Camera Phones Plaza

Even if Xpress Music is on its last wave, Nokia is still trying to plus on the last minute, with several good mobile phones. Basically, it is not a bad investment to purchase an Xpress Music phone right now for several reasons. Firstly, the price is much lower than before. As a second reason, your new phone still provides solid features, and last but not least, the new brand "X" comes with phones rather similar in features. The only difference is probably going to be the new logo, and the new design.

However, if those two are not really a concern for you, then you should be thrilled with the multitude of cheap music orientated phones you can now find on the market. If you are looking for an old candy bar form, music orientated Symbian phone, then take a closer look at Nokia 5320 Xpress Music.

So, what could Nokia 5320 Xpress Music pack? If you are interested in a high resolution camera, it is probably your time to ditch this article. However, if you are looking for excellent quality music and a full package of connectivity, then do please read the entire article. The main disadvantages found on the 5320 Xpress Music are not all that uncommon, for this price range. You get a normal to sub normal camera resolution with bad video recording, not that great battery life (although the screen is not that big at all), and no Wi-Fi. The design is probably one of the greatest found on an Xpress Music phone. This current design, in terms of colors and materials is used in the new "X" line.

The only difference is the angler design. The design is not all youth orientated. It's opened for larger potential customers. Even if the 5320 Xpress Music is made entirely out of plastic, it doesn't look cheap at all. Also, the phone is not glossy at all, being made out of a matte plastic, providing you with a better grip. Believe it or not, Nokia played with geometry in this design.


To understand, just take a look on the front of the phone, above the display, and you will understand. The second digital camera for enabling the video calls is the symmetric sibling of the Xpress Music menu key, with the origin point: the earpiece. Under the display you will get the navigational buttons. Beside the four way key controls (left, right, up, and down), you get centered in this navigational pad, the OK / SET button. On the right side of the D-pad you get, from top to bottom, a soft key, the menu launch button, and the call key. On the opposite side you get another soft key, the back button, and the end call key. Under the navigational pad, you can find the alphanumerical keyboard.

This keyboard has a classic layout, but it will seem weird because of its design. However, all the buttons are easy to use and provide good feedback. A little shortage might just be the slippery material the keyboard is made out. On the right side you can find the dedicated camera key and upper the camera key, you will find the volume controls.


On the left side, Nokia 5320 Xpress Music brings the dedicated music keys (forward, backward, play and pause), but also the card slot, covered by a nice plastic. On the top of this phone, Nokia only included the Power on and off button, while on the bottom side you will get from left to right, the micro USB slot also covered, the 3.5 mm audio jack, and the input charger slot. On the back, the Nokia 5320 Xpress Music sports on the upper center a 2 megapixel digital camera with dual LED flash. The 5320 body, is well made, you get no weird noises when pressing it, no nothing.

The build quality is impressive for a plastic covered phone. Nokia 5320 Xpress Music runs in 2G network - GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 and in 3G network - HSDPA 900 / 2100 and HSDPA 850 / 1900. Nokia included in the 5320 Xpress Music a 2 inches TFT display with 240 x 320 pixels, sporting up to 16 million colors. The picture quality is good, even if the screen size is too small. This display offers vibrant colors and an average brightness. You shouldn't have any problems with visibility under direct sunlight.

However, the ARM 11 369 MHz processor is not enough to run at its full potential the Symbian 9.3 operating system with the version 3.2. Although the operating system is good, the user experience might not be as what you are expecting, if you will use multi tasking.  The user interface is fully customizable, while the organizer, calendar, and telephony functions are excellent.


Nokia ships the 5320 Xpress Music with an onboard memory of 140 MB, expandable using micro SD memory cards, or Trans Flash memory cards, up to 8 GB. The connectivity is well ensured by the Class 32 GPRS, Class 32 EDGE, HSCSD, Bluetooth version 2.0 with A2DP, and the micro USB port. The major disadvantage of this phone is indubitable the 2 megapixel digital camera with 1600 x 1200 pixels and LED flash. The camera is below any standards for a 2009 phone (but this is probably the main reason why this phone comes cheap). The camera also records in QVGA resolution with only 15 frames per second. Nokia included in the 5320 Xpress Music only an 890 mAh Lithium Ion battery (BL 5B model). This battery should offer about 250 hours of standby in 2G networks, and about 240 hours of standby in 3G networks.

The talk time is only 3 hour and 30 minutes for 2G networks and 2 hours and 30 minutes for the 3G network. Overall, for an average user all these values should mean about 24 hours of battery life. Nokia included in the retail package, beside the actual phone and battery, a 1 GB micro SD memory card, a mandatory charger, CD software, a micro USB cable, and a smart Xpress Music had free. Overall, Nokia 5320 Xpress Music is an average product. It can barely be considered state of the art. Even so, with good connectivity, nice music features and a small price, 5320 Xpress Music will have its share of sales.

It is needless to say that Nokia has a biggest mobile phone portfolio. Nokia releases on a constant bases mobile phones, with or without any new features. It is not just the entry level and the middle level, too congested with similar phones, you currently can find so many Nokia series phones that you probably wonder where it is going to end. The E series and N series are probably at their end life cycle, especially because Nokia is running out of numbers.


However, Nokia recently showed that it can recycle names and numbers, but not early than a five year range. Even so, Nokia N79 is not a new phone. You already know its specs list from other N series siblings. It's all about design, and price for that matter. Being part of the 7x N series means that N79 will have a decent price tag for all the features it brings. And, indeed you get good features. However, N79 lacks some important N8x features.

Therefore, not only the plastic design will make this model look cheap, but also the lack of detailed features. Nokia N79 has a little too many disadvantages, such as   bad quality GPS, zooming in and out of photos (and browsing through the menu) takes a lot of time, average camera performances (although the camera is good in its specs), doesn't charge the battery using the USB connection, no view or editing software for Office documents. Also, you might be surprised (in a bad way) to find out that N79 (which should be a multimedia phone) lacks 3D graphic accelerator. Nokia N79 is the successor of N78, which by the way looked much more appealing that N79 does.

Also, if you are interested in better performances and you don't really care about the latest gadgets on the market you should definitely take a look at Nokia N82 (a better choice than the N79) or even N85, which already has a successor out on the market, N86. Both N82 and N85 are solid choices with better performances at the same price tag with N79 (however, keep in mind that N82 and N85 are 2008 N series phones). The only clear advantage of N79 is that it's sporting the current brand image of Nokia. When it comes to the design, you can easily see a small resemblance between N97 design and N79.

However, the N79's design is by far as good as the N97. The front panel is made out a glossy plastic (theoretically it should be matte) which is a magnet for both fingerprints and scratches. Even the display is vulnerable to fingerprints, because it is not covered with a special material to prevent finger smudges. Sure, it is not a touch screen phone, but it is inevitable not to touch even by accident the display. Above the display you can find the centered earpiece, while to the right you get the second digital camera for enabling video calls and the ambient light sensor. Under the display you get the navigational keys. Beside the four way keys plus one centered key, N79 sports another seven keys.


The four way keys (left, right, up, and down) surround the OK / Select key. To the left of this navigational buttons you get a soft key, the menu key, the multimedia key (which is not labeled), and call key. On the other side, N79 sport another soft key, the clear key and the end call key. Under the navigational keys you get the alphanumerical keypad. You get physical buttons (even if you don't notice them) making the usability excellent. The feedback is impressive and the keyboard functionality is first class. Surrounding the front case you get a nice stainless steel finish, making the design a little more stylish. Actually the design could have been nicer if Nokia would have introduced other colors to N79. You get this not so great white, because the old N78 included an all case glossy black.

On the left side of the N79 you get the covered micro USB slot, the charger plug and the micro SD memory card slot. Fear not, if you will see only one cover. Under this cover you will find both memory card slot and micro USB port. On the right side N79 sports two stereo speakers, the dedicated camera key and the volume controls. On the top Nokia included a centered 3.5 mm audio jack, a Power on and off button, and a switch to lock the phone.


On the bottom, N79 doesn't actually sports anything. The back side provides on the upper center the 5 megapixel camera lens with dual LED flash. The back cover is made entirely out of plastic. Overall, the build quality found on N79 is excellent. You get no weird noises or flex when using it. However, the plastic body is not that appealing at all, making the N79 look cheap. With a height of 110 mm, wide of 49 mm, deep of 15 mm, N79 weights about 97 g. Nokia N79 runs in 2G network - GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900, and in 3G network - HSDPA 900 / 2100.

Nokia included in N79 a 2.4 inches TFT display with a QVGA resolution (240 x 320 pixels), rendering up to 16 million colors. The display offers a good brightness level under direct sunlight. Also, the display features auto rotate function thanks to the built in accelerometer sensor. Nokia included in N79 an ARM 11 369 MHz processor. Unfortunately, this processor is not powerful enough to deliver a good user experience especially because of the power draining Symbian OS 9.3, with Series 60 version 3.2 user interface.


The operating system is good, offers a full range of functions. From a great organizer, good featured calendar, a detailed phone book, exceptional music player, and sufficient video player, all these great functions lose because of the slow processor. As you already imagined it, the user interface is fully customizable, allowing you to create, after your needs, the perfect menu. Nokia ships the N79 with a 5 megapixel digital camera, with a maximum resolution of 2592 x 1944 pixels, with Carl Zeiss optics, a decent auto focus and dual LED flash. Beside geo tagging, the camera also features several image editing options. The camera also records videos in VGA resolution with 30 frames per second.

The N79 sports a small internal memory, only 83 MB, but you can expand this value with micro SD memory cards or Trans Flash memory card, up to 8 GB. The connectivity is ensured by Class 11 GPRS (not usually used) with a maximum speed of 107 Kb, HSCSD, Class 32 EDGE with a speed growing from 177.6 Kbits to 296 Kbits, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g profile and UPnP technology, HSDPA (slow version) with a maximum speed of 3.6 MB per second, 2.0 micro USB connection, and Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP.


Nokia added in the N79 phones a 1200 mAh Lithium Ion standard battery (BL 6F model) which should provide a standby value in 2G networks of about 372 hours and in 3G networks up to 408 hours. Also you can get about 5 hours and 30 minutes talk time in 2G network, while in 3G network the talk time goes up to 3 hour and 30 minutes. These values should mean for an average user about 2 days and 6 to 8 hours. The retail package of Nokia N79 is quite good. You get beside the actual phone and battery, a 4 GB micro SD memory card, a two piece hand free with remote controls, a mandatory charger, a micro USB cable, and CD software. Overall, the N79 is a solid phone. It provides good features for a smaller price tag. Still the design looks cheap (even if it is solid built), the features are good but not extraordinary, and the N79 fits perfectly in the entry level N series line.

Any organized mobile phones manufacturer knows that every phone series has more than two phone lines with at least one model and at most three phones. I am sure LG and Apple knows this marketing strategy, but Nokia, Samsung and HTC not only they know it, but they also applied it for some time now. Nokia is one of the few manufacturers with an impressive portfolio.

Once again, the E series was expanded with a basic business phone in the entry level line. Nokia E52 is a solid business oriented phone which will deliver good performances to customers. The E52 easily lines up in the rest of the E series from its candy bar form and good features.

The excellent processor and sufficient RAM memory are well covered with E series looks, providing the E52 with not only solid performances, but also an appealing look. The best feature of the E52 is the price tag. Remember, this excellent mobile phone is an entry level device. Therefore, you get good features, excellent hardware and a small price. Where is the catch, Nokia? The impressive feature list shuts down the insignificant disadvantages, which, by the way, are only four at number. The E52 sports a medium camera with average performances, bad video recording (like you need it in a business phone), no DivX and XviD support, and no TV out (this is the only main disadvantage, because you will not be able to present any projects from your business phone on flash meetings).

Nokia E52 has a height of 116 mm, wide of 49 mm, deep of 9.9 mm, E52 weights about 98 grams. Excellent values, the E52 is easy to slide in any pocket a light enough to not even feel it. In terms of dimensions and weight E52 provides a high quality user experience. The Nokia 52 provides the same looks like the E series (2009) business phones. From the first look you will notice, that E52 includes resistant and stylish materials, making (from the first look) the design attractive. The E52's body features metal finishes not only on the case but also the navigation keys. The front of the E52 provides a glossy silver metal frame surrounding the black glossy plastic that follows the lines of the display.

The back cover delivers an industrial feel. Nokia delivers the E52 in three available colors: graphite grey, metal grey aluminum, and golden aluminum (not as nice as the grey colors). On the front of the E52, you can find, above the display the centered earpiece, to the right of the earpiece you can find the second video camera for enabling video calls, and on the other side you can find a light sensor. Under the display, you first get the navigational keys (made out of a metallic material). These navigational keys are: the four way navigational pad (up, down, left, and fight with customizable features), the centered "ok / select" key, to the right of the D-pad you get a soft key, home screen key, organizer key, and call key, while to the right of the D-pad you can find a soft key, the back key, the message key, and the end call key.

The navigational keys you get the actual keyboard. You get good sized keys, excellent feedback and no flex. You can't ask for more. Typing at the E52 keyboard is very comfortable. On the top of the E52 you can find the centered power on and off button, and the 3.5 mm audio jack. On the right side the E52 sports the voice command key, the camera dedicated key and the volume controls. On the other side, Nokia included the uncovered micro USB port. By the way, because of the excellent steel finish you really don't have to worry about fingerprints or minor scratches. On the back, the E52 sports in upper center the 3.2 megapixel camera and a LED flash.

Also, right next to the camera lens and LED flash you get the loudspeaker. The memory card slot was included under the back cover. However, exactly like the SIM card slot, the memory card slot is not under the battery. Therefore, there is no need to turn off the phone when you want to replace the memory card. Nokia provided for E52 an exceptional built quality, and a great appealing design.

The E52 runs in 2G network - GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 and in 3G networks - HSDPA 900 / 2100 and HSDPA 850 / 2100. Nokia included in E52 an ARM 11 600 MHz processor. This processor provides enough power to run in optimal conditions the Symbian operating system provided for the E52 (S60 version 3.2). The operating system brings many functions and features good enough for personal or business use. The organizer, calendar, phone book, document viewing and editing, email support, and many others, all can be found onboard the E52. Also, you can install additional applications thanks to the Symbian platform. The user interface is fully customizable. You can't find a serious drawback in the operating system, or the speed provided by the excellent processor.

Nokia included onboard the E52 an internal memory of only 60MB. However, this value can be expanded by using a micro SD memory card (Trans Flash memory card) up to 16 GB compatible. The music player is a high feature, providing support for any important media format on the market. The sound quality is exceptional. The E52 also provides with different EQ presets and a powerful bass. However, the video player is not as great as the music player. You should download and install a 3^rd party video application for a better result.

The connectivity in ensured by the Class 32 GORS, Class 32 EDGE with speed values from 178.8 Kb per second to 296 Kb per second, HSCSD, Bluetooth version 2.0 with A2DP, micro USB 2.00 connectivity, Wi-Fi with 802.11 b / g profile and UPnP technology, and HSDPA with 10.2 Mb per second, and HSUPA with 2 Mb per second. Judging from the connectivity package Nokia plans a long life time for the E52.

The camera included in the E52 would have been much better with an auto focus. Even so, you will have to accept the fixed focus 3.2 megapixel digital camera with a maximum resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels, with a built in LED flash. This camera can also record videos in VGA mode with only 15 frames per second. To compensate the rather mediocre camera, Nokia included many photo editing options. The most interesting feature for the business customers is the Office 2007 support. Be assured you can handle form your E52 documents in Word, Excel, Power Point, and PDF file formats.

Nokia ships the E52 with an excellent Lithium Polymer 1500 mAh standard battery (BP 4L). This battery will provide a standby time of 642 hours in 2G networks and 432 hours in 3G networks. Also the talk time should go up to 8 hours in 2G networks and up to 6 hours in 3G networks. If you are interested in listening continuously to music from your E52, then you should now the battery will last you about 18 hours. The retail package of the Nokia E52 contains beside the actual phone and battery: 1GB memory card, leather carrying case, one piece hands free, charger, CD software, and a micro USB cable.

Overall, the Nokia E52 is a flawless featured mobile phone. The only main disadvantage may be the 3.2 megapixel camera with no auto focus (however the exact same value sports the new iPhone 3GS). The build quality is exceptional, and the specs list is impressive. If you are looking for a candy bar business phone, then you should consider the E52 as the most logic choice you could make.

Every manufacturer has at least one milestone mobile phone. Even if they should have at least three, I am maintaining this easy condition: one milestone device. If you are planning to buy a new phone, just check every manufacturer first and see which one provides more confidence judging from their technology "boom" factor on the market. This "boom" factor is in fact a mobile phone. Since 2007 every manufacturer tried to rebrand their image and to change their entire portfolio. Day zero was the iPhone (first generation) announce day. Every day after that announcement was just another continuous chance for Nokia, Sony Ericsson, LG, Samsung, HTC, and others.

It is pointless to say the Nokia offered so many milestone phones on the market that there is no point in saying what image has Nokia adopted. Nokia is equivalent to continuous evolution. However, the other manufacturers are more conservators than innovators. Their rebranding took a while, and for some is it still an ongoing process. Samsung is still rebranding itself until 2010, while Sony Ericsson is not exactly sure what to do. Sony Ericsson is still delivering dull products with high price tags. They really need to step up to the game, if they don't want to disappear until 2011. A nice surprise is, however, LG. LG brought to the market a few important phones like LG PRADA and LG Viewty, but its milestone phone is KM 900 Arena. This is the LG flagship, for now, and includes great features. Before presenting the excellent features of this device, let's see what its main disadvantages are. So, LG KM 900 Arena provides DivX XviD video in limited support, it has a bad recording format, a semi functional GPS module, bad flash, and a not so great display visibility under direct sunlight.

It doesn't provide too many disadvantages, especially if you choose to look at the advantages brought to the game. In design department, KM 900 Arena provides a nice design. Its design is something that you either love it, or hate it. Therefore, if you like this phone you will like its design too, not only the spec list. On the front you get a metallic frame. This frame surrounds another black plastic frame, which surrounds on its own the actual screen. By doing so, LG tried to make the Arena's display a little bigger than it actually is. Unfortunately, the result is ambiguous and subjective. On the back you get an aluminum cover.

Although it doesn't look like aluminum (rather more like simple plastic) the battery cover offers a good quality material. If you are concerned about the built, rest assured, LG KM 900 Arena sports an excellent built quality, with no flex or squeaks when pressed. Also, by providing a metallic finish on front, and an aluminum cover on the back, LG protects KM 900 Arena not only from fingerprints, but also from minor scratches.


On the front side, above the display, you get the centered earpiece, the second digital camera for video calling, and a proximity sensor to switch off the screen when you make or receive a call. Under the display, you get three buttons, call key, end call key and in the center the "cube" key to launch the cube menu (user interface). On the left side LG included in the Arena the USB port (covered to prevent any dust to get inside the port). On the right side you get the (almost common by for the right side of nowadays phones) the camera dedicated key and the volume controls. The top of the KM 900 Arena sports the 3.5 mm audio jack and the power on / off button, while the bottom side of the KM 900 lacks any ports or keys. On the back side of LG arena you can find on the upper left corner the 5 megapixel digital camera lens and the LED flash just above the camera. You get no protection for the camera's lenses. The battery cover doesn't retain the camera lenses.

The 5 megapixel camera will not be opened for any dust. Therefore, LG provides good solutions, better than the one provided by Nokia, or even Samsung for that matter of fact. Don't bother looking for the card slot, because it is located under the battery cover. However, the memory card slot is not placed under the battery. Therefore, you don't have to power off your Arena in order to change your memory card. The overall build quality is excellent. LG Arena not only looks solid, but also feels solid. Also, the great materials used provide a durable life cycle for this phone.

LG KM 900 has a height of 105.9 mm, wide of 55.3 mm, deep of 12 mm, and Arena weight about 105 g. In other words; LG Arena is a compact, yet solid built, touch screen phone with great quality materials. LG equipped the KM 900 Arena with a 3 inches TFT capacitive touch screen with 16 million colors, capable of a resolution up to 480 x 800 pixels. This display will render in excellent quality (indoors) the new S Class Touch user interface. Also, because it features the capacitive touch screen technology features multi touch input method. LG also included an accelerometer sensor for user interface auto rotate. You get vibrant colors and excellent brightness (until you go out in day broad light).

The KM 900 Arena also sports a 3D graphic accelerator. How I've mentioned before, the display visibility gets washed out under sunlight. The new Cube interface brings a multimedia universe in your hands. It is not as glamorous as the iPhone interface, but it does its job pretty well. The extra touch to this interface is provided by the 3D graphics. Because of the cube layout you have instant access to different applications sorted on different home screens. LG offers you the possibility to install as many widgets as you may want or need. Overall, the S Class Touch user interface is very efficient because is almost fully customizable. LG included onboard the KM 900 Arena a 8 GB memory, with the possibility to expand this value with a micro SD memory card (or a Trans Flash memory card) up to 32 GB. LG KM 900 Arena runs in 2G network - GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 and in 3G networks - HSDPA 2100 and HSDPA 850 / 1900.

This touch screen phone features some business quality as well, providing a great organizer, good calendar, excellent phone book, and other similar applications. Also the connectivity in ensured by GPRS Cass 12 with 4+1 / 3+2 / 2+3 / 1+4 slots and a speed going from 32 Kb per second to 48 Kb per second, Class 10 EDGE with 236.8 Kb per second, Wi-Fi with 802.11 b/g profile, Bluetooth version 2.0 with A2DP, HSDPA with a speed up to 7.2 MB per second, and the USB port. As a multimedia phone, KM 900 Arena provides a great music player (Dolby Mobile which offers everything you might want from a music player) and a 5 megapixel digital camera with Schneider Kreuznach optics. The maximum resolution of this camera is 2592 x 1944 pixels, featuring auto focus and a LED flash. The KM 900 can also record video, with 720 x 480 pixels at 30 frames per second, and VGA mode with 30 frames per second. LG KM 900 Arena comes with a 1000 mAh Lithium Ion battery. The standby time value goes up to 300 hours, with a talk time of 3 hours and 50 minute.

If you are interested in listening to music continuously you should know that the KM 900 battery life will last you about 30 hours. For an average user, all the above values mean about 2 hours of battery life after one full battery charge. LG included in the containing box, beside the KM 900 Arena and the 1000 mAh Lithium Ion battery, a charger, USB cable, CD Software, and one piece hands free. LG hasn't included in the retail box of the KM 900 Arena any memory cards. Overall, the LG Arena is a solid multimedia phone. Also LG tries to offer some business features in the KM 900. Because of its excellent quality built, and a full feature package, LG KM 900 Arena is the obvious choice for anyone who wants a good flagship touch screen phone with an average price tag.

The mobile phone market is divided in three, well for, ranges. You get the classic range, with normal mobile phones, average spec list and a price tag of under $230. You have the business range, with all sort of mobile launched recently or not on the market, which offer the ultimate business experience, but only in direct relation with the price you pay (Nokia E series, with all sort of business phone models, but their specs list vary just like their price tags).

The most marketed range, the high multimedia mobile phone range which brings so many phone models from all the manufacturers (also the price tags vary from one manufacturer to another manufacturer, because you can pay for the same spec list phone different prices depending on the brand logo). And last, but far from the least, is the style mobile phone range. Over the last five years we all have seen, fashion phones with only the manufacturers logo, or with both manufacturer logo and a fashion industry brand. From D&G Motorola, to Armani Samsung, Prada with LG, and now Aura luxury phone ($2000), it seems that this range is far for being closed. Another LG style phone, this time without a fashion industry brand attached, is the LG GD 900 Crystal.

This phone is until now, unique with its see through sliding keyboard. LG brought to the market not just another good looking phone, but also a full features high end gadget. It's not exactly LG flagship model but it does sports enough features to be considered a high end multimedia device. The only feature lacking is the GPS. However, the GD 900 includes some main disadvantages, such as the bad screen legibility in day broad light, only average camera photo quality, no 3.5 mm audio jack, bad video recording, lacks full support for DivX and XviD video. The main attraction of the GD 900 design is the see through (or transparent if you like) sliding keyboard. If you keep the phone closed, you are not going to find something special about it. The GD 900 body is made entirely out of plastic.

No metal finish anywhere on the case. The only thing it makes this design somewhat stylish is the white glow look of the unique keypad. In terms of dimension, the phone is stands in the average line. With a height of 105 mm, wide of 52.5 mm, deep of 13.5 mm, the GD 900 weights about 127 g, making the LG model not the lightest phone on the market. on the front side above the display and surrounded by a grey frame, you get the earpiece, proximity sensor and the second camera for video calling. Below the display you get the call key, end call key and the shortcut to the cube menu (or interface, which is basically another way to present the menu, something similar with what Samsung Omnia II has to offer). Once you slide the phone, you get the transparent key pad. This keypad doesn't actually sports real keys. It is just a single touch screen layer with numeric letters attached to the "keys".

As you can imagine no flex or bad usability is a matter here. Everything works nice and there is nothing bad you can say about the keypad. Once the phone illuminates the keypad you will understand why LG named GD 900 "Crystal". All keys offer good feedback, helping GD 900 improve its usability. On the left side you can find a micro USB port (covered), while on the right side GD 900 sports the dedicated camera key and the volume control keys. Just like the LG arena, LG GD 900 Crystal has on the top side the Power On and Off button, also used as a switch for the touch screen. When closed the GD900 doesn't sport anything on the back side; however, once opened you will find on the upper left corner the 8 megapixel camera lens with the LED flash. On the opened slider you will also find on the back (almost in the left side of the phone) the micro SD card slot. Overall, the GD 900 provides a solid build. It lacks, however, of nice to touch and look materials, but overall LG provides GD 900 Crystal a nice, somewhat stylish look. Also the phone is stable enough; you are not going to get any flex or squeaks when pressing the case a little too much.

LG GD 900 Crystal comes with the S Class user interface, which is one of the best interfaces found on mobile phones nowadays. Beside the excellent iPhone's user interface and the new Touch Wiz 2.0, S Class provides a great user interface experience. The GD 900 sports the same user interface with the new BL 40 Chocolate. Also this is the refreshed version found on the LG Arena. The best feature onboard this interface is the 3D cube menu, providing instant access to four home screens fully customizable (just customize a screen for work, one for home, one for camera, and if you are a music fan, one for audio experience). It is very similar to what you get from the Touch Wiz 2.0 and doesn't bring actual features. The new version improves some issues found on the previous S Class interface. Also you get to customize your GD 900 with any widgets you might want, calendar, world time, weather, memo, calculator and so many other you already get with the phone, or others that could be downloaded. The interface also brings an excellent organizer, and provides good short message function, beside the good call function. The LG's music player, Dolby Mobile, is pretty good. Not the best found on the market, but enough to be included in a high end mobile phone. You get all sort of settings and options, and the sound offered is good to excellent, because of the preset EQ.

If you were planning to use GD 900 as a movie player, you should revise your plans. LG GD 900 Crystal is not the best choice for watching video. Music videos are watchable but that about it, because of the lack of video support. LG GD 900 runs in 2G network (GSM 850 / 900 / 1900 / 1800) and in 3G network (HSDPA 900 / 2100, and HSDPA 850 / 2100). Also the phone features an excellent 3 inches TFT capacitive touch screen with a 480 x 800 pixels resolution, capable of rendering up to 16 million colors. Special features complete the multimedia package, gesture shortcut, handwriting recognition, multi touch input method, accelerometer sensor for auto rotate feature. LG ships the GD 900 with 1.5 GB internal memory, value that is expandable by using a micro SD memory card (Trans Flash memory card), up to 32 GB supported. The connectivity is ensured by the Class 10 GPRS (with the common by now 4+1 / 3+2 slots) with 32 Kb per seconds to 48 Kb per second, HSCSD, Wi-Fi with 802.11 g/g profile, EDGE Class 10 with 236.8 Kb per second, HSDPA with 7.2 MB per second, 2.0 micro USB, and Bluetooth version 2.1 with A2DP. Another excellent feature packed in the LG GD 900 Crystal is the 8 megapixel digital camera, with a resolution of 3264 x 2448 pixels, auto focus, and LED flash. Also the built in camera can record videos at 720 x 480 pixels with 30 frames per second, in VGA mode with 30 frames per second, and in QVGA and slow motion video recording. LG included in the GD 900 a 1000 mAh standard Lithium Ion battery with a reported standby time of 300 hours and a talk time in 2G networks of 6 hours and in 3G networks of 4 hours.

Overall, the LG GD 900 Crystal brings good features (2009 spec list indeed) into a somewhat stylish package. The best feature of this phone that includes it in the fashion phone line is the transparent sliding keypad. If you are looking for a special stylish mobile phone, then rest assured that GD 900 Crystal can be an excellent choice.