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Best iPhone alternative for Verizon customers
- Exceptional 3.2-megapixel camera
- Built-in photo-editing features
- Small body
- Standard headphone jack
- Good call quality
- Can't sync calendar/contacts
- Touch screen can be difficult to use
- Small display
- No autocorrect or spell check
Reviewers agree that the Verizon LG Dare is one of the best alternatives to an Apple iPhone. The No. 1 topic in each review is the Dare's impressive 3.2-megapixel camera. Although the camera is not point-and-shoot quality, both users and reviewers alike contend that the camera, which includes face detection, is the phone's best feature. Users consistently complain that the Dare's 3-inch touch screen can be difficult to use, although many say they have gotten used to it. The LG Dare has a smaller body than its competitors, the iPhone and the Samsung Instinct, measuring just 4.1 inches long by 2.2 inches wide by 0.5 inch thick -- a little larger than a deck of cards. Reviewers say the smallish 3-inch screen does detract from using the full HTML browser, and a lot of scrolling is necessary. (The iPhone has a 3.5-inch screen.) The Dare doesn't have autocorrect, which some find bothersome, but it does let you copy and paste by simply highlighting text. (Apple recently added cut/copy/paste functionality to the iPhone.)
CNET's Nicole Lee rates the Dare's call quality as excellent, while Sascha Segan at PCMag.com says that reception is good and that the earpiece and speakerphone are quite loud. InfoSync's Philip Berne agrees that call quality is good, but he finds the speakerphone to be too quiet, particularly on a noisy street. As always, it's good to try out cell phones at the store before making a purchase and noting the carrier's return policy.
The LG Dare, Samsung Instinct and LG's own Vu look very much alike -- each has a slab form factor with a touch screen. Other competitors include the Samsung Glyde and the LG Voyager. They pale in comparison with the Dare's unique interface, which allows you to drag and drop icons to create shortcuts on the home screen and sketch notes right on the screen. Of course, the iPhone, which offers Wi-Fi and advanced syncing capabilities, is the biggest competitor. The Dare can't sync contacts, calendar or other data with your PC or Mac. But for those who like the Verizon network and don't want to switch to the iPhone's AT&T service provider, the Dare is a good multimedia alternative. Verizon customers looking to just make phone calls can save some money with the LG VX5500.
We found the best LG Dare reviews at CNET and PCMag.com, both of which provide thorough coverage. InfoSync and Laptop Magazine also review the Dare; InfoSync's review includes sample photos taken with the phone. Bloggers at Gizmodo and Engadget also weigh in. Finally, we found about 50 mostly positive user reviews at Amazon.com and well over 200 reviews at PhoneArena.com.
Our Sources
1. CNET
Reviewer Nicole Lee provides a thorough report. She points out specific features, such as the drag-and-drop function that allows you to customize shortcuts on your home screen, as well as the drawing pad, which lets you sketch ideas or draw a map and then send it to friends. Lee agrees that although the LG Dare's media player has improved from previous Verizon versions, the iPhone has a better media player and Web browser, and that the Dare's small screen takes away from the web browsing experience.
Review: LG Dare (Verizon Wireless), Nicole Lee, July 18, 2008
2. PCMag.com
Receiving a rating of 4.5 out of five, the LG Dare replaces the RAZR V9M as the PCMag Editors' Choice feature phone for Verizon. Reviewer Sascha Segan recommends the Blackberry Curve 8330 for those looking for smartphones with PC syncing, email or third-party applications, all of which the Dare lacks. Segan was pleasantly surprised by the Dare's web experience, and agrees the camera phone is better than most others on the market.
Review: LG Dare VX9700, Sascha Segan, July 3, 2008
InfoSync's review takes a different spin on the LG Dare. Unlike the first two reviewers, Philip Berne is not impressed with the phone. His biggest qualm is that the touch screen is difficult to use while typing, especially during text messages. The lack of autocorrect only made it worse. He does agree that the camera phone is one of the best he's seen, and is better than any of the Nokia Nseries phones.
Review: LG Dare review (Verizon Wireless), Philip Berne, June 27, 2008
4. Gizmodo.com
Gizmodo's Wilson Rothman says this is the "best iClone yet," but he can't stand the Dare's VZ Navigator, and says it's "the worst GPS UI I've ever played around with." The review is accompanied by a bunch of photos of the Dare from different angles.
Review: Verizon's LG Dare Full Review (Verdict: Best iClone Yet), Wilson Rothman, June 30, 2008
Todd Haselton splits his detailed review into multiple pages. A drop-down menu lets you choose between various sections, such as music performance, GPS, and design & interface. You can also view multiple photos of the phone in the image gallery and compare prices. Haselton likes the feature-packed Dare, but he dislikes how difficult it is to navigate the browser with the touch screen.
Review: LG Dare, Todd Haselton, July 1, 2008
There are more than 200 user reviews of the LG Dare at PhoneArena. Users generally like the LG Dare, giving it a rating of nine out of 10. The most common complaint is the difficulty with texting, but most users still like the touch screen. Another complaint is the lack of a stylus. The design, music player and camera are also positive highlights.
Review: LG Dare, Contributors to Phone Arena
7. Engadget.com
Engadget offers a brief overview of the LG Dare along with a video and image gallery. Blogger Paul Miller has trouble using the keyboard at first but notes that he became used to it eventually. He stresses that the Dare isn't a full-fledged smartphone but adds that "the Dare's messaging and contact integration is admirable."
Review: LG Dare Hands-On, Paul Miller, June 25, 2008
At PhoneScoop, more than 140 users weigh in on the LG Dare, giving it a combined score of four out of five stars. One user suggests the LG Voyager as a better option for avid texters. Several users complain that the touch screen is a fingerprint magnet.
Review: LG Dare VX-9700, Contributors to Phone Scoop
