Its silver-and-navy-blue color scheme gives this compact (3.5 by 1.9 by 0.9 inches; 3.9 ounces) flip phone a sporty, high-tech style, which is further accentuated by the mobile's three-line external OEL display. On the screen, you'll find battery-strength and network-signal indicators displayed in blue on a black background, along with a message icon, caller ID info (when available), and the time. When you turn on the phone, three Tron -like colored dots scroll across the screen--nice.

Below that external LCD, you'll find the small camera lens and the similarly sized mirror, which allows you to see yourself before snapping a self-portrait. Two volume-control keys and an alternate button adorn the side of the phone.

Compact camera: The small lens and mirror can be found toward the bottom of the phone.

Chew on this: The size of the camera phone is on a par with that of others in its class.

Open the phone--you'll notice the crisp, large, six-line, 120x160-pixel, 262,000-color TFT display. But we were equally impressed by the spacious, blue-backlit keys, which made one-handed dialing a snap. We also thought the navigation keys and the shortcut buttons were logically placed and well thought out.

Gone are the complicated LG menus found on such earlier Verizon models as the VX1 and the VX10 . With this phone, you can choose between a list or an icon-driven interface. Additionally, you can personalize the phone by selecting a color theme, choosing from any of the included wallpaper scenes, or saving your own pictures as background images.

LG's phones typically come with a cradle/charger, and the VX6000 is no exception. We prefer lightweight travel chargers that plug directly into the phone, minimizing the parts you have to carry on the road. But this is a relatively minor faux pas.