LG Voyager vs Sidekick LX: Sidekick or Voyager?
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Sidekick LX release date: October 24, 2007
Carrier: T-Mobile USA
LG Voyager release date: November 21, 2007
Carrier: Verizon Wireless
*Note: these release dates were the official release dates for store sales. The sidekick was available a week earlier for existing T-mobile Sidekick owners and the LG Voyager was available on November 18, 2007 for online orders and pre-sale orders.
A lot of hype went around the LG Voyager when it was released in November and it was given many names such as the iPhone killer and the Sidekick killer. I haven’t seen anyone really sit down and compare the differences between the Sidekick LX and the LG Voyager besides the size and the fact that the Voyager has a touchscreen external display so I am going to rundown the comparison myself.
Section 1: Size
LG Voyager: (according to www.verizonwireless.com) Dimensions: 4.64″ (H) x 2.12″ (W) x 0.71″ (D) Weight: 4.69 oz.
Sidekick LX: (according to www.tmobile.com) Dimensions: 5.2″ (H) x 2.4″ (W) x 0.7 inches (D) Weight 5.8 oz.
When it comes to size if you want the lighter and more compact device the Voyager is clearly the winner. The Sidekick LX has dropped some weight over its previous model the Sidekick 3, but it still remains to be one of the bigger QWERTY enabled devices on the market. The sacrifice in additional size is required for the benefit of space on the keyboard as we will see later in the comparison. Winner: Voyager
Section 2: Screen(s)
Sidekick LX: 3 inch screen, 65,000 colors, WQVGA 400×240 pixels
LG Voyager: (2) 2.81 inch screens, WQVGA 400×240 pixels
Your major differences here are the 2 screens on the Voyager vs. the single screen on the Sidekick. Also the exterior screen of the Voyager is a touchscreen using the VibeTouchâ„¢ technology which provides a vibrating feedback when the screen is touched. Winner: Voyager
Section 3: Keyboards
So far the Voyager has taken the cake in both the screens and the overall size/weight. The Sidekick LX doesn’t seem to be doing too well in this comparison, but this next section will change things up. The Voyager is plagued by the same ridiculous element present on the LG Env: No middle space bar!
It was fine dealing with the side space bars on the Env, but with such a feature packed device LG really needed to step up the keyboard with a natural QWERTY layout for the space bar. The additional size of the Sidekick and keyboard spacing will continue to provide the best typing experience on a mobile phone for years to come. This has and will always be the best feature of owning a Sidekick, especially the Sidekick LX. Winner: Sidekick LX
Section 4: Multimedia
The current score stands at 2 points LG Voyager and 1 point Sidekick LX. Unfortunately Multimedia is going to be another category that the Sidekick LX will lose.
TV Services
LG Voyager: V Cast Mobile TV Sidekick LX: -
Video
LG Voyager: Video Recording Sidekick LX: -
Camera
LG Voyager: 2MP w/ Autofocus Sidekick LX: 1.3 MP w/ flash
Your basic differences here are simply technology. Verizon Wireless carries a 3G service which provides the neccessary backbone for Mobile TV. The V Cast Mobile TV experience is simply superior than anything the Sidekick LX can offer because of the limitations of the EDGE network. The camera on the LG Voyager is higher megapixel and has autofocus although it no longer has the flash that the LG Env once had. Neither camera is extremely impressive and the flash of the Sidekick LX is essentially worthless, but I will give the win to the LG Voyager based on the higher MP count and the autofocus. Both devices have picture messaging, but since the Sidekick LX currently does not support video recording or playback *with the exception of the animation gif images* there is no real comparison here.
As far as the storage capacities go for multimedia, both devices are able to handle the 4GB memory sticks so their capacities are equal. If you are looking for a superior multimedia device the LG Voyager will be the correct choice although if you are really only centered on multimedia the iPhone is the best choice. Winner: LG Voyager
Section 5: Instant Messaging
This will be short and sweet: Sidekick LX wins. It is a nice try by Verizon with their built in instant messaging client, but honestly if you have never used the Sidekick instant messaging service then you really have never instant messaged on a mobile phone (yes there are plenty of windows mobile / palm / symbian etc clients out there, but the sidekick is the instant messenger). The Sidekick has and will always be the instant messenger device for the IM fanatic. Winner: Sidekick LX
Section 6: Web Browsing
Web browsing is going to be a split decision because the Sidekick LX packs a better web browser although the Voyager has done an impressive job of making a decent web browser as compared to the poor excuse on the LG Env. The Voyager has the Verizon 3G network so speed is going to be an advantage on the Voyager, but the actual browser is superior on the Sidekick so this will be a split decision. Winner: Tie
Section 7: Email
The LG Voyager suffers from the same email situation as the LG Env. This is one category that really shows the weakness of the LG Voyager compared to nearly any QWERTY device on the market. You really can’t call yourself a Sidekick killer or iPhone killer when you lack basic pop imap email. Your options are rather slim when its comes to email on the Voyager: Wireless Sync for 20/month which is extremely overpriced and requires you to leave your home computer on all day or the $5/month email application. Both of these options are really terrible and not even worth mentioning so if you plan on needing email on your phone the Voyager will not cut it. The Sidekick is hands over fists ahead in this category with onboard push email, yes even the iphone lacks push email but the Sidekick LX has it. The Sidekick lineup has always supported your imap pop and native push @tmail email and it has done an excellent job. File attachments are limited to documents and images, but if you need real desktop quality email the Sidekick takes the cake here. Winner: Sidekick LX
Section 8: Battery
Every advantage has its consequence and battery life is a clear example of how this occurs. When you want faster internet speed on your phone you sacrifice greater battery usage. Speed requires power and power generates heat: the end result is weaker battery life. Since the Sidekick LX still uses the EDGE network like the iPhone you experience superior battery life than the LG Voyager. The vibrating touch screen and dual screens just add to the battery loss, so if you want two days of phone usage you will rejoice in the Sidekick LX. Winner: Sidekick LX
Conclusion: Final Thoughts
The Sidekick LX and the LG Voyager are both excellent devices regardless of their flaws. The critical flaws in the Sidekick LX are the slow EDGE network, no video recording or support. The critical flaws in the LG Voyager are the lack of native email and additional cost of any email, the keyboard lacking a middle space bar, and the battery consumption.
Who should get the Sidekick LX? Someone who lives for instant messaging and instant email with the best QWERTY keyboard on the market
Who should get the LG Voyager? Someone who wants the sleek, GPS enabled, multimedia/tv powerhouse with the capabilities of video recording/playback and the occasional instant messenger.
In the end the LG Voyager is the superior device, it just has too many features that the Sidekick lacks and supports technology that we won’t see on a Sidekick for a couple of years. Although the email is lacking and the keyboard could be refined, the device gives you more features than you could have asked for and it really has a sleek design. If you can live with the interface that Verizon forces upon you then get the Voyager, but if you are a die hard Sidekick fan the LX will not dissapoint.
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Correction on the wireless email program from verizon. One does not need to leave the home computer on when using wireless sync with either aol or yahoo. I use it all the time-and love it!
I find it a very productive usefule email program.
another correction the lg voyager supports up to 8 gb of removable memory. had the sidekick 2,3,id,and lx and i am glad i made the switch to the lg voyager!
The LG Voyager is a nice device. If the Voyager could step up the email to Sidekick quality push email and position the space bar in the middle of the phone like a standard keyboard it could take a good portion of Sidekick users away from T-mobile. Thanks for the correction for the 8GB of removable memory, I imagine that there will be a way to use the SDHC 32GB cards eventually with the Voyager in the future as well.
Hi Bruce Like Sidekick LX T-Mobile And LG Voyager Verizon Wireless
Hello My Is Bruce Lee Like T-Mobile Sidekick LX And Verizon Wireless LG Voyager
I have big thumbs so I really like my SideKick 2 for it’s keyboard, but it just broke. Time to pick which of these to get! What about Apps? Does the LG Voyager have good useful programs like weather and storm radar, eBay tools, SSH terminals, graphing calculators, or multi player games? What are the OS differences, and what OS is on the LG Voyager? Can it run 3rd party software like Windows Mobile based phones? I’ll really miss having POP email…
sidekick suxs i have 1 there terriable voyager is amazinnnnnnn
the voyager cant multi task
the sidekick kicks ass, however i like the voyager more than i like the iphone.
i have the voyager & the touch screen always messed up & verizon always overcharges so im gettin the sidekick lx!
if u can afford the voyager go and get it, sidekik is a nice fone and evrything but the technology isnt compared to the voyager
I have a sidekick LX and i love it. it has amazing applications i.e. weather, myspace, photo editor, excel viewer, file manager, tons of expense/money apps. and many more. I must say, the sidekick scratchesnveryeasily, so if you are clumsy, this is not the phone for you. The email is amazing. There is a calendar for you to mark dates in, a to-do list, and a section for you to write notes. I agree about the keyboard, another amazing quality of the sidekick. It is identical to a regular desktop keyboard. It is fairly large, but you get used to it. The camera is does not haver very good quality inside, but amazing quality out. I do not know much about the voyager. It seems nice, but i cant imagine it topping the sidekick LX
Hey,
i’d like to know wich the people think is better.
the Voyager or the Sidekick?
i really like to text, use the web, take pics, listen to music & talk.
please respond :]
You should definitely get the sidekick lxx. if you want a new texting experience, then get the sidekick. They’re changing out internet service into 3 gigs without pay but you have to pay 20 or more dollars per month cuz of the internet but its worth it =]. And u can also experience the “flipping” screens of the sk’s. Its awesomee.
The sidekick rule the voyager is gay
There is no comparison…the Voyager kicks ass. After a firmware upgrade, browsing on the qvoyager is easyand fun. Zooming in and out is aslso a snap and woks instantly. In fact, many feel that the Voyager has surpassed the iphone in browsing.
With m.youtube.com ALL youtube videos and comments arw available on the Voyager.
Verizon’s phone service is the best.
Voyager is the big dog and the sidekick is just a…well, you get it.
well,the sk-lx is currently releasing a FREE ota(over the air)update that add’s video recording/sharing capability and MANY other features!not to mention,the limited editions are rolling out now…so,the sk-lx just caught up(and perhaps surpassed)the voyager in that respect.get a sk-lx!!!
Well, there’s an update coming out giving the lx an iphone-like web browser, and its even getting video! Its already starting to come out, and everyone should have it by the end of july. So basically, the sidekick lx has won.
the sidekick is cool so is the lg voyager.Both almost have good quality of tv,but i think the sidekick LX is so so better.the lg voyagar sucks because when you try to go to the to-do list it sometimes messes up and goes some where else.THE SIDEKICK LX ROCKS! =]
It would be cool if the new sidekick came out but if it didn’t come out,i bet the verizon company will bring out a new phone,but i think still the sidekick LX will be better then the other new lg voyger
the sidekick lx is a the best!!! i have the sk lx its so awesome the screen is great the keyboard is the best on any mobile device…well in my opinion. well i dont realy have anything against the lg voyager. the verizon network is better than t-mobile but they just dont have good phones out. and the voyager is an iphone want a be!!
i think that the voyager has excellent potential. you are all basing your observations on what you think the voyager can offer. i’ve had many friends that have gave up their sidekicks for the voyager. sidekicks break and damage easily and after a while of that “amazing” swiviling screen, that spring either gets loose or breks and your sidekick looks like it has a broken neck. the voyager has all the feature of the iphone yet has a full QWERTY keyboard if you get tired of the touch screen. two screens are definitely better than one and the sidekick doens’t even have a touch screen. and someone else said that the voyager and sidekick tvs are equally great…um, sidekick definitely DOES NOT have tv. besides email, i’m sure that anything you can do on the sidekick, you can do on the voyager, yet 10 times better.
the diekicks do have tv u go to sidekick.com n its at the bottom of the screen n sidekicks r fun flippin the screen is pretty kool unlike voyagers u open turn sidewayz n close. the touch screen might b pretty kool 2 but one drop its scratched broke or sunthin they also tend ta freeze up n ah drop of water will finish the voyager the sidekick has ah better keyboard its spaced out n u can text with the rubber ball only one of my friendz can afford it n im getting my this weekend it would b pretty kool ta have 1500 minutes 60$free after 7 pm n no one has it but same with voyager 450 minutes for 60$ ah month thts only 7 and ah half hours a month unless u wanna stay up til 9 ta talk to ur friends t-mobile lets u have 25 hourz ah month with your 5 fav people tht are free
all i kno iz SIDEKICK LX HAS AH WAY BIGGER ABILITY N ADVANTAGE
i dont like the sidekick because it dont have a touch screen only thing thats good about it is the keyboard but the i am getting the voyager in august the 7 and its got a touch screen and the keyboard and going to be clean
all LG phones suck 1st of all, 2nd of all verizon is such an over rated wireless carrier all of their plans are over priced and suck it will never be worth getting a verizon service or LG phone 3rd of all I am typing this message on my t-mobile sidekick LX [please get on my level] purchase a sidekick and you won’t be dissapointed oh and by the way wtf is all the commotion about the touch screen, touch screens are terrible and far from precise if you need something to go touch then touch your ass
t-mobile is the best and they’re switching to a 3G network soo what the hell are you going to do, the only network that hasn’t merged w/another is nearly on top!!
Verizon has better signal in the states then Tmobile
FUQQ a SIDEKICK! A kicks main pupose is for ppl who can’t live without a messenger… I mean tha VOYAGER has all tha same qualities a kick has, but 10x BETTER!! Kicks are OVERRATED!!Yeah Verzion maybe pricey!! but its allll worth it… You pay for what you get!! Ya t-mobile may be cheaper, but tha quality is damn sure not better the VERIZON/THA VOYAGER!!!
so if you want something worthwhile………………. COPP THA VOYAGER!! you wont be disappointed!!
FYI: I HAVE A VOYAGER