LG Apex Unveiling Specs Price Pros & Cons

Overview of LG Apex

The LG Apex, released in November 2010, represents a significant phase in the evolution of smartphones. The device was launched when Android was still gaining traction and smartphones were transitioning from business devices to consumer-oriented gadgets. It is equipped with several notable features, including a solid build quality, Android operating system, and a physical QWERTY keyboard that appeals to users who prefer tactile feedback while typing.

Design and Build

The LG Apex features a compact design with dimensions of 116 x 56 x 16 mm, making it easy to handle and operate with one hand. Weighing 158 grams, it has a robust build and offers a sense of durability. The phone utilizes a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, which is a significant advantage for users who prefer physical keyboards over virtual ones for better typing accuracy and speed.

The phone is designed with practicality in mind, incorporating a mini-SIM slot and a black color scheme that gives it a professional appearance. The materials used in its construction ensure that it can endure everyday wear and tear, a critical factor for a device intended for regular use.

Display

The LG Apex boasts a 3.2-inch TFT display with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, offering reasonable clarity and sharpness with a pixel density of approximately 292 ppi. Although the screen might appear small by today's standards, it was quite acceptable in the era it was released. The display supports 256K colors, providing decent color representation and contrast levels.

This display capacity makes the device suitable for basic multimedia tasks and browsing, though it might not satisfy users seeking high-definition visuals.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the LG Apex runs on a Qualcomm MSM7627 chipset with a 600 MHz ARM 11 CPU and an Adreno 200 GPU. It originally shipped with Android 2.1 Eclair and was upgradable to Android 2.2 Froyo, offering improved features, enhanced performance, and a friendlier user interface compared to its predecessor.

The device's processing power is adequate for everyday tasks such as calling, messaging, browsing, and running simple applications, although it falls short in handling more demanding software and multitasking capabilities compared to more modern devices.

Camera

The LG Apex is equipped with a 3.15 MP primary camera capable of autofocus and comes with an LED flash to improve low-light photography. The camera can capture videos at 480p resolution, which was typical for mid-range smartphones at the time. It should be noted that the device lacks a front-facing camera, which limits its capabilities in terms of modern-day requirements for video calling or selfies.

Overall, while the camera might not be impressive by today's standards, it served well for casual photography during its time of release.

Storage and Memory

This device features 512MB of internal storage, supplemented by 256MB RAM. To accommodate more media and applications, the LG Apex provides a dedicated microSDHC card slot, allowing users to expand their storage capacity significantly. This feature was vital since internal storage was quite limited.

The available memory enables the phone to handle basic tasks, although users may experience some lag during app-intensive operations or when trying to multitask.

Battery Life

Powering the LG Apex is a removable 1500 mAh Li-Ion battery, which was a standard capacity for devices of its time. The phone offers a standby time of up to 500 hours and a talk time of approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes. This battery life is generally acceptable for moderate usage patterns involving basic tasks such as calling, texting, and occasional browsing.

Since the battery is removable, users could carry spare batteries for instances when recharging was not feasible, enhancing the device's practicality.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The LG Apex is equipped with CDMA technology, supporting both 2G and 3G bands, providing EV-DO Rev. A data speeds up to 3.1 Mbps. It offers various ways to stay connected, featuring Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n support, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, and GPS capabilities, enhanced with A-GPS for improved location accuracy.

Connectivity is further enhanced through a microUSB 2.0 port for easy file transfers and device charging. However, the device lacks a radio, which might be considered a downside for users who enjoy listening to FM stations.

User Experience and Reception

The user experience on the LG Apex is defined by its approachable design and the tactile feel of the physical keyboard. The Android operating system allowed users to access a variety of apps from the Android Market (now Google Play Store), making it possible to customize the phone to suit individual preferences.

As a mid-range device at its release, the LG Apex was generally well-received by users who appreciated its practicality and solid build. However, it didn't stand out in terms of high performance or cutting-edge features.

Legacy and Impact

The LG Apex is representative of the transitional period in smartphone history, where physical keyboards were still in demand, and touchscreen interfaces were gradually becoming the norm. Despite having been discontinued, it provides valuable insights into the design and functionality favored during its time.

For technology enthusiasts and collectors, devices like the LG Apex are a reminder of how rapidly smartphones have evolved, offering a stark contrast to the powerful, feature-rich smartphones available today.