The LG VX8300, the company's third EV-DO cell phone for Verizon Wireless, aims to improve on some of the drawbacks that saddled the previous VX8100. And for the most part, it succeeds. Packaged in a similar design and offering a comparable range of high-end features as its predecessor, the LG VX8300 provides improved functionality and slightly better performance. As is typical with Verizon, features such as Bluetooth are limited in scope, though we were glad to see support for e-mail this time around. And if Verizon lives up to its promise to provide a stereo Bluetooth profile and modem capability through Verizon's 3G network, the VX8300 will be an even better choice.

When we initially saw the LG VX8000, the company's first 3G phone, we loved the high-speed connectivity but weren't so hot on the boxy design. Fortunately, the LG VX8100 had a sleeker, rounder form factor, and we're glad to see that the LG VX8300 offers the same, though with a few differences. At 3.58 by 1.93 by 0.92 inches and 3.88 ounces, the VX8300 is slightly smaller and lighter than its predecessor, and instead of blue, it comes in gray. Though it's a nice effort overall, we're partial to the more eye-catching blue.