In the early 2000s, before the era of smartphones, the release of the LG L5100 in 2004 was a big deal in the mobile phone industry. With its sleek design and advanced features, it quickly became a top choice for mobile users. Let's take a closer look at this popular device from LG.
The Beginning of L-Series
The L5100 was the first model in LG's iconic L-series line of phones. It was a feature phone rather than a smartphone, meaning it did not have an operating system like today's iPhones or Android devices. However, it offered much more functionality than regular cell phones at that time.
Design and Dimensions
The L5100 had a weight of 120g and was only 26mm thick, making it a compact and portable device. The body dimensions were 98 x 48 x 26 mm, and it had a mini-SIM card slot. One of the unique features of this phone was its 180-degree opening position, allowing users to easily access both the internal and external screens.
Network and Launch
The L5100 was released in Q3 of 2004 and used GSM technology for network connectivity. It supported 2G bands for GSM 900 and 1800 frequencies and had Class 10 GPRS. Unfortunately, it did not have EDGE capabilities.
Sophisticated Display
The device boasted a TFT screen with 256K colors and a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels. Additionally, it had a second external TFT display with 65K colors and a resolution of 96 x 96 pixels. This feature allowed users to view notifications, time, and battery status without opening the phone. It also offered downloadable wallpapers for users to customize their display.
Memory and Camera
The L5100 had 27MB of internal storage but did not support external memory cards. Its phonebook could store up to 255 entries, and it kept a record of 10 received and missed calls. It was also equipped with a 1.3-megapixel camera and could capture videos in QCIF quality. However, it did not have a front-facing camera.
Simple Sound and Communications
The LG L5100 did not have a loudspeaker, but it had vibration and downloadable polyphonic ringtones for alerts. It did not have a 3.5mm audio jack for headphones. For communication, it did not offer Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity, making it challenging to transfer files and connect to other devices. However, it had an infrared port and a proprietary USB port.
Impressive Features
The feature phone came with some exciting features for its time, such as predictive text input, SMS, MMS, and email messaging functions. It also had built-in games for entertainment. The L5100 supported multiple languages, including German, English, Netherlands, and Czech. It also had Java capabilities for use with apps.
Battery Life and Colors
The L5100 had a removable Li-Ion battery that provided a standby time of up to 200 hours and a talk time of up to 2.5 hours. It came in a stylish blue silver color, appealing to its target audience of young professionals and fashion-conscious individuals.
The End of an Era
The LG L5100 was discontinued after its release in 2004. However, its success paved the way for future L-series models, which proved to be popular among LG users. The L5100 may not compare to the smartphones we have today, but it was a revolutionary feature phone that changed the game for mobile devices.
In conclusion, the LG L5100 was an iconic device with advanced features for its time, making it a must-have mobile phone. It's a testament to how technology has evolved over the years, and we can only imagine what other groundbreaking devices LG has in store for us in the future.
LG L5100 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800
GPRS
Class 10
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2004, Q3
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
98 x 48 x 26 mm (3.86 x 1.89 x 1.02 in)
Weight
120 g (4.23 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
TFT, 256K colors
Size
Resolution
176 x 220 pixels
Other
Second external TFT 65K colors display, 96 x 96 pixels
180 deg opening position
Downloadable wallpapers