LG KE990 Viewty Comprehensive Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of LG KE990 Viewty

The LG KE990 Viewty, announced in March 2008 and released in April 2008, was a pinnacle of mobile technology during its time. This device combined innovative design with functional features, making it a popular choice among consumers. Although now discontinued, the Viewty remains a memorable piece of technology history for many mobile enthusiasts.

Design and Body

With dimensions of 103.5 x 54.4 x 15.3 mm and weighing 112 grams, the LG KE990 Viewty was compact and lightweight, making it portable and easy to handle. Sporting a sleek body available in black and silver, the device accommodated a mini-SIM card and was built with a tactile, user-friendly interface that included a resistive touchscreen—a novel feature at that time.

Display

The Viewty featured a 3.0-inch TFT resistive touchscreen display with a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels. This screen offered a 5:3 aspect ratio and produced 256K colors, delivering a fairly vivid presentation for image and video display, although it might not compare to current standards. With a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 45.5%, it prioritized screen size within the compact design.

Network and Connectivity

The device operated on GSM technology, supporting 2G bands GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900. For data, it offered GPRS Class 10 and EDGE connectivity. It excluded WLAN capabilities but included Bluetooth 1.2 with A2DP for wireless audio streaming, a popular means of sharing and connecting during its era. Despite lacking GPS or advanced positioning systems, it featured a Stereo FM radio with RDS.

Camera and Multimedia

Distinguishing itself from competitors, the Viewty included a 5 MP primary camera with autofocus, Schneider-Kreuznach optics, and a strobe flash, enabling relatively advanced photography. It could capture videos at 480p@30fps and 320p@120fps, which was impressive for its time. The absence of a front-facing camera was a common omission for that period. Audio capabilities featured loudspeaker functionality and a variety of alert types, though it lacked a 3.5mm audio jack.

Memory and Storage

The device had an internal memory of 100MB but supported microSD cards via a dedicated slot, allowing for expanded storage. Additionally, its phonebook could store up to 500 entries with photocall capabilities, and it logged up to 40 dialed, received, and missed calls each, offering ample space for contact and call management.

Battery Life

Powering the device was a removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery, which provided a standby time of up to 250 hours and a talk time of approximately 2.5 hours. Though modest by today's standards, this battery life was sufficient for moderate usage patterns typical of feature phones of that era.

Software and Features

As a feature phone, the LG KE990 operated on a proprietary mobile operating system. It supported SMS, EMS, MMS, and email for messaging, and included a WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML browser for basic internet browsing. Java MIDP 2.0 allowed for running simple applications and games, enhancing the user experience.

Pricing and Availability

Upon release, the LG KE990 Viewty was priced at approximately 100 EUR, offering a competitive package in the market. Its pricing and feature set appealed to users who sought a balance between functionality and design without the need for a smartphone's comprehensive capabilities.

Legacy and Impact

The LG KE990 Viewty played a significant role in the transitional period leading up to the widespread adoption of smartphones. With its advanced camera and multimedia features, it catered to a growing interest in personal media creation and consumption, paving the way for future mobile innovations. For many users, it remains a cherished memory of early mobile technology exploration.