The Tech Herald has had the LG Versa in its possession for quite sometime now. To say that we have given it serious usage would be an understatement. The Versa is a small, lightweight, touch-screen phone that offers something unique -- an optional keyboard that can be attached to the handset and can also double as a book-like cover.
Review: LG Versa from Verizon (Img: LG Electronics)
By default the Versa is a touch-screen LG. Like other touch-screen handsets offered through the Verizon portfolio, this one is no different. However, it responded better to usage as a touch-screen than some of the other models, and the included stylus helped improve performance somewhat.
Yet, while the touch-screen was great, the optional keyboard was what we used the most. It attaches easily to the Versa and, once closed, makes a handy little case for the handset. In all honesty, during testing, the attached keyboard was used more often than the touch functionality. While either function works great, we preferred the ease offered by the keyboard when sending e-mail, using the IM abilities of the Versa, or text messaging -- not to mention general Net surfing was also easier with keyboard assistance.
The 2.0 mega pixel camera did well in various lighting conditions. During the time we had the phone, we sent it off for usage during a family trip. As you can see in the montage below, the images came out quite well. The final image was taken at 02:00 in the morning during a house fire. Despite the flashing lights of over 15 fire trucks, and the rapid movement of the firefighters, the image came out cleanly in what could be called awkward lighting at best.
Multimedia-wise, the Versa is quite capable. There are music and video options, thanks to the inclusion of Rhapsody and V CAST. You can also add Visual Voicemail and GPS services with VZ Navigator and, if you use Broadband Connect, the Versa can be tethered to a notebook for Internet usage.
Gaming, thanks to a separate controller that can be purchased for the Versa ($29.99 USD), was outstanding. Turning the phone into a mini-gaming system, playing games such as Need for Speed, God of War, Pac-Man, Resident Evil, Tetris, SimCity, Risk, and others, was an unexpected feature that made long car rides entertaining for the kids.
The attachment comes with some games pre-loaded, but keep in mind that you either need to pay for a game subscription on some titles offered by Verizon or purchase them outright. The costs are added to your bill. The speaker on the handset, for sound on games or music and video, was adequate. Yet, the best sound came through using a set of headphones
In terms of battery performance, we didn’t notice any serious drain until we starting playing games and using V CAST or Rhapsody. Normal usage, on a full charge, gave us just over four hours of operation. Sometimes the battery stretched just short of five hours, depending on what we did with it, such as text only, sending e-mail, or focusing on just phone calls.
The second we started watching videos, playing or streaming music, or used the Versa for gaming, the battery was quickly drained, lasting for only about two hours. Not that bad, but just remember the more you do, the less the phone will last on a normal charge.
Call quality, using both a Bluetooth headset and the normal handset, was excellent. Service coverage varies but, in Indiana and California, there were no coverage issues during the time we had the phone.
Overall, we liked the Versa. It has all the features you would expect these days and offers something extra with add-ons like the gaming controller. The battery lasted much longer than expected, and the camera took some decent images. While some of the tested services come at an added cost, for just the base functionality, the Versa was able to keep up with other rival phones on the market.
If you’re looking for a replacement any time soon, check this one out. The cost is $199.99 USD after a $50 USD mail-in rebate. However, the gaming controller is extra, as are data services. It would be wise to select a customer plan that offers a good mix of data and voice services when selecting options for the two-year contract.
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