LG KG800

22 May 2008
Launched by LG in 2006, the LG KG800 handset is the European counterpart of a famous Korean mobile phone known as the "Chocolate phone." The European Chocolate is shiny sliding with touch keypads and sensitive controls for navigation, which is similar to the Korean version, and which by far is its most striking feature.

Appearance-wise, the LG KG800 mobile phone sports a 176x220-pixel TFT display with over 256,000 colours in high resolution. Compact and handy, the Chocolate is at 95 x 48 x 15 mm standard size, and weighs a light 83g. Its touch pad “disappears” when unused, distinguishable only by a subtle glow in red colour, which magically highlights the beautiful handset. This is a revolutionary feature on a mobile phone, most experts would say.

The LG Chocolate KG800 offers a host of standard features, meeting expectations of most mobile users. These features include a music player that supports the most popular audio file formats such as WMA, MP3, AAC, AAC+ and AAC++, and is controllable either with its inline controller or directly through the phone's touch pad. It features 64 polyphonic ringtones in MP3, Java games, and SMS, MMS, Email or EMS messaging capabilities.

The luxurious LG KG800 mobile phone flaunts a built-in camera at 1.3 megapixels, with flash and 4x digital zoom that allows multi-shot mode. The Chocolate's built-in video camera boasts of high quality, which allows users to record, or watch videos in 3G. With the LG KG800, users are allowed to tweak their recorded videos to perfection through editing and a choice of settings and effects.

The LG KG800 is noted for its capability as a device for mass storage, and is built in with programs and software that enable dragging of videos, music tracks and photos from the phone to the computer.

The Chocolate's wireless connectivity is enabled through USB or Bluetooth 1.2. It is a tri-band phone that comes with a WAP 2.0 browser. This attribute allows easy and stable access to the Internet. Its memory is 128 Megabytes, allowing storage of emails, photos, messages and video recordings. Its battery life -- powered by the standard Li-Ion battery -- reaches a maximum of 200 hours. The Chocolate supports at least 6 hours of talk time.

Besides its innovative design and touch-screen feature, LG KG800's 1000-entry phone book is also deemed as one of its most remarkable features.

For most onlookers, the LG KG800 is by far one of the most attractive mobile phones that have graced the U.K. market, with its features well-arranged in a thought-out, symmetrical way. This, however, has not stopped certain complaints regarding its usability and standard features from popping up.

For one, users attest that the Chocolate's camera is far from being the best there is. Complaints about its limited memory at 128 Mbytes have also been heard of, which according to users, stores only about 30 music files or songs. Moreover, users lament that the Chocolate's battery life is poor, as it needs to be charged after a few days of use. While the touch keypad works perfectly with the Chocolate's design, some people are bugged by its high sensitivity, which eats up an unfamiliar user's precious time in getting used to it. Still, others question the LG KG800's durability, attesting that the keypad lights are easily busted and are likely to get dirty and scratched.

Some have said that syncing the LG KG800 to a computer is a challenging task, as it requires repeat installations to make it work. Generally, users rate it not as the most reliable mobile device.

In the U.K., the Chocolate was, at a time, included in the best-sellers' list. The modish LG look made it one of the most sought-after phones in the U.K., within only a short time after its introduction to the market. With its minor and major flaws gradually unfolding, however, the LG KG800 has noticeably been sold much cheaper, according to recent reports.

Those who like it trendy and stylish won't have problems with LG KG 800. The luxurious design of LG KG800 makes it a desired phone for those who want it looking sleek and compact. User reviews, however, assert that it has its share of technical disadvantages and usability problems.

Reviewer: neil greenhalgh - nottingham
Reviewed on: 30th August, 2008
Rating: 1/10
I bought an LG Lilac for my daughter in June and within two months the charging port has been damaged by mistakenly trying to put the charger in upside down. Took it back to Carphone Warehouse who sent it back to LG. Verdict less than comlementary - the handset is irrepairable and hey will not offer any assiatnce! This is also depsite the fact that the loal Carphone Warehuse shop said they had had five similar problems with the charging port damaged within the last few weeks. Bad design, poor customer care and a very dissatisfied customer. Wouldn't touch either the shop or the manufacturer again!

Reviewer: Ross - Northampton
Reviewed on: 15th July, 2008
Rating: 2/10
The fact that this phone is completely promoted in terms of its style and elegance should give you a clue towards its functionality. It is completely unusable. Even the most waif like supermodel would feel she had chubby finger syndrome when she tries to write a text on this mobile.

Reviewer: Amy - uk
Reviewed on: 21st June, 2008
Rating: 10/10
it is a good phone and i would recomend it to every body it is easy to use and it is good for txting and is cheappppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reviewer: john - britain
Reviewed on: 18th May, 2008
Rating: 5/10
although at first this phone may seem great. it may look good, sound good and do all its functions well if you are looking for a long-term mobile, id advise against buying the LG KG800. over time, functions deteriorate - my camera completely broke and when i tried 2 charge it, the screen would turn white on plugging it in making it unusable. a no u may think - he just duznt take good care of his belongings, i believe i do. i never dropped it or bashed it, these occurrencies happened of their own accord. its not up 2 me though - buy this phone if u like!

Reviewer: Rachael - Bath
Reviewed on: 27th March, 2008
Rating: 9/10
The LG KG800 is the best phone I have ever used. Sytlish and light it is easy to navigate and follow the menu. Transfering music files is really simple and the sound quality is great. The camera gives a clear picture aswell. It is very sensitive to the touch so I would says this is more suited to a ladies light touch rather than a man's larger fingers. All in all a great buy.

Reviewer: Isla K - Norfolk
Reviewed on: 20th March, 2008
Rating: 10/10
the LG KG800 pink is a great phone with everything you need on it! no wonder it is known as the choclate phone as it is a masterpiece to look at! It has elegant looks and is slim. with it's 1.3 megar pixel camera with a choice of 9 shots with 4x zoom and video camera, MP3 settings, blutooth! Also it is a very easy phone to use and the touch settings make it even better! I love this phone and I think anyone who is looking for a phone should get this one!!!

Reviewer: Ashni Shah - London/Oxford
Reviewed on: 18th March, 2008
Rating: 6/10
The LG KG800 Chocolate is a very pretty phone and relatively easy to use but must be looked after well as it scratches easily. The combination of touchscreen and normal keys is nice to use. Battery life is ok but it must be charged every two days minimum and with talk time of over 60 mins needs charging daily. I have had a few technical problems with the phone however as occasionally the phone has turned itself on and off by itself. The main problem has been regarding reception – often other people on my network with phones by different makes have reception when I do not. Sometimes the phone will be on full reception, and suddenly change to “Searching” for a minute before it goes back to having full reception.

Reviewer: Nick Edmonds - Warwickshire
Reviewed on: 13th March, 2008
Rating: 7/10
Right. where to start... the main seller of the LG Chocolate is its looks. which admittedly are pretty cool. but behind this frame, you'll also find a 1.3mp camera, a video camera, an mp3 player.

However, this phone does have its down sides.

the actual number/keypad can be annoyingly unresponsive when trying to text. and some of the predictive text(T9) is in a weird order.

Plus the T9 dictionary only seems to keep custom added words in it's dictionary for about a week, meaning u have to keep re-adding them, which is quite annoying if you use a certain phrase/s rather a lot.

also the touch pad can play up quite a bit, but generally is okay

all in all a good phone, especially if you're a bit in2 fashion

***

7/10

Reviewer: Henry Potter - Sheffield
Reviewed on: 20th December, 2007
Rating: 6/10
Overall the phone is reasonable at best - I do like the "heat sensitive" keypad which does take a bit of getting used to but apart from that it's pretty rubbish - very bad at getting reception and you need to have at least 4 bars to be able to hold a conversation, the inbuilt memory for mp3s is shocking - 4/5 songs depending on how long they are, the camera is rubbish and finally the battery lasts for about 48 hours tops in standby and if you going to have reasonable use age as in about 2/3 hours of use a day (calling & camera etc) then expect the battery to last a measly 9 hours tops!!!! (not great in an emergency). Overall a phone which has made a name for LG although I have just slated it for pretty much everything it is in fact REASONABLE no more no less.

Reviewer: Amy - Dorset
Reviewed on: 26th November, 2007
Rating: 9/10
LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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