttons are spacious as well, and we appreciated the large backlit numbers (an LG trademark). The letters on the keys are smaller, but most users shouldn't have a problem. We could dial and text quickly without making mistakes.
Features
The Accolade has a 1,000-contact phone book with room in each entry for five phone numbers, two e-mail addresses, a street address, an IM screen name, and notes. You can save callers to groups and pair individual contacts with a photo and one of 25 polyphonic ringtones. Other basics include text and multimedia messaging, a calculator, a tip calculator, a calendar, a to-do list, an alarm clock, a stopwatch, a speakerphone, a world clock, and a notepad.
Beyond the essentials, the Accolade offers a functional assortment of features. You get Bluetooth, speaker-independent voice commands and dialing, a universal search feature, direct access to Bing Mobile (Microsoft sure has its fingers in lots of pies), support for VZ Navigator and Verizon's Family Locater, Web-based POP3 e-mail, an airplane mode, USB mass storage, and PC syncing. You also can set the phone to read out numbers as you type the on the keypad.
The 1.3-megapixel camera takes pictures in thee resolutions (1,280x960 pixels, 640x480 pixels, and 320x240 pixels). You also can use a self-timer, the 2x digital zoom, a brightness meter, a night mode and a noise reduction feature, and choose from four white-balance settings, four color effects, and three shutter sounds, plus a silent option. And for really advanced shutterbugs, there's an option for spot metering. The Accolade does not record video.
Photo quality is just average. Our images were dark even when we had enough light, and colors were muted. Image noise was kept to a minimum, though. When finished shooting, you can transfer your images off the phone or save them to the internal memory. The Accolade has about 15MB of user-accessible storage. It doesn't come with any games, but you can download BREW titles and additional customization options via the WAP 2.0 browser.
Performance
We tested the dual-band (CDMA 800/1900) in San Francisco using Verizon Wireless service. Call quality was satisfactory all around. The signal was strong and clear, the volume was loud, and our callers sounded natural. We could talk in a variety of environments and we didn't encounter static or interference from other electronic devices. If we had one complaint, and this is minor, it's that some callers sounded breathy at the highest volume levels.
Our callers were pleased, as well. Though they could tell that we were using a cell phone, they didn't report any significant problems. They could understand us even when we were speaking in a noisy place and they said that background sounds were kept to a minimum. Speakerphone quality wasn't quite as sharp. The volume was loud, but voices were a bit distorted. Bluetooth headset calls were fine. The Accolade is compatible with M4/T4 hearing aids.
The Accolade has a rated battery life of 7.6 hours talk time and 28.3 days standby time. It has a tested talk time of 7 hours and 17 minutes. According to FCC radiation tests, the Accolade has a digital SAR of 1.01 watts per kilogram.
User reviews
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Basic Mobile phone that works! No bells no whistles!
by user78245 on March 29, 2010
Pros: -Clear calls, great Signal
-Awesome Battery life
-Spacious Lit KeypadCons: -No games included
-Not flashySummary: The LG Accolade is an awesome basic phone. I had so many phones and none hold battery charge like this one. After fully charging, the phone lasted 5 days without ...
Summary: The LG Accolade is an awesome basic phone. I had so many phones and none hold battery charge like this one. After fully charging, the phone lasted 5 days without a charge and still had one bar but decided to charge before it died. The calls are crystal clear and get signal almost everywhere. The keypad is spacious to dial and because is lit, is easy to use in the darkness. The included ringtones are no good but was able to get some free real ringtones without a problem. Truth is no matter how basic you want your phone you should still be able to customize it a little. It has no games and doubt people will be crazy about your phone. It is a basic phone for talk and lower level text. Obviously not recommend for heavy texters.
For basic mobile phone is the best I ever had.4 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The anti-smartphone for smart people
by garciaog on May 14, 2011
Pros: -very compact (slides in a pocket)
-battery life is excellent (at least three days before recharge)
-sleek exterior design
-easy to operateCons: front display doesn't display 24-hour clock (military time), but the inside display does?
animated wallpaper only has two selectionsSummary: Smartphones are sexy. The initial cost and required monthly dues to have one are not. It pains me to type this because I see so many of them around and ...
Summary: Smartphones are sexy. The initial cost and required monthly dues to have one are not. It pains me to type this because I see so many of them around and I would like to have one, but I don't have any realistic reason to have one. I also get to keep more of my hard-earned pay by having a simple phone. Also, I see so many people that have the latest smartphone that can barely afford to keep a roof over their head. Enough sociological banter.
Enter the LG Accolade(VX5600). One of only a handful of "feature" phones that Verizon sells anymore. It's small, fits anywhere, and doesn't cost anything...literally (with two year contract). It's durable (no large screen to scratch or break), and probably won't get stolen as quickly as an iPhone (or at all) if left unattended. You can text on it, but you can't play Angry Birds. Voice clarity is good and it has a loud speakerphone. It has Bluetooth, if you must have something modern. There's no virtual keyboard to mistype on or QWERTY keyboard to fat-finger. I guess it is a nice phone.
The battery lasts about three days, but you can't check Facebook or Twitter. I think you can check email on it, but I won't.
Funny, this would have been the top of the cell phone sales charts a few short years ago. What I am curious about is what will overtake the current smartphones in a few years.
If you want a simple, durable, sleek phone that fits in your pocket and doesn't need to be charged for days on end, this is your phone.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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i got a similar phone from Net10
by RickyJ954 on November 23, 2010
Pros: I got a similar phone from net 10 for only $25. The reception is perfect and the phone is durable
Cons: no cons so far
Summary: my LG from Net10 has been the best experience I have had with a cell phone carrier. For $50/month i receive unlimited talk, text and web.
Summary: my LG from Net10 has been the best experience I have had with a cell phone carrier. For $50/month i receive unlimited talk, text and web.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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I like this phone.It's simple yet does everything
by trobis33 on October 3, 2010
Pros: I think it's worth the money and then some.
Cons: I can't really complainas of yet
Summary: I think if you want a cell phone for talking and foe communication you can depend on this product for that.
Summary: I think if you want a cell phone for talking and foe communication you can depend on this product for that.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Way too fragile
by ion4cnet on September 28, 2010
Pros: Cheap, but you get what you pay for
Cons: Like several other folks in these reviews, the front screen broke after just a few months for no apparent reason. My previous phone lasted 3 years, this one is just too fragile.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Badly designed for pocket phone
by cutatree on June 11, 2010
Pros: notthing over the old LG I had
Cons: the front screen broke after 2 weeks was told it was not covered under warranty. told it was due to impact. back to old LG which in 2 plus years I dropped numerous times and was in the same pocket with no il effects
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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OK Quality big keys, decent display, bad menu interface
by STN16 on March 1, 2010
Pros: It has great call quality, the sound is great, the speaker isn't that loud, the mic is decent people on the other end said they could hear me just fine. The display is decent, it has a 1.3mp camera, great battery life, and is slim and sleek.
Cons: Tough to open with my ring finger like I usually do. I drop it cause it's so sleek. The menu is terrible. Odd place to put a clr button. When I open it I often hit the side mounted camera button. Cant close and talk on speaker.
Summary: I like this little phone, its small and will fit in my pockets with ease. Its got a large keypad, none of this QWERTY stuff. I dont have to worry ...
Summary: I like this little phone, its small and will fit in my pockets with ease. Its got a large keypad, none of this QWERTY stuff. I dont have to worry about my keys or change scratching the display. She looks like she can take a beating. It has great battery life. The call quality is much better than my previous phone. And with the mail-in rebate you only pay tax, so about 15 bucks. Decent phone for the poor college kid, whose old phone slipped out of his pocket when riding his motorcycle home.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Phone that is a good phone and nothing more
by csandvig on July 3, 2010
Pros: Small and light, good reception, fine sound quality, voice commands work well, battery lasts two days between charges, usual features. My wife has a "smart phone" and is jealous of its small size compared to her gigantic do-everything phone.
Cons: Verizon provides a very limited number of ring tones with the phone. This is not a problem with the phone but with Verizon's revenue model.
Summary: If you're looking for a small and light phone this is a good choice.
Summary: If you're looking for a small and light phone this is a good choice.
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Voice/audio quality is simply awful.
by readyset on June 20, 2010
Pros: Camera takes nice pictures.
Cons: Worst sound quality imaginable. Takes nice pix, but controls are too easily activated. Great if you want to take pictures of the inside of your jean pocket.
Summary: Sounds like a transistor radio from 50 years ago.
Summary: Sounds like a transistor radio from 50 years ago.
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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It's a phone, nothing more
by jobro316 on June 3, 2010
Pros: The Accolade is a good compact phone, it slips easily into my pocket, and once I got used to the interface, it was reasonably easy to use. It does mostly what you should expect from a cheap flip phone.
Cons: For starters the Accolade's overall design is too sleek, I have not only dropped it several times, but opening it can be a real pain. especially compared to other flip phones I have had. (Cons continued below since I ran out of characters)
Summary: (Cons continued)
Another problem I have had is the limited functionality of the Bluetooth, it seems as though you can do hardly anything with it. The Accolade also comes with ...Summary: (Cons continued)
Another problem I have had is the limited functionality of the Bluetooth, it seems as though you can do hardly anything with it. The Accolade also comes with a USB cable, but I have found no way of connecting it to my computer. My other major beef with the Accolade has to do with the front display. Both my phone and my sisters have cracked for no apparent reason. there is no damage to either the exterior of the phone or the main screen on the inside. For example, I made a call and then put the phone in the pocket of my shorts before I mowed the lawn. When I finished I pulled it out to check the time and my front screen was broken. A similar thing happened to my sister.
(Bottom-line summary)
Mostly, the phone does what a phone should, it places and receives calls and text messages, however, the problems I have had with it: spontaneously cracking screens, limited Bluetooth capabilities, dysfunctional computer connectivity, and slippery design, not to mention the fact that as an upgrade it does almost nothing more than my old, unbroken, also free phone did. Mostly, it's a phone, nothing more.1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: LG
- Part number: Accolade
- Description: Let's face it, you don't need a mobile phone with a lot of bells and whistles. You need a reliable, easy-to-use handset that can help make your hectic day a little less hectic. The LG Accolade is a small but mighty flip phone with a compact design that's easy to tuck in a pocket or toss in a handbag. Inside, LG Accolade has all the essential features you need to help keep your family on schedule and your life on track...
General
- Product Type Cellular phone
- Form Factor Folder (flip)
- Phone Design Flip
- Integrated Components Voice recorder,
Digital camera - Antenna Internal
- Width 1.8 in
- Depth 0.7 in
- Height 3.5 in
- Weight 3.3 oz
- Body Color Blue
- Image Color Disclaimer The image of the product displayed may be of a different color
Cellular
- Technology CDMA2000 1X
- Band CDMA2000 1X 1900/800
- Service Provider Verizon Wireless
Messaging & Internet
- Cellular Messaging Services SMS,
MMS - WAP Protocol Supported WAP 2.0
- Messaging & Data Features Text messages,
Picture messages,
E-Mail,
Voice mail,
Voice messages Communications
- Wireless Interface Bluetooth 2.1 EDR
- Bluetooth Profiles Object Push Profile (OPP),
Hands Free Profile (HFP),
Phonebook Access Profile (PBAP) - Communication Features Internet browser
Phone Features
- Phone Functions Call timer,
Conference call,
Flight mode,
Speakerphone,
Vibrating alert - Ring Tones 25
- Polyphonic Ringer Yes
- Additional Features World clock,
TTY compatible,
Software updates FOTA (Firmware Over The Air) Organizer
- Personal Information Management Calendar,
Calculator,
Stopwatch,
Reminder,
Alarm clock - Phone Book Entries Qty 1000
Digital Camera
- Sensor Resolution 1.3 megapixels
- Still Image Resolutions 1280 x 960,
320 x 240,
640 x 480 - Digital Zoom 2
- Self Timer Delay 10 sec,
5 sec,
3 sec - White Balance Presets
- Features Self-portrait mirror
Navigation System
- GPS Navigation - Simultaneous GPS (S-GPS)
- Navigation Software & Services VZ Navigator
Display
- Type LCD display - Color
- Technology TFT
- Diagonal Size 1.76 in
- Display Resolution 176 x 220 pixels
- Color Depth 18-bit (262000 Colors)
Display (2nd)
- Type LCD display - Color
- Diagonal Size 1.04 in
- Display Resolution 96 x 64 pixels
- Color Depth 16-bit (65000 colors)
Connections
- Connector Type Micro-USB
Battery
- Technology Lithium ion
- Capacity 1000 mAh
- Run Time Details Talk ( CDMA ) - up to 460 min,
Standby ( CDMA ) - up to 679 hour(s) Miscellaneous
- Compliant Standards HAC(Hearing Aid Compatible)
- Included Accessories Power adapter , Power adapter
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse LG products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:LG
- Address:
1000 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
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