LG has updated their popular enV with a classier look in a slimmer package. Did they finally win us over?
Review summary of the LG enV2:
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 The LG enV2 has seen some nice, cosmetic improvements, and these might be just enough to tip the scales from a phone we didn't like very much to one we'd actually recommend. The look of the device is much more adult, but also more polished, and the improved interface, which cleans up Verizon's stodgy old Get It Now menus, brought key features to the top, where they were easier to find. Still, most of the changes were only skin deep. Call quality wasn't improved, and the phone still lacks the wealth of messaging features that would make it an heir to the Sidekick's throne. And, with the slow network speeds and poor multimedia options, there really wasn't much use for the 3G radio. We'd like to see something a bit more advanced for messaging to fill this phone's niche, and leave the multimedia features to the experts. Release: April 2008. Price: $50.
Pros: Classy redesign. Improved menu breaks out of Verizon Wireless' garden.
Cons: Screens still too small. Multimedia and Web browsing options lousy. Should be packed with advanced messaging features.
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Full LG enV2 Review:
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Design - Very good
The LG enV2 is definitely improved since the original LG VX9900 enV. While that phone felt clunky, like a big toy, the LG enV2 is elegant and compact. The build quality feels tighter, and with its classy maroon paint and soft-touch finish, it's much nicer to hold. We weren't originally fans of this new design. The screens are both still too small, especially the external display, and we weren't fond of the wavy external keypad. But those outer number keys quickly won us over, as they were a joy to type on, so wide and cozy.
The internal keyboard is mostly unchanged as well, though it didn't need much tweaking. Thankfully, the interface is almost completely different. We're pleased to find Verizon Wireless much more relaxed about their interface design. The LG enV2 might go further than any phone we've seen since the LG Voyager in bringing key features to the top menu level. Instant messaging, navigation and even ringtones are top-level options, though we would have liked to see the Web a bit higher on the chain. Still, at least the Web is now called "Mobile Web," instead of "News and Info," as it was under the old paradigm.
Calling - Good
Calls on the LG enV2 were a joy to dial, thanks to the expansive external keypad, but that's probably the best thing we can say about this phone for calling. Call quality wasn't great. Not horrible, but calls sounded a bit muddy. We didn't get the static we encountered on the last LG enV, but conversations weren't crisp, either. Luckily, the phone has all of our favorite calling features, including Bluetooth, speaker-independent voice dialing and conference calling. The speakerphone, as well, seemed loud and clear, fine for driving and chatting. Again, we have to complain about the address book, which seemed sparse on the original enV as well. On a phone like this, we'd like a more robust contact list, and maybe some easy (and included) Outlook synchronization.
Messaging - Good
At every messaging task available on the LG enV2, the phone does a fine job. Text messaging, MMS, instant messaging through Yahoo, MSN and AOL, and basic e-mail all worked fine and dandy. The keyboard was comfortable to use, though it was understandably compact. We would definitely move the space key to the center of the keyboard, as that's where our thumbs wanted to find it, but otherwise things were smooth enough. Our problem with this phone, then, is that it just isn't the absolute messaging powerhouse it needs to be. We'd like to see a lot more. We'd like to see more fun MMS options. We'd like to see more clients available for IM, like Google Talk and maybe even ICQ. Same for e-mail, with some advanced support. Any reason this phone can't see some Exchange ActiveSync or BlackBerry Connect help? There shouldn't be, as this phone is only a short step away from being a true messaging powerhouse.
Multimedia - Mediocre
Verizon Wireless should simply dump the multimedia features of this phone and dedicate it to messaging and keeping in touch. The phone has V Cast music and videos, with all the buying options and deep catalogue those services entail, but they were never compelling options, so we mostly chose to do without. The phone didn't recognize a memory card synchronized with Windows Media Player, extra software is required instead, but we took a pass. Also, downloading a music video was a daunting task, requiring a good 10-15 minutes of uninterruptible waiting until the video was done. LG's Voyager does a better job as a QWERTY multimedia phone, so for this device, Verizon should include a simple, elegant music player, and be done with it. The LG enV2's integrated camera was also unfortunately doing a mediocre job compared to for instance the top-performing LG Voyager.
Web browsing - Mediocre
We won't give Verizon Wireless and LG a similar pass on the Web browser. The browser on the LG enV2 was unconscionably bad for a QWERTY phone. One of the best benefits of having a keyboard is the ability to type long Web addresses, but with the enV2, you might as well not bother. The phone crashed on our site, and was unable to load any but the mobile versions of CNN and the New York Times. And these pages came out looking blocky and poorly rendered. Verizon Wireless should have included an Opera Mini browser on this phone.
Navigation - Good
Verizon Wireless' VZ Navigator is a top-level option on the LG enV2, and for good reason. The GPS sensor was quick and accurate on this device. It found us in our cubicles, which have a sliver of a sky view. It tracked us into and out of New York City with no trouble, and was easy to follow on the internal screen. The program responded slowly when we tried to pan around the maps, and was a bit slow to load our directions at first, but once things got started, we had no issues with navigation.
Price and availability
The LG enV2 is available now from Verizon Wireless for $50 with a two-year contract, after an instant online discount of $50.
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