LG G Stylo Specs Prices Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview of LG G Stylo

The LG G Stylo, initially announced and launched in May 2015, became popular due to its unique stylus feature at an affordable price point. Despite being discontinued, it still remains a point of discussion for its interesting blend of features. The device provided users with a large 5.7-inch screen that catered to consumers who preferred large displays for multimedia usage, coupled with a functional stylus for note-taking and drawing.

Design and Build Quality

The LG G Stylo features dimensions of 154.4 x 79.3 x 9.4 mm and weighs 165.9 grams. It is designed with a plastic build which was typical for budget-friendly smartphones during that time. Despite its plastic exterior, the device is well-assembled and provides a decent grip, making it easy to handle despite the phone's large size. The inclusion of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offers reasonable screen protection against scratches and minor drops.

Display Features

One of the highlights of the LG G Stylo is its 5.7-inch IPS LCD display. With a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels and a density of approximately 258 ppi, the device offers vibrant colors and decent viewing angles. Although it's not the sharpest display available, it is quite suitable for browsing, watching videos, and playing games.

Stylus Integration

The handset's standout feature is certainly its stylus support, a rarity in its price range when it was released. The integrated stylus is stored in the phone's body, providing added utility for users inclined toward sketching, handwritten notes, or simple navigation. It doesn't possess the high sensitivity levels of flagship device styluses like the Samsung Galaxy Note series but is more than adequate for the casual user.

Performance and Software

Powering the LG G Stylo is a Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 chipset paired with a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and an Adreno 306 GPU. The phone offers a respectable performance for day-to-day tasks such as web browsing, social media, and light gaming. It originally shipped with Android 5.0 (Lollipop) which was later upgradable to Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), enhancing the device life span with updated features and security patches.

Memory and Storage

The device comes equipped with two models concerning memory: 8GB of internal storage with 1GB of RAM or 16GB of storage with 2GB of RAM. The available options cater to different levels of usage, with the second variant more suitable for users requiring additional multitasking capabilities. Additionally, the presence of a dedicated microSDHC card slot allows for storage expansion, providing flexibility to users with higher storage demands.

Camera Specifications

The rear camera of the LG G Stylo features an 8 MP shooter with an aperture of f/2.4 and Laser AF. It supports features such as LED flash, HDR, and panorama, making it fairly adequate for casual photography and video capturing at 1080p@30fps. The 5 MP front-facing camera supports 1080p@30fps video recording and is suitable for selfies and video calls.

Network and Connectivity

The device supports a variety of network technologies including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, and LTE, ensuring a broad range of carrier compatibility and connectivity. With support for LTE Cat4, users can enjoy fast data speeds where available. Other connectivity features include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, NFC (operator dependent), and a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.

Additional Features and Sensors

The LG G Stylo is fitted with a removable Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery, offering reasonable battery life that can easily last a day with moderate use. Furthermore, it includes an FM radio (operator dependent) and a 3.5mm headphone jack, maintaining a traditional approach to media consumption on smartphones. Sensors like the accelerometer and proximity sensor are included, though the lack of a fingerprint sensor might be felt by users accustomed to modern security features.

Conclusion

The LG G Stylo caters well to budget-conscious consumers who are looking for a large display, integrated stylus, and a balanced set of features. While it might not compete with modern smartphones in terms of raw performance and advanced features, it stands out for its stylus functionality in an affordable handset during its time. Though discontinued, the LG G Stylo remains a part of smartphone history for its distinctive combination of size, utility, and cost-effectiveness.