The LG VX9800 hits Verizon next week

It was an open secret that LG's new qwerty-style VX9800 cellphone was going to land on Verizon Wireless sooner or later, but the official confirmation didn't come until today. The VX9800, which is sort of like an amped-up version of the LG9200, is about as souped-up as a non-smartphone gets, at least in the US, and has a 262,000 color, 320 x 256 pixel main display, a 65,000 color, 160 x 128 pixel external display, EV-DO, Bluetooth, stereo speakers, a 1.3 megapixel camera with flash, and a miniSD memory card slot (which they explicitly state can be used to play your own MP3s). Goes on sale September 26th for $299.99 with a two-year service agreement. Click to see a few more pics.

[Thanks, Dave]

[ian spain @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

damn...anybody wanna buy a vx8100?

[Antti @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

And it doesn't look at all like a certain Nokia product.

[Web Design Ireland @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

No that is FUNKY! Lets see if it will outdo the BB.

[Cyborg_Monkey @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Is anyone aware of a site that would list all phones that have the Blackberry/RIM software? Blackberry's site only has Blackberry devices...

[XV6600 User @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Does anyone know if Bluetooth Dial Up Networking is supported?

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

wow @ features. That's what I need. Hopefully, they offer good rate price, something like T-Mobile's Danger Sidekick II.

[hokiewalrus @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Nuts, and I just got a VX8100 a few months ago.

Even though this guy doesn't seem to really be an upgrade, save the QWERTY keyboard, I want one.

*sigh* Am I a cliche guy, or what?

[Ken @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

You can't do this to me! My "New Every Two" is in 2 weeks and I was going for the 8100!

Aww Man!

[Justin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

I think they need a few MORE Verizon logos on that thing, as if the red branding-like UI wasn't enough. Yikes. Too bad, hardware and specs look great...

[KC @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

#2 What Nokia product does this remind you of? It's no where near as large or tricked out as a communicator. Actually I think LG stole a page out of Motorola's playbook with this phone. Looks like a more feature filled Motorola A630 to me:

http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=418

As long as it isn't as bulky as it looks I am definately going to be gettin' me one of these!

[Johan Markovic @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Apparently it won’t be running a smartphone OS, so it looks like LG must be getting fairly comfortable sticking to the communicator thing— Too bad, since I’d really like to put these full qwerty-keyboard phones to some
real work.

[SlvrGrndM99 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Anyone know how much it will be if you have ane existing contract? Mine isn't avaliable for "new every two" until 6/22/06!!!

[John Leibovitz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Like the idea, anyone know how big it is? Wish they lost the goofy speakers and made the inside screen bigger instead.

IMHO this type of design is the ubiquitious clamshell of the future. Just wait until we see these things in a RAZR thin package.

[Michael @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

The directional pad should be on the left...and it should run Windows Mobile, then it'd be the perfect gameboy/nes/super nes emulator phone.

[Guido Derlagen @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Just to bad it hasn't WiFi. Better luck next time.

[Eric @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Full specs are available at phonescoop.com.

[cool dude @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

thanks engadget for posting this!

[Pancake @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

:( I just bought the Moterola too....

Maybe I might ebay it and buy this

[PHug @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Not a smart phone?
No OS = No Sale
My GF wants this but when i told her she would have to give up the NES Emulator on her Treo 650 she said "no thanks". lol
I'm seriously considering a switch from Verizon to Sprint just to get the new 6700.

[Sir Duke @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

For the hype that they are presenting, this phone should be something else. If EVDO is really going to be like have your 'hot-spot' to the internet wherever you are, then who needs WiFi? The downside side is that you need Verizon as your carrier if you don't already havt it. The upside is that if you have Verizon, they are currently the leader in EVDO technology/coverage. It will mean that these phones will bring cell technology to a whole new level. I gotta get one.

[Fin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

I really thought this might be my new phone. I'm still on the fence about actually *needing* a full-fledged smartphone (and I don't want to wait for the Treo 700) but I would really like querty/camera/SD, etc. but according to Verizon: "Phone supports profiles for wireless headsets and hands-free accessories. Phone does not support Bluetooth object exchange (OBEX) profiles, including file transfers, games, ring tones, pictures and video messaging."

That's a deal breaker. :|

Next...

[Byron Bowerman @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Yeah, its really sad that they make such a sweet fone & then cripple its BT.

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

According to the Verizon web site the LG VX9800 does have Bluetooth????

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

According to the Verizon web site the LG VX9800 does have Bluetooth????

[Fin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Yes it has Bluetooth according to the VZW site, but again only for headsets and handsfree accessories...

Anyone get one of these in your hands yet? How you like it up close? I saw a mocked-up shell model with stickers for screens a week ago before they merchandized the real thing in a local VZW store and I haven't been back yet. The mockup was expectedly flimsy and obviously not a good way to actually check one out.

[Rahul @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

ok guys, I've had this for about 5 days now and still haven't figured out every feature :P

But, to clarify some doubts, the 9800 does NOT block OBEX !! Verizon has actually done the unexpected.. The Bluetooth interacts with your laptop and allows the 9800 to function as a modem...

It also works flawlessly with BT hands-free devices.

The speakerphone will work with the flip closed.. just needs a little tweaking :)

Video, Audio, and Camera quality is exceptional!

It also has an inbuilt MP3 player with EQ, but won't let you use your MP3s as ringtones :(

Nonetheless, it is a great product and with my $100 credit and $50 MiR.. it cost me $150 :) !

[Fin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Thanks Rahul, though I'm starting to convince myself that I *do* want to bother with a real smartphone (gps/mapping would have been real nice in Fresno last weekend), I'm going to go and give this a real look. I get my $100 in early Dec...

Odd though that vzw would say the 9800 didn't support obex and then not block it. sounds like the web marketing guys just presumed it was biz as usual and posted the same text they use for everything else.

[Jon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Is this phone really worth it? My company is thinking to buy the entire staff one. Can they boost communication or should we go for something else?

[Diana @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

So, I'm finally getting mine but now I don't know which BT headset to get for it ... anyone has any experience in this dept?

[Diana @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

So, I'm finally getting mine but now I don't know which BT headset to get for it ... anyone has any experience in this dept?

[robert preseau @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Rahul

Are you having a difficult time typing with the keyboard when the phone is open? I JUST got this phone after I've been pining over it for a couple of months. All of the features are pretty good but the keyboard is a huge disappointment... Might just be me needing to get used to it...

[_alterEgo_ @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

wonder if LG has some kind of deal
with motorola for their phone designs..
because this looks so much like the
motorola A630 ?

[Pang @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Hello Rahul,
thanks for the tip on the bluetooth DUN capability of the VX9800. I've also been able to connect my laptop via bluetooth to the VX9800 on the DUN profile but am unable to successfully establish an EVDO connection and surf the web. Any advice on how to get this to work?
Thanks,
Pang

[Sir Duke @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Question for Rahul,
How do you use it as a modem & interact with a laptop. I can't get that connection going. What's the tip on the bluetooth DUN capability?

[Bob Clar @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

How easy is it to transfer my Palm info to this phone??

[alex @ Jan 8th 2006 12:35AM]

just bought the vx8100 two months ago and i went to the verizon store today to see how much one would cost me and they told me it was free!! It would be $100 to upgrade from my existing phone and then there would be an $100 mail-in-rebate! nothing like a free phone...kinda