Digital Trends

LG Voyager February 4th, 2008 | by Mike Kobrin

Extras

The built-in email client currently supports MSN, Yahoo!, and POP3 or IMAP accounts. We much prefer using the built-in client to the Web-based interface on the VZW browser, and message retrieval speed was reasonably good. Still, none of it trumps Apple's Mail application for handling multiple accounts and syncing with your computer. We also logged into our AOL Instant Messenger account and used the mobile IM client, and we were pleasantly surprised at how fluid messaging was. The client also supports Yahoo Messenger, and MSN Messenger.

Web browsing on Verizon's EV-DO network is fairly speedy, and the updated Verizon browser is less visually offensive than its predecessor. But we really wish it could hop over to a WiFi connection for faster browsing on nearby networks.

We loved using the Verizon VZ Navigator GPS around New York City and New Jersey, though we recommend the monthly $9.99 USD fee rather than the $2.99-a-day plan. There's nothing quite like having turn-by-turn directions read to you out loud by your phone. The touchscreen makes the GPS even handier, though the Voyager's limited ability to distinguish between swipes and taps occasionally frustrated us here.

The 2-megapixel camera takes neither as sharp a picture as the iPhone's nor as high-res as the Nokia N95's, and the autofocus is agonizingly slow. But in well-lit situations our test pictures were clear enough and had acceptable color for a cell phone camera. Good luck capturing moving subjects though; the time between pressing the shutter button and the image capture averaged around 4 seconds in our testing. You can also shoot 320 x 240 videos; our test movies looked adequate, but you're not making an Oscar-winner with the Voyager.

Conclusion

To get the most out of the Voyager, you've really got to use the email, IM, SMS, and mobile TV features. The Voyager has a lot to offer, but we're not getting rid of our dedicated music player, and PDA fans will find this phone less handy than more sync-friendly models. Compared with the iPhone, the Voyager gives you marginally better call quality, stereo Bluetooth, GPS, and a very finger-friendly keyboard, as well as many of the same features, though it lacks WiFi. It's not as flashy or slick as the iPhone, but the Voyager is a worthy phone for multimedia junkies and chronic typers. 


Pros:

• Spacious keyboard is excellent for IM, email, and texting
• GPS, Mobile TV, email, and IM work very well
• Easy navigation in touch or flip mode
• Touchscreen can give you haptic feedback

Cons:

• Limited video support
• Can't sync addresses or calendars with computer via USB
• No WiFi
• No microSD card included in package