This feature-packed CDMA phone sports a dual-face clamshell design that opens to reveal a QWERTY keyboard and large QVGA+ display. Key features include Bluetooth, EV-DO high-speed data, streaming video, a 1.3 megapixel camera with QVGA video capture, miniSD memory card slot, MP3 player, stereo speakers, business-card scanner, and speaker-independent voice control

Modes : CDMA 850 / CDMA 1900
Weight : 5.19 oz (147 g)
Dimensions : 4.57" x 1.97" x 1" (116 x 50 x 25.4 mm)
Form Factor Clamshell "sideways" clamshell opens for productivity & multimedia mode / bar-style for phone mode
Internal Antenna
Battery Life Talk : 4.2 hours (250 minutes)
Standby : 199 hours (8.3 days)
Battery Type : LiPolymer 1300 mAh
Display Type : LCD (Color TFT/TFD)
Colors : 262,144 (18-bit)
Resolution : 320 x 256 pixels
Memory 128 MB (built-in, flash shared memory)
Phone Book Capacity 1000

Design
Reasonably-sized when closed, the LG VX9800 measures 116 x 50 x 25 mm, larger and thicker than most standard phones to fit the QWERTY keypad. Weighing 147 g, the VX9800 is a bit heavier as well.

While closed, the front panel features a bright 65K-color screen, capable of displaying vivid photos and videos conveniently. A fully-functional phone with a 5-way navigational keypad, users never have to open the VX9800 to access features and functionality. Additionally, its numeric keypad can be used for T9 predictive text messaging.

On the back, the lens to the 1.3-megapixel camera is positioned to capture lasting memories. Nearby a built-in flash can be triggered to ensure those recollections show up bright and clear even in low-light conditions.

Triggered by the Camera Key situated on the left side, additional quick keys provide convenient shortcuts through controlling ringtone and speaker volumes during standby and calling modes. Meanwhile, a miniSD expansion card slot and 2.5mm headphone jack are positioned on the right side. A charger port is located on the bottom.

Similar to the F9100, the VX9800's QWERTY keypad is hidden beneath to minimize size. However instead of a sliding mechanism, the VX9800 uses a more conventional horizontal clamshell design. Opening the VX9800 reveals its state-of-the-art 262K-color screen, able to display graphics at an enormous 320 x 256 px in size. Dual external speakers line both sides of the screen, providing rich and full sounds such as when watching videos the Verizon's VCAST service.

A familiar 5-way navigational keypad to the left of the QWERTY keypad is flanked by Send, End, and CLR keys. Two softkeys are located on the top provide convenient access to shortcuts. Conventionally laid out, the VX9800's spacious keyboard is wonderful to use; allowing more comfortable and quicker typing with a more tactile feel and touch. Paired with predictive text, users will be able to text message, email, and chat faster than ever before

Camera
Turning over the VX9800, the lens to the 1.3-megapixel CMOS camera is revealed. Similar to the VX8100's camera, the VX9800 can take pictures at up to 1280 x 960 px in size, high enough in resolution to make adequate prints. To save memory, additional resolutions include 640 x 480 px, 320 x 240 px, 176 x 144 px, and 160 x 120 px.

Activating Camera Mode, the LG VX9800's internal screen becomes the viewfinder with the lower portion displaying useful information such as zoom, resolution, and available memory. Using the directional keypad users can adjust the Brightness Level (Up / Down) and 4x Digital Zoom (Left / Right).

Additionally, an abundant array of camera filters and effects are included such as White Balance (Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent), Color Effects (Normal, Sepia, Black and White, Negative, Solari), Self-Timer (3, 5, and 10 seconds), Night Mode, and Flash.

Encoded in 3GP2 codec (MPEG-4 and H.263 Video, AAC, AMR, and QCELP Audio) format, video clips up to 320 x 240 px in resolution can be recorded. Limited to 15 seconds in length and 15 frames-per-second, the VX9800 takes advantage of MPEG-4 for delivery of video and audio. Video adjustment settings include Brightness, and White Balance. Computer playback for clips requires QuickTime 6.5.

Basic Features
While exhibiting some smartphone-like qualities, it should be noted that the VX9800 does not have an operating system. Using an LG user interface, the VX9800 is powered by an advanced Qualcomm MSM6550 chipset, optimized for Verizon Wireless' 3G network. Built on an all digital dual-band CDMA (800 / 1900 MHz) network, consumers who rely heavily on analog should be wary.

LG rated the VX9800's 1300 mAh Li-Polymer battery at 4.16 hours and 199 hours (8.3 days) of talk and standby times respectively. However, those are under optimal conditions. Handset manufacturers and carriers often list talk-time and standby-time ratings with disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times.

Screen
Boasting dual eye-catching color displays, the LG VX9800 adds a bit of color to life. Having a 0.162 dot pitch, the external LCD displays 65K-colors at 128 x 160 px in resolution; quite large for an auxiliary screen and the size of many main LCDs on handhelds on the market.

But the VX9800's main screen is hidden underneath. Revealed, the internal LCD's state-of-the-art 262K-color screen is breathtaking. An enormous 256 x 320 px in resolution and having a 0.135 dot pitch, the VX9800's internal screen is truly second to none.

Both being built from TFT technology, refresh rates are quick and colors are vibrant. Needed for intense multimedia applications, TV viewing, photo taking, and text messaging, the VX9800 is very comfortable on the eyes.

Audio
Including a built-in MP3 player with customizable equalizer, hours of music can be enjoyed on the VX9800 without having to bring an extra device. Supporting handsfree stereo audio, the VX9800 has a standard 2.5mm headset jack so users can listen privately without disturbing others.

To share the music, the VX9800's dual surround sound speakers provide consumers with a wonderful open-air listening experience. Located beside the internal LCD, the speakers provide a TV-like experience when using Verizon Wireless' VCAST service.

Featuring advanced speaker-independent voice recognition (English and Spanish), the VX9800 also supports text-to-speech (English) and full-duplex speakerphone functionality.

Messaging
Opening the VX9800 activates the messaging features, supporting SMS (Short Messaging Service), EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service), and MMS (Multimedia Message Service).

Combined with Verizon's 3G EV-DO service, multimedia messaging is taken one step further, for a new level of versatility not found in other devices. With broadband-like speeds, users can send large video clips and high-resolution photos. So whether it's a vacation postcard message with an attached video clip, or an unexpected moment captured with the 1.3-megapixel camera, the VX9800 allows consumers to send personalized messages with high-quality multimedia like never before.

With T9 predictive text messages can be typed quicker as well. Choosing from a dictionary of words and phrases, the VX9800 anticipates what is being written, allowing one-press messaging for added convenience.

Supporting the latest instant messaging platforms, the VX9800 also allows users to log into AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, and ICQ. As the main attraction of the VX9800, being labeled the instant messaging phone, unparalleled communication options keep users in touch with friends and family no matter where they are in the world.

Entertainment
The LG VX9800 features standard PIM (Personal Information Management) applications found on most devices including a Calendar, Scheduler, Alarm Clock, and Notepad and tools such as World Clock, Calculator, and Ez Tip Calc.

Also incorporating mobile email, users can access Hotmail, AOL and Yahoo! email and third party accounts through POP3, IMAP4, and SMTP protocols.

Unfortunately with the lack of an OS, the VX9800 is mostly limited to preinstalled software. Fortunately though, the VX9800 supports downloadable Java-based applications through BREW (Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless).

Using BREW, users can transfer and install games and applications from the web or PC. Created by many third party developers, an abundance of programs are already on the web.

With Verizon's EV-DO broadband service, consumers can also take advantage of 3D games reminiscent of 90s consoles.

Currently a few games in a wide range of genres are available including EverQuest: Hero's Call, Frogger, JAMDAT Bowling, Name That Tune, NBA Basketball 2005, Suzuki Motocross Challenge, SpongeBob Darts.

Internet
EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) allows consumers to theoretically browse the Internet on the VX9800's Openwave UP 6.2.3 browser, stream videos, and transfer high-resolution photos at DSL speeds of up to 2.4 Mbps. However, realistic rates are more around the range of 300 to 500 kbps.

Providing live and prerecorded TV programs, VCAST allows users to stream clips from news and entertainment from such programs as ABC News, CNBC, MSNBC, the Weather Channel, the News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox studio, and Viacom Inc.'s VH1 and Comedy Central cable channels. Also capable of Video-On-Demand, by selecting preferences for favorite shows, subscribers can receive text messages alerting them when new videos are available for viewing.

Storage
Storing high-quality multimedia takes a considerable amount of memory. And with enough space for plenty of videos and hours of music, the VX9800 comes with an extraordinary 128 MB of internal memory and a miniSD memory expansion slot for additional storage with optional cards.

Connectivity
Supporting profiles for a variety of Bluetooth-enabled devices including headsets and many new vehicles, users can pair the VX9800 to objects within a 10 meter radius.

Notorious for disabling OBEX (Object Exchange) profile support, Verizon Wireless took the unprecedented step of allowing users to connect the VX9800 to a laptop, allowing wireless transfer of data and multimedia. Synchronizing applications, consumers can use an external USB cable or go wirelessly through Verizon Wireless (Wireless Sync) for a $10 monthly subscription fee plus airtime.

Conclusion
With all the problems the LG F9100 and Motorola A630 faced, QWERTY devices always seemed to specialize on text messaging with severe gaps in multimedia. Catering to the unique demographic, those devices usually sold poorly appealing to the specific niche.

Not with the VX9800. Not only is it a very capable text messaging device with full QWERTY keyboard, but it also boasts an excellent 1.3-megapixel camera, MP3 player with dual external speakers, EV-DO high speed broadband capabilities, miniSD expansion slot, and unrestricted Bluetooth connectivity.

With so many strengths in imaging, audio, messaging, storage, and connectivity, it's difficult to point out any significant weaknesses. But if there is one, it would have to be its size. Fitting a QWERTY keyboard requires the real estate to type comfortably, and unfortunately the VX9800 is not small.

Additionally, to utilize many of the features, such as video streaming and wireless synchronization, consumers are required to subscribe to Verizon Wireless services. Costing a monthly fee, users may need to pay more than expected.

Regardless, the size is used well featuring an impressive 262K-color screen and dual speakers. With an LCD that's large and bright and forward-facing speakers that are loud and clear, the VX9800 is the perfect setup for watching TV.

Packing robust features and functionality into the LG VX9800, gadget enthusiasts may be hard pressed to find a better device on the market.