LG GM200 Brio Specs Prices & Reviews Unveiled

Overview of LG GM200 Brio

The LG GM200 Brio, announced in March 2009 and released in June of the same year, is a feature phone that stood out in its time with modest yet practical specifications. This device catered to users who favored basic phone capabilities over the complexity and costliness of smartphones. Despite its discontinuation, the GM200 Brio remains a testament to the successful integration of useful features within an affordable package.

Design and Build

With dimensions of 106 x 48 x 14.4 mm and weighing 85 grams, the LG GM200 Brio offers a compact and lightweight design that easily fits in the palm or pocket. The body includes a mini-SIM slot which was standard for devices at the time. The overall aesthetic of the GM200 Brio is simple but functional, available in colors such as Black, Silver, Gold for the GM200 model, and Black, Red for the GM205 variant.

Display

The phone is equipped with a 2.0-inch TFT display capable of showing 256K colors, with a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 24.7%, which, while small by today's standards, was sufficient for the basic tasks expected from feature phones. This display allows for clear visibility of text messages and simple multimedia content.

Camera

The LG GM200 Brio features a single 2 MP camera. Although it lacks advanced photography options, the camera can capture basic photos and record videos at QCIF@15fps. While not suitable for high-resolution photography, the camera is adequate for casual snapshots.

Performance and Memory

In terms of memory, the device offers an internal storage of 14MB, which can be expanded using a microSD card thanks to its dedicated slot. The phonebook can hold up to 1000 entries and supports the photocall feature. Call records can store information on 50 dialed, received, and missed calls respectively.

Battery Life

The GM200 Brio is powered by a removable Li-Po 1100 mAh battery. This provides a remarkable standby time of up to 450 hours and a talk time of up to 8 hours and 24 minutes, ensuring that users can rely on the phone for extended periods without frequent recharging.

Network and Connectivity

As a GSM phone, it supports 2G networks with bands GSM 900/1800/1900. For data, the phone includes GPRS and EDGE technologies, both class 10. Connectivity options, although limited, include Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless audio streaming, FM radio with RDS, and a built-in antenna for clear radio reception. It notably lacks WLAN, indicating its focus on basic internet functionalities supported through a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser.

Sound and Multimedia

The device is equipped with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm jack, catering to music lovers who appreciate listening to audio via wired earphones or headphones. The built-in FM radio is another multimedia highlight, allowing users to enjoy music and other broadcasts on the go.

Software Features

As a feature phone, the GM200 utilizes a straightforward operating system, enabling basic functions such as SMS, MMS, and Email. Additionally, the phone includes Java support (MIDP 2.0), which bolsters its functionality by allowing simple Java-based applications and games like Sudoku Puzzle and ZooZooClub.

Market Position and Pricing

When released, the LG GM200 Brio was competitively priced at around 50 EUR. It offered excellent value for money by blending necessary communication features with some multimedia capabilities. The device appealed primarily to users seeking a reliable phone with long battery life and uncomplicated operations.

Conclusion

The LG GM200 Brio is an exemplar of practical design blending functionality with simplicity. While it may not compete with modern smartphones, its contributions during its period of availability were significant, appealing to a demographic that prioritized ease of use and essential features over complexity and price. Its affordability, reliable battery life, and effective communication features continue to be appreciated by those who experienced its operations firsthand.