The LG9800, LG's upper class QWERTY phone

It's really frustrating that the pics aren't so hot (apologies for that, there was something about the lighting on that damn yacht), but we were able to spend some special time with the LG9800, LG's new (non-smartphone) phone that unfolds to reveal a QWERTY keyboard. We won't blame you if the Motorola A630 comes to mind (it's only natural), but the LG9800 is a little more fully-loaded and comes with EV-DO (as you could probably guess from the V CAST logo on the screen), stereo speakers, and a 1.3 megapixel camera. Should pop up on Verizon in Q4 of this year.

[Karl @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Nice phone wonder how much it will cost?

[Stephan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Did you guys get any details on this thing...like syncing outlook?

[Scoobydoo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

That is a Bluetooth logo on the back... No wonder it will take a few months to be released, VZW is probably working hard to cripple the phone.

[Blue Balloon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Keyboard look much comfortable to typing than Treo 650's. Include display protect than Sidekick2. Fancy!!!

[Bryan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

I'm surprised a smartphone model (whatever OS you fancy) did'nt get thrown in there. would have been sweet. to bad it's not a GSM phone neither.

[c @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

oh my god!!!
the same UI as the past 3 LG phones....
you have got to be kidding
it is about the ugliest thing I have ever seen too.....what are people thinking

[bryan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

alright, im always glad to see some cool new stuff for verizon, we verizon subscribers never get any of that sexy gsm hardware goodness, bluetooth and a mini sd slot will be mandatory in my next phone, but just when smartphones are getting cool enough to show off in front of girls and set on the bar, this thing comes along and spells D-O-R-K in big letters. those pics of it open make a nintendo DS seem cool.

[The Jeremy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Looks like the bastard child of the Atari Portfolio... wait, that's a good thing! It enabled John Conner to get easy cash from an ATM in T2... :)

[Paul @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

c/ what are "you" thinking?

[mehool @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

that phone looks nice, but seems a little too big. The Moto A630 might have had it beat as far as compactness. This would make text messaging so much faster, i wish i had T9 instead of iTap on my e815.

[Scott @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

i bet this phone will be round the $150-$200 range in its first few months in stores because it doesnt have smartphone capabilities. i sure it will drop to around $100 bucks or so around the start of February.

[treo007 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Looks great, just put Palm OS on the next one (they're a licensee now you know).

[cap @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Is it really big or is that guy's hand small? Why can't someone get a memo to these cell phone designers that we know they can make things smaller and thinner than the 1960's Lincolns they have been pushing on us. Razr should be industry standard thickness. I bought a LG8100 and an Sami730 and returned them both because they are too damn big. I don't like to carry aroung my Ti-82 from high school either.

[Jayson Elliot @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

That thick, and no smartphone? Next...

[Gabriel @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Why is this phone so big? Why can i only get a moto razr if i switch to a terrible company. And why is it that Verizon has (consistantly) the best service and the worst phones? You would think that they would do something about that... How about a little phone that makes text messaging easy. If i wanted a computer i would open my laptop. Lets keep phones simple, small, and usefull. The more i look at their phones, the more i really hate verizon.

[jack woodruff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

none

[mookie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

It's not that big in person. It's pretty light too. Prices will be $300 w/2yr, or $350 outriight...I'm getting mine tomorrow.

[Lem @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Does n/e body know a phone to compare it to as far as size goes?

[emma bates @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

i checked the phone today and it is not as big as the photo lookd its a great phone great sound and on the best network verizon is getting nicer phones and yes they are also getting the razor phone however it will do alot more than the one cingular offers.out of all their new phnes this one is the best clarity a1 sound a1 and the bluetooth works perfectly.well done verizon

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

I bought this phone a couple days ago and absolutely love it. The camera takes excellent pictures and video clips. Both screens are bright and crisp, and the big screen inside the clamshell is the best I've ever seen on a phone. If you are somebody who IMs or text messages often, this is a must-have. The battery life is suprisingly good for something that has so many bells and whistles.

[sean ogden @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

bought the phone and played around with it most of the day and am undecided whether to keep it. The screen is wonderful, as is the keyboard, very easy typing. Battery life is soso, and the phone is thick and bulky.

[V Cornett @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Where can we get this phone for our daughter for Xmas? We went to our local Verizon office and they said it is $499.00. We have actually talked to about 5 different reps and they have all had a diff price. Do not want to spend that much on a phone. We have had Verizon service for 10+ yrs and have 5 ppl on the family planpaying approx. $150,oo per month. Still can not get a better price. Their customer service really sucks! Somone mentioned in their comment that the phone needs easier text messaging...this phone has voice text messaging-you speak your text message and it sends it. Also in a couple of months you will be able to view TV on the phone. Our daughter travels the country for Basketball(bus and plane) and we thought this would be a really nice gift for her, but getting all sorts of price quotes. Can anyone help with where to get the best price?

[V Cornett @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Where can we get this phone for our daughter for Xmas? We went to our local Verizon office and they said it is $499.00. We have actually talked to about 5 different reps and they have all had a diff price. Do not want to spend that much on a phone. We have had Verizon service for 10+ yrs and have 5 ppl on the family plan paying approx. $150.00 per month. Still can not get a better price. Their customer service really sucks! Somone mentioned in their comment that the phone needs easier text messaging...this phone has voice text messaging-you speak your text message and it sends it. Also in a couple of months you will be able to view TV on the phone. Our daughter travels the country for Basketball(bus and plane) and we thought this would be a really nice gift for her, but getting all sorts of price quotes. Can anyone help with where to get the best price?

[LaSonya @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

I bought the phone and the MP3 player doesn't work. I was told by LG that there's software coming out in January to make the MP3 player functionable. Now I'm fighting with Verizon to return because I removed the UPC to send in for a rebate PRIOR to knowing the phone doesn't work.