LG Optimus 7 E900 review
Great hardware, with a smart design and all the usual features can’t make up for Window’s Phone 7’s immaturity
Specifications
Windows Phone 7, 3.8in 480×800 display
Microsoft has followed the social aggregation trend with its People app, which shows updates and email from Windows Live, Google and Facebook accounts. Unlike recent versions of Android, third-party apps with associated account data, such as Twitter and last.fm, can’t be added to this list. Vodafone has also included a couple of small apps – one that streams your phone’s contents via WiFi, and a barcode scanning app – but these are limited as network operators aren’t allowed to heavily customise the interface.
It’s hard to ignore WP7’s major flaws, however. The lack of copy and paste means text entry will always be handicapped, and sours our enthusiasm for Office Mobile, while the lack of multi-tasking is sorely missed. Still, the iPhone didn’t get either of these features until later and yet still sold well. WP7 is definitely worth keeping an eye on, especially for those who use lots of Microsoft products and services already – such as Messenger, Office, Hotmail and Xbox Live. Even then, we’d hold out for the promised update that includes multi-tasking and copy and paste.
At the moment, WP7 phones don’t offer any hardware advantages and, unless you’re a heavy user of Microsoft services, there’s no reason to use the software either. Android and Apple phones have many more free and useful apps available, and more mature feature lists. The Optimus 7 is also quite expensive compared to high-end Android phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S that have been out for a while, so we can’t recommend it at present.
Details | |
---|---|
Rating | *** |
Hardware | |
Main display size | 3.8in |
Native resolution | 480×800 |
Second Display | No |
CCD effective megapixels | 5-megapixel |
Flash | LED |
Video recording format | MP4 |
Connectivity | Bluetooth, WiFi, USB |
GPS | yes |
Internal memory | 16384MB |
Memory card support | microSD |
Memory card included | 0MB |
Operating frequencies | GSM 850/900/1800/1900, 3G 900/1900/2100 |
Wireless data | GPRS, HSUPA |
Size | 125x60x12mm |
Weight | 157g |
Features | |
Operating system | Windows Phone 7 |
Microsoft Office compatibility | Office Mobile |
Email client | POP3/IMAP/Exchange |
Audio format support | MP3, e-AAC+, WMA, WAV |
Video playback formats | MP4, H.263, H.264, WMV |
FM Radio | yes |
Web Browser | Internet Explorer |
Accessories | charger |
Talk time | 6 hours |
Standby time | 14.6 days |
Tested battery life (MP3 playback) | 22h 2m |
Buying Information | |
Price on contract | £30-per-month, 18-month contract |
SIM-free supplier | N/A |
Contract/prepay supplier | www.vodafone.co.uk |
Details | www.lge.com |