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LG VX8350 Review

Published on: 28 September, 2007 by PhoneArena Team

Performance:

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When comparing the Reception and Sound Quality between the VX8350 and VX8300, we found that newer doesn’t always mean better. Both phones kept the same reception about 90% of the time, but the other 10% while used in fringe areas, the VX8350 would repeatedly drop calls or could not find a signal. We are unsure if this is because the phone uses an internal antenna, or if it could be related to something else. The Call Quality through the earpiece was also not as clear and static free as on the VX8300. Several times we noticed the presence of static and interference during calls, which we were unable to duplicate on the VX8300. Lastly, the earpiece volume on the VX8350 was also not as loud as on the VX8300. One positive thing that we did like was that the Speakerphone on the VX8350 did not suffer from the large amount of distortion that is created when using the Speakerphone on the VX8300.

The Included 1000mAh battery is rated by LG to provide 3Hr 27Min of Talk Time or 8 Days of Standby Time on a full charge. During out testing, we were able to achieve up to 3Hr 30Min of Talk Time, yet were only able to get up to 5 Days of Standby Time. Despite this discrepancy, the amount of Talk and Standby Time provided by the battery is sufficient, considering that fact that most phones are now coming with smaller capacity batteries.

Conclusion:

It is unfortunate when a new phone does not live up to the previous model that came before it, but this is the case with the VX8350, where the physical design changes are outweighed by negative aspects of the device. There are several key areas that concern us about the VX8350. The first being the poorly designed hinge that flexes whenever the smallest amount of force is placed upon it. This makes us feel that the hinge will not hold up over time with everyday use. The second area of concern is the Reception and Call Quality. We are usually impressed by how well LG phones can hold reception and by how good the earpiece quality is. It is too bad that this is not the case with the VX8350. We experienced several drop calls in areas where the VX8300, VX8550 Chocolate, and enV were able to maintain a signal, and the Call Quality through the earpiece was also not as good, with noticeable static and interference. Verizon is currently selling the VX8350 for $80 after Rebate, which we feel is overpriced for this device. If you are looking for a good quality phone for Verizon, we would recommend going with the VX8550 Chocolate or enV. Both cost more, but will last longer and provide overall better quality.



Pros

  • Speakerphone Is Loud And Has Low Distortion
  • Updated Styling

Cons

  • Poorly Designed Hinge
  • Low Reception In Fringe Areas
  • Call Quality Not As Good As Other LG Phones
  • Camera Is Useless

PA rating

  • Design 5
  • Display 5
  • Camera 4
  • Sound Quality 5
  • Battery 7
  • Connectivity 5
  • Multimedia 5
  • Organizer 5
Average
5.1
out of 10

How do we rate?

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0
1.
Have to disagree with the review
I went straight to the 8350 from an 8300, and I have to say I completely disagree with the review.

Not only do I not experience the crackling or 'static' that the reviewer mentions, but the sound quality through the earpiece has actually been better and louder than the 8300's.

Additionally, the speakerphone on the 8350 is much better than the 8300's- the 8300's would get very buzzy at anything above medium volume, while the 8350's stays clean even at high volume.

The only area where the 8300 is better is battery life, really, and not by all that much. I'm happy with the 8350, and wouldn't go back to the 8300.
0
15.
Perhaps they made a mid model tune up due to some of the early complaints. The 8350 I bought last week sounds much better than the 8300. The ear piece sounds cleaner....there is none of that buzz at the higher volume levels that plagued the 8300. My version is loud and clear. People on the other end like the way I sound. They like the way I sound more than the Motorola W385, W755, Q9m, Blackberry 8330, 8130 Pearl, Palm Centro (that was a toss up), LG enV2 and Samsung U550. These conclusions were reached while I was talking from the verizon store to a friend on a nextel network and a lot of these comments involve simple preference. There is no argument against preference. I am not saying the other phones sounded bad (although a couple of them actually did) I am saying she liked the way mine sounded better. She has a very nice phone by the way. Best I have ever heard. So anyway my experience is quite contrary to the reviewers which leads me to suspect that my 8350 might be second generation....any way to open it up and tell? The inside does say hardware revision 1.1 What does that mean? As to the RF sensitivity issue, we live in a deep fringe area ..right on the edge. So much on the edge that if you even touch the antenna on some of our other phones the call is dropped. In the Verizon network the only phone that we have owned that has reliably worked out there is the Motorola E-815. It could just squeeze by. This particular sample of 8350 is very good in the area of RF sensitivity. It is not outstanding...not even great. But it is pretty good.

Just my two cents.
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0
2.
Try and re-read the review.

"Lastly, the earpiece volume on the VX8350 was also not as loud as on the VX8300. One positive thing that we did like was that the Speakerphone on the VX8350 did not suffer from the large amount of distortion that is created when using the Speakerphone on the VX8300."
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0
3.
Have to disagree as well
The thing that stood out most were the comments regarding the hinge. The hinge design is IMPROVED. It flexes because there is a soft pad that allows for give so the hinge doesn't break. Open the phone, lay it face down on a table, and pound down on it. It gives! No breaking, no damage!

I find the speaker quality and speakerphone to be far better and have not experienced any "tin can" sounding music. I find the screen to be far clearer than the original and pictures show much more detail.

Really, I have no idea what phone you're talking about!!
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0
4.
Reviewer seemed to miss some key things
I have to concur with the poster above- the reviewer definitely missed the fact that the the stop for the flip is rubber, not hard plastic. The resulting small amount of 'give' at the end of the flip's travel should help keep the flip from breaking if you drop the phone while it's open, or press it too hard against your head.

It seems more like good design that a quality issue, because the flip actually has very little play and opens and closes very smoothly, i.e. its not 'el cheapo'.

Additionally, there's a review up for the 8350 over at CNET, which, contrary to this one, praises the 8350's call quality/sound quality. They gave the phone an 8.3 or 'Excellent', and based on my experience, I'd have to agree.

They also generally praised the camera, again, in contrast to this review.

PhoneScoop user reviews have also been quite positive.
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0
5.
Poor Reception
My wife and I both got this phone after hearing good reviews of the 8300. To say the least, we have been very dissapointed with the reception of these phones. When a strong signal is available, there is no problem, but unfortanately, we don't have a strong signal at home. We have encountered numerous dropped calls and very bad reception in the two weeks that we have had these phones. We will be returning these phones.
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0
6.
Y would you...
2 other points of mension that they didn't talk about where there is no flash on the VX8350, why would you get rid of that? Also the plactice holster/belt clip who ever designed it needs to be slapped. On my VX4500, VX8100, VX7000 and the VX8300 you can open your phone with the holster attached. The VX8350 you have to remove the phone from the holster to open the phone
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0
7.
Poor sound quality
I agree with the review. This phone does not live up to expectations. Sound quality is poor ... tinny and muffled. Camera is useless.
Ergonomics and handling are not bad. Fits in pocket well.
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0
8.
I purchased the vx8350 about a week ago. Here's my take thus far. This is the first new phone I've bought in about 4 years. I've been using my LG3200 & comparing the 8350 to the 3200 this is what I think. First the 8350 is much more difficult to open, especially with one hand. The grooves dont allow for a quick open. Second, while the larger screen is nice, the size of the numbers is a little absurd, they are way to large for my liking & that doesnt allow for too much privacy, especially when punching in your voicemail pswd. Third, the number keypad uses white lights compared to the blue on the 3200. The blue lighted keypad in my opinion is much easier to see. Fourth, the position of the charger port is kind of a hassle. You have to remove that little rubber piece, but when you buy the phone, it's recommended you keep that little piece to prevent dust/dirt from getting inside the phone. That piece is so small, it'll be lost in a day. On the 3200, the charged plugs right into the side, no fuss. The 3200 also has a removable rubber piece (for a car charger). Fifth, the 3200 has about 35+ ring options from holiday tunes to a latin beat. The 8350 only has about 15+ & there's not much variety. Sixth, surprisingly, the battery life on my 3200 is out performing the 8350. Very disappointed in that. Seventh, similiar to the the ring tones, there is not alot of background pics as on the 3200. Bottom line is this: I'm not sure yet whether I'll wind up keeping the 8350. From a person who has had the same 3200 phone for a few years, I thought upgrading to the 8350 would be alot more sexy than it has turned out to be. I'm not that impressed & if my 3200 was still working perfectly after I dropped it in water, I'd probably still be using it.
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0
9.
buggy phone
I bought this phone to replace my vx4650. The maximum volume is less, and if the phone is sitting down, the volume will be reduced even more.

I have found several bugs in the software.
-If you are using the phone and receive a text, the action on the screen isn't necessarily what will happen when you press the button.
-Pictures are correct if the phone is open, but are backwards (mirrored) if taken while the phone is closed. The image is reversed for the external display as well as for the file.
-The dates of several appointments were corrupted. I could not change them (got an out of range error) and so had to delete and re-do.
-certain mp3 files (high or variable bit rate) DO NOT SHOW UP on the player. Verizon's pc software does not catch these files.

The phone now will shut off sometimes when it is snapped shut. It did not do this when new.

Verizon's leather case SUCKS. It does not fit well. It covers the side buttons, making them very hard to hit accurately, especially when you can't see them. When open, the upper part slides up and covers the earpiece and camera. On my old phone, the case was almost impossible to put on or take off, but at least it stayed put!
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0
10.
I just had to replace my broken 8300 with the 8350. I didn't want to but the people I was going through didn't have them in stock so they "upgraded" me. I thought the new version would be just like the old, but within 20 minutes of getting the 8350 I knew this phone would be terrible.

I have to agree with others that the design is completely ridiculous. I enjoy the convienance of being able to flip open my phone with one hand, but the 8350 not only is a pain to open with both hands, but the cheap-feeling plastic slides around so you never feel like you have a firm grip on the thing.

Who in the world designs a phone without a flash?? I thought maybe the camera doesn't need one due to some superior technology so I tried taking a few pics in a dark room and guess what? I got black pictures! Such a stupid design.

My only comfort is that I may be able to sell the 8350 online, buy the 8300, and make a few extra bucks.
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