LG KP500 Cookie Specs Prices Pros & Cons Revealed

Design and Build

The LG KP500 Cookie was a remarkable device for its time, released in December 2008. It came at a time when touchscreen phones were still a novelty, and its design certainly reflects the trends of that era. The phone boasted dimensions of 106.5 x 55.4 x 11.9 mm, making it compact and portable. It weighed just 89 grams, which contributed to its ease of handling.

The device featured a plastic body, which was available in several colors: Black, Vandyke brown, Anodizing silver, Elegant gold, Delicious white, and Pink. This variety allowed users to express their personal style. The phone adopted a sleek, curved design, which was both modern and ergonomic. The KP500 was designed with a focus on simplicity and ease of use, making it an attractive option for consumers who were just transitioning from traditional mobile phones to touch devices.

Display

The LG KP500 Cookie had a 3.0-inch TFT resistive touchscreen, displaying 256K colors. The screen resolution was 240 x 400 pixels, with a 5:3 aspect ratio, which provided decent clarity for its time, at approximately 155 pixels per inch. Although it may not compete with today's high-definition displays, it was a significant feature for a budget-friendly touch phone released in 2008.

The resistive touchscreen was a standard technology back then, requiring users to press down slightly on the screen. This technology was not as responsive as capacitive touchscreens, which soon became the standard, but it was quite functional for the KP500's intended market segment.

Camera

The KP500 was equipped with a 3.15 MP camera on the back, capable of capturing decent photos under good lighting conditions. While it lacked the advanced features and multiple lenses of modern smartphones, it allowed users to take photos and share moments with ease. The video recording capability was limited to 320p at 12 frames per second, which was adequate for basic recording needs at that time.

It's worth noting that the phone did not feature a front-facing camera, which was typical for phones released in that era. The focus was on basic photography rather than selfies or video calls.

Performance and Software

Running on a proprietary operating system, the LG KP500 was considered a feature phone. It offered basic functionality with user-friendly navigation through its touchscreen interface. The phone had an internal memory of 48MB, which could be expanded up to 16GB via a microSDHC card. This allowed users to store essential files, photos, and applications.

While specifications about the processor and RAM are not readily available, the phone's performance was adequate for the time. It was designed to handle standard operations like making calls, messaging, and running pre-installed Java-based applications and games.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 900 mAh battery, the LG KP500 provided a reasonable battery life. Users could expect up to 350 hours of standby time and up to 3 hours and 30 minutes of talk time. Despite the relatively small capacity by today's standards, the battery life was efficient for a device with modest power consumption requirements.

The fact that the battery was removable was an added advantage, allowing users to replace it easily once the battery began to degrade over time.

Connectivity

The LG KP500 supported GSM networks and was equipped with technologies like GPRS and EDGE for data connectivity. It did not support 3G or Wi-Fi, which limited its capabilities for fast internet access. However, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP allowed for easy pairing with other devices for data transfer and audio streaming.

The phone also featured a stereo FM radio with RDS, providing entertainment on the go. The absence of a 3.5 mm headphone jack may have been a drawback for users who preferred using their own headsets, but stereo sound was supported through the built-in loudspeaker.

Features and Applications

Despite being a feature phone, the LG KP500 included several interesting functionalities. It had an accelerometer sensor, which enabled screen auto-rotation — a relatively modern feature at that time. Messaging options included SMS, EMS, MMS, and email, catering to different communication needs.

The phone came with a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser, facilitating basic internet browsing. For gaming enthusiasts, the KP500 came with four pre-installed games, with the option to download more. The support for Java MIDP 2.0 allowed users to install a variety of Java-based applications, enhancing the device's utility.

Conclusion

The LG KP500 Cookie was a significant device in the evolution of touchscreen phones. It provided a more affordable entry point into the world of touch interfaces, appealing to users who wanted a modern aesthetic without a high price tag. While its specifications and features may seem limited compared to today's smartphones, it met the needs and expectations of consumers at the time of its release.

As a discontinued model, the KP500 remains a piece of tech history that highlights the rapid evolution of mobile technology over the past decade. Its design and functionality captured a transitional moment in mobile phone development, paving the way for the advanced smartphones we use today.