Technology

LG Shine 3G Mobile Phone – My First Impression

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A week ago I received an email from LG’s public relations firm, asking if I would test-drive the new 3G mobile phone — LG Shine — for 3 months. It is part of the LG Shine Bloggers Relation Program. Do I want to own a gorgeous mobile phone for 3 months? Hell yeah! A week later, I am flaunting this shiny brand new mobile phone! Wow, blogging sure pays off!

I have used the mobile phone only since yesterday, so this post would still be largely based on my first impression. Note that LG doesn’t require me to blog about the mobile phone. But really, why wouldn’t I?

LG Shine 3G mobile phone

Features

2.2″ wide mirror LCD screen
Full metal stainless steel body
Multi-functional scroll key
Multimedia players (MP3, MP4, Document viewer)
USB and Bluetooth v1.2
2-megapixel auto-focus camera certified by Schneider-Kreuznach, a globally recognised Germany-based lens company
Video telephony with HSDPA capability

The main highlight of this LG phone, other than its 3G function and 2 megapixel camera (with Schneider-Kreuznach lens, auto-focus, flash), is its stunning form factor. What a gorgeous piece of gadget! Its mirror finish front panel would no doubt elicit many oohs and ahhs from strangers. My elder brother was certainly wowed by it!

Contrary to popular belief, fingerprint marks will not smudge that smooth and shiny surface. Or at least, mine didn’t.

LG Shine 3G mobile phone

These are the things that came with the handset. From left: manual, screen protection film, usb connector, screen wiper, software disc, remote controller, headset, travel charger.

Side profile of the LG Shine 3G mobile phone

Like the popular LG chocolate phone, the LG Shine is also a slider phone. Sliding the front panel upwards reveals a surprisingly flat keypad with blue backlight and laser-etched buttons.

LG Shine 3G mobile phone keypad

The brushed metal look spanning the keypad and the phone’s entire back panel would probably appeal very much to men. The metal finishing makes it feel really solid in the hand. Overall, the LG Shine manages to look both classy and fashionable at the same time.

Size-wise, the handset measures 99.8 by 50.6 by 13.8 mm. In actual fact, it probably looks slimmer than it really is. This is how it compares with my O2 Atom and iPod Nano.

O2 Atom, LG Shine 3G mobile phone, iPod Nano

When I received the mobile phone, I was surprised that there were no terms and conditions involved (other than the fact that I have to return it 3 months later). I’m not even obligated to blog about it, even though the only reason why I’m getting the phone is that I’m a blogger.

All I got in the package were the silver box containing the handset and a letter acknowledging that I have received it!

I would blog more about it after I have played around with it for some time. This is the first time I’m using a LG phone and already, it is the most gorgeous phone, from any brand at all, that I have ever held in my hand!

Specifications

Memory: 512MB built-in
Type: Slider
Camera: 2-megapixel
Dimensions (mm): 99.8 X 50.6 X 13.8
Weight with battery (g): 118
Standard battery (mAh): 800 Li-ion
Standby time (h): 280
Talk time: Up to 2h 40min
External LCD (pixel): 240 X 300
Number of colors: 262 000, TFT
RF band: Quadband (900/1800/1900/2100)

Also in this series

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For more on Sparklette:

About the Author

Veron Ang is the founder and chief editor of Sparklette. She lives in Singapore and has dined and traveled across the world. She also runs Sparklette Studio, a web design and WordPress development firm. If you'd like to connect with her, head on over to the contact page or follow her personal updates on Twitter: @VeronSG.

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24 responses

Leave your comment

Michael
May 6, 2007

Looks very very sweet! The polished surface looks nice… but can u see the words / text clearly?
Reply
Veron
May 6, 2007

Boy, you are fast! The text looks very clear, although the clock looks small. I haven’t explored to see if that can adjusted.
Reply
Daphne
May 6, 2007

is it launched yet, in sg? im too lazy to go n chk. so i shall jus ask u. haha! any clue on the RRP?

looking forward to further reviews after u’ve played with it! :)
Reply
Veron
May 6, 2007

I think it’s launched already! RRP without contract is S$698.
Reply
cynthia
May 6, 2007

Very nice and compact phone. Too bad my cell phone provider don’t provide many nice updated phone.
Reply
LcF
May 6, 2007

nice review. it is easy to leave finger prints on the panel?
btw, how to be part of the “LG shine bloggers relation program”?
Reply
Veron
May 6, 2007

Surprisingly touching the screen doesn’t leave any fingerprint smudges!

The PR firm for LG emailed me, asking if I would like to try out the phone. I said yes.
Reply
DK
May 6, 2007

WAH…. when you free come for ping.sg gathering? :D
Reply
Veron
May 6, 2007

Trying to attend, but then each time something comes up that derails my plan!
Reply
DT
May 6, 2007

You lucky dog you! Do you have some pictures of the OS?
Reply
Veron
May 6, 2007

When I’ve used the phone for some time I would eventually blog about the features, software, et cetera. Then I’ll put in the photos!
Reply
marie
May 6, 2007

hey there.

would like to hear more about the operating system and whether it is user friendly from you! really enjoy reading your blog. keep on blogging! (:
Reply
Veron
May 6, 2007

Sure! I would definitely be writing a follow-up review on this phone. Keep a lookout for it :)
Reply
Knox
May 7, 2007

hey Veron..
i got this offer too..
i asked them so many questions before accepting it lol..
so now im waiting for their reply..
i haven’t heard of their company name also..
hmmm..
Reply
Veron
May 7, 2007

Hey, you get a free phone delivered to you personally. You get to use it for 3 months without having to pay a cent. There is no catch involved. Plus, you don’t even have to blog about it. That’s a pretty good deal! I hope you got the phone in the end!
Reply
Knox
May 7, 2007

yeah now im learning how to use it..
i find the scrolling up and down thingy rather odd lol..
so does the right and left directional pads..
but hey maybe i’ll get used to it..

take care Veron! and take care of the phone too hehe :P
Reply
py
May 8, 2007

Gosh. I heard this LG Shine is a new model.

Looks like you are considered one of those few popular bloggers in Singapore who have received the invitation to use the LG Shine phone.
Reply
Musie
May 8, 2007

Hey Veron, how’s the battery life of LG phone? My dad got a old LG phone but he keeps complaining that the battery life sucks.
Reply
Veron
May 9, 2007

I have no complaints about the battery life so far! After all, being a PDA phone user means that I’ve pretty much grown accustomed to poor battery life :P
Reply
links2sg
May 13, 2007

My first impression with the phone was so so! But was really impress with the design and layout of your blog!
Reply