Design
Like Samsung's Z500, the first impression of this phone is its
agreeable size, shape and weight. At 98mm by 49mm, and with a
thickness of just 18.2mm, the U880 fits nicely into the palm of your
hand or your pocket, is quite light, and the clamshell design unfolds
to sit comfortably to your ear.
We found the phone to be quite small for a 3G model, while still maintaining a good screen size of 176 x 220 pixels.
Our only complaint here is that when the clamshell is unfolded the U880 can feel a little too long at around 175mm. This is only slightly smaller than Nokia's N90 which is a brick and one of the longest phones on the market.
Five colours to choose from (silver, pink, black, gold and white) mean you'll be able to find one that suits. We reviewed the black model which felt pretty stylish.
On the outside of the phone you'll find a second 96 x 96 pixel colour screen which displays basic facts such as the time, battery status and reception.
The external front of the phone features buttons for controlling music as well as volume, and a button to switch on the phone's camera.
Once you flip open the U880 you're confronted with no less than 14 navigational buttons in addition to the numeric keypad. This is a common problem of phone design, and it will take you a little time to work out what the function of each button is.
The internal buttons are slightly small if you have medium or large fingers.
One of the buttons situated down near the numeric pad is entirely devoted to video calling which we found confusing given most 3G phones make it a software option when you hit the generic "call" button.
The phone's camera sits in the middle of the clamshell hinge and can rotate to face toward or away from the user. While this is a useful feature it made the camera feel relatively fragile.
In contrast, the hinge itself felt solid and doesn't "click" when you open it, leading us to believe it would be quite durable.
It's a little hard to expose the external headphone port without fingernails.
Features
Most of the U880's features can be found on just about any 3G phone you
buy these days, with a few exceptions.
For starters the phone has external buttons to control its in-built MP3 player. While the buttons are useful, the phone's relatively limited 70MB of internal memory mean you'll either be listening to the same songs over and over again or refreshing them frequently.
The U880 can play video in a widescreen format, and includes speakerphone functionality as well as dual external stereo speakers. The phone comes with earbuds, but you can't plug in your own as the connection is proprietary.
You can add TransFlash (micro SD) memory cards to the U880, and it can play MP3, MPEG4 and AAC media formats.
The U880's camera has the now-standard 1.3-megapixel rating, and you'll be able to send multimedia and video messages as well as e-mail if you get tired of sending normal text messages.
Performance
There are two main problems with the U880: its features are already
outdated and the user interface is clunky.
The phone's 1.3-megapixel camera took mediocre shots generally, and 2-megapixel camera phones are now widely available, offering very good quality.
We experienced a little sound delay while video calling, but in contrast video streamed from 3's content network was pretty clear.
Our first couple of attempts at sending a text message failed, although receiving was intuitive. The function of some of the buttons also changes depending what phone function you're using.
We found it quite easy to transfer files to a PC via the phone's in-built Bluetooth connection, but a little more complicated to use the USB port. The PC software that comes with the U880 was also a little tough to get working optimally.
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Arder
26/05/2008, 04:12 PM
rating
6/10
I used this phone for a brief period during my childhood at Ted's house. Ted was imaginary friend who used to call me on his U360, and we would play flip wars in afternoon after jazz and modern tap were superseded by hip-hop and the house detached from its foundations and floated approximately 30 meters above ground, making it dangerous to try and leave.
I won flip wars 17 times on a U880. A custom belt holder was fashioned out of a styrofoam cup and a neck tie, which allowed me to be the fasted flip in west for the same week that Ted became real and beat me severally with a garden rake.
We never spoke again after that and I upgraded to a TeleRake.
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lg m4410
15/05/2008, 08:34 PM
rating
3/10
One of the bad mobile in the world. All features in this mobile are bad enough. Camera result is so poor. I bought this mobile last year and use only 3 months and than trash it. :)
Pros: Nothing special in this mobile except its casing.
Cons: All features are in cons.
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LGSux
25/03/2008, 10:52 PM
rating
2/10
DO NOT BOTHER WITH THIS PHONE.
I have had countless problems with this phone: battery life being the biggest. I had to get a refurbished phone because the phone split open (happened to the second one aswell) 4 other people i know with this phone had the same problems yet 3 denied there were errors with this phone.
Pros: none.
Cons: A lot. Even though its slated as an MP# player phone, organising playlists and such is a pain. Cover splits open (happened to me twice and to other people i know)
Battery Life is non existant... prepare to have a charger close by (Car chager not included when sold)
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mnementh
11/01/2008, 01:20 AM
rating
9/10
i have had this fone for about 2 yrs and i think its great. never once faulted. after i dropped it one side of the lid broke but it kept going for about a year till i dropped it again and the lid came off. Kaput!
Pros: plenty of memory
average pics (it is only a 1.3mp)
easy use interface
no lag
plenty of mp3 storage
Cons: no speaker fone when on a call
no flash or torch
batttery life doesnt last long.had to replace it after about 18m
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annette lambeff
18/12/2007, 12:15 PM
rating
2/10
I bought one of these 15 months ago. Despite the fact I only ever use it to get work, the battery declined really suddenly after a year. The chap in my local 3 Shop has given me 2 free replacement batteries which are just as depleted as the old one. I am locked into a 24 month contract, but my phone is now apparently useless after about 18 months. I'll be going to a new provider and getting a different phone straight after Christmas.
Cons: Can't get a decent replacement battery.
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Onion
04/12/2007, 11:16 PM
rating
2/10
This phone, combined with the lousy 3 network and customer service, is a complete disaster.
I put my phone in to be fixed and was left without one for over a month. Even after getting it back it still doesn't work properly.
Both 3 and LG deny that there is a problem with the phone, despite that fact that they give out crappy replacement batteries in the shops.
I am looking for a different phone and a different provider.
Pros: Small
Light
Cons: Battery Life (or in this case Battery Death)
Poor reception
Zero support from either LG or 3
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not happy
05/11/2007, 06:51 PM
rating
3/10
Battery does not last. These days I can make one and a half short phone calls before it dies. The camera takes very ordinary shots and needs a flash. The phone tends to jump onto Planet 3 by itself. All in all very mediocre. 3 is also a bad network, especially if you have a faulty phone. They will not replace with a new phone, only a refurbished one. The staff in the stores are very friendly, however the call centre people are mostly rude. Can't wait for my contract to end.
Pros: Colour
Cons: Battery
Camera and lack of flash
3 as a network
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milan
30/10/2007, 02:27 AM
rating
10/10
the phone is fantastic.i like it!!
Pros: everzthing
Cons: apsolutley nothing!
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stephanie =]
15/10/2007, 08:12 PM
rating
10/10
wow this phone is awesomee =] my sister has had her's for ages and i really think it is pretty. im kinda like a girly girl and i really wanted a new phone but i wanted a camera that turns. and i said to my self yep this one is great iLOVEit
Pros: the camera
the colour
Cons: NOTHING
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nat
21/09/2007, 12:54 PM
rating
10/10
i have wanted thiis fone for like forever!!! i wanted the gold cavalli one or a silver my friend has it and says it's great :] any one wants to sell me one cheap e mail me on cheekee.monkee@hotmail.com
Pros: its a rally good loooking phone and i want it!
Cons: i don't have it and it seems preety expensive
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