06 Sep 09 LG GW520 Review
The new cookie that has got added to LG’s family list is LG GW520. QWERTY keyboard, 7.2 Mbps HSDPA, Touch-screen are some of the special features of the phone (Actually, these have all now become some of the basic expectations a buyer has from a phone). The phone has been completely built with the idea of social networking in mind, this makes it rather buyer friendly amongst the younger crowd. I am sure after two awrds earned by LG Best Handset Award nominee (LG KS360) and a midrange bestseller (LG KP500), the team should have worked to multiply the positives in both the phones so as to bridge the negative aspects, but for sure the designers have not worked to their bones.
The designers have not diverted their interest in developing a better Wi-Fi feature on LG GW520, since that would have gained lots of extra points to the device, which the team surely has not been prepared to handle. Before I get into the real good things about the phone, let me tell you there are a couple of features that the user must compel him to sacrifice. Like the one already mentioned Wi-Fi, camera auto-focus, GPS. Because, this is all some of the simple technology that LG already has and is an easy way to attract the end users.
Design and Construction
Though LG hasn’t tried its variations in its design structure, like its previous models KS360, no flashy paints, and toy like looks. It has opted to safely taking the conservative approach. This cookie model’s front definitely has obtained its genes in the front look from its ancestor KP500. With the complete screen occupying the front display and the three special keys to connect call, end call, menu shortcut.
The phone lacks a stylus, but I am sure after offering a QWERTY keyboard which is just available underneath the front display, I don’t see any necessity for the stylus. Though handwriting recognition is not possible, it can always be compromised for the mini keyboard presented.
QWERTY keyboards design is really remarkable. Well spaced keys, settled in four rows. A dedicated shortcut key for message composer, a LED to indicate CAPS lock / NUM lock. The minute the keyboard is slid open, the orientation of the screen changes to landscape. The only control that is available on the left of the keypad is the volume controller, which also serves as zoom for the camera supporting up to 2mxp.
The yet other disappointing feature of the phone is that the mini USBport, which also is the dedicated charger cum headphone line. Hence all the three is not expected to be possible at the same time. The bottom is bare, as usual accommodating the mouthpiece. The 3 mpx camera and the loud speakers are concentrated at the plastic touché based back, but disappointingly with no flash.
To reveal the batter removing the back cover is not really a big challenge like the difficultly we might face with other phones, since just a gentle slide open at the back is enough to remove the cover. Ergonomics of the phone will surely be liked by the buyers, the device is though compact is surely not thin.
User Interface
The cookies touch interface is surely derived from KP500. The scroll on the phone is not just scrolling, but also, gives a chance to see you bouncing, and giving you a little exercise before choosing the application. There can be any complaints in the user interface and response, since the phone is very quick and takes very less responsive time. To go to the next screen there is another simpler way of just moving your fingers sideways on the screen.
Apart from this the usual features that are available to the user in just one single the LG GW520 offers an analog clock, a mini FM radio, a mini music player, a notes app, Image slideshow, a world clock, a calendar, WeatherBug, cellular info, web search and Facebook widgets as well as Push e-mail widget. There are a couple of lot more features added like a small bubble appears on the top indicating the number of messages, a live square to indicate and change your “Day’s events”.
Phonebook is well planned, supporting upto 1000 contacts, organizing users into groups. There are almost 14 fileds associated with each of the users and lets you add up to 5 numbers for each of the users. Telephony is absolutely fine, with no interference in sounds and external noises. The phones audio reception is completely above all the other devices belonging to the same family.
The phone is a complete multimedia phone. Supports messaging in different forms, like SMS and MMS sharing the same editor. To setup email accounts feels like breeze, thanks to the clever idea of the designer. Just feeding the mail id and password is more than enough, connections are retrieved automatically. The max limit on outgoing mail is 2.2MB. Though MS office files and pdf files can be viewed, ZIP and RAR files are not expected to be supported.
Music player has been derived from the KP500, and the improvisations are in the visualizations. All other default features like album art, equalizer presets are all available. It also has the capability to organize your song by artist, album, genre, and recently played. Camera interface reminds us of LG KC910 Renoir and KP500 Cookie. For a 3mpx featured camera, the available features are much more than satisfying. The images produced by the LG GW520 have more than enough detail, no over sharpening or purple fringing and noise levels are tolerable, whilst the only problem that could be observed is the blurring at the bottom left corner of all the pictures.
The device comes built in with 3 games Flying Dice, Pipes and Sudoku. Apart from this the phone 100% supports all the basic functionalities of the phone. Overall, if you have been looking forward for touch based phone with basic multimedia feature than this phone is applicable for you, if not then it’s time for you to get ready to read other models review.
Specifications
Size Dimensions 106.5 x 53 x 15.9 mm Weight 125.5 g
Display Type TFT resistive touchscreen, 256K colors Size 240 x 400 pixels, 2.8 inches
Camera Primary 3.15 MP, 2048×1536 pixels Video Yes
- MP3/MP4/AAC/AAC+/EAAC+/WMA player
- MP4 player
- Document viewer (DOC, XLS, PPT, PDF)
- Organizer
- Photo/video editor
- Voice memo
- T9
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This phone looks very attractive. It has all basic features. Qwerty keyboard is a very good feature. Phonebook supports 1000 contacts which is great. Performance-wise, its really good.
thank you for reveiwing the lg gw520. allthough i only speed-readed the article i was dissappointed when i realised you did not reveiw the web browser. i thought this would have been a very important feature to mention. any who, thanks
yours sincerely,
A E Overman
how do u get rid of livesquare becuase i want facebook and the music and that when i open my phone. need help!