LG Optimus Chat deals & review

The LG Optimus Chat’s physical QWERTY keyboard is a huge plus-point for fans of actual typing – you know, like they used to do in the olden days - but that isn’t the phone’s only selling point. It comes with Android 2.2, also known as Froyo, but can now be upgraded to Android 2.3. Froyo isn’t the most recent version of Android’s popular operating system, but for an entry-level phone it’s more than adequate, and performs capably. Just like its predecessor, Optimus One, the LG Optimus Chat offers an affordable bundle of attractive features and accessible design.

The Optimus Chat is a marked improvement on the Optimus One’s blocky outline: it features curved edges and a smooth finish, and is altogether a much more attractive phone. The handset is light, at just 122g, but its plastic case doesn’t do it any favours when it comes to durability and style. It looks a little cheap, but that’s only fitting for its modest price tag. It’s available in both black and pink, while the handset also has physical dial buttons underneath the screen, so that making and ending calls is easy.

The phone’s features are slight compared to those of more illustrious phones on the market, but remain good value for money. The 3.12MP camera takes clear images and its built-in auto-focus feature ensures great shots. The phone’s 320x480 pixel display leaves a little to be desired, and with just 256K colours it doesn’t really compare to more expensive phones. But compared to similar phones, like the Samsung Galaxy Mini’s 240x380 pixel display, it’s not a bad show, and the screen itself measures an ample 2.8”, which easily makes up for its shortfalls. The Chat’s 140MB of internal memory can be expanded to 32GB with the help of a microSD card, which is more than enough space for a budget phone.

The Chat has a 600MHz processor, putting it on par with the similarly-priced Samsung Galaxy Mini. It’s enough to run the essential apps and light games – Angry Birds fans needn’t be put off – but more intense gamers should be prepared to fork out for a better model – maybe the dual core LG Optimus 3D. Apps run smoothly, and for light users the phone shouldn’t have a problem with multi-tasking. Otherwise, it ticks the standard boxes any smartphone needs: it has GPS tracking and a decent battery life, with up to five hours of talk time.

Despite the low processor speed, the LG Optimus Chat has an easy to navigate interface that’s responsive and doesn’t lag. In other words, for a budget smartphone, it runs like a dream. The handset’s capacitive touch-technology means it’s more responsive than some smartphones, and it supports the pinch-to-zoom command, meaning web pages and photos can easily be enlarged. As an Android phone, the LG Chat also has access to the usual collection of apps via the Android Marketplace, most of which will run without a problem.

However, regardless of its other features, the QWERTY keyboard is always going to be this phone’s major selling-point: as swanky as on-screen keypads are, they can suffer from over or under-responsiveness, and are almost impossible to use while on-the-move. On top of that, the Chat’s physical keys are well-spaced, and emit a satisfying ‘click’ with each press. The LG Optimus Chat is a strong contender in the budget smartphone market – and the QWERTY pad will elevate it above many of its competitors in the eyes of typing traditionalists.

If you like LG but would prefer a handset with a few more features, the LG Optimus 3D is worth a look. Similarly, if you appreciate the ‘proper’ keys of the Optimus Chat but find it under-spec’d, consider going for a BlackBerry instead. Handsets such as the Curve 8520 combine the perfect blend of keys and touchpad technology, forming a more sophisticated take on this budget LG smartphone.