Lg Arena Km900 Mobile Phone Review - A Sophisticated, But Slow Smartphone
The LG Arena KM900 has a variety of desirable features.
Its FM radio, 5 megapixel camera, bright touchscreen, and snazzy looking user interface are all attractive attributes.
Unfortunately, there are a few little quirks that may turn users away.
*Appearance: When it comes to looks, the LG Arena really sells, with solid plastic white casing, classy curves, and a gorgeous 3 inch TFT 262K colour touch screen.
The interface isn't bad looking either, with a tidy set of icons that isn't unlike how the iphone is set up.
It isn't a flimsy phone, either--and at 105g, it's not too big or bulky.
Still, if you decide to carry this one around in your pocket, it may be a good idea to use a screen protector just to be on the safe side.
Unfortunately, when it comes to user friendliness, the Arena isn't the best phone on the market.
While most of the icons and applications are fairly easy to figure out, the touchscreen has a noticeable lag that makes browsing and texting an irritating experience.
It's perfectly possible to operate if you move slowly and carefully, but this leaves many users wishing for faster phones that respond adequately.
In addition to this, there have been some odd little errors that don't necessarily hamper your activities, but create confusion nonetheless, including some truly bizarre notifications.
*Camera: The Arena's 5 megapixel camera is definitely one of its ideal features.
Its surprisingly powerful LED flash is enough to take pictures in gloomier areas and still come out with crisp, vivid images.
The autofocus and camera key are also beneficial features.
We've heard lots of praise about the video camera as well.
Along with having recording capabilities, you also have a video player and a gallery.
Film quality is very good indeed, with an easy transition from light to dark areas.
A second camera allows you to participate in 3G video calls as well.
*Sound: Thanks to the Arena's Dolby Mobile sound system, its quality is crisp and clear, with only minimal tinniness.
Its music player accepts MP3 and AAC formats.
The FM radio was a nice touch as well.
Also included are MP3 and polyphonic ringtones.
*Internet Connectivity: Triband technology, plus HSDPA 2100, is mostly enough to keep your phone connected throughout travels.
Combine this with 3G HSDPA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, EDGE, GPRS, and USB, and you have a way to keep in touch wherever you go.
In addition to this, you get instant messaging, SMS, MMS, and a WAP browser XHTML to play with, but given the screen's fickle tendencies, it remains to be said if using these features will be as appealing as it seems.
*Memory and Talk Time: With 8 gigabytes, plus 16 additional gigabytes in a microSD memory card, you should have plenty of room to store your favorite photos, emails, texts, and films.
Unfortunately, its battery life leaves more to be desired, at four hours of talk time and 300 hours standby.
*Conclusion: The LG Arena KM900 has a great camera and an interesting interface when it isn't being infuriatingly slow.
Features such as its attractive appearance, speedy internet, and quality sound may be enough for most users to ignore that flaw, however.
Its FM radio, 5 megapixel camera, bright touchscreen, and snazzy looking user interface are all attractive attributes.
Unfortunately, there are a few little quirks that may turn users away.
*Appearance: When it comes to looks, the LG Arena really sells, with solid plastic white casing, classy curves, and a gorgeous 3 inch TFT 262K colour touch screen.
The interface isn't bad looking either, with a tidy set of icons that isn't unlike how the iphone is set up.
It isn't a flimsy phone, either--and at 105g, it's not too big or bulky.
Still, if you decide to carry this one around in your pocket, it may be a good idea to use a screen protector just to be on the safe side.
Unfortunately, when it comes to user friendliness, the Arena isn't the best phone on the market.
While most of the icons and applications are fairly easy to figure out, the touchscreen has a noticeable lag that makes browsing and texting an irritating experience.
It's perfectly possible to operate if you move slowly and carefully, but this leaves many users wishing for faster phones that respond adequately.
In addition to this, there have been some odd little errors that don't necessarily hamper your activities, but create confusion nonetheless, including some truly bizarre notifications.
*Camera: The Arena's 5 megapixel camera is definitely one of its ideal features.
Its surprisingly powerful LED flash is enough to take pictures in gloomier areas and still come out with crisp, vivid images.
The autofocus and camera key are also beneficial features.
We've heard lots of praise about the video camera as well.
Along with having recording capabilities, you also have a video player and a gallery.
Film quality is very good indeed, with an easy transition from light to dark areas.
A second camera allows you to participate in 3G video calls as well.
*Sound: Thanks to the Arena's Dolby Mobile sound system, its quality is crisp and clear, with only minimal tinniness.
Its music player accepts MP3 and AAC formats.
The FM radio was a nice touch as well.
Also included are MP3 and polyphonic ringtones.
*Internet Connectivity: Triband technology, plus HSDPA 2100, is mostly enough to keep your phone connected throughout travels.
Combine this with 3G HSDPA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, EDGE, GPRS, and USB, and you have a way to keep in touch wherever you go.
In addition to this, you get instant messaging, SMS, MMS, and a WAP browser XHTML to play with, but given the screen's fickle tendencies, it remains to be said if using these features will be as appealing as it seems.
*Memory and Talk Time: With 8 gigabytes, plus 16 additional gigabytes in a microSD memory card, you should have plenty of room to store your favorite photos, emails, texts, and films.
Unfortunately, its battery life leaves more to be desired, at four hours of talk time and 300 hours standby.
*Conclusion: The LG Arena KM900 has a great camera and an interesting interface when it isn't being infuriatingly slow.
Features such as its attractive appearance, speedy internet, and quality sound may be enough for most users to ignore that flaw, however.
