tibor
06-07-2005, 06:51 PM
I recently moved from my trusty Samsung A660 to the latest low-end LG. I know, neither of these models is of particularly high interest to the more devoted Sprint fans that populate SU, but even the low end needs some attention sometimes.
Why did I change phones?
The VI125 offered two features that I had decided I needed: speakerphone and an intenna. I needed a better hands-free solution for the car, now that I drive a stickshift everyday, and I tried but didn't like using a headset. The LG's speakerphone is full-duplex and has excellent quality, especially compared to my wife's Sanyo 8200. My only complaint is that it doesn't operate with the clamshell closed, but it stands up well enough when open that it doesn't bother me as much as I thought it might. As for the intenna, the less protruding things in my pockets, the better.
What else does the VI125 have over the VI660?
The most obvious difference, at first glance, is that the LG adds an external screen for time, date, caller ID, signal/battery strength, etc. It is not color, but it gets the job done. This actually wasn't a big attraction for me, but I certainly don't mind having it. The LG also has a few other minor features such as tip calculator, and the ability to use user-recorded voice memos as ringers (at least I think my Samsung didn't offer that). Lastly, the LG breaks signal strength into 6 bars, and battery into 4, where the Samsung used only 4 and 3, respectively. I'm not sure if this counts as a benefit, but it is different. Actual experienced battery life and signal strength, in PCS and roaming, appear similar enough.
What does the VI660 do better?
There are a few things I miss about my Samsung, though they are not big enough to warrant switching back (I have a few days left on my 14-day trial period). First, I have always liked the Samsung menu/user interface setup. My wife has had the Nokia 6225 and the Sanyo 8200, and I just prefer the modern Samsung setup. But that's just my personal taste, plenty of people prefer the Sanyo/Nokia ways of doing things. The LG does a decent job imitating the design/setup of Samsung's UI. The second difference is more annoying: the overall responsiveness is decreased on the LG. The Samsung just felt more snappy going from menu option to menu option. For example, when I flip open the LG, I can see the screen as it was when I last closed the screen, for a split-second, before it refreshes to current signal/battery/roaming/time/date status. Some common operations just feel a bit more sluggish. However, while noticeable, this is a minor issue and not a night/day difference. Third, the VI660 comes with some nice voice recognition features thanks to VoiceSignal: using its speech recognition software, I could voice-dial any entry in my phone book just by saying it; with the LG, I have to pre-record myself saying a name for the phone to be able to recognize it as an entry it can dial. I didn't think I would, but I miss this. Fourth, the LG's loudest non-Speakerphone speaker volume is lower than that of the Samsung, and can leave something to be desired. Though its speaker had those occasional annoying Samsung beeps, I had no complaints about its volume. Lastly, the Samsung felt/looked better to me in its overall shape (except for the antenna, of course), and I miss its simplicity next to the busier lines of the LG-- again, just personal taste.
- - - - - - - -
So, if like me you don't care too much about having a camera, MM-series capabilities, or just want a relatively inexpensive phone, take your pick from either of these solid entry-level offerings. Size, weight, battery, life, and signal strength are all comparable. Nicer connectivity options would be good, although this isn't a critical priority for me either. Neither phone is fully supported by BitPim, but the Samsung worked well enough transferring files (I haven't tried it with the LG yet).
Looking forward, the PM225 from LG should be a nice upgrade if you like the other aspects of the VI125 but do want a camera. And I almost thought I should wait for the upcoming Samsung A820, with its intenna and speakerphone, but decided against because of uncertainty about release/availability date, price, and speakerphone quality.
Why did I change phones?
The VI125 offered two features that I had decided I needed: speakerphone and an intenna. I needed a better hands-free solution for the car, now that I drive a stickshift everyday, and I tried but didn't like using a headset. The LG's speakerphone is full-duplex and has excellent quality, especially compared to my wife's Sanyo 8200. My only complaint is that it doesn't operate with the clamshell closed, but it stands up well enough when open that it doesn't bother me as much as I thought it might. As for the intenna, the less protruding things in my pockets, the better.
What else does the VI125 have over the VI660?
The most obvious difference, at first glance, is that the LG adds an external screen for time, date, caller ID, signal/battery strength, etc. It is not color, but it gets the job done. This actually wasn't a big attraction for me, but I certainly don't mind having it. The LG also has a few other minor features such as tip calculator, and the ability to use user-recorded voice memos as ringers (at least I think my Samsung didn't offer that). Lastly, the LG breaks signal strength into 6 bars, and battery into 4, where the Samsung used only 4 and 3, respectively. I'm not sure if this counts as a benefit, but it is different. Actual experienced battery life and signal strength, in PCS and roaming, appear similar enough.
What does the VI660 do better?
There are a few things I miss about my Samsung, though they are not big enough to warrant switching back (I have a few days left on my 14-day trial period). First, I have always liked the Samsung menu/user interface setup. My wife has had the Nokia 6225 and the Sanyo 8200, and I just prefer the modern Samsung setup. But that's just my personal taste, plenty of people prefer the Sanyo/Nokia ways of doing things. The LG does a decent job imitating the design/setup of Samsung's UI. The second difference is more annoying: the overall responsiveness is decreased on the LG. The Samsung just felt more snappy going from menu option to menu option. For example, when I flip open the LG, I can see the screen as it was when I last closed the screen, for a split-second, before it refreshes to current signal/battery/roaming/time/date status. Some common operations just feel a bit more sluggish. However, while noticeable, this is a minor issue and not a night/day difference. Third, the VI660 comes with some nice voice recognition features thanks to VoiceSignal: using its speech recognition software, I could voice-dial any entry in my phone book just by saying it; with the LG, I have to pre-record myself saying a name for the phone to be able to recognize it as an entry it can dial. I didn't think I would, but I miss this. Fourth, the LG's loudest non-Speakerphone speaker volume is lower than that of the Samsung, and can leave something to be desired. Though its speaker had those occasional annoying Samsung beeps, I had no complaints about its volume. Lastly, the Samsung felt/looked better to me in its overall shape (except for the antenna, of course), and I miss its simplicity next to the busier lines of the LG-- again, just personal taste.
- - - - - - - -
So, if like me you don't care too much about having a camera, MM-series capabilities, or just want a relatively inexpensive phone, take your pick from either of these solid entry-level offerings. Size, weight, battery, life, and signal strength are all comparable. Nicer connectivity options would be good, although this isn't a critical priority for me either. Neither phone is fully supported by BitPim, but the Samsung worked well enough transferring files (I haven't tried it with the LG yet).
Looking forward, the PM225 from LG should be a nice upgrade if you like the other aspects of the VI125 but do want a camera. And I almost thought I should wait for the upcoming Samsung A820, with its intenna and speakerphone, but decided against because of uncertainty about release/availability date, price, and speakerphone quality.