vB Easy Archive - v3i vs. LG CU500

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v3i vs. LG CU500
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Posted by: TOEHEAD

**I've searched, read the instense debates regarding both phones and would like honest, unbased opinions on both, thank you**

I am in the market for a new phone and currently have a black V3. I am happy w/ this phone, but would like a better camera and a MP3 player for traveling. I do not have 3G or EDGE in my coverage area. I also recieve a full signal on my V3 inside my house, no matter where I am. I have not had any problems w/ my V3 (knock on wood), nor any service issues. Cingular's coverage in SC is pretty good. I mountain bike alot in the middle of no-where and have had coverage, so Im happy.

Now, with those statements made, Im leanding towards the V3i because of my current luck w/ the V3. Although, the LG CU500 is an option. It looks like a nice phone, but I have read bad opinions from users. Again, these are opinions and the reviews online seem pretty good. I do not have the option of using a CU500 because non- of the Cingular stores in my area carry them since Im not in a 3G area. I like the features of the LG, yet, Ive had Motorola phones since day one and find them easy to use. Everyone in my family uses a Motorola, w/ good success.

In short, Im debating between the 2 and leanding towards the V3i. I apperciate your opinons and they will be taken in a mature, respected manor.

Thank you.

Posted by: MiKESTERR

Based on your information I would go with the V3i.

Posted by: DRC72

I use the CU500 and have had absolutely no problem with it. So I recommend it over the moto.

Posted by: walkguru

i have the lg cu500 in a non 3g area, and like it just fine. my friend just got a v3i and she likes it just fine. so i dunno.

Posted by: fractured

Like DRC72, I have had nothing but luck with the CU500, but if you have had luck with the RAZR V3, then stick to the Moto.

Posted by: Mazzel

how about battery life on the cu500...this is the one thing holding me back from this phone??? i have heard so many bad things about talk time...i'm a heavy heavy user averaging at least 100-200 texts a day and can do at least 90 minutes of talk time...i'm afraid that this phone won't stand up to that

Posted by: i0wnj00

Well, the other consideration the OP should probably look into is the possibility of 3G services being expanded into SC and if the being first on the 3G is *important* then the CU500 should be consideration.

EDGE should be in SC already, the reason EDGE may not be present is that the V3 only supports GPRS. EDGE is even deployed in the not-so hot Cingular markets so I don't see why Cingular wouldn't do the same in SC. Just a thought...

Not to be a thread jacker, but I'm also considering a starter 3G capable phone.
EDIT: Here's a good read on the CU500.

Posted by: TOEHEAD

Thanks, few other questions--

As stated before, what is the battery life like on both phones?--Comparable to the V3?

Also, does the V3i support EDGE? And I am assuming the CU500 would support it since its 3G?--Or is this a stupid question............?

Lastly, how is insurance on either phone? Does Lockline cover the V3i and the CU500? This is a huge importance to me since I have had to claim insurance in the past.

Thanks.

Posted by: cuidinsider

V3i Does support EDGE from what i understand but unlike the V551 and V557 the device does not show that "E" at the top of the screen

Posted by: Mazzel

v3i does NOT have edge

Posted by: t.d

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mazzel

how about battery life on the cu500...this is the one thing holding me back from this phone??? i have heard so many bad things about talk time...i'm a heavy heavy user averaging at least 100-200 texts a day and can do at least 90 minutes of talk time...i'm afraid that this phone won't stand up to that

My battery life is at 2 bars at the end of the day and I do
+ about 20 txt's,
+ ~60 minutes of talking
+ 90 minutes of workout music on my headset.
+~30 minutes of opera mini and I java games.

Posted by: JR1

And yes the LG CU 500 also supports GPRS, EDGE, and 3G

Posted by: Mazzel

Quote:

Originally Posted by t.d

My battery life is at 2 bars at the end of the day and I do
+ about 20 txt's,
+ ~60 minutes of talking
+ 90 minutes of workout music on my headset.
+~30 minutes of opera mini and I java games.

sounds to me like you are getting better battery life than just about anyone else in any other review i have read...if these were consistent results it would be a no-brainer

Posted by: fractured

...the V3i gets better battery life than the CU500, but not better by much. Moreover, on the CU500, the battery life varies depending on whether you are on 3G only, 2G only, or a combination of both. Battery life on 3G only is close to half of the battery life on 2G only and somewhere in the middle on both.

Posted by: DRC72

Yeah the battery life on the Cu500 is a little shorter than most standard phones,

Posted by: Mazzel

thats the idea that makes me think for the moment, i shall stick with my w810i...as much as i might enjoy the 3g, its not a necessity and for checking my gmail edge works just fine, battery life and quick texting are my two biggest deal breakers and i find the w810 passes both of those standards for me with ease and then some...

Posted by: i0wnj00

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRC72

Yeah the battery life on the Cu500 is a little shorter than most standard phones,

How's the RF for GSM?
A follow up ? would be..
When is the next time you will be able to test the CU500 inside the Unicel service area?

Posted by: DRC72

Quote:

Originally Posted by i0wnj00

How's the RF for GSM?
A follow up ? would be..
When is the next time you will be able to test the CU500 inside the Unicel service area?

The RF is excellent! I actually roamed on Dobson Cellular One in NY awhile back, and the Cu500 worked perfectly on their GSM network. The only thing I couldn't do was use Cingular Video while on Dobson's EDGE network. I guese Cingular doesn't want to pay for all that extra data roaming.

Posted by: Tjash2010

I would defiently go with the CU500. It is far a superior phone over the V3i.

The Cu500 has a excellent mp3 player with front controls, a nice design, a louder earpiece, and EDGE.

I used this in Minneapolis flawlessly despite no 3g.

I have owned the V3i 3 times and the Cu500 1, but I can say truthfully the Cu500 is SOOO much better then the V3i.

I would say despite you having good luck with the V3, get the CU500, and you wont regret it!

Posted by: Mazzel

battery life!!!!! talk to me a little more about battery life!!!

Posted by: Tjash2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mazzel

battery life!!!!! talk to me a little more about battery life!!!

I really cant tell you much about battery life. I charge my phones every night regaurdless. At the end of the day they both had about the same battery life, from what I can remember.

Sorry, I cant tell you more about battery life.

Posted by: Mazzel

i'm not really interested in a comparison so much as what the lg cu500 can really do under the type of usage that isn't considered average...i maybe do 60 minutes, but more text messaging than i care to admit

i wonder how it will hold up under that kind of usage

Posted by: Tjash2010

I would say it would be good then. I used also did alot of text messaging in 1 day, but normally talked closer to 2-3 hours a day, and it held up great with normally 1/2-3/4 of the battery left.

Also for text messaging, this is much better then the V3i, I found the keys much better to type on.

Posted by: brainiac978

I don't know if this would be a consideration for you or not.. I used to have a black RAZR a while back. The one thing I have always hated about Moto phones (Cingular ones anyway) is the phone book. If you have more than one number for a person, it counts as a separate entry. So if you have like 3 or 4 numbers for one person, it will be listed in your phone book 4 times. I have used other phones since then, and prefer to have one entry per person (contact) and scroll through the numbers for that contact (it just looks neater and better organized to me). I bought a CU500 on Saturday, and so far I like it. I got it to hold me over until the 8525 comes out.

Posted by: Mazzel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tjash2010

I would say it would be good then. I used also did alot of text messaging in 1 day, but normally talked closer to 2-3 hours a day, and it held up great with normally 1/2-3/4 of the battery left.

Also for text messaging, this is much better then the V3i, I found the keys much better to type on.

is this under edge or 3g conditions, the reps in the store i talked too and these are reps i used to work with so they tell me straight said the battery life was less than optimal, i'm wondering if i shouldn't wait for either the samsung a707 or the n75 nokia...

Posted by: hury up n wait

I live in a brick house, the only phone that gets consistent RF is the V3/i. I've tried EVERYTHING else that Cingular offers. Also you did mention mp3's dont be fooled into thinking the V3i can only hold a hundred songs. No patch or mods needed. Only limited by storage space.

Posted by: pauldg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mazzel

the reps in the store i talked too and these are reps i used to work with so they tell me straight said the battery life was less than optimal, i'm wondering if i shouldn't wait for either the samsung a707 or the n75 nokia...

i bet either of those phones you mentioned will have worse battery performance than the cu500 with the qvga screens.

both the cu500 and the v3i are good phones, but i like the video and the stereo BT of my cu500

Posted by: Mazzel

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauldg

you are probably right...ugh these phone decisions, seriously i have a cell phone disease...i can't pick a carrier and when i do pick a carrier then i can't pick a phone...oy

Posted by: FormulaNY

I have a V3i and I think it is a very nice phone, but nobody here has mentioned the price!
I bought mine over 6 months ago for $275 unlocked no contract. Cingular is selling theirs at a very high $250 WITH 2 yr contract. That is sick. If I were you (and if you were signing a new contract) I would get the LG. It costs half as much and does everything that the V3i does.

Posted by: MiKESTERR

Quote:

Originally Posted by brainiac978

I don't know if this would be a consideration for you or not.. I used to have a black RAZR a while back. The one thing I have always hated about Moto phones (Cingular ones anyway) is the phone book. If you have more than one number for a person, it counts as a separate entry. So if you have like 3 or 4 numbers for one person, it will be listed in your phone book 4 times. I have used other phones since then, and prefer to have one entry per person (contact) and scroll through the numbers for that contact (it just looks neater and better organized to me). I bought a CU500 on Saturday, and so far I like it. I got it to hold me over until the 8525 comes out.

You can change this with Motos. You go into the phonebook setup, click view, and primary contacts. That way, it only shows one entry and you can scroll to the right or left to view the others under the same name. And the V3i has an updated address book that makes it easier to look for contacts.

Posted by: rajr

I havent charged my CU500 in 3 days and I have used it for about 50 min. of talk time a day and I still have 2 bars left on the battery meter. I live in a 2g area