Price and specifications of LG G Pro Lite advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview

LG G Pro Lite, released in November 2013, was designed as a balance between mid-range and premium features at an affordable price. With a large 5.5-inch display, it catered to users who preferred larger screens for media consumption and productivity. Despite its discontinuation, it remains a relevant reference for understanding the evolution of smartphones in that era.

Design and Build Quality

The LG G Pro Lite boasts a sleek design characterized by its dimensions of 150.2 x 76.9 x 9.4 mm and a weight of 161 grams, making it relatively lightweight for its size. The device features a Mini-SIM slot with a sturdy plastic build. The back panel is removable, allowing access to the battery compartment and SIM card slot. Available in classic colors like White and Black, the phone appealed to users who appreciated simplicity in design.

Display

The device sports a 5.5-inch IPS LCD screen offering a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 200 ppi. Although not the sharpest display by today's standards, the IPS technology ensured decent color reproduction and viewing angles at the time of its release. With a screen-to-body ratio of about 72.2%, it provided ample space for interactive experiences.

Camera Features

Main Camera

The LG G Pro Lite is equipped with an 8 MP main camera featuring autofocus and an LED flash, suitable for basic photography needs. It supports panorama shots and records video at 720p@30fps, which was standard for mid-range devices back then.

Selfie Camera

A front-facing 1.3 MP camera served the purpose of video calls and casual selfies, although its quality was limited compared to more recent devices. This simplicity reflected the era's focus on rear camera quality over front-facing capabilities.

Performance and Software

The phone operates on a Mediatek MT6577 chipset with a dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU and PowerVR SGX531 GPU. It comes with 1GB of RAM, which pairs with its Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) operating system, upgradable to 4.4.2 (KitKat). While this setup may seem modest today, it was adequate for handling everyday tasks and light multitasking when the phone was first launched.

Storage

Internal storage is limited to 8GB, which is expandable via a dedicated microSDHC slot. This provided flexibility for users to store more photos, apps, and media without being constrained by the internal capacity alone.

Battery Life

The LG G Pro Lite houses a removable Li-Ion 3140 mAh battery. At peak performance, the battery supports up to 12 hours of talk time on 2G networks and up to 14 hours on 3G, with a standby capacity of 700 hours for both. This long-lasting power capacity was one of its major selling points.

Connectivity

Network Technology

The device supports GSM and HSPA networks, with 2G bands covering GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900, and 3G bands covering HSDPA 900 and 2100. Data speeds reached up to HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps, providing reasonable speed for browsing and downloads of that time.

Additional Connectivity

Other features include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n standards with dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, and hotspot functionality. Bluetooth 3.0 provided wireless connectivity, and the microUSB 2.0 port assisted in data transfer and charging. The phone supports GPS and GLONASS for navigation, although NFC was notably absent.

Sound and Media

Entertainment features are enhanced with stereo speakers ensuring a better audio experience. Additionally, a 3.5mm audio jack offers compatibility for a wide range of headphones and earphones, a standard feature cherished by many audiophiles.

Additional Features

For added usability, the device is equipped with an infrared port, allowing it to function as a remote control for various electronic appliances, and an FM radio for on-the-go music and news. The LG G Pro Lite also integrates standard sensors like an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass for various application functionalities.

User Experience and Market Position

The LG G Pro Lite catered to consumers desiring a large-screen device without the premium price tag associated with flagship models. While it does not compete with current smartphones regarding specifications, it offers a unique perspective on consumer expectations and technological capabilities in the early 2010s. Priced over 250 EUR initially, it represented a good value proposition within its market segment.

Conclusion

In summary, the LG G Pro Lite was a versatile phablet of its time, striking a balance between performance, display size, and affordability. For users content with fundamental features and a reliable build, the LG G Pro Lite provided considerable value, marking it a prominent choice in its era's mid-range smartphone selection.