LG Chocolate VX8550 Cell Phone Review - Value & Comparisons
Value (5.0)
The LG Chocolate can be bought for $149.99 with a two-year contract. If purchased online, that cost is driven down to $99.99. There is also a "Music Essential" kit, which comes with a 4GB Memory Card, Bluetooth stereo headset, USB cable, and music software, for $249.98. Outside of a contract, the Chocolate will set you back $329.99. These are about average for a mid-range phone these days, though we believe the Chocolate should have at least come with headphones and a USB cable. Most music handsets do, and some of the lower tier ones cost less than $100. With the Chocolate, your money is going toward aesthetic appeal and a less common form factor.
Comparisons
Sanyo M1 - The Sanyo M1 is a comparable music device. It now typically runs $99.99 with a Sprint contract. It comes with an impressive 1GB of storage built in, but doesn't have a slot for a memory card. Although the M1's controls are better for music, the overall interface and media player software are better on the Chocolate. The M1 also comes with a stereo headset and USB cable, which were absent in the Chocolate's packaging. The Chocolate remains a better looking phone overall, however, and its battery life for music playback is leaps and bounds ahead of what the M1 is capable of.
Razr V3m - Like the Chocolate, the Razr V3m looks better than it functions. The Chocolate is a better music phone, mainly due to the dedicated music key and a better media player interface. The V3m also contains fewer features overall. The area where the Razr excells is pricing, running $249.99 without a contract and an impressive $0.00 with a two-year from Sprint. Also, the Razr has a clamshell form factor, which will mean less scratching on the main screen.
LG Chocolate VX8500 - The old Chocolate really can't offer much over the new one. It has inferior control, its interface looks more dated, it doesn't offer as much functionality as the new Chocolate, and its key layout isn't as natural. Don't expect its outdated design to garner you much savings either, as its two-year contract price is $69.99. The $30 saved is not worth the loss in looks and function.
Nokia N75 - The Nokia N75 is a smart phone available on AT&T for $149.99 with a two-year contract, and mail-in rebate. Without the contract it costs $399. Like the Chocolate, the N75 has its high and low points, though the lows outnumber the highs. The audio quality is great, but the camera quality isn't. Also, the battery life is downright abysmal, as it couldn't even last for two and a half hours of talk time.
LG Shine KE970 - The Shine is a "luxury" phone from LG. It's not supported by any major US carrier, and costs about $450. This phone was made to look good, but doesn't really do anything else. Unless you really like the look of the Shine and that's all you care about, pick up the Chocolate instead.
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Individual |
1350 |
0.0593 |
79.99 |
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2000 |
0.0500 |
99.99 |
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4000 |
0.0375 |
149.99 |
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450 |
0.0889 |
39.99 |
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900 |
0.0667 |
59.99 |
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