Manage updates with the Download AppLG VU - black (AT&T)
Manufacturer: LG Part number: CU920
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Despite a few quibbles with the touch screen, its full features and excellent performance make the LG Vu one of the hottest phones this year.
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CNET editors' review
LG VU - black (AT&T) price range: $59.95
- Reviewed by: Nicole Lee
- Reviewed on: 04/30/2008
- Released on: 04/30/2008
The good: The LG Vu is a super sexy touch-screen phone with a 3-inch display and haptic feedback. Features include AT&T Mobile TV, HSDPA speeds, a 2.0-megapixel camera, a full HTML browser, and quad-band support.
The bad: The LG Vu's camera lacks flash, and there's a learning curve involved with the touch screen. Streaming video was a little choppy as well.
The bottom line: Despite a few quibbles with the touch screen, its full features and excellent performance make the LG Vu one of the hottest phones this year.
User reviews
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Liking it more and more all the time...
by all-in2007 on May 19, 2008
Pros: Beauthiful screen, good interface, responsive touch screen, call quality, volume
Cons: screen washes out in bright light, wished the camera was better, price tag
Summary: You know, its funny sometimes. I was looking for a new cellphone as I had my last one for 2 years (Sony Ericsson w810i) and I wanted a smart phone ...
Summary: You know, its funny sometimes. I was looking for a new cellphone as I had my last one for 2 years (Sony Ericsson w810i) and I wanted a smart phone - or at least a smarter one....
So I get the info that the LG Vu is available and I run out to put one in my hand and check it out. Most of the reviews were very good and although my opinion of LG is lukewarm at best, I decided to strongly consider buying one. But when I got to the store and started playing with the phone and features I wasn't crazy about it. My wife has the iphone and I thought the VU was too light and I started to doubt the functionality. So I did one of those "store browsing things" and picked up the Tilt (but it has like 1 hour of battery life before it needs a charge) so I left the store. But before I totally left the mall, I went back into the AT&T store and gave it "one more chance". The guy at the store told me that there is a 30 day return policy, so I figured what the heck and bought it. I figured either great phone or return it. At $299 after rebates, it better be. And don't forget that you probably need a new memory card, phone case, and car charger (it comes with a wall charger). You may also want to get a data cable at Walmart or something. And also remember that before you leave the store you have to sign up for 2 years and add a data plan to you cellphone bill that will probably be between $15-$40 a month extra - depending on what extras you want to have.
All that being said, I've had the phone for about 5 days now and I think I am really starting to like it. Every day I find something else that it can do. So here's the scoop:
First off, the screen is beautiful. And even though the phone is lighter than you would expect, in this case its a good thing. It is solid without being heavy (plastic instead of metal). But if you're rough on your phones, buy a case or screen protectors. Into the phone usage, its very cool. The touch screen will be calibrated to your touch (in setup you adjust where you touch and how hard) and there is that vibrating feedback when keys are touched - also adjustable how hard it vibrates back to you.
Call clarity, volume, speakerphone, signal strength are all excellent. The menus are different from every one I've seen and do take a little while to get used to - and I consider myself to be very good with electronics and technology. But once you do, its smart and very easy to remember. The 3G for internet is MUCH faster than the 2G on my wife's iphone but there is no WIFI. If you're an iphone person, you have to push a button to get to landscape mode and there is no pinching (zoom button). You can access real web pages - still no flash.
I used the phone for Yahoo! email and it was excellent and easy. Texting messages on instant messenger and in regular texts takes some practice but gets easy in a hurry. The touchscreen keyboard is as good or better than the one on the iphone.
The camera and video camera are decent. If you are basing this phone on its picture taking capabilities - don't by the phone. Its ok. I wished it was more than 2MP. There is no flash or light. There are a bunch of options though - night vision (for still subjects only) is good, picture effects, editing etc. Not bad at all but could have been better.
The music player is much better than I thought it was going to be. I thought the Sony Ericsson phone I had before was very good. The music on the VU are loud and clear - as good or better than both the W810i and the iphone (which I think is overrated playing music). The headphones that come with the phone are pretty decent - which is a good thing because you can't plug in a regular headphone into the unit. The port for charging is the same for headphones and data transfer and is located just above the volume toggle. Its protected with a flimsy little plastic cover that I'm being very careful with because I'm afraid it will break - even though I haven't had a reason to worry yet.
Battery life is one thing I'm still debating over. The VU charges amazingly quick. Its around 1 1/2 hours for a full charge and the standby time is probably pretty accurate (I wouldn't know - I keep playing with everything). You can probably expect to get around 8 hours of just playing the MP3 player and about 4-5 hours of playing with everything else. Buy the car charger. 20 minutes in the car and you have enough standby for all day.
This review does not come with an opinion of the TV option. My area does not have that service yet but its supposed to come out later this year - we'll see. And for a extra cost. But from what I have seen, the reviews on that are that the picture is excellent and the tv is live. And as far as the antenna goes, its solid. You can bend it all over the place and it doesn't kink or anything - just don't get crazy.
Lastly, there are only 4 themes that come with the phone and some crappy ringtones. I did some checking out for some free ones and you can go to www.myxer.com and find whatever you need and even make them for yourself. The themes are weird - a butterfly that flies around and jumps when you push the screen around it and another with a fish that swims around - same thing. And the time and date on the main screen is moveable just by pushing it around with your finger. Side volume controls are easy on the side.
So the question is, am I going to keep this phone or return it? I am a little disappointed that there is not a bunch of applications available for it yet - but its so new that I'm not crying over that just yet. The website fixed my ringtone issue and there are things that I have just not used yet like the TV or voice dialing. I am happy to report that my Jawbone headset paired up very easily.
By the way, in your settings there is a 'connection' setting where you can adjust from music transfer to USB to data - when you hook up your phone to your computer it will work based on that setting for transferring data or music. There is no way to use your computer for your contacts or your calendar. Oh well.
Another bad thing is that in sunlight the screen can wash out - you may need to use your hand to cover the screen to see it.
Wow, this is a long review - sorry about that. I think I'm keeping this phone. Its really cool. Light in a good way. Its just the right size (iphone is too big). And it does everything!! I may update the review in another few weeks but I would recommend this phone to everyone. Pricetag is a little high and there is a bunch of new phones coming out - but for right now, this may be the coolest phone that you can buy right now. Try it for 30 days anyway to be sure - you'll probably go from feeling its ok, to pretty good to good to great to awesome - just like I did.35 out of 37 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Fantastic Phone!
by techgirl63 on May 27, 2008
Pros: Great touch screen that can be calbrated for your touch. Easy to use. Lightweight and compact. Qwerty typing isn't clunky like most boards. Great features. Every operation is easy to complete.
Cons: No GPS, Can not customize main screen for the icons you use most
Summary: I am a high tech person. I came from using a Blackberry 8820 and Razor v3i.This phone beats both as long as you don't need "office" type functions. ...
Summary: I am a high tech person. I came from using a Blackberry 8820 and Razor v3i.This phone beats both as long as you don't need "office" type functions. I did quite a bit of research before buying the LG Vu CU920.
The ability to switch from portrait view to landscape is a big bonus. And using landscape, you can then use the qwrty keyboard, which is much easier to type on than my Blackberry ever was.
While it's not an iphone...to me, it's better. It's smaller and lighter and personally I'd like to keep my ipod seperate from my phone. The only thing I do wish is that it had GPS. The addition of GPS would make it the ultimate phone.17 out of 19 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The VU is great from Here!
by johnnyphive on August 4, 2008
Pros: This is a PHONE first and foremost
Cons: its not an iphone??? but THATS a good thing!!
Summary: I had been agonizing for a few weeks since the iphone came out in early july. The iphone is awesome there is no question. BUT i wasn't 100% sure ...
Summary: I had been agonizing for a few weeks since the iphone came out in early july. The iphone is awesome there is no question. BUT i wasn't 100% sure i wanted it to be my PHONE. and thats what i wanted was a PHONE. Iphone no MMS??? come on that is basic, basic, basic. landscape querty?? not a deal breaker BUT def a deal maker for the VU. $30 dollar data package for the iphone? 15 for the VU. Which is smokin on 3g. The size is perfect. Oh and don't get fooled by the prototype pics. There is no clunky antenna. That was just in the very early models. now to the touch screen. Its not the iphone BUT its great just the same. The gentle vibrate response to touches is a nice "touch". I really like having the feedback when i press buttons on the screen. Again the iphone is missing that as well. Now i looked at the iphone first at the store and i just couldn't do it. it didn't floor me. its a novelty. THE LG VU is a PHONE. If you want your phone and ipod to be one device then thats really the only reason to get an iphone. If you want a awesome affordable and functioning touch screen phone then THE VU IS FOR YOU.
11 out of 12 users found this user opinion helpful.
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From an iPhone owner
by iamthewindrider on May 27, 2008
Pros: Responsive Diplay, Nice 2 MP Camera, FLo TV aslo very cool.
Cons: Nothing Free, no flash, no wi-fi capability...no built in storage.
Summary: Well, I lost my iPhone , and found myself struggling to find something comparable.While the iPhone was great, I felt somewhat limited by the inability to send MMS on a ...
Summary: Well, I lost my iPhone , and found myself struggling to find something comparable.While the iPhone was great, I felt somewhat limited by the inability to send MMS on a multimedia phone.
No FRILLS.
Everything is trial or costs extra for this phone, its pretty ridiculous. 2.95 a month to use myspace mobile, another 2.95 a month to get weather forecast, and the list goes on. its really just sad, (all options free on the iPhone). when you pay 549 retail for a phone you expect something. This phone comes with 120MB internal memory, expandable up to 8GB with a micro SD Card. Wait I pay 600 bucks for a phone and have to buy memory!? (Yes, yes you do).
The FloTV doesn't make up for anything, with its repetitive programing, and lack of channel options. (close captioning would be nice).
If you have an iPhone hold out for something better the phone is nice, lightweight, and has great potential. But the programmers at LG aren't offering anything applet wise. For all the iPhone's limitations, there is a lot to say for everything they make available to you, not to mention the built in storage.14 out of 21 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Enjoying the new phone
by timduggins on May 23, 2008
Pros: Like this one better than IPhone.
Cons: Will not "zoom" the viewed page like IPhone
Summary: I have played with the IPhone and I have many dislikes about it, non stereo Bluetooth, poor reception, etc...
This LG-Vu seems to have one up'ed the IPhone. Most ...Summary: I have played with the IPhone and I have many dislikes about it, non stereo Bluetooth, poor reception, etc...
This LG-Vu seems to have one up'ed the IPhone. Most of what I didn't like about that one has been resolved in this LG offering. The ringer is loud if need be. The speaker is plenty loud, was using it today in car with windows down, and no officer I was able to keep it on my lap while talking. It could have a more plesent scrolling feature, the display does have minor quirks and the zoom in/out feature as on the IPhone is missing. However I being a large guy with large fingers have no problems dialing or texting with this keypad. All in all a very nice little phone.8 out of 10 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Good touchscreen, great voice command, terrible bluetooth
by spliefer on June 9, 2008
Pros: The voice command works great. The touchscreen is easy to use and find all functions. I like the vibrate feature. The music player is a great feature and sounds great without a headphone.
Cons: The lock button goes on to quickly while calling a # and needing to dial an extention. The bluetooth feature freezes up or does not work.
Summary: So, this is a pretty pricey phone. I like the music feature and that you can download music via bluetooth, yes this feature works great! The touchscreen is the reason ...
Summary: So, this is a pretty pricey phone. I like the music feature and that you can download music via bluetooth, yes this feature works great! The touchscreen is the reason I bought this phone. Messaging is great but when using the keyboard function you need to have toothpick fingers to hit the keys.
The big problem with this phone... The bluetooth function either can not connect to a device or keeps trying to connect to a device on the list. I do not think this phone was set up to have multiple bluetooth devices. I exchanged the phone twice and than went with a Blackberry Curve, it connects to all my bluetooth devices.
So, if you are looking for a multi function phone and do not require bluetooth, go for it.6 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
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I really like this phone!
by dianasreviews on January 3, 2009
Pros: I really like the touch screen, size, it has everything I want. I got it at my AT &T store for $129.00 and that included the bluetooth headset, home charger, car charger and leather case! AT &T is having a big sale on LG's right now.
Cons: Haven't found any yet. Some of the things other reviewers claimed are not accurate. I will explain. I like not having to get a data plan with my service like you do with the iphone.
Summary: One complaint is about the screen lock. There is a place in settings where you can change this default. You can set it to 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 45 seconds ...
Summary: One complaint is about the screen lock. There is a place in settings where you can change this default. You can set it to 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 45 seconds or one minute. Or... you can TURN IT OFF completely if you wish.
The other thing was about not being able to set special ringtones for your contacts. You can do this - I did already. But you must have your contacts saved to your phone to do it. If the contact is only saved to your sim card you won't have the option. You can also set a picture to display as a caller ID for your contacts if you want to.5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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A good substitute for the Iphone
by msuspar2003 on December 1, 2008
Pros: The 3in touch screen is amazing. full sized keyboard and works pretty well. Can stick a Micro SD Card in it for making your own ringtones. Simple to use and laid out well. Battery life is much better than Iphone.
Cons: When adding contacts you can switch to the full sized keyboard. The ringtones and wallpapers are lacking anything good but with adding a micro sd card that isnt much of a problem. No Wi-Fi
Summary: The Iphone gets all the hype but to use all its features you pay through the nose with the plans. If you still want a nice touch screen with many ...
Summary: The Iphone gets all the hype but to use all its features you pay through the nose with the plans. If you still want a nice touch screen with many features then this is your best bet. Think a data plan for the Vu is half of what the Iphone is too.
5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Not worth it.
by yumyummss on December 19, 2008
Pros: cute design. very simple. perfect for the technologically-disabled. T.V feature is great if you wanna pay $35 a month for it.
Cons: very short battery, scattered menu, very little memory, almost no features,
Summary: battery life - sucks. worst than any phone that's come out in the past 5 years.
it's always on 3 bars of full battery. and out of nowhere, ...Summary: battery life - sucks. worst than any phone that's come out in the past 5 years.
it's always on 3 bars of full battery. and out of nowhere, you find out your phone is close to dying.
camera - works great under sunlight. but has really bad quality indoors.
menu - you can't choose what goes in the shortcuts menu. and it all just seems to be scattered around. no customizing option whatsoever
scrolling - the scroll bars are way too tiny to even use for scrolling. and if you try to use the screen to scroll you end up clicking something else by accident
texting - i have to resend any text that's over a page long at least 2 or 3 times before it actually goes through.
memory - very little space. texts get full way too soon
alarm clock - if your ring tone is on vibrate, even if you set an alarm tone, it will still vibrate. the only way to get the alarm to actually make a sound loud enough to wake you, is to turn up the ring tone for the phone calls
screen - you can't see anything under sunlight. especially with some of the themes.
basically, it's the phone for those who are technologically-disabled. it's only feature is that it's touch screen. everything else is too simple and too boring4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great phone! Works very well and is fun
by jekkie212 on November 19, 2008
Pros: Touch screen is fabulous, excellent picture, great for texting
Cons: Not customizable at all.
Summary: I love this phone and use it mainly for calling and texting. The video and camera features are great. I can't get past the fact the phone won't ...
Summary: I love this phone and use it mainly for calling and texting. The video and camera features are great. I can't get past the fact the phone won't let you create your own shortcuts or customize your settings much. The texting features are good, but you are always having to reset your text input to your preference instead of it saving your last preference. The alarm function is good, but you have to keep resetting the alarm tone each time because it is default set to the AT&T ring and it won't keep your last ring choice. I love the volume buttons on the side, very easy and accessible for if you want a quick change in setting like if you go into a movie or something. Reception is good and people can hear your voice easily on their phones. I haven't decided how well I can hear people on the phone. Not as good I would say as a nokia phone, but still better than most. The phone is light but feels sturdy. I wish there could be a way to answer an incoming call with the touchscreen, but understand why that feature is not the best choice. Overall a great phone, just irks me that it is uncustomizable to a user's preference. Grr!
4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: LG
- Part number: CU920
- Description: With the sleek and stunning Vu by LG, you can see the world in a whole light - check out crystal clear TV, web, pictures, or videos on a large, intuitive touch screen. Get the utmost in mobile entertainment with a music player, 2.0 megapixel camera, video share and Bluetooth capabilities. You can go anywhere or do anything with just a simple touch. The Vu is the perfect blend of design and technology that will give you an innovative perspective on life!
General
- Packaged Quantity 1
- Product Type Cellular phone
- Form Factor Touch
- Integrated Components Digital camera,
Digital player,
Digital TV tuner,
Voice recorder - Antenna Internal
- Width 2.1 in
- Depth 0.5 in
- Height 4.3 in
- Weight 3.2 oz
Cellular
- Technology WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM
- Band WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900
- Mobile Broadband Generation 3G
- Service Provider AT&T
- Software Platforms Supported Java,
Java MIDP 2.0 - Input Device(s) Touch sensitive screen
Messaging & Internet
- Cellular Messaging Services MMS,
SMS - Instant Messaging Services Yahoo! Messenger,
AOL Instant Messenger Service (AIM),
Windows Live Messenger (MSN Messenger) - Mobile Services AT&T Mobile TV with FLO,
XM Radio streaming,
eMusic,
AT&T Music Communications
- Data Transmission GPRS,
EDGE,
HSDPA - Wireless Interface Bluetooth
- Communication Features Internet browser,
Mobile Email client Phone Features
- Phone Functions Call timer,
Conference call,
Speakerphone,
Vibrating alert - Polyphonic Ringer Yes
- Additional Features TTY compatible
Organizer
- Personal Information Management Calendar,
Calculator,
Unit conversion,
Stopwatch,
Reminder,
Alarm clock
Media Player
- Supported Digital Audio Standards MP3,
WMA,
AAC - Supported Digital Video Standards MPEG-4,
3GP Memory
- User Memory 120 MB
- Supported Flash Memory Cards microSD
Digital Camera
- Sensor Resolution 2 megapixels
- Still Image Resolutions 320 x 240,
640 x 480,
1280 x 960,
1600 x 1200,
160 x 120 - Focus Adjustment Automatic
- Digital Zoom 2
- Video Recorder Resolutions 176 x 144 (QCIF),
320 x 240 (QVGA) - Features Self-portrait mirror
Display
- Type LCD display
- Technology TFT
- Diagonal Size 3 in
- Display Resolution 240 x 400 pixels
- Color Depth 18-bit (262000 Colors)
- Features LCD touch screen
Battery
- Technology Lithium polymer
- Capacity 1000 mAh
- Run Time Details Talk - up to 180 min,
Standby - up to 250 hour(s) Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories Power adapter , Power adapter
Accessories
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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