LG "Chocolate" KG800 (02/05/06) by K Saleh

Rating:

So you need another phone, you don't want the RAZR because everyone has it, and you don't want a card phone because it looks too much like a calculator, but you do want something stylish. What do you opt for?

The KG800. Simple as that.

Originally released in Korea, this phone was dubbed the 'chocolate' phone because it had the scent of chocolate. (The white has the scent of lavender and the pink the scent of roses). Sadly in Europe, the phone has no scent. (probably to avoid the lawsuit if someone mistakenly eats it.)

But what is it? Imagine an iPod, it's a cross between an iPod Nano and an m:Robe.

Amazingly it is feels much thinner than it looks and you can only help but look at it on occasion to make sure that you're not dreaming.

It's key point is that it's screen seems to blend into the fascia, with no buttons at all. Which triggers the question. So how do I use it?
Simple, slide it open or click on the volume button and the buttons glow. It's touch sensitive buttons truly mesmerize.

You'd think that it takes some time getting used to, but in fact, the buttons are intuitive and I never made a mistake when trying to press a button. Samsung seem to have caught onto the LG Chocolate success at the time of this review and decided to create their own version, however it is nowhere near as nice.

This phone is probably the most unique and innovative at the moment.
I kind of wish it had a SonyEricsson logo rather than LG, but oh well.

It has all the basic features, Bluetooth, 1.3mp Camera, high color screen (amazingly clear), but is it worth it?

So, if you want an unbiased review, enjoy this one.

Specs:
128 MB internal memory (has 66mb for the phone in addition to that), Triband, has 1 (1.3 Megapixels with led flash)
Features: mp3 player (dedicated buttons), bluetooth, PC Sync, Video recording, Sound recording.
Screen: 262K internal screen (TFT)
System: LG Generic
Sound: one speaker from the earpiece.
Main feature: touch sensitive buttons.
 

(front of the box)

What comes in the box?

It seems that even the box itself is nicely designed. It looks nicely designed and has a lovely red interior. Opening it up you are greeted with the phone already in the pouch. It is entirely covered in plastic (to avoid scratches). You get a cd, manual, quick guide, usb cable, charger, battery, headset, cloth/strap, and pouch.

Some would argue that the 1.3mp camera and lack of memory card slot is what lets it down. But I feel that those are simple luxuries. It's small enough to satisfy even the most critical.

So you switch on the phone, you hear a deep tune and suddenly see the glowing buttons come to life. At first you'd think that you were holding what could be a gem, but you then dismiss that fact simply because a gem doesn't look so damn sexy.

It may seem by now that I am too enthusiastic about this phone. Do not worry, the bad will be mentioned as well.
 

(glossy Chocolate phone)

Since it's glossy, you'd think that it attracts oil easily, strangely enough fingerprints don't show that much unless under direct sunlight, and the pouch helps to wipe it as you put it in and out.

The Chocolate is very light and very small indeed, however the keypad is large enough for even the average user.

One of the things that annoyed me though is that the hang up and end button is on the side. Hmm... Why did they do that? The only logical explanation is due to the fact that the keys are touch sensitive, so they wanted to avoid the chance of you hanging up by mistake, however the touch buttons lock after 3 seconds (pushing the MP3 side button or volume button unlocks the touch pad).

I would have preferred it if the call button was also the hang up button.

Sound Quality on the phone is great but the bass isn't that good. However I believe the phone that I'm using has an audio problem.

Video:
Video was actually pretty good. It was smooth and didn't show much pixelation.

The camera also took very clear pictures which looked great on the phone. I have to mention that it adjusts the settings VERY fast. Faster than any phone I've used.
Even the night vision does a good job of making photos look brighter, without looking 'fake'.

You have two color schemes. Light and Dark. I wish that the light scheme actually changed the highlight color, but it doesn't. A few other schemes would have been nice.

You are also able to customize the navi pad so each direction launches a different app or menu.
 

Organizer.
Calendar, tasks, notes, secret memo, alarms, timer, stopwatch, record sound, calculator and world times, and a few games.

Phonebook
The phone book is nice and simple. A few taps and you're away.

Settings
Also known as the Control Panel. Anything is accessible. From brightness of the screen to sound quality.
You are able to change skins, wallpapers, ring tones, and even the sound the phone makes when you dial a number, switch the phone on, or cycle through menus.

Pros
Beautifully simple design.
Thin.
Has 1.3MP and Bluetooth
Well built.
Touch sensitive keypad.
Amazing screen.
Vibrator is strong.


Cons
No Memory card slot
Do not like the side hang up button.
SMS tones are too low.
No cloth for wiping (being picky)

My verdict? Buy it now! Nano size and sexy.


the best place to get a great deal is Fluid Mobile
http://www.fluidmobile.com

or Compare a Deal
http://www.widgx.net
 

Additional photos with nano for comparison.