Note: We may earn commissions (at no cost to you) if you buy through links on our site. Learn more.
NOTE: This model is discontinued and may no longer be available to purchase new. See the latest cell phones or compare used prices.

LG Beacon review

Compare Compare  
Compare Compare  

LG Beacon
LG Beacon
LG Beacon
LG Beacon
...

Feature phones nowadays are as advanced as they have ever been. In the past, even a high-end feature phone would never be confused with a real smartphone. But now, feature phones are actually sophisticated and pretty powerful. One example of such a phone is the LG Beacon, a touchscreen-equipped handset with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. It’s available through MetroPCS in the US as one of the few options worth considering if you do a lot of mobile messaging.

The Beacon is a tri-band CDMA handset that supports 1xRTT data. It lacks Wi-Fi but otherwise, it’s a pretty well-connected mobile phone, with Bluetooth wireless, USB, and support for microSD cards. Its hardware features include a 2.8-inch 240x400 touchscreen display, 1-megapixel camera, speakers, and a standard headphone jack. But by far its biggest hardware feature is its slide-out 4-row QWERTY keyboard, which is a boon for mobile messaging buffs.

The software on the Beacon is not the most feature-rich, but it gets the job done. It may take some getting used to, but once you are familiar with the set up of the icons and such, you will find that the software is not that hard to handle.

The Beacon comes with a 1,000 mAh battery as standard. This gives it nearly 7 hours of talk time per charge, although battery life will be determined ultimately by actual usage.

It may not offer much in terms of advanced features, but the Beacon is certainly a good pick for those who are simply looking for a reliable device for calling and texting at an affordable price.

Need to Know: LG Beacon

1. Long battery life. (The Good)

2. Built-in 4-row QWERTY keyboard. (The Good)

3. Small and low-resolution touchscreen display. (The Bad)

4. Lacks built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. (The Bad)


Custom
Operating system
Operating system
Custom
Unknown
Processor
Processor
Unknown
2.8"
Screen Size
Screen Size
2.8"
1+ MP
Camera
Camera
1+ MP
1000 mAh
Battery



Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the LG Beacon user manual here.


LG backs up the Beacon with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Beacon has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact LG support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find LG's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.



Ask the Community



Resources


Manuals / User Guides Helpful Links Share / Embed

Maybe one of your friends will find this review helpful? Please help us spread the word.


Compare this phone to:

Quick view

Screen Size
2.8"

The LG Beacon's screen size is 2.8 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
Unknown

There is a processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
1+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 1+ MP camera.

There's no secondary front camera.

Storage
90 MB

Internal memory is 90 MB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 16 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
1000mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1000 mAh battery. LG's performance ratings are 20 days standby time, 420 minutes.

LG Beacon Specs

Overview
Release Date September 29, 2011
Regions Available USA
Operating System No

Compare Custom Smartphones

Processor
Internal Storage 90 MB
RAM No
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation No
SAR Head: 1.09 W/kg
Body: 1.17 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
1xRTT
Mobile / Cellular Data
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
No
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Yes
USB OTG Support No
Infrared No
Bluetooth Yes
Bluetooth Profiles HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi No
Mobile Hotspot No
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 16 GB)
NFC No
Data Tethering Compatibility No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
1+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
No
Additional Rear Camera Info
Brightness control, Effects, Night mode, Self-timer, White balance
Video Recording Parameters
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 262k
Resolution x pixels
Pixel Density Unknown
Size 2.8 inches
Secondary Display No
Multi-Touch No
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features -
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1000 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time No
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) No
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 420 minutes
Standby Time Up to 20 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Black
Dimensions [H x W x D] 10.3 x 5.3 x 1.7 cm (4.1 x 2.1 x 0.7 in)
Weight 124 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack Yes
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type QWERTY, Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, MMS, IM
Graphics: Yes
Themes: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Voicemail Key: Yes
Any Key Answer: Yes
Voice Commands: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Contact Groups: Yes
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
PC Synchronization: No
Brew Applications: Yes
Audio Formats: MP3, AAC+, AAC, WMA
Custom Ringtones: No
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable
Included Software / Apps: -
Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Stop Watch, Calculator, Currency Converter, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): LG Exchange, LG MN270
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Where to buy LG Beacon
Suggest a correction