The LG Chocolate 3 is shiny.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)Based on all the previously released LG Chocolate handsets in the U.S., there appear to be three defining characteristics of a Chocolate phone--it has touch-sensitive controls, it has a slider design, and it has a scroll wheel not unlike the iPod.
Well, the LG Chocolate 3 only has one out of the three characteristics, making us wonder if it even truly deserves the Chocolate branding (it doesn't even look anything like its namesake). Indeed, the LG Chocolate 3 has no touch-sensitive controls at all and is the first Chocolate handset to be in a flip form factor.
The only saving grace seems to be the mechanical scroll wheel it inherited from the LG VX8550 Chocolate (which we liked a great deal). Aside from that, we weren't too pleased with its extremely reflective mirror finish plus its slippery and flat keypad. When it comes to features, however, the LG Chocolate 3 is clearly an upgrade. Not only did we see a bump from a 1.3-megapixel camera to a 2.0-megapixel on the Chocolate 3, its music player functionality is greatly enhanced from a 3.5-mm headset jack, a nice 1GB of internal memory (plus a microSD card slot that takes up to 8GB cards), and a built-in FM transmitter.
Verizon is also marketing the LG Chocolate 3 as its marquee phone for its new V Cast Music with Rhapsody service, which lets you download songs over the air to the phone as well as to the PC for $1.99 a pop. So while we think its design leaves a little to be desired, its strong multimedia offering makes up for it. Check out our review for the full scoop.
LG Chocolate 3
(Credit: Verizon Wireless)It turns out that we were slightly off when we said the LG Chocolate 3 would be out on July 14. Verizon just announced today that the Chocolate flip phone will actually hit the retail shelves a full day early on July 13 (In Verizon retail stores, Circuit City, as well as the online store). The LG Chocolate 3 will also be the marquee music phone for Verizon's new V Cast Music with Rhapsody deal. Indeed, with a 3.5mm headset jack, stereo Bluetooth, stereo speakers, and a built-in FM transmitter, Verizon hopes for the Chocolate 3 to be a full-blown music handset. Other features include a microSD card slot, a 1GB of internal memory, a 2-megapixel camera, VZ Navigator support, V Cast Video support, plus it's the first Verizon phone to feature "Dashboard", a Flash-based portal that delivers multimedia information to the phone. The LG Chocolate 3 will be available for $129.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a two-year service agreement.
LG Chocolate 3
(Credit: LG)PhoneArena has reported that LG and Verizon will introduce the third version of the coveted candy-name music phone, dubbed the LG Chocolate 3, on July 14. The VX8560 model will be the first ever Chocolate clamshell, available in both black and light blue (Though we bet there will be additional colors in the future). Some of the expected features include a microSD card slot, a 1GB of internal memory (which sounds quite impressive), a 3.5mm headset jack, a 2-megapixel camera, stereo speakers, stereo Bluetooth, and an integrated FM transmitter. The full retail price is expected to be $299, though you can get it for $129 after a $50 rebate and a two-year service agreement ($199 after a $50 rebate and a 1-year agreement).
On Sale Now: $29.99
View the latest prices for LG Chocolate 3 - black (Verizon Wireless)
LG Dare
(Credit: LG)LG just dropped some heavy cell phone news this morning with the announcement of three new handsets for Verizon Wireless. The most intriguing of the lot is the LG Dare, a phone that will join the ranks of the LG Vu, the Samsung Instinct, and the Apple iPhone as a full-fledged touch-screen handset. The one difference seems to be that the Dare has a stylus, with "advanced handwriting recognition" plus a virtual QWERTY keyboard (EDIT: Verizon says the Dare does not have a stylus, which makes the "advanced handwriting recognition" statement a little confusing). It will have V Cast support, a 3.2-megapixel camera that promises to adapt to low light levels, a built-in photo editing tool, plus the capability to upload the photos to a "social networking site" (MySpace or Facebook, perhaps?). Not a lot of information on the Dare yet, but we hope to learn more once it launches in July.
LG Decoy
(Credit: LG)The next phone on the list is the LG Decoy, which we mentioned in an earlier rumor about the phone's release. As you'll recall, the Decoy is the first ever phone to have a stowaway Bluetooth headset integrated into the back of the device. The Decoy is a slider phone, and will also have V Cast and VZ Navigator support. It will be in stores on June 16.
LG Chocolate 3
(Credit: LG)And last, but definitely not least, is the LG Chocolate 3. Instead of its predecessor's slider form factor, the Chocolate 3 will be in flip form with the music player control wheel on the outside. Features include an FM transmitter, an MP3 player of course, V Cast support, dual speakers, stereo Bluetooth, 1GB of internal memory plus a microSD card slot, a 2.0-megapixel camera, and more. According to reports, the Chocolate 3 will arrive in stores in July as well.
It certainly looks like LG has been very busy, with all these devices coming out around the same time frame. No pricing information yet, but we'll definitely keep you updated on these phones, and keep a look out for our reviews as soon as we get them.
On Sale Now: $29.99
View the latest prices for LG Chocolate 3 - black (Verizon Wireless)
On Sale Now: $5.99
View the latest prices for LG Decoy (Verizon Wireless)
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