LG Mark 2
The LG u890 is really the Mark 2 version of the LG u880 which we reviewed in December 2005. The LG u880 made an impression at that time, yet 6 months is a long time in the 3G mobile industry, so has it managed to hold its ground ?
The LG u890 ( above ) is just a sleeker Mark 2 version of the LG u880. Both are currently on sale in the UK. It's true the new model is available in Silver & Pink or Silver & Blue and yes they look sleek. Yet if you want to make a colour statement why not try the Motorola RAZR V3x in Pumpkin. Yes Pumpkin !
Anyway, back to the LG u890 and its own looks. We looked at the silver and blue version. The curves look rounder and the blue and chrome type finish does look good. The problem for this handset is if you didn't buy the mark One, then why would you buy the Mark 2 version.
At this point if you would like to get up to speed with our LGu880 review please click the link.
The LG u880 received a good review but since then the following 3G handsets have been released and reviewed : Sony Ericsson K800i, Samsung SGH-Z540V, Nokia N80, BenQ-Siemens EF81, Nokia 6280, Toshiba TS 803, Sony Ericsson W900i, Motorola RAZR V3x and the Sony Ericsson W550i.
As you can see from above, the LG u890 update, makeover or whatever we call it faces a much stiffer challenge than its stable mate did 6 months ago. So what exactly are the differences ?
Comparing the specifications for the two handsets we find the differences are :
| LG
u890 |
LG
u880 |
|
| Weight |
99g |
98g |
| Battery
standby |
200
(hrs) |
236
(hrs) |
| Battery
talktime |
150
(mins) |
222
(mins) |
| Battery
video call |
100
(mins) |
144
(mins) |
This was a surprise. The older model has better battery performance than the newer one. Maybe we can discover why as the review progresses.
Onto the phone's keypad. Oh, some of the buttons functions have changed. The "quick menu" button at the top has become the "mobile tv" button to access 3's mobile tv menu. Looking at the internal screen, the new screen looks brighter with a better sharpness. OK, so it looks like LG have used a different internal display ( which although having the same amount of colours and the same resolution is a superior display ) or they have used improved display drivers.
There is also a blue backlight which looks great in the dark. The camera seems to outperform its predecessor and although its only 1.3 megapixels it should meet most general needs.
There's not a great deal more that can be said that hasn't been said in our earlier LG u880 review. My summary would be is that this is a modern looking mobile phone with all the functions needed.
Yet, with some other 3G mobiles having 3 megapixel cameras and others being dedicated music mobiles the LG seems very middle of the road and less attractive than it did six months ago - even with a makeover.
I suspect the battery life of the LG u890 is less than the LG u880 because of the introduction of a new internal display or the use of better display drivers but this is not confirmed.
This review covers the above mobile phone only and does not address the performance of any 3G Network. The score is based on a 3G mobile phone checklist.
Copyright : You are advised that this material is the copyright of www.3G.co.uk and is our own personal view only. (C) All rights reserved 2005. Whist every care has been taken in the preparation of this review, the author nor 3G.co.uk cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or authenticity of the information it contains, or consequence arising from it.
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