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LG KF700 Comprehensive Review Specs Prices & ProsCons

Release Date
2008, June
Camera
3MP
Battery
900mAh
Screen
3.0"
Storage
90MB , microSDHC slot
Operating System
Feature phone

Overview of LG KF700

The LG KF700 is a feature phone that was announced in February 2008 and subsequently released in June of the same year. Known for its unique combination of a touchscreen and numeric keypad, the KF700 represented an innovative approach in mobile phone design during its time. It is best suited for users who prefer a combination of touch and traditional input methods.

Design and Build

The LG KF700 has a distinctive design with dimensions of 102 x 51 x 14.5 mm, which makes it compact and easy to handle. Weighing in at 107 grams, it strikes a balance between being lightweight and sturdy. The device supports a Mini-SIM card, emphasizing its inception during a time when smaller SIM sizes were not as common. The phone's sleek black finish contributes to its professional and stylish appearance, making it appealing to a wide range of users.

Display

The KF700 features a TFT resistive touchscreen, capable of displaying 256K colors. Its 3.0-inch display, with a resolution of 240 x 480 pixels, offers a reasonably sharp viewing experience for the time, with a pixel density of approximately 179 ppi. This made the phone suitable for basic multimedia consumption and regular phone activities like browsing and texting. However, the resistive nature of the touchscreen required a more deliberate touch compared to the capacitive screens that became popular later on.

Performance and Software

Being a feature phone, the LG KF700 runs on a proprietary operating system rather than a smartphone OS like Android or iOS. It includes fundamental features such as messaging (SMS, EMS, MMS, and Email), an HTML browser, and Java support via MIDP 2.0, which allowed for basic game and application installations. The phone had an internal storage of 90MB, which could be expanded using a microSDHC card, providing flexibility for storing files and applications.

Camera Capabilities

The LG KF700 is equipped with a 3.15 MP rear camera with autofocus and an LED flash, capable of recording videos at 320p@15fps. While these specifications might seem modest by today's standards, they were adequate for casual photography and video recording at the time. The inclusion of a videocall camera as a secondary feature highlighted the growing interest in video calling during the mid to late 2000s.

Connectivity and Communication

This device operates on GSM and HSPA technology, supporting 2G bands (GSM 900/1800/1900) and 3G bands (HSDPA 2100). It offers data speeds up to 7.2/0.384 Mbps, providing sufficient connectivity for browsing and online activities available at the time. In terms of wireless communication, the KF700 supports Bluetooth version 1.2 with A2DP, allowing for wireless audio streaming to compatible devices.

Battery Life

The phone is powered by a removable Li-Ion 900 mAh battery, which was a common capacity for feature phones of its era. In terms of standby time, the KF700 could last up to 340 hours on 2G networks and up to 280 hours on 3G networks. The talk time was about 3 hours on both network types, reflecting the efficiency and limitations of the battery technology available at that time.

Audio and Multimedia

The LG KF700 includes a loudspeaker and supports various alert types such as vibration, polyphonic, and MP3 ringtones. Although it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, it provides FM radio capability, enabling users to enjoy music and news broadcasts on the go. The device's audio quality testing showed a reasonable performance with noise levels at -84.5dB and crosstalk at -38.7dB, sufficient for everyday use.

Historical Context and Impact

The release of the LG KF700 came at a time when the mobile phone market was undergoing significant change. Touchscreen technology was being widely adopted, but many users still preferred the reliability and tactile feedback of traditional numeric keypads. By blending these two input methods, LG aimed to cater to a broad spectrum of users, maintaining usability for those hesitant to switch to entirely touchscreen devices.

Legacy and Conclusion

Although discontinued not long after its release, the LG KF700 is remembered for its unique approach to mobile phone design. It reflects a transitional period in mobile technology, straddling the line between traditional and modern input methods. While it may not have left a lasting mark compared to other groundbreaking devices, the KF700 showcases the era's ingenuity and rapid technological advancements that paved the way for today's smartphone innovations. As a piece of mobile history, it remains a testament to the diverse paths explored during the evolution of mobile technology.

Main Features of LG KF700

  • GSM / HSPA technology for global connectivity.
  • 3G HSDPA support with speeds up to 7.2 Mbps.
  • Compact dimensions: 102 x 51 x 14.5 mm and a weight of just 107 g.
  • 3.0-inch TFT resistive touchscreen with 256K colors.
  • Expandable storage through microSDHC card slot.
  • 3.15 MP rear camera with LED flash for basic photography.
  • FM radio for entertainment on the go.
  • Bluetooth 1.2 with A2DP support for wireless audio streaming.
  • Supports SMS, EMS, MMS, and Email for comprehensive messaging options.
  • Removable Li-Ion 900 mAh battery for convenient replacement.

Disadvantages of LG KF700

  • Display Type: The TFT resistive touchscreen can be less responsive and less vivid compared to modern touchscreens.
  • Screen-to-Body Ratio: The screen-to-body ratio is only ~44.6%, which means larger bezels and less screen area.
  • Internal Memory: Limited internal memory of only 90MB which restricts storage for apps and media.
  • Camera Video Quality: Low video resolution at 320p@15fps which is considerably low by today’s standards.
  • Lack of Connectivity Features: No WLAN and positioning features which are standard in newer phones.
  • Bluetooth Version: Comes with an outdated Bluetooth 1.2.
  • No 3.5mm Jack: Absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack limits audio accessory options.
  • Battery Life: A 900 mAh battery offers limited talk time of up to 3 hours.
  • SIM Type: Uses Mini-SIM which is larger and outdated compared to modern micro or nano-SIM.
  • Camera Capabilities: The single 3.15 MP camera may not meet the expectations of users looking for high-quality images.
Network
Technology GSM / HSPA
2G bands GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands HSDPA 2100
Speed HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps
Launch
Announced 2008, February. Released 2008, June
Status Discontinued
Body
Dimensions 102 x 51 x 14.5 mm (4.02 x 2.01 x 0.57 in)
Weight 107 g (3.77 oz)
SIM Mini-SIM
Display
Type TFT resistive touchscreen, 256K colors
Size 3.0 inches, 23.2 cm2 (~44.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 240 x 480 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~179 ppi density)
Memory
Card slot microSDHC (dedicated slot)
Phonebook 1000 contacts, Photo call
Call records 40 dialed, 40 received, 40 missed calls
Internal 90MB
Main Camera
Single 3.15 MP, AF
Features LED flash
Video 320p@15fps
Selfie camera
Single Videocall camera
Video
Sound
Loudspeaker Yes
Alert types Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones
3.5mm jack No
Comms
WLAN No
Bluetooth 1.2, A2DP
Positioning No
Radio FM radio
USB 2.0
Features
Sensors
Messaging SMS, EMS, MMS, Email
Browser WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML
Games Yes
Java Yes, MIDP 2.0
Battery
Type Removable Li-Ion 900 mAh battery
Stand-by Up to 340 h (2G) / Up to 280 h (3G)
Talk time Up to 3 h (2G) / Up to 3 h (3G)
Misc
Colors Black
SAR 0.21 W/kg (head)     0.27 W/kg (body)
SAR EU 0.50 W/kg (head)
Price About 130 EUR
Tests
Loudspeaker Voice 72dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 79dB
Audio quality Noise -84.5dB / Crosstalk -38.7dB

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