LG Cosmos VN250 Review

Introduction:

Just like the LG enV series has been quite popular with Verizon over the past few years, the LG Rumor series has been equally popular with Sprint. Now comes the LG Cosmos VN250 for Verizon Wireless, but it is basically a rebranded Rumor 2 with some software and cosmetic changes. In fact, the LG Cosmos is pretty close to the Samsung Intensity U450, which we reviewed last year, as both are budget messaging phones for Verizon and feature sliding QWERTY keyboards. However, for people looking for some extra features, such as a higher resolution camera and an included music player, you may want to consider going with the LG enV3 VX9200, as the Cosmos is quite basic.

Included in the retail package is the LG Cosmos VN250 phone, 950 mAh battery, wall charger with detachable microUSB cable, and user guide.

Design:

As can be expected, the LG Cosmos VN250 looks pretty similar to the LG Rumor 2, though it is not currently available in different colors. It is made out of shiny black plastic and the battery cover has a swirl design printed on it. Unlike the Samsung Intensity and Motorola Rival, both of which felt to have cheep construction, the LG Cosmos feels better overall and more solid, almost on par with the LG enV3. We also like that the battery cover on the Cosmos slides off instead of popping off, as found on the Samsung Intensity, and that the spring-loaded QWERTY keyboard feels more durable and fluid when opening and closing. However, the LG Cosmos VN250 is slightly larger overall than the Samsung Intensity, Motorola Rival, and LG enV3, and when it is placed in your pocket it is a bit more noticeable.




You can compare the LG Cosmos VN250 with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.

The LG Cosmos VN250 features a modest 2.0-inch diagonal 240x320 resolution TFT display with 262K color support, which is the same as on the Rumor 2. When compared next to the Samsung Intensity U450, you can tell the display on the Samsung is slightly larger (about 0.10” diagonal), but images and text look better and less pixelated on the Cosmos since it has higher resolution. Below the display is the left and right softkeys, d-pad, dedicated speakerphone and voice command buttons, send and end keys, and the numeric keypad, all of which have a white backlight and nice feedback when pressed.


When sliding open the LG Cosmos VN250, the two extra left and right softkeys on the edge of the display are used, which work well and are comfortable, as well as the 4-row QWERTY keyboard, which also contain its own directional keys on the right side. The white backlit keyboard has a nice layout and we like that the numbers are occupying their own designated row along the top. Each key is individual and separate from one another, and there is adequate space between them, which allows for easy typing of messages without feeling cramped, which we felt when using the Samsung Intensity. The keyboard is handy to use for sending messages and posting updates to social network sites, and the keys provide nice feedback and a noticeable “click” when pressed. We like the keyboard on the LG Cosmos VN250 more than the ones on the Samsung Intensity and Motorola Rival because of its overall layout. It’s the most comfortable and most functional out of the bunch. Along the sides of the Cosmos are the volume rocker, camera key, microUSB port, 2.5mm headset jack, and memory card slot that accepts microSDHC cards up to 16GB in size.