The LG VX-5500 is a compact flip phone with an insanely long battery life.  The phone seemingly goes for years without needing a charge - really it's about 7-10 days depending on talk time.  The phone itself has all of the basic features that you might want in a minimalist cell phone: Bluetooth, low-res camera, and the ability to make and receive calls and texts.  It doesn't have any of the latest and greatest features like internet connectivity, a QWERTY keyboard or anything else that goes beyond the basic. The type of cell phone user who will like this phone the best is the one who thinks fewer features is a plus.  If you want a basic phone, this is your winner.  If you're looking for something more you should look elsewhere. Within the category of basic, feature phones the VX-5500 is far better than average.  My main complaint is with the lack of simple ringtones - a lot of songs and other sounds that aren't ringing and the placement of the clear button.  Otherwise, the phone is great. Buy this if you want a no-nonsense, straightforward phone to make phone calls

Phorapples

Eugene, OR

The LG VX-5500 is a compact flip phone with a very long battery life. The phone typically goes for 7-10 days without needing a charge depending on talk time. The phone itself is very basic, but has all the features that you might want in a minimalist cell phone: Bluetooth, low-res camera, and the ability to make and receive calls and texts. The phone doesn't have any of the latest and greatest features like internet connectivity, a QWERTY keyboard or anything else that goes beyond the basic. The texting capabilities of the phone are fairly poor, but adequate. The screen is small, which makes it hard to see large amounts of text. But the predictive text works well and the keys are spaced far enough apart to type short messages with reasonable ease. The type of cell phone user who will like the LG VX5500 is one who wants a basic, inexpensive phone to make phone calls and send the occasional text.

Sinaaplesoft

Salem, OR

I've only been using this phone for about 10 months now. I have not had any major problems with it. I do not surf the web on it, so I'm not much help there. But it works fine for texting and I get good reception. I can hear fine with the handset, speakerphone, or a headset. But then, I'm not really picky about sound quality. It has a VGA camera that takes pictures good enough to post online, but wouldn't print well. And you'd have to e-mail them to yourself via text since there is no camera card. But what I use the most on this phone is the calendar. It may be a basic phone, but it can keep me informed of all my appointments! It also has an alarm with 3 times and options for weekdays, daily, weekends, or only once. There are several ringtones, too, so you won't get them mixed up. And I love the cute graphics that you can include in your texts! The selling point for me was that it was free with a contract. That, and I've used other LG products that I've liked. I would recommend this phone to anyone who is looking for a basic contract phone who just wants something to make calls. But even then--check out the tools! Your purse calendar won't give you a reminder 15 minutes before you have to leave!

Caredoll

Martin, TN

After working with this phone and spending the time to ***know ***it, it was the most outstanding piece of equipment I have had the pleasure of owning. The feature that make it exceptional to me is the announcement of each call. If the caller is in the contact list, it announces in a pleasurable voice, that contact's name, and the number calling from, be it home, mobile, or office; and, if not a contact, it announces the full number, awesome. For ease of use and adaptability to a bluetooth, it is a sound investment. Not to mention, it's almost indestructability. Get one, it will definitely exceed your expectations...

artg45

Boston, MA

I wanted  a phone that wasn't expensive and it didn't have to have all the bells and whistles.  This phone is great if you don't do a lot of texting or want to surf the web from your phone.  It is a standard flip phone that is not too slim or too fat.  The pictures on the screen are good quality and you can manage your menu very easily.  If you're not super tech savvy, you can use all the features of the phone without any problems.  You can receive and send text and picture messages, but if you text a lot, it doesn't have a QWERTY keyboard, so you'll be pressing a lot of buttons.  It has the standard features, like and alarm clock, calendar, contact list, etc.  It has buttons on the sides for quick access for volume control and camera mode.  The rubber plug that protects the port to plug the phone in for charging swivels out and is attatched so you can't lose it.  The battery lasts for a long time and I have never had any issues with it.  The camera takes decent pictures, but not the best quality and there is no flash.  There is also no video option on the phone.  Overall it does what I need and has a reasonable price tag.

jalee7978

Spencerville, OH

I am not entirely crazy about this phone.  My provider was bought out and we had no choice, but to switch to this phone.  It has some nice features, but it makes you go through too many steps to set anything up.  It is always difficult to find some features.   The battery life is quite limited as well.  I would have to say that for a phone that I paid nothing for, it is just ok.... if I could upgrade, I would. 

mattsjewel

Mount Vernon, KY

I have owned several LG phones and have never had a problem out of any of them...in fact have owned them until they were simply on their last leg or I killed the phone myself due to harsh handling.  This particular phone, the LG VX5500 is by far one of the best for my situation.  Although there are phone with far more applications than this one it fits my needs to the "t".  If you are someone who needs the basics of a phone with photo and web capabilities, texting etc. than this is the one for you.  It takes excellent photos and the menu applications are easy and simple to use.  It is also a great messaging phone and is just the right size for texting.  It does not have a full keyboard but the size of the phone pad is perfect.  It'd durability is excellent as well.  I am very hard on phones and have to say that this phone has been put through very rough use and is doing great. The speakerphone function is essential as well.  I owned a different brand phone between this LG model and the last on I owned and very much missed the speakerphone function.  I would definately reccomened this phone for anyone that is not in need of the full "smartphone" type of phone at this time.

mkolby7416

Cordova, TN

So, this phone works great. THe battery life is incredible! I only ever have to charge but once a week. It's sturdy.....I've dropped it a hundred times. THe camera a of fair quality, but I don't take that many pictures on my phone. The menus are easy to navigate and I never spend much time searching for any of hte tools. This is hte second LG brand phone I've owned and I've been very happy with it. When the contract is up I'm not sure I'm going to want to upgrade to a new phone. I don't do anything fancy with my phone. I just make phone calls.All of hte factory stored ring tones were amusing as well. I don't want to have to pay any money for ringtones. I especially like the feature that calculates tip for you. I'm horrible at figuring out what kind of a tip I should leave at a resturant. So, I would highly reomend the LG vx5500 phone to anyone who is looking for an all around hassle free phone. It came free when I signed up for verizon and I definetly would have purchesed this phone even if it wasn't free.  

cnthelpfalling

Worcester, MA

I recently got the Verizon LG LG VX5500 phone.  It was free as part of my renewal and I had heard good reviews about it so decided to try it out.  I don't use my phone for too much crazy stuff, mainly just calls and texting occassionally.  At first this phone did what I needed it to do.  I was able to make calls/ text just fine.  After some time had passed (about 6 months) I started having problems with the phone.  I wasn't sure if it was the phone or the network but seeing as how I was in a big city not underground or anything I concluded it was the phone.  It started becoming hard to hear on both ends and also calls weren't going through.  It one point the calls in and out stopped having sound.  I brought it in to a Verizon center and they tested it out finding that they ran into the same problems and were not able to fix it.  Luckily I was still under 1 year warranty but I worry what may happen to this phone if it is not under the warranty and it breaks again. 

hello429

Salem, NH

I have had this cell phone for about 2 months now after switching to Verizon from Sprint.  I mainly switched companies to get better service when I'm in an other state.  My daughter is also on Verizon so we can talk more often as she uses up her minutes quickly.  After looking and researching many phones I chose the VX5500 LG model because it had the features I wanted.  I didn't necessarily desire having a camera in the phone but accepted it as a part of this particular model.  I have used it a few times and it takes acceptable pictures.  I haven't tried to print or put any of the pictures on my computer.  I have sent pictures to my daughter thru text and she got them fine.  That will probably be the only use for the camera.  One thing I don't particularily like about the phone is the shiny front and inside cover.  It tends to always have finger prints or smudges on it...and I'm always having to clean it on my shorts.  If I had to do it again I would get one with a matte finish so prints would not show.  Otherwise it has been a good product.

buckles10

Seminole, FL