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LG KF600 review

Our rating

3.0 stars out of 5

User rating

2.5 stars out of 5

See all 5 user reviews

What do you think?

Verdict

It seems like everyone is trying to figure out innovative ways to implement touchscreens and the LG KF600 is definitely an interesting concept. Wherever you go in the phone, the navigation pad changes the keys it displays to suit your needs better. But we don't think it works as smoothly as it could and at times we found it clunky. We're definitely interested in seeing where LG takes this concept but we don't think they've got it right just yet

Good

  • Keith Haring themes
  • Contextual menu
  • Sliding mechanism feels smooth

Bad

  • The touchscreen can be awkward to use at times

In this review

At this year's Mobile World Congress, LG was keen to promote its latest handset, the LG KF600, which features a split-screen design. We were just as keen to get our hands on this mobile, as interesting as it looked. Would we find its functionality to be as intriguing as its appearance?

The LG KF600 is currently available on Orange, free on a monthly contract.

Design
If phones were cars, then the KF600 would fall somewhere in between a VW Golf and a modded Fiat Punto -- it feels solid, but one look at it and you might find yourself asking 'why?' It's not that it's an ugly phone by any means, but certain features seem unnecessary.


The LG KF600 features two screens: the top one is for viewing and the second (pictured) acts as a touch-sensitive navigation pad

Take, for instance, the split screen with touch-sensitive navigation pad that changes depending on what feature you're using, from the music player to text messaging. Every time you access a different part of the phone's interface, the navigation area at the bottom changes the displayed keys to suit your needs.

On paper, it sounds very exciting, but we don't really like it. After months spent with a Chocolate phone, we realised that touch-sensitive keys have their ups and downs and the KF600's navigation pad reinforces that issue.

We found the screen clunky to press compared to using a mechanical four-way navigation key. We also wanted to touch the top screen, which you frustratingly can't do. If you want a full touchscreen phone, you could always look to the new LG KF700. The system works overall but it felt slow and unresponsive at times. 

We were slightly disappointed with the plastic that covers the two displays, which felt less solid than we expected and isn't as high in quality as other LG phones' screens, such as the Viewty's screen. We also weren't impressed with the keys on the keypad -- they were too flat to easily distinguish between each one.

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User reviews5

Add your review

doug1234's avatar
4.5 stars out of 5

doug1234 19 February 2011

Good: The touch pad

Bad: not a thing

Comment: It is frist class phone for me anyway

I own it
andy95's avatar
1.5 stars out of 5

andy95 28 November 2009

Good: looks + camera

Bad: touchscreen + micro sd slot

Comment: i hate this phone. despite good looks, it is totally rubbish, the touch screen recalibrates itself and the micro sd slot cant handle my 2gb proberly

Daley1967's avatar
1.5 stars out of 5

Daley1967 28 October 2008

Good: I like the compact design and the concept is good

Bad: It is way too fiddly to use

Comment: I had the KF600 on a 6 month contract but after spending 4 months trying to grow to like it, I have given up on it.

The touch control pad is really awkward and the worst thing about this phone is that you cant read the screen outdoors.

I contacted T Mobile who I contracted the phone through but they offered no help. I am selling it on ebay.

The worst phone I have ever had the misfortune of buying!!

Buyer beware!!

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