Camera

Turning over the VX9800, the lens to the 1.3-megapixel CMOS camera is revealed. Similar to the VX8100's camera, the VX9800 can take pictures at up to 1280 x 960 px in size, high enough in resolution to make adequate prints. To save memory, additional resolutions include 640 x 480 px, 320 x 240 px, 176 x 144 px, and 160 x 120 px.

Activating Camera Mode, the LG VX9800's internal screen becomes the viewfinder with the lower portion displaying useful information such as zoom, resolution, and available memory. Using the directional keypad users can adjust the Brightness Level (Up / Down) and 4x Digital Zoom (Left / Right).

Additionally, an abundant array of camera filters and effects are included such as White Balance (Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent), Color Effects (Normal, Sepia, Black and White, Negative, Solari), Self-Timer (3, 5, and 10 seconds), Night Mode, and Flash.

Encoded in 3GP2 codec (MPEG-4 and H.263 Video, AAC, AMR, and QCELP Audio) format, video clips up to 320 x 240 px in resolution can be recorded. Limited to 15 seconds in length and 15 frames-per-second, the VX9800 takes advantage of MPEG-4 for delivery of video and audio. Video adjustment settings include Brightness, and White Balance. Computer playback for clips requires QuickTime 6.5.

Basic Features

While exhibiting some smartphone-like qualities, it should be noted that the VX9800 does not have an operating system. Using an LG user interface, the VX9800 is powered by an advanced Qualcomm MSM6550 chipset, optimized for Verizon Wireless' 3G network. Built on an all digital dual-band CDMA (800 / 1900 MHz) network, consumers who rely heavily on analog should be wary.

LG rated the VX9800's 1300 mAh Li-Polymer battery at 4.16 hours and 199 hours (8.3 days) of talk and standby times respectively. However, those are under optimal conditions. Handset manufacturers and carriers often list talk-time and standby-time ratings with disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times.

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