LG Versa – Review March 2, 2009
Posted by Chaim Gartenberg in : Cell Phones, First Look/Reviews , trackback
Versa vs. Voyager
Well, it landed yesterday, and we’ve been discussing it for a while (see here)… But now I am fortunate enough to actually get my hands on a device to play with for a bit. So, without further ado, on to the the review!
Features Recap:
Well, you’ve been hearing about it for a while, but quick recap: it has all the standard Verizon phone stuff, with the exception of live-TV (something the Voyager has), whose absence has yet to be explained. The menu has been given a refresh with the home screen a focus in particular, having more customization options available.
So what makes the Versa stand out then? The “add-ons”. Out of the box, the Versa is a simple candybar phone with a touch screen… basically a Dare. But, after popping off the battery case, you can then attach the included keyboard to it – making it modular, and therefore easier to adapt to whatever you want to use it for.
My Take:
Touchscreen – Overall….meh. Basically the same touch-screen as the Voyager and Dare: its… OK. Is it totally unusable? No. But does it work particularly well? not really. For simple navigation and dialing, its not too bad. But if you want to type or text, stick with the vertical mode (num-pad, with 3 letters per button); horizontal typing is a mess: because the screen is so small (really about 2.5 by 1.5 inches) the keys are just too cramped for convenient use.
Software – Like the Voyager, but upgraded. Touch menus are better, and more usable. “3D” homescreen is cool, with the ability to have different homescreens with different shortcuts to things- very cool. Otherwise, pretty standard, but again, with the random loss of the Mobile TV, a disappointment considering its coolness on the Voyager.
Hardware – Alright, down to the real stuff now: the add-ons. Or, more correctly, “add-on”; there’s only one right now, the keyboard. So, after detaching the battery panel, and plugging in the keyboard, I began my tests. Immediately I noticed an additional homescreen popped up including shortcuts to keyboard-related stuff – notepad, internet, texting, IM, etc. Pretty Nice. Also, you can still use the Touchscreen while the keyboard is in.
Now, I figured that the best way at this point to evaluate the phone is to put it against the Voyager’s keyboard. First off, the keys are a bit more recessed then the Voyager, making it a little harder to type. Obviously, since the Versa’s keyboard is on the “lid” portion of the phone, its alot thinner – its a bit odd to have most of the weight on the screen, but the hinge supports it well. Additionally, as pointed out earlier, smaller phone = smaller keyboard. And finally, while you can’t access the touchscreen when the lid is closed, you can select and call numbers using the screen and call buttons on the outside of the lid.
Conclusion: On it’s own, the Versa isn’t a whole lot.. but when the add-on factor is added, the sheer versatility of the device and its multipurpose nature should make things interesting. However, right now, there isn’t a whole lot to look at in terms of the phone’s most compelling feature: the add ons. So I’m gonna reserve final verdict on it until I have more information. But for $200, in it’s current incarnation of a basically upgraded Voyager… its pretty nice.
Comments»
The versa is way better. You can draw on it like paint. I have the versa and my annoying sister has the voyager. I tried out both and Versa is the best.
I’m enjoying my Versa. I appreciate the detachable keypad because it also provides some protection in the event that I drop the phone, which could happen in my case. I think the only inconvenience is having to open it up to dial a number that was not recently dialed and then either talk with it open or close it up to talk. But overall I find it easy to use and loads of fun.
I guess one other concern I would have would be in accessing websites. Some are easier to access than others and it takes a while for some pages to load up. As I don’t have experience with other mobile broadband phones I don’t know how it is by comparison. Since accessing the web is not really important to me it will do me fine.
I have the lg versa, And it is great! Although I cAn’t decide to use the detachable keyboard or just the phone, it’s awesome. I would highly recomend it to All. Even the keys are pretty big, so… 10 out of 10
I just traded in my voyager for the versa – quite a few differences… I love the smaller, lighter size. I don’t particularly like the bronze – would prefer black. Hate the brown background on some screens that I can’t change. The Voyager had stereo speakers and these sound terrible in comparison. But overall I like the internet interface better, the multitude of favorites and shortcuts, and the fact that I can now charge on my computer with a USB! That’s HUGE. Automatic orientation is nice, kinda “I-phoney”, the display seems a LOT sharper. Just got it yesterday but I likee.
i’m deciding between dare and versa…my sis just got voyager but i’d alredy decided it was too big for my tastes
overall it seems from my experience at the verizon store and the above reviews that it’s pretty gud.
just wanted to know if anyone who has experience w/ dare and versa can help me…thanks!
I have the Versa and I do like it. I was thinking of trading up (I thought) to a Voyager, but after reading reviews it seems the Versay might just be the better phone. I’ll keep my Versa. By the way its fully flashed and not on Verizon and its still a good phone.