Editor's Review of the Viewty
The LG Viewty is the successor to the LG Prada, although lacking a designer branding. Although its features are lacking in comparisson, it's a handset often compared to the Apple iPhone, offering a great touchscreen device for a fraction of the price.
It's hard to criticise the design of the LG Viewty, which boasts a glossy black shell, complete with rounded edges and an overall high-end feel. Much like it's Apple rival, the handset's main focus is its large touchscreen, although the 3 inch display fails to stretch to the edges of the Viewty as seen on the iPhone. Still, it's sufficiently large enough to provide a great viewing experience, especially for viewing video and browsing the web. Underneath the screen are 3 physical keys for quick access to the handset's Call, Cancel and Hang Up functions. The handset also features a camera key and 'jogger', which can be used for quickly scrolling through menus, although often results in smudging the camera lense.
Despite lacking the responsiveness of a capacitive touchscreen, the resistive touchscreen is one of the best we've used. Although coming with a stylus, it's unlikely this will be needed, unless taking advantage of the KU990's handwriting recognition support. We found the onscreen keypad a little tricky at first, and although not as competent as that found on the iPhone, we soon got the hang of it.
The Viewty's strong point is its 5.1 megapixel camera, rivalling that found on the Nokia N95. It comes complete with auto focus, strobe flash, image stabilization and Schneider-Kreuznach optics. Thanks to its additional features, the camera manages to excel in the darkest of conditions, a rarity on such a reasonably priced mobile.
The LG Viewty also offers a decent media player that can handle MP3, AAC, AAC+, AAC++ and WMA files as far as music. In terms of video playback the Viewty is unusual in its capability to play DivX files, alongside the standard MPEG4 and WMV formats. Unfortunately the Viewty only takes standard SD cards which come up to 2GB in size. This may be enough for some people but it stops it from being a serious contender when faced with the Nokia N95 8GB and the Apple iPhone 16GB alongside any other mobile phone handset that can accept the newer SDHC cards that come up to 16GB in capacity. At least 2GB SD cards are cheap so you can buy a few if you want to take a few videos with you for a trip. And there is also an FM radio.
The LG Viewty is supports videocalls over 3G using the secondary camera on the front of the handset. Although lacking in WiFi connectivity, the handset also offers HSDPA speeds, which make browsing the web an enjoyable experience.
Overall, we were amazed by the features of the LG KU990 Viewty. As an all around camera phone with strong media and web browsing features although perhaps not a replacement for a separate MP3 player, this is a fantastic device if you don't mind getting something less flashy than the iPhone.
User Reviews
the camera is th best part of it,specially here in seychelles most phone fans love to have the best camera,and the best quality pictures.
Both me and my brother have an LG viewty. its just really fun to mess around with - play games and use the camera and videos. You can plug it into your computer and download tv from the internet to put on the phone. or record videos on the phone, but they won't be as good quality.
This camera is better than all the other phone cameras out there. Even than the Nokia N95. 5 megapixels and a decent autofocus.
This is the favourite mobile phone that I have ever had or have ever seen, and I try all my friends' phones. The software has everything so you don't need to download applications or anything like that. Quick to learn to use, even if like me it's your first LG phone.
My only gripe is that typing text messages is slower than some of the better touch screen phones, especially the iPhone. The Viewty just ignores you if you try typing letters too quickly. What's good - all the other stuff it does, calls, camera, music.
Definitely worth looking at. I love my LG Viewty and it has lasted for over a year already and has at least 6 months before I look elsewhere.
I love everything about the LG Viewty. The shaking thing when you touch anything on the touch screen is cool and surprisingly makes it easier to use. I can almost touch type on the screen to write text messages now. Also has a spinny dial on the back that you can turn for flicking quickly up and down menus, kinda like the little wheel on Blackberrys.
Good camera on a mobile phone for once. 5.1 megapixel camera with a xenon flash that is actually bright enough to use outdoors at night. You can also change the exposure on photos and there's a manual focus for arty shots using the dial on the back of the phone, or you can be lazy and use the autofocus (which I normally do). Doesn't take big memory cards though and the media player isn't great.
Best LG phone ever.
i have had this phone since the 14th march, i think the phone is great so easy to use with it is packed with lots of things. still finding things i can do on the phone.
I Have This Phone and it does have some problems like if im out in the rain the touchscreen will freeze also the camera is dodgy somtimes:S but with everyting else this phone is good
I only got this phone last wednesday and I love it. thought that I might have to use the stylus because I only have little fingers, but I get on just fine. The battery on the Viewty lasts about as long as the one on my Vodafone 810. The camera on this phone is fantastic. The only thing I will say is that the screen lock comes on too quickly when you are sending something by Bluetooth. Otherwise this is the perfect phone!!!!
Ive Had This Phone For 10Days Now And I Completely Love It. The Touch Screen Is Fun To Use And It Has Great Picture Quality, When Talking On The Phone It Superseeds In Clarity At Both Ends Of The Call, The Music Quality Is Fab, Doesn't Sound Tinny At All.
Sometimes The Scrollbar Is Difficult To Use But All You Need To Do Is Touch The Side Of The Screen Alittle Bit Harder.
I Recieved This Phone As A Gift And Out Of All The Gifts, This Is Definatly My Favourite.
If You Like Using The Web On Handsets, Buy This Phone, With The Fast Connection And Reasonably Sized Webpage Layout Its Very Simple To Work.
The One Thing I Recommend If You Get This Phone Is To Buy A Micro SD Card With It Too.
Thankyou LG <3
LGU990 is very nice phone for touch screen maniac people. Easy to use. Only problem i had is some times the sound when talking will not be constant. will be a break, so the other side will not hear what we say. Other than that its a wonderful phone with small memory.
This phone really goes by it's name. It's most amazing feature is the 5 megapixel camera. A great treat for the photography lovers as well touchscreen maniacs. But one thing i would like to be improved is that it should support more memory. I mean there are more and more phones coming out with 8gb or more memory. And having such a good phone with limited memory is quite a drawback.
it isn't nothing compared to the samsung omnia i900.
this phone is the most amazing phone i ever used in my life. I love the vibe reponse u get on touching the screen and a lot more. It always baffles my friends to use it and plus... the camera is great, as well as the video functions, not to mention the quality music. It's a totally perfect package. I wouldnt trade this phone for anything else...
it's coolest phone i have ever seen..........
Wow what an amazing phone, I have had so many phones in the past but this one out does them all, I have found it so easy to use the and when i listen through the headphones the sound is great. I payed a bit more than I usually do on a phone but it was worth every penny. I recomend that everyone get one.
i think that the ku990 viewty is a magnificent 5 megapixel camera phone which is stylish and great to use with its cool touch screen and great photos.i think it can be used / suitable for the ages of a mature 12 year old and above.Also the slow motion playback is a really great thing to have on a phone.
the lg ku990 viewty has sleek and stylish looks with amazin 5 megapix cam, lot and lots of upto date features like is touch screen ability. 10/10 from me
The LG KU990 Viewty is beautiful, and stylish to look at. It's easy to use. I'm used to Nokia phones, which are easy, but they seemed clumsy compared to this touch responsive system! The screen is big enough to make the touch-operated menu easy to manouver, but more amazingly, it tingles when you tap, feeling as though the phone is alive!
Internet etc are now a given, but again, a pleasure to use on this system. A bit cool! I like big phones, so it's perfect for me. It's not too heavy.
i can honestly say what an amazing phone the lg ku990 viewty is, it is so easy to use and its packed with so many features it is just an amazing piece of technology
Out of all those handsets out there trying their luck at creating the ultimate iphone competing phone this is the closest yet. Now it's out in silver it is even more stylish to boot. Camera is excellent and good web browsing (although slow). I have been looking around for my next phone for almost 6 months and this has yet to come off the top of my list.
This phone is definitely one of the best on the market. It is the best phone i have ever had that's for sure. It's camera amazing! MP3 player-amazing! It's a really good phone as well as really stylish. A bit on the big side, but it is to be expected with a phone with all the stuff this one has! Definitely worth the money.
iv had this phone for a few days now and its amazing....iv been shocked by it....that shocked iv had to leave reviews on it.....
yes people are saying its a ipod look alike but its soo much more...
theres slow motion filming which is always fun for the slap in the face shots.....
its also the easyest phone to use that iv ever picked up....the phone vibrates every time you touch the screen to tell you you have dones something....and the menu and layout is faltless...
and for £24 pound a month theres really no contest.....
Find out more about the LG Viewty at lge.com
LG KU990 Viewty Specifications
Size
103.5mm x 54.4mm x 14.8mm
Weight
112 grams
Display
Full resistive touch screen
Type: TFT LCD
Size: 3.0 inches
Resolution: 240 x 400
Input
Keyboard: On-screen
Operating System
Proprietary
Interface: Flash UI
Storage
Internal: 100MB
External: microSD up to 2GB
Internet
HSDPA
Up to 3.6 Mbps download speed
3G
3G data speeds
Connectivity
Audio: LG Proprietary
Data: Standard USB
Tri Band
GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 1.2
A2DP for wireless stereo headsets
Camera
5.0 megapixel camera
Auto Focus and Strobe Flash
Video Recording
At 120 fps
Front facing camera with video calling
Power
Battery Capacity: 1000 mAh
Talk Time: 355 minutes
Standby Time: 454 hours
Multimedia
Radio: FM with RDS
Audio supported formats
Playback: MP3, AAC
Recording: Supported
Video supported formats
Playback: MP4
Recording: Supported
Social
Email Access