Camera Phones Plaza

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.

The actual device market is the ultimate frontier within the whole process of releasing a new line of products. Manufacturers always try different advertising or solutions to get as many focused minds on their products. Recently I saw the BlackBerry advertising for the new flagship phone model due to be announced on the 5^th of November. RIM really tries to involve as many elements as they can in this launch, which includes keeping the place of the event secret until you register to the event.


Probably the only things that are impressing people these days involve grand events not only in launching a new phone line, an new phone, but also when it comes to concerts (normal concerts are not that interesting if they're not world wide spread with a full show to display and not just some sang songs). In a previous article, I presented you the new entry level mobile phones line from LG, named "GB". This new line includes so many models that you probably don't even know about. Even more dramatic is that some of these phones are actually good for their price range.

So, why aren't you informed about these phones? Mostly the current problem is due to the lack of proper advertising the potential customers want. I am guessing that in the near future we are going to see full impressive concerts as part of the launch of the new iPhone, or maybe the new "N" series from Nokia (which by the way is so close of being revamped completely, or just taken into retiring, with a new series on the way).

The "GB" line was launched at the beginning of 2009, with only two models. Since then this line became one of the most consistent line in terms of the number of phones, and form factors offered. A nice looking clamshell phone, GB 250 was initially announced in February and released in August. It sports a nice design, including three colored plastic design. The front cover embedded a blue plastic look (metallic finish) with a glossy black frame which includes the external display.

The hinge and back cover as well as the inside of the GB 250 sports a silver case look, made entirely out of plastic. The design looks nice, not cheap, but the build quality is not at its best performances. With a height of 97.6 mm, wide of 48.8 mm, deep of 16.9 mm, the GB 250 weights under 100 grams. This phone is not the lightest or the most portable but it is pretty easy to carry around. The GB 250 runs in 2 G networks, GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900, and in 3G network, HSDPA 2100.

The specs you are going to read about are included into an entry level phone. While the external monochrome TFT screen only has a 1 inch screen display with 96 x 64 pixels resolution the internal TFT display includes a 2 inches screen display with 176 x 220 pixels resolution, capable of rendering 256000 colors. The internal memory provided is huge for an entry level phone, 1 GB, value expandable by using the micro SD memory cards, or Trans Flash memory cards, up to 4 GB. The connectivity is ensured by the GPRS, EDGE, Bluetooth version 2.0, USB connection, and HSDPA with 1.8 MB per second. LG included in the GB 250 a 1.3 MP camera capable of 1280 x 1024 pixels, without any video recording capabilities. Beside the MP3 player, you are not going to get any special software available.

The included standard battery is rather small, only 800 mAh Lithium Ion battery, which should provide about 280 hours standby time in 2G network, and 230 hours standby time in 3G network. The talk time reaches about 4 hours in 2G networks, while in the 3G network you get about 3 hours and 28 minutes. In March 2009, LG announced the GB 210, released in May this year.

This candy bar phone is the upgrade to the GB 110. With a nice design, including a metallic look like plastic covers with several nice touches, within the navigational keys, this phone looks nice and feels the same. With a good build quality, this phone also sports a proper feedback within both navigational keys and keyboard. It can only run in the 2G network, GSM 900 / 1800. With a height of 103.7 mm, wide of 47 mm, deep of 15.6 mm, the GB 210 weights about 79 grams, making this phone very portable and easy to slide into any pocket.

The phone sports only one display because of its form factor, with a 1.77 inches screen diagonal, TFT technology, and a resolution of 120 x 160 pixels, this display can render about 65000 colors. Its internal memory is only 4 MB, but this value can be expanded using the micro SD memory cards, or the Trans Flash memory cards up to 4 GB. You get some connectivity with the GPRS and the HSCSD, Bluetooth with the A2DP profile and the USB connection. However, the EDGE, 3G, and Wi-Fi lack from the GB 210 connectivity package.


The same 1.3 megapixel digital camera found on the GB 250 can be found on the GB 210, sporting a maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels. However, this phone includes more than just the MP3 player. You can find a web browser, MP4 player (H.263), and an FM radio. Also upgraded is the 950 mAh Lithium Ion battery which should provide about 500 hours in standby and 5 hours in talk time. Overall the GB 210 is a good balanced phone, which provides sufficient features for its price range. Also, the design is pretty interesting thanks to the titanium finish.

Another GB phone announced in March and released in July this year, is the GB 125, a 2G network phone (GSM 900 / 1800) sporting a clamshell form factor. In terms of design, this phone looks very unique. Its design, however, is rather subjective, some might love it, and some might hate it, it simply up to everyone in question to decide. This phone has a lot of sharp angles in construction.

When closed its silver metallic look like body really looks nice delivering a nice impression. However, when opened this phone looks rather strange. In a way is reminds me of some old Sony Ericsson Walkman model. In the inside the GB 125 sports a black matte plastic which feels really nice. However, the plastic keys leave a bad impression when used, since they offer only an average feedback. Even so, all the keys, either navigational keys, or keyboard keys are good sized. With a height of 87 mm, wide of 45 mm, deep of 19.3 mm, the GB 125 weights about 90 grams. If this phone would have been thinnest, it would probably be one of the most portable phones on the market.


Even so, the handling is pretty great and the phone can easily be slide into any pocket. LG included status LED indicators instead of an external display, while inside it included a 1.5 inches CSTN display with a resolution of 128 x 128 pixels, capable of rendering about 65000 colors. Let's talk about what you don't get. You don't get HSCSD, EDGE, 3G, WLAN, Bluetooth, USB connection, and no memory card slot. You do, however, get the GPRS connection. The battery included in this phone is a Lithium Ion 950 mAh, should provide about 440 hours of standby time and up to 6 hours and 30 minutes in talk time. You get no digital camera, no MP3 player, but you do get a FM radio.

Overall, the GB 125 includes a weird design and basic functions, with its main key being the almost unique design. LG didn't stop here, until today the LG included in the GB line another four phone models, the GB 230 (slider), the GB 170 (candy bar form with some specs), the GB 109 (candy bar form entry level with basic functions), and the GB 270 (candy bar form, which can be considered the high end entry level phone, with an excellent design and good specs). All these four phone models will be presented in a future article. Overall, the GB line is truly an entry level line, however, with a little patience you can find good phones for less money with more than a few features from the bottom average line.

No manufacturer is ready to give up a certain phone line, such as the entry level line. Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, LG are all trying to successfully cover all the possible phone lines with models that are starting to become more and more attractive even for entry level phones. This evolution is part of the manufacturer's competition to exceed one another. However, on the market this only means one thing, excellent products for less money. LG is trying to consolidate its position in the entry level phone line since January this year. Its new entry level phone line is branded as "GB". The first model was announced on January 2009, GB 106, and released in March 2009. This phone really looks like cheap. You get old form factor, with cheap plastic body, and a colored frame finish.

The navigational keys and the alphanumerical keys are all made of rubber, and the battery cover sports a small flex when pressed. With a height of 102 mm, wide of 45 mm, deep of 14.6 mm, the GB 106 weights about 70 grams, making this phone really lightweight and easy to carry around. The included display is an old 1.5 inches CSTN with 128 x 128 pixels resolution, capable of rendering up to 65000 colors. It lacks any connectivity whatsoever and includes a 1 MB onboard memory. You get only SMS function and a FM radio.

The battery included is a Lithium Ion with 950 mAh, capable of offering 440 hours in standby (GSM 900 / 1800), and up to 6 hours and 30 minutes of talk time. This phone is just the first from ten GB phones released by LG by now. I am going to present you in chronological time the next four GB model, while the last five will be part of a future article. Also announced in January 2009 and released on March 2009, the GB 110 sports a better design, than the GB 106. Although the navigational keys and the alphanumerical keys are still made out of rubber, the overall build of the GB 110 is improved. The design is also more 2007, and not 2003. This phone runs in 2G network, GSM 900 / 1800. With a height of 103 mm, wide of 45 mm, deep of 14.6 mm, the GB 110 weights about 65 grams, making this phone even more compact than the BG 106. LG included in the GB 110 the same 1.5 inches CSTN display with 128 x 128 pixels resolution, capable of rendering up to 65000 colors.

With only 1 MB internal memory, this phone lacks any possible entertainment. However, the GB 110 sports a memory card slot, compatible with micro SD memory cards with the maximum value of 4 GB. The connectivity is only ensured by the 2.0 USB connections. LG also added in the GB 110 a VGA camera capable of taking photos only in 640 x 480 pixels. No video recording capabilities, but GB 110 sports a MP3 player. The same Lithium Ion 950 mAh battery used on GB 106 is included in the GB 110, capable of providing up to 440 hours in standby and up to 6 hours and 30 minutes talk time.

As a conclusion, the GB 110 is a solid upgrade of the GB 106. The third GB model announced in February 2009, sports a different style, with nice design and good entry level specs. The GB 130 is a slider sporting a matte black plastic on the unopened front cover and back cover. The frame surrounding the display is made out of a glossy material. The alphanumerical keyboard and the sides of GB 130 are made out of a silvery plastic, giving the design a nice contrast. The front cover includes the display, above which you get the earpiece and the "LG" logo, while below the display you can find the navigational keys including, two soft keys, alarm clock key, call key, end call key, calendar key, five way navigational pad (up, down, left, right and the centered OK). Once opened the GB 130 sports a big alphanumerical keyboard. The keys are made out of a rubber plastic material. The feedback is average, not too great, but not too bad.

The build quality is overall average, but the design is certainly an improvement over the first two models. With a height of 103 mm, wide of 47 mm, deep of 15.6 mm, the GB 130 doesn't have a specified weight offered by LG (weird but true). LG included in the GB 130 a 2.0 inches TFT display with a resolution of 120 x 160 pixels, capable of rendering about 65000 colors. The internal memory was improved to 64 MB, but LG removed the memory card slot from GB 130. The connectivity is ensured only by the GPRS and the USB connectivity. The same battery on the GB 106 and GB 110 was also included in this model, Lithium Ion 950 mAh battery. The standby value will not pass 400 hours (in the 2G network GSM 900 / 1800), while the talk time is about 6 hours.

Overall, the GB 130 is an improved version of GB 110 in terms of design and display. However the lack of memory card slot and digital camera make includes this phone under the GB 110 in terms of a balanced price / specs. The fourth model announced and released this year, the GB 102 is located in terms of specs under the GB 106. However, the GB 102 sports an improved design, with a nice matte black plastic body, and a nice form factor. Also the navigational keys are made out of a metallic material, while the alpha numerical keyboard is made out of one piece of black rubber which looks nice. In terms of design this phone is really attractive. With a height of 103 mm, wide of 45 mm, deep of 14 mm, the GB 102 includes a 1.5 inches CSTN display with a resolution of 128 x 128 pixels, capable of rendering about 65000 colors. You get no memory card slot, no camera and no connectivity. Beside the organizer and the T9, the GB 102 doesn't sport anything else.

LG included into this model a Lithium Ion battery with 800 mAh, capable of 400 hours in standby and 6 hours and 30 minutes in talk time. Between GB 106 and GB 102, the last one is a better choice. The last phone in this article is the LG GB 220 also known as "Kate" announced in February 2009 and released in August 2009. The GB 220 sports a nice design made out of a matte black plastic inside and on the back cover, while on the outside cover (since GB 220 sports a clamshell design) sport a metallic silver frame surrounding a patterned glossy surface that covers the external display. Inside you can see the stainless steel hinge and the plastic keys from the alphanumerical keyboard.

The navigational keys are not only better looking but also provide a better feedback than the alphanumerical keyboard. LG improved dramatically the build quality. The GB 220 sports a solid build, with no flex whatsoever, not even from the keyboard keys which deliver an average feedback. With a height of 105 mm, wide of 46 mm, deep of 14 mm, the GB 220 weights only 72 grams, making it very portable and easy to carry around. LG included in the GB 220 an external display of 1 inch (TFT technology) with a resolution of 96 x 64 pixels, while inside it added a 1.76 inches TFT display with 176 x 144 pixels resolution capable of rendering about 65000 colors.

On board the GB 220 you can find 512 MB, expandable value using the micro SD memory card or Trans Flash memory cards up to 2 GB. The connectivity is ensured by the GPRS and EDGE, Bluetooth version 2.0 and the USB connectivity. LG also included a 1.3 megapixel camera with a maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels. The GB 220 sports a Lithium Ion battery with 800 mAh value, which should provide about 300 hours in standby, or 3 hours and 20 minutes in talk time for the 2G network - GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900. Overall, these five models are in terms of specs and design cheap mobile phones. However, the GB 220 is closer to what an entry level mobile phone should be, average specs, with a nice design and an entry level price tag.