First impressions of the LG CU320

Ok, I got the CU320 today, I'll post my first impressions here.

1. I've never had so many dropped calls as I did today. I called 611, and they sent updates to my phone, I'll see if this improves
2. internet did not immediately work, I had to call 611 to get the phone updated to get this working as well.
3. Call quality is less than I expected. In some areas my old V551 would have perfect service, yet this can barely hold on. Hopefully the OTA updates will fix this as well. In one instance I actually took my SIM out of the LG and put it back into my V551 to complete a call because it was so bad.
4. I don't like the small keys, I have large fingers and I find the keyboard difficult to navigate.
5. The camera seems to work very well, much better than expected.
6. the display is a nice size, and has nice contrast and nice color as well.
7. I am finding the "slider" form factor difficult, but I've had clamshells for 6 years, this will take some getting used to.
8. It paired quite easily to my Motorola HS820 headset, I will experiment on the effective range later. I am guessing I will not get even close to the 100+ feet I enjoied with my V551. We will see though.
9. 3G internet seems faster, but not much. I will try to hook up to my computer later and see exactly how fast it is when I'm surfing regular sites, and not WAP sites.

I will post more after I have more experience with the phone.

-Jay

 

I'm still getting used to it. I'm suprised how well the flash works on the camera.

 

Well, as we are right now, I am fighting an intense urge to take the fing phone back and get a V3. I had a call drop this morning when I had 3 bars of service. I will try to stick through this and then trade it in and evaluate one of the 3G offerings that will be released next month. This must be a common problem as when I called 611 and pressed the option for 3G phone support they immediately give you a separate 800 number for dropped calls issues on 3G - For all other 3G issues please stay on the line... I just do not see why Cingular didn't release 3G with some quality equipment. It looks cool, but beyond that the performance is far below what I was expecting, and I had lower expectations to begin with because it is an LG. The fast data services are really cool, but first and foremost it is a phone, and if I can't complete a call what good is it?

-Jay

 

The problem is that the samsung didn't have bluetooth... Otherwise I would have chosen it over the LG.

-Jay

 

Yeah, but I don't have an IR headset... Anyway the final result is this: I have had it with the dropped calls and poor reception. I have not had one call on the phone that I didn't have problems with. In each situation if I put my SIM in the old V551 I can continue with no cutouts or dropped calls. I can now wait until they get some decent 3G offerings out there. I now can say to people that have 3G phones that say I'm using old technology that I've tried it and I'm back to what works. I am sorry I ever considered an LG, and now I am sure I do not want to try the LG CU500 (the V3 wannabe phone being released next month.)

Total time with phone before making this decision: 26 hours To those of you in the pool who said I wouldn't last a day... You lost.

-Jay

 

I know that was a joke, and I made one right back at ya. I know there is no such thing as an IR headset.

-Jay

 

Yes, I would love a V3x, however a US verision will probably not be released until at least the fall, if not later. I am going to try and find out a more concrete release date on the V3i on Tuesday. I may exchange the LG CU320 for that.

-Jay

 

I submitted a user review for Phonescoop on the LG CU320. Here's what I posted:

This piece of crap is going back to the store...

by Jay2TheRescue May 28, 2006
This is by far the worst cell phone I have ever had. I have never had so many dropped calls in my life. I called 611, and they insisted that my phone needed "updates" so they sent the updates over the air to my phone, and it still drops calls. I got so upset today because I could not maintain a call, not even on the sidewalk outside! (My Motorola V551 works in the basement) I took the SIM card out and put it back in my old V551.

Let me say this though. I WANTED to like the phone. I WANTED to be the first of my friends to use the cool 3G technology. In the end I will wait until Motorola or Nokia put out a 3G phone, that way I will know it is a quality product.

PROS:
great camera.
nice large, clear screen with great color & contrast.
fast 3G internet surfing.
battery life was better than expected.
Nice looking design.
Nice sound when playing MP3's through the speaker.

Cons:
So many dropped calls.
The calls that didn't drop had choppy audio.
I have large hands and I found the keypad cumbersome.
My old phone worked in the basement, this doesn't even work well outside on the street.
Doesn't have the ability to set custom tones for voicemail, etc. I could only choose from the 8 or so preloaded sounds for voicemail, even though I added other sounds to the phone. My V551 let me set custom sounds for voicemail.

Now remember, I wanted to like this. I wanted to be the first to have a 3G phone among my friends. In the end I feel it is better to wait until a more reputable manufacturer releases a 3G phone for the US market. This phone isn't marginally worse than my old one, it is drastically worse. It is to the point that I am surprised that Cingular even approved it. I think you will see this phone discontinued soon after Cingular gets some better 3G handsets later this year. If my experience is typical by the end of the year this will be discontinued, maybe even sooner. If you buy this remember you have been warned!
Good Riddens!
Please rate this review: Not Helpful Very Helpful | Inappropriate