The LG Spectrum is one of many CDMA/LTE smartphones available from Verizon in the US.
It looks pretty promising on paper, with decent features such as a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 CPU, 1GB RAM, 4GB storage, a 4.5-inch HD screen, and a 1,830mAh battery. It has an 8MP camera with LED flash at the back, a front-facing secondary cam, a bunch of wireless features that include GPS with A-GPS, Bluetooth 3.0, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, and support for both LTE and EV-DO Rev. A data. All of these are kept inside a body that measures only 11mm thin and weighs 141 grams.
It performs just as well as you might expect it to based on its list of specs. The main problem with it is that it runs an older version of the Android OS. In a time when devices are being announced with the latest version of Android pre-installed, the Spectrum is stuck with version 2.3. Not to mention a rather unremarkable looking exterior and, according to most reviewers, a not-so-attractive custom user interface on top of its Android OS.
Need to Know: LG Spectrum
1. Powerful innards and large HD touchscreen display. (The Good)
2. Supports 4G LTE network speeds. (The Good)
3. Android 2.3 Gingerbread as the default OS. (The Bad)
4. A limited amount of internal storage space. (The Bad)
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Jordan Crook, TechCrunchThe problem with the LG Spectrum is that it’s a sheep dressed in wool. I hoped against hope that the performance of the phone paired with an amazing display and 4G connectivity would rid me of my desire to hurl something so freaking ugly against a wall. But it did not. There was a bug that lasted th...
- Kellex, Droid LifeIt’s not all bad for the Spectrum though. We actually rank most of the aspects of the phone pretty high. The camera is acceptable, LTE is always awesome, the screen is absolutely gorgeous, and the battery life isn’t all that shaky. At $199, this phone is at least worth a quick look if you are not qu...
- TechCrunchThe LG Spectrum isn’t necessarily my favorite phone. It’s got pretty nice specs and a killer screen, but there’s something to be said about the way a phone draws you in from across the room. I don’t mean to get all romantic or dramatic about it, but it’s still true: appearance matters. LG doesn’t re...
- Lisa Gade, Mobile Tech ReviewThere's a lot to like about the LG Spectrum. It has LTE with strong 4G reception, a really lovely 4.5" IPS 720p display and a fast Qualcomm S3 dual core CPU. It's promised an upgrade to Android 4.0 and handles video playback like a champ. Not bad for $199 with contract. But we're put off by the occa...
- Andrew Grush, Mobile MagazineWhile not all users will fall in love with the simple aesthetics of the LG Spectrum, I certainly found myself mesmerized by the overall experience I had. I enjoyed the HD capabilities and large screen, messing around with apps like the Siri-clone “Evi”, and playing with the camera. It certainly was...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the LG Spectrum user manual here.
LG backs up the Spectrum with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Spectrum 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.
Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- LG Spectrum Manual (PDF)
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