LG Phoenix Review

Introduction:

Seeing that just about every wireless carrier under the sun has been offering their version of the LG Optimus One for some time, now AT&T is finally getting its fill of the budget friendly Android smartphone. Enduring the wait has been agreeably daunting, especially when it first arrived stateside back last fall, but its release should nonetheless offer a certain degree of satisfaction amongst customers. Also available as the LG Thrive over on the carrier’s prepaid lineup, the $29.99 on-contract LG Phoenix P505 might be able to rise under the ashes and still present itself as a decent handset despite being late to the game.

The package contains:

• LG Phoenix
• microUSB Cable
• Wall Charger
• 2GB microSD card
• Quick Start Guide

Design:

Following accordingly to the design style of previous variants, the LG Phoenix definitely has an appreciable design that’s solidly built for an inexpensive smartphone. Donning a bluish soft touch coating all around, it keeps the handset looking clean while repelling additional debris from caking onto it – plus, its chrome trim bezel sprinkles a bit of distinguishable character to it.



You can compare the LG Phoenix with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.

Regarded as a basic smartphone, we’re still happy to see the handset sporting a reasonable 3.2” HVGA (320 x 480) capacitive touchscreen – though, its feel is on the plasticy side. Still, it gets the job done with its decent viewing angles, natural looking color production, and strong luminance. However, text at times can still look rather fuzzy, but it’s nothing too detrimental.


As we continue to see capacitive buttons in use with most Android smartphones, it’s undeniably refreshing to find physical ones with the LG Phoenix. Sufficiently sized and exuding a solid button feel when pressed, it’s absolutely almost rare to ever accidentally press on them.


On its sides and built into the chrome trim bezel, we find its adequate sized volume rocker, prominent power button, 3.5mm headset jack , microphone, and microUSB port for its charging/data connection.


Lastly, the only item we find in the rear is none other than the handset’s 3.2-megapixel auto-focus camera. Furthermore, removing its back cover grants us access to its 1,500 mAh battery, SIM card, and microSD card slots – though, you’ll need to remove the battery to insert/remove the SIM card.