LG Enact VS890 Comprehensive Review of Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of LG Enact VS890

The LG Enact VS890, launched in August 2013, was a distinctive smartphone at its time, attracting users with its unique slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a feature that was becoming increasingly rare in the smartphone industry. As a device marketed as a mid-range product, it offered a blend of reliable performance and functional design, targeting users who preferred tactile typing alongside a typical touchscreen experience.

Design and Build

Measuring 111 x 52.3 x 15.8 mm and weighing 169.8 grams, the LG Enact was relatively compact, though somewhat hefty due to its robust slide-out QWERTY keypad—a feature that defined its ergonomic design and appeal. The keyboard allowed for faster and more accurate typing, a feature cherished by users transitioning from feature phones. The device was primarily black, with a solid and sturdy build that gave a sense of durability.

Display Features

The LG Enact sported a 4.0-inch TFT display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, providing sufficient protection against scratches. With a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 233 PPI, the display offered decent clarity and sharpness, making it adequate for daily use, such as browsing, messaging, and video playback.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the LG Enact was powered by a Qualcomm MSM8930 Snapdragon 400 chipset built on a 28nm process. It featured a dual-core 1.2 GHz Krait CPU and an Adreno 305 GPU, offering reliable performance for its category. The device ran on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, which provided a user-friendly interface with access to a wide range of apps via the Google Play Store. The performance was suitable for basic smartphone tasks, although the RAM and processing power were limiting for high-end gaming or intensive applications.

Memory and Storage

For memory, the LG Enact came with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, which was expandable via a dedicated microSDXC card slot. This expansion capability was crucial for users needing extra space for multimedia files and applications, especially considering the modest internal storage relative to app and media sizes even at the time.

Camera Capabilities

The LG Enact was equipped with a 5 MP autofocus main camera, complete with features like LED flash, panorama, and HDR, allowing users to capture reasonable quality images across various lighting conditions. The main camera supported full HD video recording at 1080p@30fps. For video calls and selfies, the device featured a basic VGA front camera, which mirrored the standard offering for phones released during that period.

Connectivity Options

On the connectivity front, the LG Enact supported a variety of options including Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot, DLNA for seamless media sharing, along with Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP for audio streaming. It also featured GPS with S-GPS for location tracking. However, it lacked NFC and radio, which might've been a deal-breaker for some users. For network connectivity, it was compatible with CDMA/EVDO/LTE networks, offering decent speeds for web browsing and online activities.

Battery Life

Powering the LG Enact was a removable Li-Ion 2460 mAh battery, delivering standby time of up to 216 hours and talk time up to 11 hours and 40 minutes. This battery capacity allowed the phone to last a full day on moderate usage, which included tasks like calling, texting, and light browsing.

Additional Features

The LG Enact came with sensors such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, complementing its feature set for better user interaction and app functionality. However, it was critical to note the absence of some modern sensors like gyroscope and barometer that were becoming more common even at the time.

Conclusion

Overall, the LG Enact VS890 was a uniquely positioned device that offered a mix of traditional and modern smartphone features. While its hardware was modest compared to flagship models, the slide-out keyboard continued to appeal to a niche audience that valued tactile feedback over touchscreen typing. Though the phone has been discontinued, it remains a testament to the era's diverse mobile phone designs and consumer preferences.