Camera Phones Plaza

We all know that two logos or brands sell better than one. These kinds of associations are made more and more frequently with only one purpose only, market domination. However the brand association is not entirely easy to make. For instance two phone manufacturers will never associate their brands (only if one company is bought by the other company, then a temporary period starts ~ 2 years until full takeover). It is highly unlikely to see Nokia Samsung, or LG Sony Ericsson, and even more it would be pointless. However, some manufacturers are trying everything just to sell more products (exclusive products). This process started back in 2007 when Apple announced the first generation of iPhone.

By then LG wrapped up in no time a partnership with Prada, launching the first Prada phone and the first LG touch screen device. Since then the market has changed a little bit and an upgrade to LG Prada was mandatory. Announced on October 2008, LG Prada II or KF 900 was launched in December 2008. For the optimistic people out there this month, October 2009, means the announcement of Prada III.

However, LG hasn't yet approved 9officially) of any replacement of the Prada II. As you may already know, this phone includes an excellent design, by all means exquisite, with a flawless build quality. Even more, LG understood that a fashion phone with the latest specs would mean a market success. Therefore, starting from the Prada I design and including features like QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi and HSDPA, LG successfully created one of the best stylish phones on the market. In terms of success, this phone has reached its expectations. However, we can't talk about great sale numbers, since this phone is rather exclusivist and so is its price. With the latest Samsung Armani announcement (also adding QWERTY keyboard to the feature list) LG could still surprise us before Christmas with a Prada III. Until then, let's review the LG Prada II, because this year it is going to be on sale on this year shopping season.

Before taking into consideration its main disadvantages, let's take a look at the key features, such as the 3 inches WQVGA touch screen, QWERTY keyboard, excellent communication and connectivity, 5 megapixel auto focus digital camera, improved interface, office document viewer, accelerometer sensor, and support for the DivX / XviD video formats. Its main disadvantages are not that heartbreaking at all. If you know very well the Prada I, then Prada II will seem very familiar in terms of design (but then again all the iPhones lookalike so no need to complain about the familiar design), no GPS, not the latest multi touch features, relatively bad video recording (LG really has a problem with video recording, it is not a Prada II problem, rather a LG problem), and no flash support in the web browser (very second generation operating system for iPhone mobile platform from LG).

The only real disadvantage is the material used in the Prada II build, plastic, and too much plastic for a fashion phone. In terms of design, the Prada II doesn't look to different than Prada I. the upgrade was more in terms of hardware and software, rather than style. The Prada II is made entirely out of plastic, with a combination between glossy black plastic and silver matte plastic. Also, you get really nice chrome finishes elements that will improve the overall look. The build quality is good, even if we are talking about a QWERTY plastic phone; you get no flex or weir noises when pressed to hard. The design is now style business, rather than fashion only. If you are looking for a complete new design, you still have to wait for the third generation, because if you let a side the QWERTY keyboard the visual differences between Prada I and Prada II, are similar with the visual differences between iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.

With a height of 104.5 mm, wide of 54 mm, deep of 16.8 mm, the Prada II weights about 130 grams. All the above values mean that this phone is neither the lightest nor the thinnest on the market. The front side sports a nice glossy black look with silver finishes like the "Prada" logo and the front panel keys. Above the touch screen you get the earpiece and the second digital camera for enabling video calls. Under the touch screen you get the back key, the call key and the end call key with the power on and off function. All these three keys are really great to use (a little undersized in terms of height), but offer sufficient feedback (no matter how hard you press them).

On the right side of the phone you get the covered micro SD memory card slot, the shutter key, the dedicated camera key and the multitasking / launcher key. On the left side you are only going to find the volume controls. All these keys are chrome finished adding an extra value to the overall design of the Prada II. On the top of this phone you will find a connector with double function, both charger function and headset function (this too is covered with a protective cap). The glossy black plastic cover case sports on the upper left corner the 5 megapixel digital camera lenses, the dual LED flash and a mirror for self portrait. The Prada II slides to the right to reveal the QWERTY keyboard, the opposite direction of the GW 520; besides having a different design and layout this keyboard is in terms of construction and feedback very similar to the QWERTY keyboard found on GW 520.

These keys are 7 mm wide with a 1.5 mm space between them. The backlit lamination is adequate in intensity and color. When you slide the QWERTY keyboard out the display will automatically switch between the portrait modes to the landscape mode. In terms of software, the included operating system and user interface are evolved from the Prada I. even more, the user interface works faster, and the multitasking includes no glitches or freezes. Overall, the software upgrade is definitely a plus. However, there are some hardware changes that provide the software improved performances, such as the capacitive touch screen, which means no stylus is necessary for a complete user experience.

Even more this user interface is fully customizable (although there are available four pre-installed themes). If you are familiar with the LG Cookie, then you will find this user interface logic and intuitive since it's a close version to the user interface found on the LG Cookie. However, the Prada II is limited to only seven widgets such as music player, FM radio, analog clock, notes, and others. Overall, the user interface found on the Prada II is not exactly as good as the Samsung Touch Wiz. The phonebook, call log, music player, video player are all good applications, with sufficient to features to provide to the user. Even more as a business feature you get the office document viewer. All Microsoft Office documents and PDFs can be opened on the Prada II.

Therefore, Prada II packs enough features from the multimedia line and the business line. The LG Prada II works in 2G network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 and in 3G network, HSDPA 900 / 2100. LG included in this phone a 3 inches TFT capacitive touch screen display with a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels (WQVGA), capable of rendering about 256000 colors. LG also included an accelerometer sensor for auto rotate.

The brightness offered is not exceeding the Prada I values. You only get good brightness in artificial light environment, while under direct sunlight the colors on this display will easily get washed out. The included memory is only 60 MB. However, you can easily expand this value by using micro SD memory cards or Trans Flash memory cards up to 16 GB. The connectivity is ensured by GPRS Class 10 (with 4+1 / 3+2 slots) and a varying speed from 32 Kb per second to 48 Kb per second, EDGE Class 10, with a maximum speed of 236.8 Kb per second, HSCSD, Wi-Fi with 802.11 b/g profile, HSDPA up to 7.2 Mb per second, Bluetooth version 2.1 with A2DP, and USB 2.0 connection. The primary camera included has a 5 megapixel value, with Schneider Kreuznach optics, providing a maximum photo resolution of 2592 x 1944 pixels, with auto focus and dual LED flash.

Even more, you get sufficient editing features for photos before you take them, and even after. This camera can also record videos in 720 x 480 pixel resolution with 30 frames per second. The second video camera enabled video calling. Unfortunately LG included only a 950 mAh Lithium Ion battery. This unit will provide at best 400 hours in standby mode, or 3 hours of talk time. For an average user these values should mean about two days of autonomy, within normal usage. LG definitely thought the advertising of this phone will not improve sales without a complete retail package.

Therefore, you get an excellent designed leather cube retail box, with the Prada phone on top (very iPhone like), underneath it being included the accessories, such as mandatory charger, cleaning cloth, CD software, USB cable, user manual, leather case engraved with "Prada logo", stereo handset with music controls remote including a 3.5 mm jack on the remote, and last but not least, the 1 GB micro SD memory card. Other accessories can be found on LG's portfolio, but keep in mind they cost extra.

Overall, the LG Prada II is truly a good phone. It packs into a stylish, excellent branded, package all the features you might need, including excellent camera, great connectivity and a capacitive touch screen. If you are looking for a two branded phone, then for less money, then maybe you are looking for a Prada II with an original price tag reduced (since this phone is almost one year old, more precise 10 months).

Although the current direction of the mobile phone manufacturers is represented by the need to offer affordable touch screen mobile phones, the market is still equipped with a large variety of keyboard mobile phones. For the time being, this classic phones in every form you can get (candy-bar, flip or slide) are solid investments. Nokia 6600 slide is one of these good investments. Even if this is a tiny phone, the build feels solid and it looks rather appealing.  Nokia launched this phone as an affordable, yet stylish solution, a range in which the 6600 slide doesn't have competitors. The main disadvantages of this phone are: the fingerprint magnet case, rigid batter cover, no hot swap for memory card, no camera shutter key, no multitasking or smart dialing, no office viewer.

The Nokia 6600 slide is very tiny, with a height of 90 mm, wide of 45 mm, and deep of 14 mm, it weights around 110 g. the 6600 slide is made out of plastic with a glossy finish. It is fingerprint magnet, and the smudges are hard to clean. On the front case, 6600 slide includes an earpiece centrally placed right above the Nokia logo up front. To the right the handset has a video call camera and the ambient light sensor. Under the display on the both sides of the D-pad Nokia included the soft keys and the call button and end button. On the lower deck of the phone we can find the keypad made entirely out of plastic, but with a metallic finish.

The build quality is good and the 6600 slide is easy to use. On the top of the Nokia 6600 slide you can find the micro USB port (covered with a plastic cap). The right and left side of the phone include the charge plug and the 2.5 mm audio jack. The bottom part of the 6600 slide is clear of any ports. On the back side, we get the 3 MP camera lenses with dual LED flash and a loudspeaker. Because of the loudspeaker positioning you might miss a few calls before you get used to the phone.

Nokia 6600 slide comes equipped with a 2.2 inches display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, TFT technology with up to 16 million colors. The screen remains pretty readable even in the sun. You get up to 8 text and 3 service lines all written in a readable font. Because of the ambient light sensor, the display will save power when in bright places. The 6600 slide is shipped with a Li - Ion battery of 1000 mAh (BL-4U). The official press release informs that the standby value of this phone goes up to 340 hours, while the talk time is up to 4 hours. For an average user the phone will last about 2 days with 2 hours of call and 3 hours of music playback. If you want to listen continuously to music, you should know this phone powers down after 12 hours and 10 minutes.


The phone has only 18 MB internal memory, but you can expand it with micro SD or Transflash memory card (up to 4 GB). The connectivity in ensured by Class 32 GPRS up to 88 kbps, HSCSD, Class 32 EDGE up to 296 kbps, 3G with 384 kbps, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP and micro USB 2.0 port. Nokia 6600 slide runs in 2G networks (GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900) and 3G network (UMTS 850 / 2100).  Nokia 6600 slide is armed with a 3.15 megapixel camera, with a resolution that goes up to 2048 x 1536 pixels, with autofocus and dual LED flash. Even do the camera is not a high feature; Nokia offers settings like white balance, three quality levels, and special effects (grayscale, sepia and negative).

The camera speed is not remarkable and saving files is on average too. The 6600 slide allows recording video in 3GP format with the following resolutions: 128 x 96, 176 x 144, 352 x 288, 640 x 480 pixels at 15 frames per second. Nokia 6600 slide uses the S40 5^th edition standard set of features and applications. The menu is somewhat customizable but don't expect too much. Active standby mode is available. It consists of 4 tabs that can be edited or relocated.


Nokia ships 6600 slide with a standard package. Beside the handset itself, Nokia included a regular charger, data cable, and stereo headphones on a detachable remote, a quick start guide and a manual, but also a 512 MB micro SD card. The 6600 slide has a modular reception quality. Sometimes the 6600 slide get an excellent reception, and sometimes loses all the reception. Nokia 6600 slide is a good representative of the S40 middle range. If you are looking for a good feature slide phone, but not in the high ranger, or for that matter luxury range, Nokia 6600 might just be a good solution for you.

The last article was all about the LG KS 360, and the good things (and main disadvantages) it had to offer. Because this phone was such a commercial success, LG couldn't just let go to one of its popular phones. Then again, the KS 360 is still on the market and delivers great numbers in terms of sells although it is more than a year old.


Therefore, LG did the right thing, continue the production and sales of KS 360 and releasing a new phone model, starting from the KS 360, introducing a better design and construction, and removing as many main disadvantages as it could. All of above being made in the same price range of the KS 360 when it was first launched. The new phone (even do is the successor of KS 360) sports the GW 520 name, also know in some areas as LG Calisto, or carrier branded LG GW 525.

It was first announced in June 2009, and released this August. Thanks to the success and complaints over the KS 360 and Cookie, LG merged the great features of the Cookie with the KS 360's design removing the main disadvantages and improving the key features. The whole process above was the actual creation of GW 520. Before you even check the tech list, with only one look you will understand how evolved is in terms of design GW 520 from KS 360. Some of GW 520's key features include the excellent 2.8 inches TFT touch screen (with a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels), slide QWERTY keyboard, 3 megapixel digital camera (unfortunately with no auto focus), Bluetooth with the A2DP profile, and other great features such as accelerometer sensor, office document viewing, and even the multitasking feature. However, we all know that every phone sports main disadvantages.


Therefore GW 520 is the proud owner of no Wi-Fi connection, bad to extremely bad video recording, no 3.5 mm audio jack, no auto focus, and no DivX / XviD video support. Even more, this phone lacks Push notifications. With a height of 106.5 mm, wide of 53 mm, deep of 15.9 mm, the GW 520 weights about 125.5 grams. Therefore, this phone is by far one of the thinnest and light weighted phones on the market. Even so, it is up to you if you chose to try sliding this phone everyday in your pockets. One thing is for sure, the KS 360 was sporting a more youthful design, while the GW 520 (even if it comes with the same color possibilities) looks more conservative, maybe even business in the black grey colors.


Also the black and grey colors will offer the GW 520's design a stylish appearance, making it more appealing to an extended range of potential customers. This phone is great at business and at home or even better when out having fun with your friends. Basically, if I could summarize it, it would probably be KS 360 growing up and going to college. By creating a more sophisticated design LG is trying to ensure a commercial success out of GW 520. In terms of materials, GW 520 sports the same plastic like KS 360 did. However, there is an important difference between these two models, the build quality.


The GW 520 not only looks solid, unitary even, but it also feels solid in terms of build quality. The materials used are more well assembled, and they looks almost nice (almost, since we are talking about a full plastic cover with no stainless steel frames whatsoever). The GW 520 sports on the front cover beside the touch screen display, the earpiece (above the display), and three physical buttons (at the bottom of the display), the call key, the end call key, and the Multitasking key. The QWERTY keyboard reveals itself when you slide the front cover to the left. The keys from the QWERTY keyboard are well sized, and are made out of a superior plastic than the ones on the KS 360. You can easily write in a hurry without pressing the wrong key. Even more you get good feedback and no flex from none of these keys. Even the sliding mechanism is well built and will not offer any annoying flex when using it, or just keeping the keyboard closed.


Overall, the build quality is certainly improved from the LG KS 360. Just like the KS 360, the GW 520 offers a good backlight for all its QWERTY keyboard keys. When you slide the keyboard the portrait mode will automatically change into landscape mode. On the left side of the GW 520 you only get the volume controls (with the down controls having also the silent function). On the right side you can find the dedicated camera key, the lock key, and the micro SD card slot (covered). On the top of the GW 520 you get the micro USB port also covered by a plastic cap. The bottom side of this LG phone lacks any ports and slots. On the back side you get, beside the "LG" logo, on the upper left corner the 3 megapixel digital camera lenses with no LED flash or auto focus, and on the right upper corner the loudspeaker grill.


Overall, the GW 520 delivers a solid design fingerprint and scratches proof, with excellent QWERTY keyboard, and almost all the necessary keys, slots and ports (almost since it lacks the 3.5 mm audio jack). The user interface is probably one of the most important software feature onboard the GW 520. It is certainly more refined, fully customizable, not exactly iPhone graphics and movement, but sufficient to impress. Probably the best part of these kind of interface is that it is fully customizable, allowing you to configure your own GW 520, as you might need it or want it. Even more, the widgets are a nice touch, since you can add with a widget any kind of application, shortcut, or online RSS feed you need.


The interface already has several pre installed versions for viewing, and you can further more chance it. You can easily multitask with the GW 520 and the interface will still run smoothly with no glitches or freezes. This operating system and user interface is easily comparable with what Samsung has to offer with the Touch Wiz 2.0. Organizer, Phone Book, Messaging, Call logs, Office document viewer, Music player, Video player, work nicely and offer a great user experience almost as good as other multimedia orientated phones (keep in mind that this phone is social networking orientated and not multimedia or business). Therefore, applications like office document viewer, or the multitasking features are a plus in the overall result. LG included in the GW 520 a 2.8 inches diagonal widescreen TFT resistive touch screen, with a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels, capable of rendering up to 256000 colors.


This touch screen also has embedded the accelerometer sensor for auto rotate. In terms of colors, the GW 520 is capable of offering vibrant colors, and good images rendering. The brightness, however, is not the best highlights of this phone. LG might have an excuse about this since it didn't include a light sensor near the earpiece. Therefore, when used in direct sunlight the colors and text get washed on the GW 520 touch screen. In terms of touch screen capabilities this phone really raises to the LG Cookie performance level, meaning it sports some nice features and good feedback, but it is still by far the best touch screen on the market. The included memory on the GW 520 is only 40 MB, expandable value if you are using micro SD memory cards or Trans Flash memory cards, up to almost 32 GB.


However, if you are planning to use this phone without any freezes or glitches it is better to use the 16 GB memory card model. Definitely a plus from the KS 360 are the networks available on the GW 520, including 2G network with GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 and 3G network with HSDPA 900 / 2100. The connectivity department is pretty much ensured by anything you might want; the only lacking feature is the WLAN. Even so you get GPRS Class 12 (4+1 / 3+2 / 2+3 / 1+4 slots) with a varying speed from 32 Kb per second to 48 Kb per second, HSCSD, EDGE class 10 with a maximum speed of 236.8 Kb per second, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP profile, 2.0 micro USB connection, and HSDPA with a maximum speed of 7.2 Mb per second. The included camera has only 3.15 megapixel value, with a maximum resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels. Unfortunately, this phone lacks auto focus.


Also the video recording is worse than you can imagine with only QVGA resolution and 12 frames per second. Fortunately you get enough image settings to edit photos before and after you take them. Under the back cover you can find the Lithium Ion battery with 950 mAh. This battery should provide about 500 hours in standby, and 5 hours of talk time. Within an average use this means about 3 days of autonomy. LG included in the GW 520 retail package one piece hands free, mandatory charger, USB cable, and CD software.


The package includes only the basic elements, LG trying to reduce at minimum all the costs. Overall, if you don't mind the plastic case, the simple retail package, and the no auto focus of the 3 megapixel camera, GW 520 is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a great QWERTY phone to access the social networking web sites in the most comfortable way.

Because of all the social networking websites available lately, the need of staying online, connected and in touch with other people has influenced phone manufacturers to include in everyday phones QWERTY keyboards, to determine more people from any age category to buy new phones that include this feature. Until recently, QWERTY keyboards were included in business phone models, or other expensive phone models.

However, LG was the first manufacturer to include this feature into average price phone models. Since then every manufacturer, including Nokia, released at least one average phone with QWERTY keyboard. Like I said in other articles, every competition between phone or laptop manufacturers means only good news for potential customers (regarding the extended portfolio of every manufacturer and the reduced price tags of every phone older than six months). The LG KS 360 is definitely intended for the youth target.

However, the black and silver KS 360 could easily be used by anyone since it lacks the certain toy design provided by the red, blue, and pink colors of the KS 360. This phone might not look luxurious, but it certainly looks and feels solid build. Its best key features are the 2.4 inches TFT display with the QVGA resolution, the QWERTY keyboard, and some touch screen features. However, there are some main disadvantages also including the lack of UMTS, rather mediocre digital camera, not the best file manager on the market, relatively old web browser. Even so, this phone is all about the QWERTY keyboard and the extremely small price tag, about $140 and still going down. You can even get it for free is you decide to subscribe to a carrier provider. With a height of 101.5 mm, wide of 51 mm, deep of 16.8 mm, the KS 360 weights about 108 grams.

Therefore, we can't exactly talk about a slim device easy to carry around. Even so, not many QWERTY phones have a slim form factor.


Unfortunately the phone is made almost entirely out of plastic. Therefore, it might look king of cheap. However, if you chose the black and silver color phone this will not be the case, since the KS 360 will look more than acceptable. The build quality is good, everything works pretty decent and you get no weird noises from the plastic case. On the front side the KS 360 includes above the display the earpiece and the "LG" logo, while below the display you get the navigational keys, made out of plastic also. Even so, these keys are easy to use and offer sufficient feedback. You get two soft keys, call key, end call key, back key, media gallery key.


However the KS 360 lacks the four ways key, but provides five separate keys (up, down, left, right and ok) to complement the lack of the four ways key. Once you slide to the left the front side you get the full QWERTY keyboard will round form keys made also from plastic. Because of the material used, the maneuverability when writing might not be extremely good, since the plastic keys don't offer sufficient grip when texting in a hurry. However, a nice feature is the backlight from the keyboard, which will certainly represent a plus in everyone's insight review.

Even better, every color of KS 360 sports a different backlight color for the keyboard. On the left side of the KS 360 you can find the volume controls and the camera dedicated key, while on the right side the KS 360 sports the micro SD memory card slot (covered), and the headphone / data cable port (combo, also covered). Both bottom side and top side of the KS 360 lack any buttons, ports, or slots. On the back side, you get on the upper center the dedicated camera lenses (2 megapixel digital camera to be exact) and the loudspeaker. LG included into the KS 360 a 2.4 inches TFT display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, capable of rendering up to 256000 colors.


Even more, this display is capable of a few touch screen functions, such as touch screen dialing. However, don't expect a full touch screen support. The display is pretty much average offering sufficient brightness even under direct sunlight. The KS 360 runs in 2G network, GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900. This phone model is also known as LG Tribe for TIM in Italy, and LG GT 360 in Brazil (where it runs in GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900). Unfortunately, you can only find 15 MB onboard the KS 360, expandable value if using the micro SD memory card, or Trans Flash memory card, up to 4 GB. The connectivity is ensured only by GPRS, EDGE, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, and the USB 2.0 connection. The KS 360 lacks HSCSD, 3G, and WLAN. The KS 360 sports 2 megapixel digital camera with a maximum resolution of 1600 x 1200 pixels.


This camera is capable of video recording, but with bad resolution and only 15 frames per second. Unfortunately, this camera is not really average at all, offering really common quality pictures. Even more, it also lacks auto focus. Thankfully, LG included the multi shot mode, color effects (black and white, sepia and negative), white balance settings, and some exposure compensation. The camera sound cannot be turned off, but then again many mobile phones can't turn the camera noise off. The software included in the KS 360 sports basic application, such as organizer, calendar, music player and even video player.


This phone is not music orientated and not business orientated by its available applications. LG included in KS 360 a Lithium Ion battery with 800 mAh value capable of 430 hours in standby, and 5 hours in talk time. LG included in the retail package of KS 360 a mandatory charger, the data cable, headset, and CD software. As you can see, only the basics are included. Even so, this is justifiable since the asking price is so small. Overall, the KS 360 is an interesting product, adequate for the youth consumers, since it tries to offer as many features as it can to connect the user with the social networking web sites. LG successfully created, even if not intended, a really good average phone with QWERTY keyboard, sporting the price tag of an entry level phone.

If you have read the last two articles, then you probably know that today I am going to finish presenting the last four "GB" phones from LG. in a desperate yet bold, move LG has launched not just a few top phones but a few complete new phone lines in 2009. Probably this process will continue in 2010 since LG has yet a long journey ahead before it can compete with Samsung or Sony Ericsson. It is not correct to correlate Samsung's, LG's or Sony Ericsson's rebranding process with that Nokia is doing. Nokia is continuously changing directions, or re-launching phones, or phone lines. However, LG, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson are all divisions of the mother company, which cant diverts it entire attention and financial structure to the phone department.

Therefore, Nokia can easily compete in terms of company direction with HTC, or BlackBerry. The last four phones in the new entry level line from LG, "GB", GB 230, GB 170, GB 109, and GB 270 vary in both terms of design and features. The first phone, GB 230 is a 2G network phone, GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900, announced in May this year and released on September. In terms of design, this phone doesn't really offer too many great features for a 2009 slider. Even so, it will impress you with the nice quality matte black plastic body, which not only feels great but also looks good. Even more, the back cover is made out of a tear drop pattern surprising in a very good way.

The front cover sports some stainless steel frames that surrounds the display, while the centered five way navigational keys are made out of a metallic material. Above the display you only get the earpiece, while below you can find beside the D-pad, two soft keys, the call key, the end call key, the camera dedicated button, and the FM dedicated button. When opened, the GB 230 sports a good sized alpha numerical keyboard. All the keys are easy to use and offer above average feedback.


With a height of 101.2 mm, wide of 49.2 mm, deep of 15.7 mm, the GB 230 weights about 89 grams, making the portability a high feature in this phone since it weight little and it is easy to slide in any pocket. LG included in the GB 230 a 2.0 inches TFT display with a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels, capable of rendering up to 256 colors. The onboard memory is really entry level like, with only 6 MB. However, keep in mind that this value easily can be expanded with the micro SD memory cards, or Trans Flash memory cards, but with the highest compatible value of 2 GB. Even so, this phone actually is represented in the connectivity department with Class 10 GPRS including the common 4+1 / 3+2 slots, with a varying speed from 32 Kb per second to 48 Kb per second. Also included are the HSCSD, EDGE Class 10 up to 236.8 Kb per second, the 2.1 version of Bluetooth with the latest A2DP profile, and the USB connection.


However, the GB 230 lacks both Wi-Fi and 3G. even so, LG included into this model, a higher camera of 2 megapixel value with a maximum resolution of 1600 x 1200 pixels. This camera can even record videos but at a bad quality of QCIF resolution with 15 frames per second (value which was used in 2003). Nice touches are the MP3 player, MP4 player and the FM radio. The included Lithium Ion battery is small offering only 800 mAh, which means about 400 hours standby time, or 5 hours talk time. Overall, the GB 230 is a good entry in the GB family, balanced several features with a decent design. The next announced phone, which is yet to be released, is the GB 170. This model is somewhat strange since it merges an entry level designed (hardware also) phone with an MP3 player. As you can imagine, the result is yet to be determined until a full review.


Regarding the design, the GB 170 sports an interesting combination of matte black plastic, with a rubbery yet plain keyboard, a patterned back cover, and a colored frame (very Xpress Music from LG). the front cover sports a glossy black surroundings in the display area, while under the display you get the rubbery keyboard which includes the four way navigational keys plus the OK key function, two soft keys ant the call and end call keys. The alpha numerical keyboard is decent when used, providing average feedback. Overall the keys are almost easy to use. However, there is an imprecision, because of the material used.

The back cover sports a patterned style with the "LG" logo and a loudspeaker. The build quality is not the best, but the phone feels solid build. With a height of 103 mm, wide of 46 mm, deep of 13.9 mm, the GB 170 weights about 76.5 grams. Therefore, this phone is more than easy to take around anywhere you might go. The display is more than disappointing with the 1.5 inches diagonal and 128 x 128 pixels resolution. However, I appreciate that LG dropped the older technology in favor for TFT offering about 65000 colors in this 1.5 inches display. The embedded memory of 8 MB can easily be expanded with the micro SD memory cards.


The only connectivity ensured in the GB 170 is the GPRS, the HSCSD, and the USB connection. You also get a MP3 player, MP4 player, and radio FM. The included Lithium Ion battery with the 950 mAh value offers about 500 hours of standby time, or 4 hours of talk time in the 2G network (GSM 900 / 1800). Overall, this phone is good for anyone that wants an entry level phone enabled to play MP3 files. Another GB model, GB 109 was initially announced in August this year and released quickly in September. It design is more than disappointing, looking cheap. The build quality is bad, basically because of the cheap plastic used. It even sports, a four way old directional pad. This phone belongs in terms of design to a museum. Even so it works in 2G network, GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900. With a height of 02 mm, wide of 45 mm, deep of 14.6, the GB 109 weights about 92 grams.


LG included into this model the older available technology for displays, the CSTN with a 1.5 inches diagonal display with 128 x 128 pixels resolution with 65000 colors rendering. Because this is a basic phone in every possible way you, the internal memory is limited to 1 MB, and no memory card slot is available. However, the GB 109 sports the GPRS connectivity, lacking any other possible connection. You get beside the calendar, and calculator, an integrated Radio FM. LG included in the GB 109 a Lithium Ion battery with 950 mAh, capable of 400 hours of standby time and 6 hours of talk time.

The last announced GB model, GB 270, is already available since September this year. You basically get three phone models into one, because for each available color, the GB 270 changes its design (not radically). Therefore, you get three different looks for GB 270 not only within the colors offered, black, pink and grey. The GB 270 is the best designed phone from the GB line. With excellent quality materials, great finishes, and exceptional build quality, the GB 270 will certainly be a market success thanks to not only the powerful design, but also because of the average specs, all offered as an entry level package with a small price tag. The GB 270 looks similar with some Sony Ericsson phones from last year, but even so the design is still original and modern.


With a height of 108 mm, wide of 47 mm, deep of 12.7 mm, the GB 270 weights about 88.3 grams. Therefore, with a small weight and thin design, the GB 270 is easy to take around and slide into any pockets. This phone is tri-band only with GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900. LG included into this model a 2.0 inches diagonal TFT display with a resolution of 120 x 160 pixels capable of rendering up to 65000 colors. The onboard memory of 12 MB can easily be expanded using the micro SD memory cards, or the Trans Flash memory cards with a maximum value of 2 GB. In terms of connectivity, the GB 270 sports the GPRS, the 2.1 Bluetooth with A2DP profile, and only 1.1 version of USB connection.


The included digital camera has a VGA resolution with 640 x 480 pixels. You get interesting features in the GB 270 enough to make it worth your money. LG included a slightly better Lithium Ion battery of 1000 mAh, capable of 450 hours in standby time, and an exceptional talk time of 10 hours and 30 minutes. Overall, the GB 270 offers an excellent design and builds quality. Its features are ok for the price tag. Overall the GB line launched by LG is not a finished line. In 2010 LG will either release new phones with the GB code, or just launch a new entry level phone line with design and techs improved.