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LG CU500 Review
Rating: 6.0 / 10
At first glance, the LG CU500 appears to be nothing more than the latest in a long list of Motorola RAZR clones. The clamshell design, positioning of the smart key and volume rocker buttons, and camera placement are all strongly reminiscent of the RAZR. However, to call the CU500 a clone is to do a great disservice to this fabulous phone.
The CU500 is the first cell phone in North America to support the brand new HSDPA wireless network. Offering speeds even faster than the much heralded EV-DO network, HSDPA is truly the wave of the future in cellular wireless. Although real world current speeds on the CU500 max out at around 1.8 mbps, this is still a bit faster than the real world connect speeds on EV-DO. Another nice feature of HSDPA is the ability to make and receive voice calls while in a data session.
The CU500 is a truly remarkable multimedia phone. Streaming music and video download with barely a hiccup and although video is still a bit pixilated as is true with any phone, the music is crisp and clear. The camera on the CU500 has a rotating lens, which significantly improves photo capability, and is able to record an amazing 14 minutes of video in one cycle.
The LG CU500 is packed with features. In addition to the calculator that is now standard on most phones, the CU500 also offers a tip calculator and a unit converter. The camera not only rotates, but offers several options for video resolution. The music player has a customizable equalizer and supports a variety of formats. Throughout virtually every category of features the CU500 adds a little something extra.
Of course, like any cell phone the CU500 does have its own limitations. The battery life is relatively short by modern standards, as you would expect from such a multimedia heavy phone. Adding a high capacity battery is strongly recommended. Additionally, the CU500 falls sadly short in the area of personalization. Standard customization features are available, including the option to download additional graphics, but the CU500 surpasses other phones in its class in so many ways that it is disappointing to find a somewhat limited menu of personalization choices.
The CU500 has a few software bugs which do not appear often but can be annoying when they do occur. The full duplex speakerphone sounds beautifully clear, but is not quite loud enough to be used outside. Ringtone volume is also slightly quiet.
Despite the minor drawbacks, the CU500 is an excellent choice for users desiring a truly multimedia cell phone. The multimedia features are above and beyond those offered by many phones in the same class, and the HSDPA network allows those features to work particularly well. Internet browsing is fast and easy over the network, providing an excellent alternative to Wi-Fi. At a price comparable to many lower end phones, the CU500 is a strong choice.
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