LG - Dare VX9700 Cell Phone Review

So, like just about every other gadget junkie, I lusted for the iPhone when it came out.  Sure, the Edge Network speed just didn't cut it, but it had Wi-Fi.  The deal breaker for me of course was the AT&T Network in general.  I mean while I thought the features were cool, I sometimes rely on my cell phone to make...phone calls!  Funny, I'm feeling a Lewis Black moment coming over me.

Here in my part of South Florida the absurdity of mating an iPhone with the AT&T network could be visually best illustrated by two iPhone owners connected by a long string.  OK, Lewis Black moment fading and we're here to discuss the LG Dare.

LG Dare VX9700 - An Introduction

When it was introduced early this year it was looked at with hopes that it would be the iPhone killer.  Having now used it for several months I can say with some certainty that it is one damn fine touch screen phone, perhaps the finest ever to be offered by Verizon.  But an iPhone killer?  Not even close.

With almost a year behind us at least one thing is clear.  LG is not Apple.  Where LG designed a first class touch screen multi-function cell phone, Apple created a revolutionary mobile communications device.  Nothing highlights this better than the approximately 50,000 apps available through Apple's App Store.  That's approximately.....oh, say 50,000 more apps, give or take a couple of dozen than is available for the Dare.  Apple claims that over 1 Billion apps have been downloaded.  No matter how you view this, it is clear that these two companies are in different businesses.

That's not to say that the Dare doesn't offer features that surpass those offered by the iPhone, it does indeed and we'll discuss them later.  But what I find also lacking in the Dare is that overall fluid, integrated and almost organic feel of the iPhone's touch screen performance.

The Touch Screen

The Dare's touch screen represents a complete break with Verizon's tired static menu system.  But as tired and awkward as that menu system had become it was if anything (for Verizon Users) , familiar and predictable.  The Dare represents a total departure, offering many timesaving shortcuts and even the ability to customize the phones main menu by dragging and dropping your most often used functions to the phones "desktop".  I found the departure so dramatic that as much as I had come to loath the old menu driven interface my initial reaction was "uh oh, I think I over bought!"  Fortunately, in a matter of a few days I found myself familiar with the new slick interface.

Initially, the Dare seemed to have problems differentiating scrolling motions from menu selection motions.  A number of software and firmware updates have minimized this irritating problem.

The touchscreen of course provides you with your dial pad and when turned counter-clockwise to the landscape mode offers the user a larger full QWERTY keyboard.  Another nice touch.

The Display

The display that also serves a your touch screen provides 262,000 colors displayed in a 240 x 400 pixel format.  It's pretty dazzling.  This becomes apparent when used with either the included 3.2 MP flash Camera and when viewing V Cast Video available from Verizon.

Storage

Where the iPhone comes with a full internal storage (currently up to 32GB), the Dare relies on removable MicroSD Cards of up to 8GB.  Since they're removable I don't see this as much of a drawback.  There's more than enough space for storing all your contacts, photos and music.

The Camera

As mentioned earlier, the Dare comes equipped with a first rate 3.2MP Camera which is also capable of recording video.  And, since Verizon (unlike ATT) supports MMS, 30 second video clips can me sent as messages.

The Browser

The Dare supports a full HTML Browser and when combined with their 3G Network can have you on the web quickly.  Web pages are rendered well, but with a 3" screen, I really don't find much use for it.  I'll occasionally check my email, but even then, only in a crunch.  Unlimited web access cost just $15 a month.

The Music Player

LG and Verizon did a pretty good job here.  The availability of Rhapsody from Verizon and LG's providing a standard sized jack for headphone were smart moves.  The Navigation isn't quite as nice as that of an iTouch, but it's competent and the sound is good.

VZ Navigator

One excellent app that Verizon thought to incorporate in this phone is its mobile GPS service.  Youcan get directions from anywhere to anywhere.  And while the screen size may be small for such an application, the service provides voice turn by turn directions.

But the Phone

Here's where LG/Verizon shines.  Sound quality on the Dare is superb.  Whether used normally, with a Bluetooth headset or on speaker phone, the Dare excels.  While coverage may vary by region, here in South Florida there is no substitute for Verizon.

Battery Life

Well coming from a Motorola Razr, almost anything would be an improvement.  And while I've neve actually timed talk and standby performance, I can assure you that this battery gives this phone staying power.  And, keep in mind that I have now been using the phone for almost a year.

My Viewpoint

It's an excellent phone.  I have no buyer's remorse, but as a package it falls short of the iPhone (particularly the more recent upgrades).  The current buzz is that Verizon will get the iPhone in 2010.  Maybe I'll make it my New in Two choice.