Here’s the LG KU990 Viewty (will I ever get used to that name?) in the flesh at IFA. The camera may pack a 5 Megapixel camera punch but the phone itself leaves a lot to be desired, especially when compared to you know what. It’s got some nice ideas, like the lens rim functioning as both a manual focus and a click wheel, but after playing with it, we have to say it looks incredibly badly executed.
You saw what Mark said about the click wheel/lens rim: it just doesn’t feel right and it doesn’t work as you would expect a click-wheel to work.
LG’s PR told us that the phone was “almost perfect” and only a little bit of the design may change for the production. Not the click wheel, though. He said that the phone may be a little bit thinner. Another problem with the phone was the speed. Really slow and stuttering when you compare it to the smooth-as-a-hot-knife-through-butter iPhone user interface.
The touchscreen wasn’t impressive either. While demonstrating the Graffiti-like writing recognition, we asked specifically if you needed a stylus or not. The answer: yes. Yet, it seemed like they were trying to make it look like an iPhone alternative by demonstrating writing with their finger. As you can see by LG hostess Scarlet von Hardenberg (yep, that was her name) trying to use her nail as a stylus in the gallery, the experience is not as nice as using an iPhone. In fact, it looked quite painful.
The interface looked confusing when doing many operations, and it clearly wasn’t designed for touch-based operations with your fingers. Small interface elements, as you can see in the video, made it quite difficult to use.
Sadly, and even counting its 5-megapixel camera, the LG KU990 can’t compare in speed, user interface and overall experience with the JesusPhone. We don’t know about the price yet, though, but from here it doesn’t look it’s going to be a bargain.
In other words: we were hoping this phone to be a worthy competitor to the iPhone, and our impression has been a complete letdown.
Michael
October 17, 2007 at 6:52 AM
How about its video taking capabilities (QVGA 120fps which blows any other phone out of the water) and DivX compatibility?
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Danny
January 9, 2008 at 12:01 PM
This is a very good phone, Everything works well and it is easy to use. Takes good night shots and the video is awsome. only wish that it came with wifi.
Some say it is better than the iphone and some say it’s not. I think that if you’re into video and photo’s then this phone it for you but if you’r into music and wanky stuff go the iphone.
Report PermalinkJmen Syde
March 29, 2008 at 1:22 AM
Just got mine yesterday. Mann i’m lovin it! I mean, yeah it may not be the iPhone but i don’t see anything bad in it. Even the writing recognition function works well without the stylus.
Report PermalinkEllen Rouse
May 13, 2008 at 11:41 AM
I got this phone on Saturday and it is amazing!!
Report PermalinkThis is my first phone that isn’t a Nokia and i am loving it!
Every day i find a new function to use, the photo quality is fantastic, stylus is great, yes it comes with a stylus so I don’t know why the lady in the photo is using her finger…
I won’t have to upgrade for a very long time now as I don’t see what else I could need in a phone, thanks LG!!
Lindsay Howard-Smith
September 2, 2008 at 11:58 AM
this review sucks I am definately not a geek but found this phone very easy to use and yes as a male I do sometimes use my very short nails to text. As for the iPhone very overrated, try sending pics with it. It doesn’t, also a lot of the other functions are useless and some people would never use and at twice the price of the LG KU990, you make the choice.
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