Digital Trends

Meet the R2D2 of cell phones. The LG-VX8100 is squat, dumpy, and not much too look at, but this runt of a cell phone is a workhorse, fun yet functional, inelegant but eminently ergonomic. But be careful. There are two VX8100's floating around. The original Verizon V CAST-capable VX8100 has been around nearly a year. But a new VX-8100, along with a new LG VX-9800 (now called "The V"), compatible with Verizon's new online Music Cast store ($15/month), have been introduced. The old and new phones are identical -- there's no way to tell the difference from looks alone. If you own an older VX8100, you can upgrade it to be MusicCast upgradeable for a small fee. And the new VX8100 ($149.99 w/$50 rebate and 2-year contract) doesn't come with any accessories to help you download and listen to music -- the miniSD memory card, stereo earphones with wired in-line mic and PC sync USB cable are all extra; the latter two items and a software disc are part of a separate LG Music Connectivity Kit ($29.99). But even with these shortcomings, the VX8100 is a solid, unobtrusive multi-functional -- music player, 1.3 MP digital camera, Web-enabled, video playing -- cell phone, arguably one of the best performing models available.