LG C3400 Comprehensive Review with Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview

The LG C3400 was a feature phone introduced in the first quarter of 2005. As a device from a bygone era in mobile technology, it highlights a time when phones were primarily used for calls and SMS rather than for social media, gaming, or high-resolution photography.

Design and Build

The LG C3400's design follows the compact and minimalist aesthetics of early 2000s mobile phones. With dimensions of 91 x 47 x 24 mm and a weight of 93 g, it is a lightweight device that can easily fit into any pocket or purse. The C3400 features a plastic body with a silver finish that provides a simple yet elegant look. It uses a Mini-SIM, a standard for mobile devices at the time.

Display

Equipped with a CSTN display supporting 65K colors, the LG C3400 showcases a modest resolution of 128 x 160 pixels. While it may not stand up to modern smartphone displays, it served its purpose for browsing through contacts, viewing messages, and navigating menus. The lack of a touchscreen reinforced the device's focus on basic functionality.

Camera

The phone includes a VGA main camera with LED flash, providing users the basic ability to capture photos in a pre-smartphone world. However, it does not support video recording or feature a front-facing camera, highlighting the device's limitations in multimedia capabilities.

Network and Connectivity

Operating over 2G GSM networks at 900/1800 bands, the device was compatible with global networks of the time. However, it lacks modern connectivity options such as 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Although these omissions limit its connectivity, the LG C3400 supports Class 10 GPRS for basic data transfer activities. Its proprietary USB connection serves as the main physical interface for charging and data transfer.

Battery Life

The phone is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery, providing adequate longevity by the standards of the early 2000s. The standby time of up to 200 hours and a talk time of approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes exemplified the efficient power consumption of feature phones.

Memory and Performance

With 16MB of internal storage, the LG C3400 does not support expandable storage through a card slot. This was typical for entry-level phones of the time, sufficient for storing a limited amount of contacts, messages, and media. Memory is utilized for a phonebook capable of holding 200 entries, each with room for six fields and photo contacts.

Software and Features

Operating as a basic feature phone, the LG C3400 offers essential communication tools including SMS, EMS, and MMS messaging. Its WAP 2.0/xHTML browser provides minimal internet access, typical of early mobile internet experiences. The phone includes some pre-installed games and supports downloadable ones, enhanced by Java support.

Sound and Alerts

Sound on the LG C3400 is notable for its downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones. However, the absence of a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack limits its multimedia audio capabilities, which were not as prioritized during its time of release.

Legacy

The LG C3400 is a testament to the foundational era of mobile phones, illustrating the progression from basic feature phones to today's smartphones. Its simple design, essential features, and reliable performance provided users with basic mobile communication solutions. While discontinued and surpassed by modern technology, it remains a nostalgic piece for technology enthusiasts and collectors.