Showing posts with label LG. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LG. Show all posts

Monday, May 12, 2008


LG KF700 codenamed LG Virgo is among the latest LG multimedia full touch devices. It stands out with multiple control-and-navigation methods. LG KF700 puts together a 3" touchscreen display, a slide-out standard keypad and a side mounted scroll wheel with an adjacent OK key. And still, the KF700 is a rather compact device, which reminds a lot of the LG Prada. The fashionable Prada however easily gets blown out by the LG KF700. Now then, let's take it out for a spin, shall we?

Key features

  • Tri-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE plus HSDPA 7.2Mbps
  • 3 megapixel autofocus camera
  • Secondary camera for video calls
  • 3" 262K-color TFT touchscreen display with 240x480 pixels resolution
  • Touch feedback (haptics)
  • FM radio
  • Stereo Bluetooth
  • Sliding hardware keypad
  • Side scroll wheel with an OK key

The LG KF700 we had for a few short days was a pre-release beta version and so we decided to do a quick and dirty preview instead a full review. Some features (or disadvantages) may be subject to change in the retail unit, so we decided not to rush a full review.

The LG KF700 has a remarkably responsive user interface, fashionable looks and strives to conquer most of the multimedia applications you might want in a mobile phone. The three input methods are diverse enough for you to find your preference. However, all the three types are rather fused - the only one you could go without is the scroll wheel. The touchscreen display does the job for most tasks, but you need the keypad to enter text. The keypad is useless on its own too, because it has no D-pad. So in the end, you are bound to use at least two of the input methods described.

Key features

  • Tri-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE plus HSDPA 7.2Mbps
  • 3 megapixel autofocus camera
  • Secondary camera for video calls
  • 3" 262K-color TFT touchscreen display with 240x480 pixels resolution
  • Touch feedback (haptics)
  • FM radio
  • Stereo Bluetooth
  • Sliding hardware keypad
  • Side scroll wheel with an OK key

The LG KF700 we had for a few short days was a pre-release beta version and so we decided to do a quick and dirty preview instead a full review. Some features (or disadvantages) may be subject to change in the retail unit, so we decided not to rush a full review.

The LG KF700 has a remarkably responsive user interface, fashionable looks and strives to conquer most of the multimedia applications you might want in a mobile phone. The three input methods are diverse enough for you to find your preference. However, all the three types are rather fused - the only one you could go without is the scroll wheel. The touchscreen display does the job for most tasks, but you need the keypad to enter text. The keypad is useless on its own too, because it has no D-pad. So in the end, you are bound to use at least two of the input methods described.

The right side of the device houses the proprietary LG connectivity port - this is where you plug your headset, charger and USB cable. Here you also get the camera key and the touchscreen lock key.

The left side holds almost no controls except for the special scroll wheel/OK key combo. The scroll wheel can scroll through menus (one line per scroll unfortunately) while the OK key is used for confirming the selection. Pressing the OK key in standby mode will invoke a special customizable shortcut menu.

The metallic scroll wheel offers smooth action, while the OK key is a bit stiff at press. An added disadvantage - at least for us - is the fact that you can't press the scroll wheel itself to make an action. We are used to that solution with its frequent implementations in numerous smartphones and PocketPC by various manufacturers. But it may be just our crabby selves.

The bottom part of the LG KF700 features no controls whatsoever. The top one though has accommodated the microSD memory card slot. It's a good thing that the card is accessible without removing the battery.

Held in hand the KF700 might not look the smallest chap around, but you gotta believe us when we say it's really compact - especially when the keypad is closed.

The backlighting of both the KF700 keypad and the display is good. However LG displays still suffer under direct sunlight - especially with fingerprint smudges all over its face.

source gsmarena

Friday, April 18, 2008

LG KF510 review: Shinier than Shine

It is quite obvious that sleek looks and youthful appeal are very high on the LG list of priorities recently. Just as we gave you the flamboyant LG KF600, LG KF510 makes us wonder how much sweeter Chocolate can get. Undoubtedly of the same bloodline, the two handsets take a different approach to full touch navigation with InteractPad and Touch Lighting. The rest of the ammo is basically the same. The really sleek metallic finish and bigger 2.2" display (no InteractPad to shrink the screen) are the LG KF510 major assets. The ultra slim slider has the looks and handling to get us exited, so let's get rolling.

LG KF510 official photos

Key features:

  • Great design and slim body
  • Touchpad navigation
  • 2.2" 262K-color TFT display of QVGA resolution
  • 3 megapixel camera with autofocus
  • microSD card slot with hot-swap
  • USB v2.0 and Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP
  • FM radio
  • Good web browser

Main disadvantages:

  • No 3G support
  • Tri-band only
  • Poor file management
  • Video recording maxes out at QVGA resolution
  • Inadequate display legibility in direct sunlight

Touchpad navigation just for the sake of having it runs a serious risk of failure. LG sure did know that and they seem to have a good enough background to step on. Plus, the steady improvements of user interface are a more than welcome effort. Nice and easy handling is notably gaining momentum with LG devices and the KF510 is surely another small step forward.

Once again we reminisce of the Samsung E950 and comparison is not in its favor. Of course, it offers a touch-sensitive mini display, along the lines of the InteractPad, but is still a good enough reference point. The smallish navigation display of the Samsung is not capable of offering much more options than the touchpad of LG KF510. In addition, the KF510 touchpad has some interesting animations and interactions with the interface, which partially make up for the lack of a full color navigation display. It's fair to say that in terms of navigation, LG KF510 comes within reach of Samsung U900 Soul. And that's a downright compliment. The Soul is a high ball with HSDPA and a 5 megapixel shooter.

LG KF600 should also be considered here as a touch-based navigation peer. Save for the InteractPad, which is much more "interactive" than the touchpad, all the rest of their specs are very similar (if not the same). Both handsets seem to cater to a similar audience.

Now, one last thing before we're finished with the intro. The LG KF510 unit we got to review was still a beta version and, although major changes are unlikely so close to release, some tweaks might be expected in the retail version. We will be back after the jump.

source gsmarena