vB Easy Archive - VX8700 vs. Maxx Ve vs. VX8550.. HELP!

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VX8700 vs. Maxx Ve vs. VX8550.. HELP!
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Posted by: clickboom

Hi all,

This is my first post here! I have a serious problem; my RAZR V3m broke (yes, the thing just fell down and got unhinged)... so I need a new phone.

I narrowed down to the VX8700, Maxx Ve and the VX8550. I was leaning towards the VX8700 but I have heard that there are a bunch of issues associated with it such as shaky bluetooth performance, phone switching off as it gets overheated, poorer sound quality than the Maxx Ve, bad speakerphone, bad battery life, worse signal reception than the Maxx Ve etc. I don't know how much of this is fanboy bias on message boards or legitimate complaints.

Now the Maxx Ve looks like crap. I can't stand the damn thing. But if it out-performs the VX8700 in all categories but looks than I'd feel bad buying the poorer performers. So does it really ourperform the VX8700?

Furthermore, given that the VX8550 (Chocolate 2.0) is out, how does it measure up to the Maxx Ve and the VX8700? Is it plagued by the same issues as the other LG (i.e. the VX8700)?

Also which phone is more durable as these phones will be subjected to some rough times.

Looking forward to any input in this matter.

Thanks and regards.

P.S. performance matters to me! Looks come in a close second followed by features.

Posted by: clickboom

C'mon Howard Forums people... please I need your expertise.

Posted by: ShinyTop

I am leaning towards the Maxx. If you do not need the better camera the K1M is reported to have very good phone performance and is the best looking cell phone I have seen yet. And $100 cheaper than the Maxx.

Posted by: El Chino

i just picked up a 8550.. let see how that goes

Posted by: clickboom

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Chino

i just picked up a 8550.. let see how that goes

You know, I am kinda liking the 8550 too. How is the BT headset included in the Music Essentials 2.0 kit?

The Maxx is outta the picture, i cant handle the horrid profile and the slow UI anymore. Plus that tacky camera with that flash is just stupid looking. And why did Motorola have to further spoil the already horrendous looks by printing "2 MEGAPIXEL" next to the lens?!

Anyway, that Maxx is out BUT I cant decide between the 8550 and 8700!

Now it's all about call reception but damn that IPod-style wheel on the 8550 is SICK. But the camera on the 8550 is just stupid. Why only 1.3 MP?

Posted by: GeminiIII

Quote:

The Maxx is outta the picture, i cant handle the horrid profile and the slow UI anymore. Plus that tacky camera with that flash is just stupid looking. And why did Motorola have to further spoil the already horrendous looks by printing "2 MEGAPIXEL" next to the lens?!

i would have the maxx v6 anyday out of them. most people would. not too sure who told you the UI is slow, but they were lying. try it out for yourself.

i very nearly got the maxx because all the reviews recommended it highly and everyone who owns it recommended it.
it's a really nice looking phone.

Posted by: jay3712

I am also facing the same decision between these three phones. Bump for some more advice!
Thanks

Posted by: clickboom

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay3712

I am also facing the same decision between these three phones. Bump for some more advice!
Thanks

You know I am so surprised this thread did not attract more attention. These are some of Verizon's more popular offerings.

Right, so I ordered a VX-8700. Essentially, when I played around with the other two phones, I couldn't help but admire the build quality, call quality and the feel of the VX-8700.

The 8550 offers some really good innovative features like the click wheel (which is sounded awesome but feels kind of "meh" in person). Just that the 8550, though classy, felt kind of juvenile.

The Maxx VE is utter crap. I hate the way it is designed. Though smaller than the RAZR V3m, the thing looks horrendously gigantic due to its build. Plus the phone just felt kind of cheap. I really couldn't care much about the flash as it took too much away from the aesthetics.

At the Verizon store, the Maxx Ve had one more bar (kind of irrelevant)but for some strange reason,the 8700 sounded noticeably better while talking.

Posted by: 213ninja

i just returned my choco under warranty last night and was looking at the 8600, 8700, and the MAXX. (not sure if they would have let me get the MAXX, but that's irrelivant). i made my decision on the spot just from toying with the floor models....i came home with an 8700....so, good choice!

i had way too many problems with my 8500 to get an 8550. i went through 4 of them in 9 months. i mean, i loved the chocolate, don't get me wrong, but the sliders kept coming loose and a few of them were powering off randomly....hopefully the slide is more stable on the 8550 but i just didn't want to take the risk on another plastic slider. the 8700 is solid!

Posted by: clickboom

Just received the 8700!!!

You won;t believe how happy I am with this baby. There is no reason why anybody should take the MAXX or any other phone in this category over this, I mean just look at this thing.

Playing with BitPim and couldn't be happier!!

And to those who make a case against the LG regarding the lack of external controls; if you are going to get a stereo headset which supports BT profiles then external controls are irrelevant.

Thanks LG!

Posted by: sebster718

I too was contemplating the vx8550 vs. 8700.

I did a lot of research online and ended up buying the 8700 yesterday. I played with both phones for a while at VZW store, I just didn't like the sliding action and can see how that could easily break. I also saw one review on phonescoop stating that the chocolates (8550) still have problems with the slider. As stated above there were a good number of people having problems with the 8500 and I just didn't want to deal with that and that screen looks so easy to get scratched up.

I am happy with my choice and love my new 8700, keep in mind that im upgrading from a Moto v276 so this is a huge leap for me.

The phone works well as a phone with good call clarity and a loud speaker phone and thats what matters to me the most, all the other features are just extras. I also haven't noticed any buzzing or chirps as other have been, hopefully it will stay that way, and i have almost perfect hearing.

Unless you are big into listening to music on your cellphone then I would go with the vx8700.

Good luck with your decision.

Posted by: trash288

Like many of u i was targeting to get one of the three mentioned, 8700, 8550, maxx VE and did tons of research knowing that this was going to be a phone i was gonna stick w/ for a while. Caveat: overall there is still so much the phone manufactures & telecompanies can do to make the total package. I got a lot of good and bad things to say about almost every phone i've researched, had, or played w/ so I'll try to not to mention, "oh this phone should have had this or that", but mainly critic what it does give you.

8550
The 8550 is very cool, but in the end, the small numeric pad and 1.3 camera ruled it out for me.

8700
My wife got the 8700 so was able to spend a lot of time w/ it.
PROS:
The best looking out of the 3. Brushed metal finish is tough and u don't have to worry too much about smudges like w/ the other phoens. Good form factor. Main screen is the best looking also. (I'm not a big txt'er but)The LG predictive txt is very good w/ the '0' button as the "next word option" button; more convenient than pressing down on motorola's D-pad. Look of the UI is very impressive but there r only 2 themes. Can apply a video as the home screen wallpaper(Very cool). Sound quality all around is very good. Tools has a EZ tip calculator.
CONS:
I've had motorolas all my life so having the CLR button on the left side was strange for me but i am sure if i chose the 8700 i could get use to it. Speaker phone only used when open. Worked w/ my plantronics 510 earpiece for only about a week, now we can't get it to connect(heard 8600 had bluetooth issues also). Phone does get pretty hot(it never turned off on its own though). U have to remove the battery to install or remove microSD. Batt life is good but not as good as the maxxVE. Cant adjust screen brightness. Loading of thumbnail images for both pix/vids is a bit slow.

RAZR maxx VE
PROS:
Good form factor w/ a very solid feel. Rubberized feel is nice. Good looking screens & also has a large front color display. Battery life is good. Speaker phone is good and can be used closed. USB port so u could also charge and or sync(w/ motorola phone tools software) w/ your computer. Camera has flash option and auto-focus option(works best w/ taking a still of a still and not something moving). Overall sound quality is better on maxx VE. Front heat sensitive buttons for mp3 playback control. Can main adjust screen brightness.
CONS:
UI has no theme options, just standard old red. Lacquer smooth front is very nice, but smudge prone. Speakerphone sound quality is great but the max volume is not as loud as the 8700. Strange b/c it seems the max ring volume is very loud. Batt cover is difficult to open for microSD slot access, but batt does not have to be removed like in the 8700. No tip calculator in tools.

I ended up w/ the RAZR maxx VE b/c of USB port, form factor & ability to sync MS outlook calendar/contacts w/ motorola phone tools software. Not sure if i'll keep it, but for now I like.

Checked out tons of sites, but this one provides a good professional review:

http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/home.php

-trash288

Posted by: aerofan897

I got the Maxx Ve after upgrading from the E815, and after getting used to the VerizonUI (from the MotoUI), it is a great phone. I only hope that in time hacking will allow us to have as much fun as we did with the E815.

Posted by: Mark Larson

So the Maxx Ve has the Verizon UI, is it the newer Flash UI or the older one?

Posted by: 213ninja

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Larson

So the Maxx Ve has the Verizon UI, is it the newer Flash UI or the older one?

from an eye candy perspective, it's an older version of the standard VZW UI.....red bars only. you can't even change the colors of the red bars to black or blue like on some other models...

Posted by: Polish Dude

these are the exact 3 phones I am looking at. I just found my contract ended like a month ago with cingular so its time for me to move on.

I see I can get the 8700 for 150 with a 2 year contract, 8550 for 100 (70 for 2 years but not worth it) with a 1 year contract and the maxx for 90 with a 2 year contract.

I want to get a phone that I will like, since if its the 8700 or the maxx i will have it for 2 years, currently I am using the original metal razr and it has taken a beating and the only problem it has given me is the battery can barely hold a charge.

I am almost leaning towards the LGs just to try something different, but even among them I am not sure which one Id want...

Posted by: iPhoneKiller

im getting me another 8700 soon. i got an 8600 a couple weeks ago, and i love it, but i feel i have to baby it too much. i.e. i always keep it in a soft case. i think i can be a little more rough with the 8700's metal casing and wont have to worry about it getting scratched as much.

Posted by: 213ninja

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polish Dude

these are the exact 3 phones I am looking at. I just found my contract ended like a month ago with cingular so its time for me to move on.

I see I can get the 8700 for 150 with a 2 year contract, 8550 for 100 (70 for 2 years but not worth it) with a 1 year contract and the maxx for 90 with a 2 year contract.

I want to get a phone that I will like, since if its the 8700 or the maxx i will have it for 2 years, currently I am using the original metal razr and it has taken a beating and the only problem it has given me is the battery can barely hold a charge.

I am almost leaning towards the LGs just to try something different, but even among them I am not sure which one Id want...

i think you mean $190 for the MAXX, right? well, to be exact, i'm seeing $199.99 on the VZW website with a 2yr contract..

Posted by: 213ninja

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasterYoda

im getting me another 8700 soon. i got an 8600 a couple weeks ago, and i love it, but i feel i have to baby it too much. i.e. i always keep it in a soft case. i think i can be a little more rough with the 8700's metal casing and wont have to worry about it getting scratched as much.

fyi, this thing is heavy duty!!!

Posted by: aerofan897

Quote:

Originally Posted by 213ninja

from an eye candy perspective, it's an older version of the standard VZW UI.....red bars only. you can't even change the colors of the red bars to black or blue like on some other models...

Right. The VerizonUI definitely isn't as good as the MotoUI (I haven't used the FlashUI, but I'm sure it's good). There is a noticeable (but not ridiculous) lag between the time you push a menu command and the time it executes.

I notice the UI lag the most when going to create a new text message. When I select create a message, I often press enter twice thinking it did not open the first time, which then sends the blank txt immediately.

Like I said, I'm really hoping for a UI hack.

Posted by: wysilverado

Started with the Maxx,traded it for the 8700 in the trial period and then talked them into giving me back the Maxx...........Now 2 months later I sold the maxx and bought a 8700.I also came from a E815 and the old Verizon UI sucks,I hate the tiny font texting and the delay when you select.The only things the maxx is better at is taking a picture and the speaker.The Flash UI in the 8700 is nicer and quicker,call quality and reception is even and the 8700 feels higher quality and the keypad is much nicer.To each his own,I should have kept the 8700 the first time around!

Posted by: Polish Dude

Quote:

Originally Posted by 213ninja

i think you mean $190 for the MAXX, right? well, to be exact, i'm seeing $199.99 on the VZW website with a 2yr contract..

nope $90

http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-MAXX...4700133&sr=1-15

Would the fact that the phone is $90 bucks at amazon sway anyones opinion? I think I am kind of down to this or the chocolate (for its mp3 player function and the fact it will accept a 4 gig microsd), both are within 20 bucks of each other price wise...

Posted by: 213ninja

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polish Dude

wow, that is an exceptional deal on the MAXX!!!!!!

Posted by: clickboom

People,

I must tell you this 8700 is phenomenal. My sister got a Maxx Ve and seriously, I agree with the poster above that the only things the Maxx has over the 8700 are a better speaker phone and a flash. The rest is all 8700 territory. I'm particularly impressed by how much clearer calls sound on the 8700 as compared to the Maxx (note: I am using these phones in a fringe area).

However, the most annoying thing about the 8700 (and probably the only) is the built-in verizon MP3 player application. The thing is totally crippled and sucks when it comes to making playlists (and doing other basic things). Any suggestion on how to make custom playlists and upload to the 8700? (I know BitPim doesnt help much with LG phones).

But it can be safely said that the VX9700 is not an MP3 powerhouse...

Going back to the topic, for me the more solidly built 8700 is clearly the better phone. I am so happy that I made the right choice.

Regards

Posted by: trash288

I exchanged my maxx for the vx8550. very happy w/ my decision. i read all the problems w/ the maxx from another thread and was convinced after experiencing 3 reboots in the first 6 days & finding out I had the first build, 1207.

The 8550 1.3mp camera takes sharper pix than the maxx's 2.0mp, UI is noticeably faster, more customization options, 2.5mm port and smaller form factor. I reasoned that the num pad buttons were too small in a previous post, however the positive is that my thumb does not have to travel so far.

can't wait to connect w/ bitpim.