Overview of LG KE820
The LG KE820 is a compact and sleek feature phone introduced in the telecommunication market in October 2006. Despite its discontinuation, the phone marked a notable position during its time due to its slim design and essential features catering to the basic needs of mobile phone users of that era.
Design and Build Quality
The design of the LG KE820 is one of its compelling features, measuring 95 x 52 x 9.9 mm and weighing just 73 grams, making it extremely portable and easy to slip into a pocket. The compactness of this device was appreciated by many users who preferred lightweight phones.
Built with a focus on minimalism, it featured a black color body and a mini-SIM slot. The ergonomics ensured comfort in handling and usage. The phone's screen-to-body ratio, being 25.5%, ensured that it retained a convenient user interface for basic operations despite its compact form.
Display Features
The device sports a 2.0-inch TFT display with 256K colors, favorable for the standard operations expected from a feature phone. The resolution of 220 x 176 pixels with approximately 141 ppi pixel density ensures that users experience acceptable clarity in viewing text and images, especially for a device launched in the mid-2000s.
Memory and Storage
Storage capabilities of the LG KE820 were modest with an internal memory of 16MB. However, it supported microSD cards, offering some flexibility for users wanting to store additional data. This expansion capability was a significant advantage, particularly when considering the phone’s limited internal storage by modern standards. The device also accommodated 1000 phonebook entries and kept track of the last 40 dialed, received, and missed calls, making it practical for regular use.
Camera
For photography, the LG KE820 came with a 2 MP camera, which was reasonably competitive at the time of release. The camera was also accompanied by an LED flash, enhancing its capability to capture images in low-light conditions. Video recording was supported, adding to the multimedia functions of the phone.
Battery Performance
The LG KE820 was powered by a removable Li-Ion 750 mAh battery, which, despite being relatively small, provided adequate power for the basic functionality of a feature phone. It offered a standby time of up to 250 hours and a talk time of approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. The removable nature of the battery allowed users to replace it if needed, which was a common practice with phones from that era.
Network and Connectivity
The phone operated on GSM networks supporting 2G bands (GSM 900/1800/1900) and offered GPRS Class 10. It also supported EDGE for enhanced data services at that time. While lacking advanced connectivity options like Wi-Fi or GPS, it included Bluetooth 1.2 with A2DP profile for basic wireless communications and file transfers. An FM radio was also available, providing a means of entertainment.
Sound and Audio
Audio features of the LG KE820 were limited but standard for the time, featuring vibration, downloadable polyphonic ringtones, and a composer for creating custom ringtones. The absence of a loudspeaker and 3.5mm audio jack was a considerable limitation if compared to present-day expectations, restricting in-device audio experience to generic or accessory-based solutions.
Additional Features
Despite being a feature phone, the LG KE820 was equipped with basic options for messaging, supporting SMS, EMS, MMS, and emails. The WAP 2.0/xHTML browser facilitated light web activities. Java capabilities (MIDP 2.0) allowed for the installation of additional applications and games, enhancing the device’s flexibility for entertainment and productivity tasks.
Conclusion
In summary, the LG KE820 served its purpose during a period when feature phones reigned in the mobile industry. Its sleek design, accompanied by decent functionalities such as camera support, network features, and basic connectivity, made it a favorable choice for users seeking a straightforward device for calls, messaging, and light media use. At a price of about 110 EUR, it offered reasonable features for its value before the rise of smartphones, reflecting a period of transition in mobile technology evolution.