# Comparison of the Samsung Haven and LG EnV 3 on Verizon

Category: Cell Phone Talk

## Post 1 by KC8PNL (The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.) on Monday, 20-Sep-2010 8:58:34

For Verizon customers, there are currently 2 off-the-shelf cell phones with
some accessibility options built in for those with blindness or low vision.
Since late last year, the LG EnV3 has been available and Samsung recently
came out with the Haven. Below are a few comparisons I've put together
between these 2 phones and a few thoughts about them.
The LG EnV3 is a phone that contains many of the features found in modern
cell phones. The ability to email, text, browse the web, etc. It has a
qwerty keyboard for texting, web browsing, and other text based work.
Additionally, the EnV3 has support for micro SD cards, bluetooth devices and
the ability to connect to a PC.
From the perspective of someone who relies on speech, the EnV3 is somewhat
accessible. It announces when a person or number calls, reads text messages
one receives, allows for independent contact management and the review of
missed calls. The one thing with contact management that is not accessible
is customizing ring tones for each contact. Additionally, the EnV3 offers
all of the phone status information such as battery level, signal strength,
amount of new missed calls and messages, and the time and date. While the
mp3 player does not have any speech support, there is a way to access the
mp3's in your collection on your micro SD card. You can move between tracks
with the up and down arrows, and the "ok" button in the center of this 4
arrowed key acts as a play/pause function.
While these features are accessible, there are plenty of things the phone
does that can not be accessed without the ability to see the screen. This
includes reading of the sent text messages, the email and web browsing
features, reviewing of all call logs with the exception of missed calls, and
any menu options that are beyond 2 layers deep within the menu structure.
This is because LG decided to disable speech functions beyond 2 menu levels.
Also, this phone is not compatible with most hearing aids. It's predecessor,
the EnV2, however, was.
The Samsung Haven is a mid level phone. It does not have the ability to
browse the web or to set up external emails. It will, however, work with
email messages sent to your phone number through Verizon. It also does not
have the ability to connect to your computer as far as I can tell, and does
not have Micro SD card support. It also does not have support for Bluetooth
devices, nor does it have a qwerty keyboard. All data entry having to do
with letters is done through the lettering system found in the numbers.
From an accessibility standpoint, the Haven is entirely usable through
speech. All call logs are accessible, all text messaging capabilities are
usable, all call logs are readable, every aspect of contact management is
usable, as are the tip calculator, appointment book, alarm clock, and every
other feature on the phone. You can even set a picture for each of your
contacts through speech. The Haven is also much more hearing aid compatible
than the EnV3. While the tip calculator, alarm clock and appointment book
exist on the EnV3, these are not supported through speech output.
The bottom line is that while the EnV3 offers more features, it does not
offer these extra features to those requiring speech output. Unless a user
requires an mp3 player or bluetooth support, I would recommend the Haven
over the EnV3 to most consumers.

## Post 2 by dave84 (Zone BBS Addict) on Monday, 27-Sep-2010 23:22:56

good job in the comparison of the 2 phones. I have the ENV3 myself and i think it should be made to be more accessible like all of the call info not just the missed calls. I also wish the calendar was accessible too along with the alarm clock on it. I really do like the kordey keyboard for texting on it though and that personally would be a drawback if i was to get the Haven. I wish some more of the texting features were more accessible as well like the ability too hear what you sent to someone not just the recieved messages that come in. I really hope LG will work to improve accesssibility in the next generation of the ENV series of phones or whatever the next series of phones they are working on.

## Post 3 by Blue Velvet (I've got the platinum golden silver bronze poster award.) on Tuesday, 28-Sep-2010 13:06:44

Good review, and you answered a lot of questions I've had since hearing about the Haven.

## Post 4 by SexySquirrel (I can't call it a day til I enter the zone BBS) on Tuesday, 28-Sep-2010 18:45:53

I have the Haven and really like it!

## Post 5 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Tuesday, 28-Sep-2010 23:23:34

Hi, How do you get the Env3 to announce missed calls and date/time? Also, I'm a huge fan of Qwerty keyboards, and I'm pretty sure that every phone I get after the Env3 will have to have one. Number-to-letter typing sucks IMO. Kind of a bummer that neither phone allows for speech-enabled web browsing. I hope LG includes this with the next talking phone. I don't really use blue tooth so this isn't a huge drawback for me.

## Post 6 by KC8PNL (The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.) on Wednesday, 29-Sep-2010 14:58:08

Press the voice command button on the time and say status. Or say check time for time and date, and missed calls for a log of the 90 most recent calls. You won't be able to access any of the other call log information though with the EnV3. HTH.

## Post 7 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Thursday, 30-Sep-2010 14:18:34

I have the enV3 right now. It does what I need it to, but what I wouldn't give for a fully accesible phone! I am hoping to go downtown to my local Verizon store this weekend and check out the Haven for myself. I've been wanting to see it for the past few weeks, but it's just never worked out to go to Verizon. But it should soon. Thanks for posting this, Scott! Gives me something to think about.

## Post 8 by dave84 (Zone BBS Addict) on Sunday, 03-Oct-2010 11:29:53

yah i would say if i didn't text or use the media player on the ENV3 i would really say the haven would be for me but i use the kordey keyboard for texting and listen to music on my phone sometimes as well. But, good to hear about a pretty fully accessible phone out there now.