LG GW520 Comprehensive Review and Pricing Details

Introduction to LG GW520

Released in 2009, the LG GW520 was a feature phone that sought to combine the traditional functionalities of earlier mobile devices with some new-age features that were emerging during that time. As an affordable mid-range option, it garnered attention for its QWERTY slider keyboard, resistive touchscreen, and other connectivity features.

Design and Build

The LG GW520 came with a compact and solid build, measuring 106.5 x 53 x 15.9 mm and weighing 125.5 grams. This made it easy to carry and comfortable to manage one-handedly. It featured a QWERTY keyboard which slid out horizontally, catering to users who preferred physical keys for typing over touchscreen keyboards, a common trait of the era.

Available in various color combinations like Blue on Black, Red on Black, Silver, and Pearl White, the phone allowed users to choose devices that suited their personal style. It also used a Mini-SIM, keeping in line with standard mobile technology of the time.

Display

The touchscreen display was a 2.8-inch TFT resistive screen with a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels and capable of showing 256K colors. The screen-to-body ratio stood at around 39.5%, which, although not large by today’s standards, was typical for feature and mid-range phones during the late 2000s. Its resistive technology required a firmer touch than the capacitive touchscreens which became popular later, yet served adequately for navigation and basic tasks.

Camera

Equipped with a single 3.15 MP rear camera, the LG GW520 offered basic photographic capabilities, commensurate with what users expected for casual photography at the time. It could also record videos, adding a multimedia functionality that was gradually becoming a standard feature in mobile phones. However, the device did not feature a front-facing camera, as video calling was not yet widespread in this class of phones.

Network and Connectivity

This device supported GSM and HSPA network technology, working on 2G and 3G bands thus offering decent call quality and allowing for mobile data use. Its network capabilities included HSPA speeds of 7.2/0.384 Mbps which facilitated internet browsing tasks quite well for its time.

In terms of connectivity, the LG GW520 included Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless audio streaming, a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer, and stereo FM radio. However, it lacked Wi-Fi and GPS functionality, which may have limited some connectivity options but kept the device budget-friendly.

Messaging and Browser

The phone supported various messaging formats like SMS with threaded view, MMS, email, IM, and even push email, making it quite versatile for communication. The inclusion of a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser allowed for simple web browsing, though the experience was limited compared to the smartphones that followed.

Memory and Storage

With an internal storage of 40MB, users could expand the phone’s capacity through a dedicated microSDHC card slot. The device supported phonebook entries up to 1000 contacts, which was quite generous for its class, and provided functionality for recording call data.

Battery

Bolstered by a removable 950 mAh Li-Ion battery, the LG GW520 allowed for up to 500 hours of standby time and up to 5 hours of talk time. The removable aspect of the battery was beneficial for users who desired the ability to swap out batteries for extended usage or replacements.

Additional Features and Sensors

The device was equipped with an accelerometer sensor, offering some interactive features for the user experience. It also supported Java, MIDP 2.0, expanding its capacity for additional applications and games - some that were motion-based, exploiting the accelerometer.

Sound and Audio

The LG GW520 came with a loudspeaker but did not have a 3.5mm audio jack, a surprising omission that encouraged the use of Bluetooth or proprietary connectors for audio output. Despite this, its inbuilt speaker provided decent audio performance for calls and media consumption.

Market Impact and Price

Upon its release, the LG GW520 was priced at around 100 EUR, making it an affordable choice for users seeking basic multimedia features and a robust messaging device with a tactile keyboard. It was suitable for youth and professionals who needed a reliable device for communication and light media usage.

Conclusion

Though discontinued, the LG GW520 represents an essential bridge in mobile technology, offering a glimpse of evolving user demands and technological integration. It highlighted the transition phase from classic phones to smartphones, providing consumers with both traditional and emerging features in a single device.