LG VX5300 Review

The look of this sleek LG phone doesn't waver much from its VX5200 predecessor. Headset jack, command keys for volume control and voice recording are positioned on the phone's left side, opposite from the camera control key. The phone charges from a port on the bottom side of the handset.

The top front of the silver-toned clamshell reveals the built-in VGA camera with flash that can take photos up to 640 x 480 px. Beneath the camera is a 65K-color OLED LCD screen that provides the usual functions of an external screen while also standing in as the camera's view finder when the phone's self-portrait mode is activated. The phone's speaker is also located on its top exterior.

The smooth numeric keypad is paired alongside a circular control button that gives access to the phone's calendar, Verizon's mobile Web, Get It Now and Get PIX services. The 23-key keypad is easy-to-read and accentuated by a calming blue back light. At the center of it all is the convenient, one-touch speakerphone button.

The phone weighs 3.28 ounces - almost an ounce lighter than the VX5200 - and measures in at 3.5" x 1.9" x 0.9". While the VX5300 is a lightweight, its 1.0-inch antenna can make the VX5300 feel awkward when carried in a pocket. Moreover, there are no carrying holes on this phone for the user to attach a hand strap or other such device.