LG U830 review

You can control the MP3 player with the clamshell open or shut and there are three heat- and touch-sensitive buttons on the front to play and pause tracks or go forward and back. The problem with the external controls is that you have to activate them using the volume button, which is fiddly because it needs to be pressed twice or held down for a few seconds.

We also found the external controls weren't always responsive -- tapping them often didn't do anything. Then there's the 2-megapixel camera, which is okay for MMS messages but it disappointingly lacks autofocus and a flash or LED photo light. Pictures and video were acceptable for messaging, but don't expect to get high-quality prints.

In addition, there's no expandable memory card and while you do get about 180MB of on-board memory, it simply isn't that much if you plan on using it as a replacement for your MP3 player and save pictures on it too.

Other features include a speakerphone mode, a voice recorder, a calculator, a calendar, an alarm clock, a unit converter, world time, a stop watch and Java games. It also has a an email client so you can send and receive emails, a flight mode, and it supports Maxisim, which is a SIM card that works like a memory card and lets you store your contacts, ringtones and videos on the SIM itself.

The U830 comes bundled with software that lets you synchronise your contacts, calendar, to-do list and memos, and put music on to it too. You'll also need it to connect to the Internet using your laptop, should you wish to. We found the software really easy to use and it looks good, too.

Performance
Audio quality during calls was really clear and loud. We had no problem hearing people over the speaker and none of the people we spoke to reported problems with volume or distortions from their side, either.

The MP3 player sounded good, especially since we could use our own headphones via the adaptor.

We found the U830's keypad easy to press

Battery life was acceptable but not fantastic, especially after we made 3G video calls or browsed the Web for a while -- it's quoted at 258 hours of standby time. It lasted for around two days with moderate use. You do, however, get an extended battery in the box that lasts for at least a day longer.

Conclusion
The LG U830 is another attractive device from LG that gives you high-speed Internet access on the go and comes with an easy-to-use keypad. If you're looking for a stylish clamshell phone with a bit of oomph then it's worth checking out.

We're slightly disappointed, however, that the camera doesn't have a higher-resolution sensor and that there's no expandable memory slot. If you do want these features then it's worth having a look at the Nokia N93i, which is also a clamshell and comes with a 3.2-megapixel camera and expandable memory slot. Alternatively, there's the LG Prada, which is super-stylish and comes with an expandable microSD slot but doesn't have HSDPA connectivity.

Edited by Jason Jenkins
Additional editing by Kate Macefield