LG KU990 Viewty Unveiling Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of the LG KU990 Viewty

The LG KU990 Viewty is a feature phone that was released in October 2007, following its announcement in August of the same year. Though discontinued now, it was a notable device for its time, featuring advanced multimedia capabilities and a unique design. It was marketed as a camera phone with strong video recording capabilities, aiming to attract users who valued photography and multimedia functions on their phones.

Design and Build

With dimensions of 103.5 x 54.4 x 14.8 mm and a weight of 112 grams, the LG KU990 Viewty was compact and relatively lightweight for its era. The phone was available in a variety of colors including Black, Dark Silver, Purple, Pink, Hot Red, and White, catering to a wide range of aesthetic preferences.

Display

The device featured a 3.0-inch TFT resistive touchscreen capable of displaying 256K colors with a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels. This provided a pixel density of approximately 155 ppi, which was quite standard for feature phones at the time. Despite the resistive touchscreen being a little less responsive compared to modern capacitive models, it was quite functional for navigating through the phone’s interface.

Camera Capabilities

One of the most compelling features of the LG KU990 Viewty was its 5 MP main camera with autofocus functionality. The camera used Schneider-Kreuznach optics and was accompanied by a strobe flash, allowing users to take clear photos even in low-light conditions. The device was capable of recording video at 480p @ 30fps and also offered slow-motion recording at 240p @ 120fps. A front-facing VGA camera enabled video call capabilities, adding to its multimedia suite.

Audio and Sound

The phone supported various alert types such as vibration, polyphonic, MP3 ringtones, and even a composer feature. Although it lacked a 3.5mm headphone jack, the device had a built-in loudspeaker for hands-free audio playback.

Connectivity and Networks

The LG KU990 Viewty supported GSM and HSPA networks with 2G bands for GSM 900/1800/1900 and 3G bands for HSDPA 2100. In terms of data transfer speeds, it was capable of achieving HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps. Other connectivity features included Bluetooth 1.2 with A2DP for wireless audio streaming, USB 2.0 for data transfer, and a stereo FM radio with RDS.

Battery Life

The device was powered by a removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery. It had a standby time of up to 430 hours and a talk time of up to 4 hours, which was quite impressive for its category during that period. The removable battery option also allowed users to easily replace the battery if needed.

Memory and Storage

The internal storage of the LG KU990 Viewty was 100MB, which could be expanded via a dedicated microSD card slot. The phonebook could store up to 500 entries along with photocall functionality, while call records could hold 40 dialed, 40 received, and 40 missed calls.

Software and Features

As a feature phone, the Viewty didn’t run on a recognizable smartphone operating system of today like iOS or Android. However, it supported Java MIDP 2.0 applications, enabling basic app functionality. It offered SMS, EMS, MMS, and Email messaging services along with a WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML browser for basic web surfing. Sensor capabilities were limited, reflecting its status as a feature phone, not a smartphone.

Market Position and Legacy

Upon its release, the LG KU990 Viewty was positioned in the market as a mid-range camera phone aimed at consumers who prioritized multimedia functions, especially photography and videography. Priced at about 100 EUR, it was accessible to a broad demographic. The Viewty contributed to LG’s reputation for creating feature phones with impressive camera capabilities, laying groundwork for future advancements in mobile camera technology.

SAR and Safety

Regarding safety and regulatory compliance, the LG KU990 Viewty had a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of 0.70 W/kg for the head and 0.47 W/kg for the body, with SAR EU rated at 0.83 W/kg. These figures were within the safety limits established by regulatory bodies, ensuring the device was safe to use.

Audio Quality and Loudspeaker Tests

Tested for audio quality, the phone's loudspeaker produced a voice level of 72dB, noise level of 68dB, and ring level of 77dB. Audio quality tests indicated noise at -86.8dB and crosstalk at -86.6dB, showcasing decent performance for both music playback and call audio.