The LG MG295: A Feature Phone Classic
The year was 2008, and LG released their latest feature phone, the MG295. While smartphones were starting to take over the mobile market, this simple yet reliable device still managed to make its mark.
Design and Network
The LG MG295 had a very sleek and compact design, weighing only 80g and measuring 19.4mm in thickness. It was easy to hold and fit comfortably in your pocket. It had a mini-SIM slot, common for phones back then, and supported the GSM network with 2G bands of 850 / 1800 / 1900. However, it did not have GPRS or EDGE capabilities. The device was announced in January 2008 and was soon released after, but it has since been discontinued.
Display and Memory
The LG MG295 featured a 1.76 inch TFT display with 256K colors. It had a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels and also included a second external display with a 65K CSTN screen. Additionally, it had a microSD slot for expandable storage up to 512 MB and could store up to 1000 phonebook entries. It also kept a record of the last 20 dialed, received, and missed calls.
Camera and Sound
For a feature phone, the LG MG295 had decent camera capabilities. It had a single 1.3 MP rear camera and could even capture videos. However, it did not have a selfie camera. The device also had a built-in loudspeaker and various alert tones, including vibration and downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones. Unfortunately, it did not have a 3.5mm jack for headphones.
Features and Battery
One of the main features that sets the LG MG295 apart from other feature phones of its time is the ability to play MP3 files. It also had basic features such as a predictive text input, organizer, and voice memo. The device did not have any sensors, but it did have messaging capabilities through SMS, EMS, MMS, and Email. It also had a WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML browser and built-in games. The device ran on Java's MIDP 2.0 platform.
The LG MG295 was powered by a removable Li-Ion 830 mAh battery, which could last up to several days with regular use. It came in one color option: black, and had a price tag of around 70 EUR.
In Conclusion
The LG MG295 may not have been a groundbreaking device, but it definitely served its purpose as a reliable and straightforward feature phone. It may be considered outdated now due to advancements in technology, but for its time, it was a popular choice for those who wanted a simple yet functional mobile device.
