LG CU515 Review
By Damon Brown
February 28th, 2008
Summary
The LG CU515 is a good all around phone: not too large or too small, easy to pick up and use and comes with just enough multimedia features to satisfy the average consumer. However, none of the functions are powerful enough to interest the sophisticated set, and its most highly-touted multimedia capabilities actually require you to buy more equipment.
Full Review
Features and Design
The LG CU515 phone is a clamshell, about two and a half inches tall and about one and a half inches wide when closed, and not very thick, making it about the size and shape of the popular Motorola RAZR. (With the CU515’s mainstream features, this probably was not an accident.) There is a bright, colorful screen that takes up most of the top half. The bottom half is a flat circular dial for quick access to email, phone, PC connection and file areas, as well as general menu navigation. The dial is surrounded by two traditional menu keys, call start and call end buttons, and other keys for quick access to the camera and other functions. A large number pad is below the dial. The keys are not raised, but the considerable size and slight indentations between buttons makes it easy to dial numbers fast.
Close the clam shell and a small black-and-white screen shows the current time and date as well as the email, battery and music status. A small pinhole above the screen is the camera lens. On the left side of the phone are the volume buttons and the Push To Talk key. (More on that later.) On the right side are two holes: one for the optional headphones and one for the microSD card.
Things are equally simple, if not decent on the inside. The LG CU515 hums on AT&T’s 3G network. AT&T’s MEdiaNet is like the internal Internet information hub, and from it you can quickly access the latest news. Most impressive are the minute-plus video clips available on the spot. A 90-second highlight of last night’s game could be downloaded in a few seconds. You can also press a button to turn the video widescreen (literally, as it requires holding the phone to its side like a toothbrush), which is a nice, if unnecessary perk. The real Internet was almost as fast, as we were able to zoom from URL to URL pretty efficiently. There isn’t much internal memory, but it is compatible with most, if not all microSD cards.
The LG CU515 comes with a power plug… and that’s it. No headphones, microSD card or other items are included. There also isn’t a USB transfer wire, despite the fact that the box touts the CU515 as a music phone.
Image Courtesy of LG Electronics
Setup and Use
On a more mundane level, making calls on the CU515 is a snap. The circular thumbpad and keypad are smooth and responsive. The four aforementioned icons on the thumbpad allow quick access to the different menu options.
The phone’s email is compatible with Yahoo!, AOL, AIM, Windows and other formats, so your current email provider is more than likely. The 1.3 MegaPixel camera isn’t especially powerful, but it does take crisp and clear pictures as well as decent video – even without a light source from the phone. It does require a steady hand, so avoid using it in shaky situations. The CU515 is also Bluetooth compatible.
The other multimedia functions leave much to be desired. It comes with AT&T Mobile Music which allows you to purchase music, listen to XM radio and watch music videos. Music purchasing seemed straightforward, as did XM radio (which gives you a three-day free trial). While the music is only $.99 USD a pop, you’re not going to be able to listen to your own music catalog until you pony up money for a microSD card (to store the music) and a USB transfer wire (to get the music off your computer). I can’t think of another next-gen music phone in recent memory that forces you to buy more equipment before you can actually listen to your own music.
Another feature, Push To Talk, allows you to find out if someone you’re trying to contact is available before you attempt to call. Think of it as a mobile IM, with icons for available, do not disturb or so on. It seemed like a decent, if superfluous, addition. Unfortunately, this will also cost you more money to use.
Price
AT&T’s LG CU515 list price is $239.99 USD, which is well over what it is worth. On the other hand, the two-year contract commitment and a mail-in rebate, taking off $150 and $50, respectively, make the phone a $40 steal. It falls under AT&T’s standard data plan.
When considering the CU515, automatically add the cost of a USB transfer wire, headphones and, particularly, a microSD card to the bill. Check www.attwireless.com for the latest prices.
Conclusion
The LG CU515 is a fine phone with fast Internet access, versatile email and a decent camera. The problem is that the phone can’t be fully utilized until purchasing a handful of different accoutrements and services – some of which other phones provide right in the box. Despite its multimedia power, it’s best to look at the LG CU515 as a stripped-down phone – even though LG itself did the stripping.
Pros:
• Solid camera
• Fast multimedia downloads
• Versatile email
Cons:
• Stripped down phone
• Typically standard accessories cost extra
Specs
Technology GSM
Frequency GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz (Quad-Band)
UMTS/HSDPA: 850/1900 MHz
Data Transmission GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA 3.6Mbps†
Memory 55MB
Dimensions 3.78” (H) x 1.95” (W) x 0.72” (D)
Weight 3.36 oz.
Display Internal LCD: 65K Color TFT, 176 x 220 Pixels, 2.00”
External LCD: Monochrome STN, 96 x 64 Pixels, 0.98”
Standard Battery 1,000 mAh Li-Ion
Talk Time Up to 3 Hours & 30 Minutes*
*Certain features may use more power and cause actual standby and talk time to vary.
Standby Time Up to 16 Days & 16 Hours*
*Certain features may use more power and cause actual standby and talk time to vary.
o Standard Li-Ion Battery*
o AC Travel Charger*
o USB Data Cable
o Stereo Headset
o Bluetooth Headset
o Bluetooth Stereo Headset
o Bluetooth Stereo Speakers
o Portable Stereo Speakers
o Vehicle Power Charger
o Carrying Case
*Included with phone.
†AT&T Wireless service required. 3G service is not available in all areas.
o Music Player with Customizable Equalizer
o 1.3 Megapixel Camera with Video
o Video Share
o Bluetooth® Capability for Music and Voice
o Push to Talk
o CV over 3G Network
o Messaging: Mobile Email, IM, & MMS
MULTIMEDIA
o Music Player for MP3, WMA, AAC, AAC+/eAAC+
o Customizable Equalizer & Visualization
o Create & Manage Playlists
o AT&T Music – music services, communities, & apps†
o Sync Music from PC to Phone (Napster® & eMusic)
o MusicID – music recognition service†
o MobiTV & XM Radio – streaming live TV & digital radio†
o Billboard Mobile – music news, ringtone catalog†
o CV – fast, on-demand access to video clips†
o microSD™ Memory Port with 4GB Support*
o USB Mass Storage – transfer files between phone & PC*
*Transferring music to phone requires a USB cable and a microSD card (sold separately).
BLUETOOTH® (v1.2)
o Supported Profiles: headset, hands-free, dial-up networking, advanced audio distribution, object push, file transfer, audio/video remote control
o Save up to 20 Bluetooth Pairings
o Bluetooth Stereo Headset Support for Music
o Send Contacts, Calendar Events, & User-Generated Pictures via Bluetooth
CAMERA/VIDEO
o 1.3 Megapixel Camera with Video
o Camera Resolutions: 1280x960*, 640x480, 320x240, 160x120 Pixels
o Video Resolution: 176x144 Pixels
o Video Record Modes: MMS (up to 42 sec.)* & General
o Video Share – share a live or recorded§ video during a call†
o Zoom: Up to 8x**
o Customizable Shutter Tones, Brightness1, White Balance1, Color Effects1, Quality1, Multishot**, Self-Timer
o Image Editor – resize, crop, color effect, & rotate
*Default phone setting.
**Depends on image resolution. Default camera setting of 1280x960 pixels does not support zoom or multishot function.
§From a saved video share clip in H.263 format (with no sound).
1Available in camera & video modes.
PUSH TO TALK (PTT)
o Instantly Speak with 1 or up to 30 People†
o Create up to 99 PTT Contacts and 30 Groups Total†
o View Detailed Availability of PTT Contacts†
o Convert PTT Calls to Cellular Calls†
o Instant Search Option in PTT Contacts†
o PTT over Bluetooth (use Bluetooth headset for PTT calls)†
VOICE/AUDIO
o One-Touch Speakerphone
o Voice Memo Recording (MMS & General Modes)
o 10 Unique Ringtones + Vibrate & Silent Modes
o Music Ringtone Support (clips from hit songs)†
o TTY/TDD Support
o Hearing Aid Compatible (M3/T3-Rating)
MOBILE MEDIA
o Mobile Email – Yahoo!®, AOL®, AIM®, Windows Live™, AT&T Yahoo!®, & BellSouth Accounts†
o Instant Messaging – AIM®, Windows Live™, Y! Messenger®†
o MEdia™ Net – faster with 3G†
o Text/Picture/Video Messaging†
o Java™ 2.0 Support for App & Game Downloads†
TOOLS & DATA
o Multitasking – use voice & data simultaneously
o Tools: Alarm Clock, Calendar, Notepad, Calculator, Tip Calculator, World Clock, Tasks, Stop Watch, Unit Converter, Date Finder, D-Day Counter
o Address Book with 500 Contacts – each stores 5 numbers, 2 e-mail addresses, & a picture ID*
o Speed Dial (8 entries + 1 voicemail default)
o FOTA Capable – upgrade firmware over the air†
o Flight Mode (RF Off)
o Unobtrusive Internal Antenna
o USB Charging via Computer (cable sold separately)
*Dependent on photos stored in your gallery.
Technology GSM
Frequency GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz (Quad-Band)
UMTS/HSDPA: 850/1900 MHz
Data Transmission GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA 3.6Mbps†
Memory 55MB
Dimensions 3.78” (H) x 1.95” (W) x 0.72” (D)
Weight 3.36 oz.
Display Internal LCD: 65K Color TFT, 176 x 220 Pixels, 2.00”
External LCD: Monochrome STN, 96 x 64 Pixels, 0.98”
Standard Battery 1,000 mAh Li-Ion
Talk Time Up to 3 Hours & 30 Minutes*
*Certain features may use more power and cause actual standby and talk time to vary.
Standby Time Up to 16 Days & 16 Hours*
*Certain features may use more power and cause actual standby and talk time to vary.
o Standard Li-Ion Battery*
o AC Travel Charger*
o USB Data Cable
o Stereo Headset
o Bluetooth Headset
o Bluetooth Stereo Headset
o Bluetooth Stereo Speakers
o Portable Stereo Speakers
o Vehicle Power Charger
o Carrying Case
*Included with phone.
†AT&T Wireless service required. 3G service is not available in all areas.