LG Prada Phone 3.0 Review

April 9, 2012 John Reyvaldi Review

If you’re looking for a great fashionable smartphone, then you won’t do anything wrong with LG Prada Phone 3.0. This handset is currently running on Android OS that customized with special interface, which dominated by Anna Wintour’s favorite color scheme. There’s no doubt that LG is trying to aim fashionistas with this device. The main question is, do they manage to accomplish the mission? Let’s find out the answer on our full explanation below.

Since Prada Phone 3.0 is a stylish android handset, you must think it as a man’s accessory like purse or watch. No wonder why this handset features sharp edges, metallic accent and leather-style rear cover. Yes, we mean it folks. On the back side, you won’t be able to find real leather cover. Instead, you’ll be facing a plastic chassis that molded and modified to mimic a real leather surface. LG explained that they decided not to use real material because it could war or marred in daily use. Personally, we think that this is not a good idea. The rear cover was more comfortable in the eye than our hands.

As we mention earlier, this handset also feature some metallic part. It can be found on the top and bottom edgest of the phone. On the upper end, you should be able to find the microUSB charging port, power/lock button, 3.5mm audio jack, and camera button. If you want to search the Volume rockers, you can find it at the left hand side. Right beneath the display, sit the four capacitive main button, which control home, menu, back and search function. There is also 1.3 megapixels front-facing camera here.

LG Prada Phone 3.0 is currently measured at 127.5mm tall, 69mm wide, and 8.5mm thick. In terms of weight, this phone is measured at 138 grams only. Thanks to it’s curved edges, this handset feels really good in our hand’s palm. It is manage to deliver better art sense than the latest HTC One series. But please note that when it comes to material, Prada Phone 3.0 share similar plasticky feels to Galaxy S II. iPhone 4S’s combination between glass and aluminum are still feels more premium than this handset.

When it comes to display, this device sports 4.3 inch screen with TFT LCD technology. It is powered by the company’s own Nova Plus technology, which manage to deliver extra bright backlighting. Our test reveals that the handset manage to provide 800nits brightness level. However, LG forgot that pixels are also important in making a great smartphone. Prada Phone 3.0 only manage to display maximum 800 x 480 pixels resolution. On the era when HD display is the king, this handset will be easily crushed by other next-gen device like HTC One X or the upcoming Galaxy S III.

Prada Phone 3.0 works under Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS, although the Ice Cream Sandiwch has been available around the corner for nearly six months now. But the good thing is that LG decided to give it a graphics overhaul via Prada custom interface, which feature white icon with black color dominated background. However, we also notice that Google’s standard app like Gmail and Android Market are both come out with their default icon. You can change their icon to match the Prada theme though, we just little bit curious why the default icon are still sit in there.

In terms of system performance, there’s nothing wrong with this smartphone. We are able to launch apps quickly without any noticeable lags or delays. Not to mention we can jump between screens and interface with ease. However, we believe that LG need to reworked the tab switcher, which can show the web page preview in the default browser, to be more comfortable to use.

Now, let’s talk about camera. LG Prada Phone 3.0 carry on 8.0 megapixels rear shutter with auto focus and the ability to capture 1080p HD video. In order to match the Prada theme, the whole camera interface is also displayed in monochrome. There are some useful shortcuts for switch between video/still image mode, gallery mode access, and shutter release. We are manage to capture some good photos with this camera. Video quality is also great, although we are not recommend you to leave your digital camera at home and replace it with this one.

Well, that’s all we can tell you right now folks. LG Prada is a great smartphone that manage to live up to it’s name as a fashion phone. But we will be much more happier with LG’s work if they decided to use better glass and real leather material for the handset. It will provide more premium feels, which surely match for a stylish phone like this.

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