LG Pop

Editor's Review of the Pop

Bearing a striking resemblance to the LG KP500 Cookie, the LG GD510 Pop, or simply called the LG Pop, rolls mobile phone fashion and user convenience in one. This slim handset exudes elegance in its silver casing. It measures 97.8 x 49.5 x 11.2 millimetres and is a lightweight handset at 87grams.

This handset comes with a 76.2-millimetre touch-sensitive screen that displays picture wallpapers and other images in 262,000 colours on a clear viewing resolution of 240 x 400 pixels. Its touch screen is equipped with an accelerometer sensor that supports automatic rotation. It also offers a full on-screen QWERTY keyboard as an alternative way to make text and numeric inputs. This handset also offers a wide array of ringtones in MP3 and polyphonic formats that may be assigned for calls, texts and other alerts.

Working on tri band technology, the LG Pop supports GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900 and UMTS 2100. It has a pre-installed HTML and XHTML WAP 2.0 Internet browser that offers ease in exploring the World Wide Web. Sharing of files with other compatible devices such as scanners, printers, personal computers, laptops and other mobile phones is supported through the micoUSB facility. Wireless transfers are also possible through this handset's Bluetooth support with A2DP. The EDGE and GPRS technologies integrated into this handset boost data transfers and Internet download rates.

This mobile phone enables users to receive and send SMS or text messages and multimedia or MMS, as well as access their e-mail accounts on POP3 and IMAP4 servers. It also functions as an assistant to its busy users with its array of virtual organiser tools. It comes with a phone book that stores over a thousand contacts, a document viewer, a calendar, a calculator, a clock and an alarm clock. In addition, this mobile phone also keeps users on track of their received, missed or made calls through the call log option.

The LG Pop has not compromised the fun part that mobile phone experience offers. It is equipped with a 3.2-Megapixel snapping device complete with 4x digital zoom and auto focus to ensure precision in every shot. Capturing memories is also possible through this integrated camera's video recording capacity that supports QVGA formats at a speed of 15 frames per second. This handset has a dedicated button that ensures ease of use of the onboard camera. Users may also view their recorded footages on MPEG4, H263 and H264 formats on this handset's touchscreen. For later viewing, users may opt to store their still photos and videos in the photo album and video gallery repositories of this mobile phone.

This mobile phone also caters to music-loving users. It comes with a built-in music player that supports MP3, WAV and eAAC+ sound formats. An FM radio facility provides users an alternative music listening experience. Its RDS support also keeps users updated with the latest news on current events, sports or weather through information relayed by their favourite radio stations. In addition, this mobile phone keeps users entertained with its games, and allows them to download their favourite games from the Internet.

The LG Pop is famous for being a solar-powered Smartphone. Offering an alternative for electronic chargers, this handset's 900 mAh Li - Ion battery can be powered with talk time of 2 minutes or standby time of 180 minutes when placed for 10 minutes under the sun. As an eco-friendly device, this handset also comes with built-in software that allows users to monitor the carbon dioxide emissions reduced through the solar battery. LG also manufactured the Pop handset free of PVC, CFR and BFR chemicals, and made its packaging from recycled paper. This handset has a built-in memory of 8 Gigabytes to which users may store their photos, videos, games or music files.

This handset is getting negative feedback from critics who point out its lack of Wi-Fi support and average-performing onboard camera with a limited set of imaging features. Others also note that this mobile phone's display screen has inferior poor sunlight legibility. Despite the criticisms, the LG Pop is getting good reviews for its responsive touch-sensitive screen. It is also being hailed by satisfied users for its eco-conscious optional solar panel power.