Hands-on Review: LG enV Music Phone

I was a big fan of LG's original "the V" (or VX9800), an ambitious handset that flips open, clamshell style, to reveal a large keyboard, laid out horizontally, and a landscape-based screen a lot like the Sidekick line of smart phones.

Well, LG is back with an update, the enV, also known as the VX9900, which is a substantial upgrade in many ways and can actually be had at a lower price!

Here's what's new: For starters, The enV has shed a good amount of the heft of the V, weighing 4.6 ounces vs. the V's 5.4 ounces. It's still 4.6 inches tall and is actually a bit wider (2.0 inches vs. 1.9 inches for the V), but the enV is now 0.8 inch thick vs. 1.0 inch thick for it's big brother. That may not sound like much, but it makes a huge difference in your pocket. The overall styling of the phone is more modern and impressive on the enV, too.

The biggest spec change is the new 2.0-megapixel camera vs. the 1.3-megapixel model on the old V. It's not a huge upgrade, but it's a good start, and it helps make the enV one of the best camera phones on the market. The autofocus is especially capable. Another addition: GPS is also included in the phone, though I haven't been able to test this extensively yet.

With the exception of subbing in a MicroSD slot for the old MiniSD slot, most of the other specs are the same. The enV still has EV-DO wireless for high-speed access to the Verizon network and its built-in entertainment options (TV clips and music downloads go relatively quickly).

While I still can't stand Verizon's proprietary, confusing operating system, even that can't impact my love for the enV. At $150 with a contract, it's an insanely good deal in comparison to some smart phones that don't do nearly as much and cost hundreds of dollars more. I'm throwing it into the running for our Last Gadget Standing competition at CES. Give it a spin for yourself and let me know what you think.