LG GW520

Editor's Review of the GW520

Looking highly sophisticated in a black casing with blue accents, the LG GW520 is a mobile phone that works on slider mechanism. Dominating the front section of this handset is a TFT display screen that measures 71.12 millimetres. This wide screen offers users quality viewing of picture wallpapers, screensavers and other images by displaying them in 262,000 brilliant colours.

This mobile phone presents a slide-out keyboard with full QWERTY keys that serve as a set of useful tools for users to input numeric or text messages quicker. Although essentially unique with its own set of features, this mobile phone joins LG family's messaging-focused handsets that include the LG GT505 and LG KS360. Users can give distinct personality to this handset by setting the MP3 and polyphonic ringing tones as messaging or call alerts.

This handset functions on quadband technology and works on GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800 and GSM 1900, as well as HSDPA 2100. Because of its support for wide network coverage, this mobile phone is ideal for users who frequently travel. Full network coverage may vary, however, depending on its users' network provider.

The LG GW520 is a powerful 3G HSDPA mobile phone. Users will enjoy navigating through the World Wide Web through using this handset's pre-installed XHTML and HTML WAP 2.0 Internet browser. It also enables users to transfer or share their data with compatible gadgets such as other handsets, laptops, personal computers or printers. This is done by connecting the USB cables of these devices. Users may also pick the wireless Bluetooth feature of this handset which allows them to transfer or share files over a 10-metre distance, without the need for cables and wires that easily get tangled up. This mobile phone works on GPRS and EDGE technologies, which ensure speedier transfer rates.

This mobile phone supports the customary SMS or text and MMS or multimedia messaging services. It works on Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync technology, which allows users to enjoy the Push Email service that promotes quick and easy sharing of e-mails with other compatible users. This handset also comes with a pre-installed Instant Messaging service that allows users to chat with their contacts, just as they do with otherwise bulky computers.

Users who enjoy taking photos at random will appreciate this mobile phone's 3-Megapixel camera. It comes with a digital zoom feature that allows users to zoom in on their subjects as may be necessary, and get perfectly focused pictures. Moreover, photos can be tweaked to perfection using the Photo Editor features of this mobile phone. Besides freezing picture-perfect moments, this handset's camera also records videos. The video's characteristics can be adjusted to gain the desired settings through the Video Editor feature. The footages can be watched on MPEG4 format on this handset's wide display screen. After photo or video capturing sessions, outputs can be easily stored in this mobile phone's integrated Photo Album and Video Gallery. To offer more ease in using the imaging features, the LG GW520 comes with a dedicated camera key.

As part of its entertainment features, this handset also makes listening to music easy for music-loving users. It comes with a built-in music player that supports the MP3 audio format. It also boasts of support for embedded games that gamers will enjoy. This handset also allows users to download games from the Internet.

The LG GW520 offers a set of organiser features that assist users in their business-oriented tasks. It comes with an integrated phone book, a clock, a calculator and a calendar. This handset also records call logs, which keeps track of the calls that users have accepted, dialed or missed.

This mobile phone allows users to store their contacts, task and schedules, photos, video footages, and other images with its storage capacity of up to 16 Gigabytes.

Some users opine that the LG GW520 has QWERTY buttons that are too small. In addition, using the scroll bar requires a few extra tries, according to some unhappy users. Others have also found that this handset's lack of FM Radio support and the absence of variety in its camera feature's settings are definite downsides. Nevertheless, this mobile phone is pleasing users with its quality photo outputs and responsive touch screen.