LG Cosmos VN-250 Phone (Verizon Wireless) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)QUICK SUMMARY: My teenaged son reports he likes this new LG value-oriented phone. A few feature disappointments keep it from being a 5-star phone. Recommended!
BACKGROUND: My teenaged son picked out the LG Cosmos to replace the cast-off Samsung device I gave to him last summer when I upgraded my phone to the LG Env3. When the keys started falling off the Samsung, I relented and agreed to buy an upgraded phone for my son and his younger siblings to use (we have a "kids" phone shared by all my children). My son shopped at the local Verizon store, looking at value-oriented phones with a limited feature set. He knew he wasn't going to get that Droid phone. ;-)
What We LIKE:
- The slide-out keyboard is GREAT for texting! My son has gotten into texting, and the full keyboard makes texting MUCH easier and quicker for him. I know the pleasure of using a full keyboard, too, having upgraded my own phone to the LG Env3.
- Numeric keypad on the front lets you quickly dial phone numbers (or use speed dialing) without messing with the slide-out keyboard. No pocket dialing (yet, anyway).
- You don't need to buy a Verizon data plan with this phone. That was important to me, a parent, because I don't want the kids' phone to have unfiltered web access, so web access is blocked on their account. Some higher-end phones now *require* you to buy a data plan. The LG Cosmos is one of a few models (Samsung Intensity is another) with a full keyboard where you don't need to pay for a data plan.
- The LCD display orientation automatically changes to accommodate how you're using the phone. When you slide-out the keyboard, the display readjusts so it's aligned correctly with the long-edge of the phone. Slide-in the keyboard and the display readjusts to align with the short edge of the phone.
- My son says he likes the placement of the keys on this device (better than the Samsung Intensity, which he also sampled at the Verizon store). He also liked the menu navigation on the Cosmos, too.
- Bluetooth capability is a nice way to send phone pictures directly to our wireless photo printer.
What We Do **NOT** Like:
- Speed dialing settings get erased if you turn-off the Cosmos. My son reported this bug in the firmware (our Cosmos has version 1 of the firmware) and I verified the bug to be true. When we are next near a Verizon store, I'll see if LG has updated their firmware to fix this annoying bug. (UPDATE: Thanks to Vijay who posted a comment to this review, there is a 2nd way of adding speed dials, and the 2nd method doesn't exhibit this firmware bug. To correctly set speed dials, do this: Menu -> Contacts -> Speed Dial Settings).
- No video recording! Sheesh, I thought every phone automatically came with the ability to do picture-taking and video recording. The LG Cosmos, though, can't record videos. My son was mildly disappointed, but having a full keyboard outweighed this disappointment in his eyes.
- If you're used to a larger phone screen (like I am, since I have the LG Env3), the display size of the Cosmos seems really, really small. Even if my kids could use this phone to browse the web, it wouldn't be a fun experience at all.
- The camera is only a 1.3Mp. Even a value-oriented model ought to have a 2Mp sensor nowadays.
- Although it does have a full keyboard, the keys are pretty small -- bigger than some ridiculously small keyboards on certain Blackberries, but not nearly as nice as my LG Env3. My son is just happy to have a keyboard now, even if it's smallish.
Note: Initially, after we first got the phone, the battery needed recharging shortly after its first full charge. To give you an idea: after a few dozen text message sends/receives, the battery bar went from full to 3/4. In a day's worth of texting (and almost no voice calling), the battery expired on our Cosmos. HOWEVER, Li-Ion batteries don't reach their full potential until after several cycles of charging/discharging, and after a few charging/discharging cycles, the battery began exhibiting much improved battery life. I didn't have this same experience with my LG Env3 phone. After using this phone for a couple of weeks now, my son seems satisfied with the battery life he's getting from the LG Cosmos.
Be aware, too, that this phone can't play music like other phones can. My son never used this feature on the old Samsung phone, which could play music, so this isn't a dislike for him -- but it might be for you.
Conclusion: This phone is good for kids who love to text (and have an unlimited texting plan!). It's a value-oriented model that will disappoint you if you're used to a better-featured phone, but if you've been using an old Samsung phone with just a numeric keypad to send text messages to your friends, the LG Cosmos is a welcomed upgrade.

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Equipped with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard for easy text messaging and built-in social networking tools and features, the LG Cosmos for Verizon Wireless allows your to keep your friends in the know while keeping up with life on the go. A four-line keyboard makes serious texting seriously easy, while uploading of pics from the 1.3-megapixel camera to Facebook and built-in social networking make it a snap to let your friends in on the action.

The Cosmos is compatible with the VZ Navigator GPS turn-by-turn direction service, and you can download games, ringtones, and more from the Verizon Wireless Media Center. See more details on optional Verizon Wireless services below.

Other features include Bluetooth for hands-free devices, microSD memory expansion (up to 16 GB), Bing search capabilities, personal organizer tools, voice clarity settings, and up to 6 hours of talk time.


Key Features
Runs on the reliable Verizon Wireless voice and data network (1xRTT data frequency)
GPS navigation capabilities via VZ Navigator service
2-inch LCD screen (240 x 320 pixels)
Slide-out full QWERTY keyboard
1.3-megapixel camera for still photos with 2x digital zoom, multiple resolution options, noise reduction (for improving image quality in low-light situations), in-camera image editor, and direct upload capabilities to Facebook and online photo albums.
Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.1) includes profiles for communication headset and hands-free car kits.
Memory expansion via microSD card slot with support for optional cards up to 16 GB.
Text, picture, and voice messaging with threaded messaging feature
Mobile Web capable
Organizer tools including Calculator, Calendar, Alarm Clock, Stopwatch, World Clock, Notepad, Ez Tip Calc, To Do List, Info Search
Airplane mode allows you to listen to music while the cellular connectivity is turned off
Voice clarity feature auto adjusts voice based on surrounding noise level
One-touch speakerphone
Speaker-independent voice commands: Call, Send Msg To, Go To, Check, Contacts, Search, Redial, My Verizon, Help
Phone book stores up to 1000 contacts each with 5 numbers, 2 e-mail addresses, 1 physical address, 1 IM screen name, a picture ID, and notes
ICE Contacts: enter 3 contacts and personal info
2.5mm headset jack
Bilingual menus (English and Spanish)
TTY/TDD Support
Hearing Aid Compatibility = M3/T4

Vital Statistics
The LG Cosmos weighs 4.4 ounces and measures 4.41 x 2.05 x 0.67 inches. Its 950 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 6 hours of talk time, and up to 576 hours (24 days) of standby time. It runs on the CDMA 800/1900 frequencies and 1xRTT data frequency.

What's in the Box
LG Cosmos handset, rechargeable battery, wall/USB charger, quick start guide


Verizon Wireless Services
VZ Navigator Capable: With this GPS-enabled phone, you'll be able to access the Verizon Wireless VZ Navigator service (additional charges applicable) for voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions, heads-up alerts, local search of nearly 14 million points of interest in the US (such as landmarks, restaurants and ATMs), and detailed color maps.

Mobile Web 2.0: Getting on the Internet is easy using the Verizon Wireless Mobile Web 2.0 package, which allows you to read and send e-mails, exchange instant messages and view your favorite web content on your phone. The Verizon Wireless Media Center wireless download service is also fully compatible with this phone. This pay-per-download service features application downloads, games and productivity tools. You can also personalize your handset with ringtone downloads using the Media Center service.

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