It's not like we haven't been teased here at Engadget Mobile with all the
spy pics taken of the LG VX9900 lately. And with release dates coming and going, it's begun to wear a bit on our patience. Well, it turns out that a Howard Forums user who shall go unnamed managed to sneak a copy of the spec sheet. A 2.0 megapixel camera, wireless sync for you email junkies, VZNavigator when us men don't want to ask for directions, and Bluetooth 1.2 round out the feature set on this one. Still, when, and for how much? [Warning: PDF link!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Brien Mizell @ Nov 7th 2006 5:37PM
Look at a release around Black Friday.
Bart @ Nov 7th 2006 5:48PM
Looks like with the built-in email program it'll be a great Verizon competitor to the Sidekick!
gtox @ Nov 7th 2006 6:03PM
pretty small screen for such a large device, why isn't it wider like those nokia 9500's?
Bart @ Nov 7th 2006 6:14PM
The screen has a better resolution, though. 320x240 pixels (262K color) compared to the Sidekick's 240x160 pixels (65K color).
Vik @ Nov 7th 2006 6:37PM
Do these suckers sync with outlook or an online calendar? Sorry, probably a dumb question.
Brad Allenick @ Nov 7th 2006 6:54PM
nice firmware upgrades over 'The V' VX9800...Hopefully that isn't just a skinned version of the typical Verizon firmware, although why would Verizon be nice for once?
Josh @ Nov 7th 2006 7:35PM
Cool, I know someone who would like this. They have the VX 9800.
Also, not that I care, but I think the word you meant was 'imminent'.
Kevin @ Nov 7th 2006 8:59PM
Launch date is finalized as November 20th.
Michael Caputo @ Nov 7th 2006 10:22PM
Josh,
Thanks for catching that.
Fixed!
Michael
elgee02 @ Nov 8th 2006 2:21AM
Oh man this phone is gonna be sweet! I expect the price w/2yr agreement to be $300, but the price of the 9800 will probably drop some more.
Mike @ Nov 8th 2006 3:04AM
The last date I knew was actually 11/22. There was a screen grab on a phone forum site.
Either way I'm waiting for this phone.
Why can't Verizon just acknowledge the phone? Give us the release date so we can save an get it when its out.
grovercg @ Nov 8th 2006 9:09AM
I hear rumors that Verizon might unveil an umlimited text package that covers all carriers around the launch of the 9900...any truth to the rumor?
Brien Mizell @ Nov 8th 2006 9:36AM
Don't hold your breath for that unlimited text package to all carriers. Not going to happen for some time; if it does.
MBA @ Nov 8th 2006 10:33AM
Ok, what's up with the small a** screen??
Steve @ Nov 8th 2006 10:41AM
Vik:
Yes, the 9800 and the 9900 can be synced to your Outlook. You can go to Get It Now, then Get Going, then Business Tools. The cost is $19.99 for wireless Sync on this device, plus airtime for all data connections unless you have VPak.
Waiting for the response, "another example of Verizon Wireless nickle and diming us" :-)
Gus @ Nov 8th 2006 12:08PM
This Phone better come out soon i can't take it much longer
its worth the wait and by the way for the people sayin a small screen no its not its not huge but its a good size screen, for everything we need
if any one knows more let us all know please!!!!
Vik @ Nov 8th 2006 1:12PM
Steve:
I suppose I could look this up myself but I appreciate your previous and hopefully your future response.
Is that 19.99 a month or as a one time fee? Thanks!
shredsled87 @ Nov 8th 2006 2:19PM
I'm pretty sure it's a per month fee.
Steve @ Nov 8th 2006 2:42PM
It is a per month fee.
Just the price you pay for convenience these days, I suppose. Good news is, you get your e-mails at broadband speeds.
thanks for the appreciation. It's much... appreciated?
Ry @ Nov 8th 2006 3:28PM
Too bad it doesn't have a data plan like the Sidekick.
Sidekick > enV
The VX9900 envies the Sidekick's IM capabilities.
Bart @ Nov 8th 2006 4:04PM
But just reading email through a POP account won't be an extra thing through Get It Now, will it? It'll be an application that sits in the main menu like the Sidekick's that downloads email when your phone has service and can be read when you don't have service (like when you're in the subway...)?
Steve @ Nov 8th 2006 4:06PM
the 9800 has mobile IM capability. Not sure wha't different there. And also has VCast as a data plan availability. Unlimited data usage. Wireless Sync of e-mail is an additional feature.
Steve @ Nov 8th 2006 4:24PM
Right. Wireless Sync is syncing, typically, your Outlook e-mail. You will be automatically notified when you get new e-mail. With POP's, you can go on Mobile Web and check your e-mails whenever. Wireless Sync allows the phone to pull e-mails for you. This is handy for business customers or those who don't want to keep checking their e-mail account for new e-mails.
Vik @ Nov 8th 2006 4:48PM
Good looking out Steve.
Ry @ Nov 8th 2006 5:31PM
@Steve. The VX9800's IM capability requires the use of text messages to send/receive IMs. It has nothing to do with a data plan. The VX9900 will be similar.
elgee02 @ Nov 8th 2006 6:43PM
If you need to have your e-mails sync'd (sp?) then you might as well get a PDA/Smartphone. I have a 9800 and a gmail account. In any EV-DO network I can access and view my gmail inbox through mobile web in about 15 seconds... who needs sync when accessing it is that fast?
Steve @ Nov 9th 2006 9:09AM
So, does this sidekick provide unlimited text? That's not a data feature, it's a paging feature. Of course, there's the text plans available...
1337fromwork @ Nov 9th 2006 11:04AM
oh ya, this suka's deffinetly comming out. we had a random inspection at our location the other day by none other then Lowe McAdam (Verizon's second in command for thouse of you who dont know) and just as he finished talking at us He pulled a VX9900 out of his leather side pouch AND replied to a TXT message right in front of me! so if thats not confirmation i dont know what is
Ry @ Nov 9th 2006 12:53PM
The Sidekick's IM capabilities are a data feature. No need to mess with text messaging there.
Slim Pickens @ Nov 9th 2006 10:47PM
What about reception on this thing? Does an internal antenna mean that it might not get as strong a signal as a clamshell with an external? I guess it may be comparable to the 9800, so any word on the 9800's reception would be appreciated. I think reception is as important as any feature!
kramo @ Nov 10th 2006 11:54AM
Will it have I-Tap or T9? i hate I-Tap.
Steve @ Nov 10th 2006 1:01PM
It has a full keyboard. No real need for either I-Tap or T-9...
elgee02 @ Nov 10th 2006 1:30PM
The 9800's reception is great, I'd say just as good as as any LG clamshell/flip-phone (which seems to be very good overall).
It will also have T9, but why on earth do you need that when it has a qwerty keypad?
John Andrews @ Nov 10th 2006 8:15PM
After my experience with the XV6700 I'll pass on Verizon PDA device hype. Trying to limit email to SMS or PC synch, extra costs (even if you pay $45 for unlimited data), almost constant unannounced changes of the mail gateway, and of course, the customer rep admitted the voice/phone performance is inferior to non-PDA cell phones.
Complain about voice quality and they will tell you it "sounds fine" but if you press on their use of specific language you may learn (like I did) they have a different definition for "fine" when dealing with PDA phones vs. regular cell phones.
HTC Kid @ Nov 11th 2006 1:53AM
Alright first off let me appologize for giving the miscommunication on the release date of the 6th of Novemeber... but in my defense that is what the paper in front of me says... anyway it was released the 6th guess just internal... hearing the buzz as the 15th of this month along with Rev A as the first quarter 2007 and the libra to be released around then too.... well Michael hit me up if you would like a little more..
Big smooth @ Nov 11th 2006 2:09PM
If you guys would stop listening to your mikey mouse reasonings, and listen to a "insider" on this, the release date is still on the 20TH, unbind your panties and calm down brothers and sisters!!
PA @ Nov 13th 2006 8:02PM
Is there any way to get support for Microsoft Word and the like on this phone?
Terence @ Nov 16th 2006 1:36AM
Right on! And yes, I've been able to play with the phone myself at an LG conference.
Personally, I'd rather have better clarity on the phone itself rather than a big screen (they take up battery life, which gripes me lol). Plus the features I do know of: 2.0MP camera, about half the thickness of the V, VCast/MW features, Wireless Sync through Get-It-Now, bar-type flip, full-fledged keyboard (oh wait, duh lol, check the pic ;-)), and VZW's network, this thing shoots the Sidekick out of the water!
Now that's the problem: 9900 or the Chocolate Flip that was just launched today? Give it a few weeks; I'd believe it's in the making (though I don't have a release date either). Just makes it much more exciting for the phone once you get it. VZW.com will show its release (and it's cheaper online anyway). =)
Henrik @ Nov 16th 2006 6:52AM
Call me crazy, but what does this offer that my 9500 doesnt have for 2 years already?
In other words: what's the big fuss about?
Steve @ Nov 16th 2006 3:36PM
9900 has... over 2 1/2 less ounces, 4 tmes the colors. 128 MB memory vs. 80 MB memory. VZNavigator, Vibrate feature, Broadband speed, predictive text, stereo speakers, 1.3 MP camera, streaming video to name a few.
Kramo @ Nov 16th 2006 4:06PM
I cant wait to sell my krappy krzr so i can get the 9900 when it comes out. Does anyone know if i can get it at the 2yr price if i renew? I just renewed a month ago for 2yrs when the krzr came out. Or do i have to buy at full price? What are my options here?
Justin @ Nov 16th 2006 8:22PM
Ok, I called my local VZW store today and they told me it will be on sale in the store on Nov 23rd. Now, looking at my calendar, that's Thanksgiving. Is VZW open on Thanksgiving???
"The Verizon Worker" @ Nov 17th 2006 3:24PM
People, people, people. All I can say is be patient. It should be out within the next couple of weeks from what im told. I waiting for it myself and mind you I work for Verizon!! They are the worst when it comes to release dates of phones, coming out with better phones than other companies, and soforth. Trust me guys I always mention this in our meetings and "higher ups" just say, "We dont know" believe that one people!!
Damon @ Nov 17th 2006 8:51PM
Hot off the presses fro VZW. The official release date for the phone will be 11/27. $199.99 on a 1-yr, $149.99 on a 2-yr, and $319.99 full retail. Amazing specs on this phone. I've had the 9800 since it's release date and I can't wait till I get to play with the demo version when it comes into the store where I work
HTC Kid @ Nov 17th 2006 10:14PM
Hey nice pics now that i got my PDF reader going just a random sidenote the camera.... yeah no cover like on most you can directly contact the lens. there is a little sliding cover like a lens cap type thing but just thoguht i would drop that in here.
Leo @ Nov 18th 2006 2:44PM
i just read the comment by Damon. I was just wondering if the details you wrote are accurate. If so can u please verify them for me somehow? im not implying that what you said arent true but if they are [which i hope so] then please tell me how accurate.
Geoff @ Nov 18th 2006 3:36PM
If you want info on when the phone will be out, just go to their site and click on the chat feature or bring up the screen that shows all of the phones and wait a few minutes and a chat window will pop up.
I just asked the woman, and she said I cannont give you an exact date but she typed, ""If I were you, I would start checking the site the WEEK after the Holidays"" And I said do you mean thanksgiving or christmas and she said the Thanksgiving. I asked if it would be under 250 cause I don't want to spend more than that with a 2 year renew and she said I can't say an exact but with 2 year and online discounts you will be able to afford it. I tried two online chat reps cause I get a lot of different answers from them, and they both said that in a round about way. So see what they say to you, GIve it a try and Post Back!!!
TorabisuDandois @ Nov 18th 2006 4:54PM
I have been waiting for this phone to come out for months now. My brother works for Verizon and told me last night that it comes out the 27th. So, Damon is right.
Leo @ Nov 18th 2006 5:45PM
well i definetly can't wait for the phone. i'm not due for an upgrade till next june, and to be honest i don't want to wait for it. if its not 2 expensive i might just buy the phone outright and then transfer the service over to it. that's why i am so intent on knowing the information. if anything new comes out plz post/comment on it.
Damon @ Nov 18th 2006 8:12PM
Saw the comments and I don't blame you for doubting me people. With so many rumor mills churning out s*** out there I've become pretty doubtful myself. I work in a VZW store and pulled up the launch package which has specs, pricing, and most importantly, release date. This phone will be available Monday, November 27th at some incredible pricing. Can't wait to do my early upgrade.