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General discussion

Trying to decide between LG VX9800 and Samsung SCH-A950/970

by aaronkorea Oct 30, 2005 3:54PM PST

Hello, I am eligible for an upgrade with Verizon and I'm looking at higher-end phones, even though I'll have to pay a little extra. I'm frustrated that CNET does not have full reviews of any of these, but I'm mostly considering the LG VX9800 and the Samsung SCH-A950 and 970. The LG VX8100 seems to have some issues, and I wasn't particularly impressed when I looked at it, so I've eliminated that.

I've checked out all of them in the store. The A950 seems like a good value and has an interesting design. I think the A970 is really cool, but if the camera doesn't produce significantly better images, it is not worth the cost. So I'm especially interested in the quality of the camera. (Sure, I took photos in the store, but it is hard to tell how the images would look when displayed on a monitor or printed.) I love the internal screen and keyboard on the VX9800. However, design-wise, the access to the MP3 player is more embedded (rather than activation by easily accessible buttons like with the Samsung models). And the whole thing is a little bulky.

Any advice would be appreciated. I currently have an LG VX4400, which I have used for 2 years, and I'm ready for something new. Plus I don't have either a standalone digital camera or an MP3 player... I don't have any illusions that a phone can perform any of those functions as well as specialized devices, but it would be nice if whatever phone I get could at least be relatively useful in those areas.

Discussion is locked

15 Posts
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Go for the Samsung A950
by hazesky Oct 31, 2005 8:49AM PST

My wife and I have had this phone for 2 weeks and love it! The quality of the pictures and camcorder videos are very good. The battery life is excellent (about 4-5 days) with normal use. I was a bit concerned about the reception because of the internal antenna, but have been pleasantly surprised! I have not lost any calls and have generally had at least 3 bars or reception most of the time. I would highly recommend this phone. I have not had a Samsung since I was with Sprint 4 years ago and find the quality much better compared to LG.

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The A950 is great!
by Nish Nov 1, 2005 6:27AM PST

Although the 970 has a 2 megapixel camera the phone does not have that many more interesting features apart from the higher end camera. The 950 has a good design and is not extremley bulky. If the 950 is not as apealing to you then why not consider the Motorola E815?

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Loading MP3s
by charlesparcell Nov 2, 2005 10:35PM PST

My biggest problem with this phone is that you MUST use the Get It Now service to put MP3s on it (with Verizin).

Could those who have this phone please explain to me a few things.

1) What is the process of getting MP3s on the phone?
2) How long does it take to download a 25 MB MP3?
3) How much does it cost you to download your MP3s?

Thanks

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Ringtones
by ssjgoku80 Dec 22, 2005 11:42PM PST

Is there any way to load your mp3's as ringtones. For some strange reason I cant.

ssjgoku80@hotmail.com

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Ringtones
by johny7w May 12, 2006 2:08PM PDT
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Loading MP3's
by seco70 Feb 17, 2006 12:05PM PST

You don't have to use the Get It Now service to put music on your phone. What you need is the Music Essentials Kit that Verizon sells for $29.99. It comes with Window Media 10, a stereo headset and a USB to connect your phone to your computer. Then you simply rip your own music down to WMA files (which are better than MP3's anyway) and transfer them to your phone. You probably want to get a 512 mb card which will give you somewhere between 150-200 songs I think.

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Loading MP3's
by dave1973 Feb 18, 2006 12:51PM PST

I prefer MP3 over WMA anyday. If I'm not mistaken, WMA isn't well supported on non-windows pcs, which would mean PC's with Linux & Be and the Mac might not handle WMA files. I'm not for sure on that. I do have a Windows pc, but I like MP3 because it's a universal format that is more popular than WMA. WMA is supported by the RIAA, which wants to put an end to MP3, which won't happen. If I'm going to buy music from any service, it has to be in the mp3 format, not wma format. That's why I refuse to use Wal-mart downloads. I'm not going to waste my time trying to convert that file from WMA to MP3. I hope the upcoming Samsung a930, which is expected to be released for Verizon Wireless, doesn't eliminate the mp3 format.

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in response to Nish
by Dani17 Nov 5, 2005 12:01PM PST

Nish: If the 950 is not as apealing to you then why not consider the Motorola E815?

I recently switched to Verizon a week ago and I purchased the Motorola E815 and I dont think its a good recommendation. Although it has a 1.3 Megapixel camera like the VX9800 and the a950, the quality is horrible. My friends have the VX8100, which also has a 1.3 megapixel camera, and the quality of the pictures are 10 times better than the E815. I took a picture in a club with the flash on and it came out graining and a bit scrambled. When I sent the picture to a friend, who happens to have the VX9800, the picture showed so clear and perfect on his phone. Another problem is that this phone is known to have defects which should have deferred me from it in the first place. The alarm on my phone is defective. Although I set it correctly, put the volume on 7, it doesn't work. I knew I set it right because when I was with T-Mobile I had the V600 and it works EXACTLY like the E815, which is very common with Motorola phones. The E815 is a bad choice. Im actually taking my phone back tomorrow and getting the a950. GO WITH THE a950!

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Moto E815 Is A Real Disappointment....
by Psych Doc Nov 6, 2005 1:05AM PST

...Looks and feels cheesy. Inside and outside screens are dull, washed out looking. Not even in the same league with the LG's. To be fair I do hear they have pretty good reception and I like that they have that little feedback feature so you hear a tiny bit of your voice through the earpiece. The LG's don't have that and I always feels sort of "disconnected" from the call on the LG phones. The motos are more like a home phone in that regard.
Overall though, the LG's a re a much better package. Samsung's are not bad but I've always hated their keypad layout and texture..too small.

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LG 9800 great phone but
by tcat corp Nov 1, 2005 11:00AM PST

I had every verizon phone and i can recommend only a few. If you are deciding between the 9800 and 950 i would def tell you to get the 950. I used both phones and can say that the 9800 is a good phone with only a few minor software issues. I didn't find many software issues with the 950 or 970. Just So you know you can expect to have some software issues with any new phone that verizon releases since they rush all of their phones into production. The way i would decide between these phones is form factor and features. 9800 is a good phone mp3 is good vcast video is nice to watch from the internal screen (very slow connection) i see no use for vcast. 9800 camera put simply just sucks. Samsungs 2 megapixel camera is a great buy since i think you will be using that more often.

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trying to decide
by cruzamatic Nov 2, 2005 2:22PM PST

sorry 2 hear u wrote off the vx8100. i have 1 now & so far so good. tuff decition 8100 or samsung a950. my neighbor has the 950, side beside, mine (8100) has beter reception,appx. 1 bar. but the 950 has no external ant... 950 9800 & 970 to new , dont b a guinie pig. wait. it is a 2 yr. agreement.for the money buy a seperate camera. your picture memories are worth more than a cellphone. should the phone break u loose both. 970 to fragile.NOW the 8100 holds 15 ring tones, 950 holds 64 if u r into that. but w/ a memory card u can save many more on ether phone.u paid for the ringtoes,games, wallpaper,etc.save it to the card, should your phone crash (it is a mini cpu)u havent lost all u paid 4.now if u read the manual & dig deep in the phones menus all the fetures do work.1 more note the front display on the 8100 does more than the 950.as for VALUE , go to cellphones.com & look for INTELENETWIRELESS . ps do note the insurance its also a better deal. no deduct plus save $10 anually. should u sign back up w/ verizon tell customer service nathan from rome ga refferd u. i might get one of those $25 credits. lol. hope this helps....cruz

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trying to decide
by cruzamatic Nov 2, 2005 2:32PM PST

the moto 815 - good camera & reception. dark screen & a complicated menu. has no stand alone MISSED calls menu. it mixes them w/ small icons in 1 long receved calls menu. not user freindlly.

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Reception On The Samsung A950 Is HORRIBLE....
by Psych Doc Dec 23, 2005 1:12AM PST

...Friend has one and it's just awful. Catchy design but what the hell good is it if it doesn't function as a phone? That is, after all, its primary function.

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Have to disagree
by sandy dawn Mar 4, 2006 8:41AM PST

I have had this phone now for 2 weeks. Have used it every day, at work, school, home, in the car. Everywhere I use it, reception is AMAZING! My school is out in the middle of nowhere, and I consistently get at least 2 bars (maybe down to 1, when in the locker room, surrounded by metal, etc...). Never had a problem messaging, calling, or even browsing the web - all in places where T-Mobile wouldn't even reach.
If I had to phone shop all over again, I'd still take this one!

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LG 4400 upgrade to 9800 - YES!
by debra8 Dec 31, 2005 9:51AM PST

I too had the LG4400 and upgraded to the 9800 and LOVE IT!!! I can not say enough about the phone. Yes, it is thick but does not bother me in the least.
This phone does everything for me, calendar, todo list (I use the notepad, check my online email, messageing, you name it. I have not gotten into the downloading of videos and the like and probably will not. I am very pleased with my upgrade decision. And it does not seem slow getting online at all. I zip right on to either do email or IM freinds.
~D

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