LG's current handset line-up is all about the Secret, also known as the KF750. But for those who may not be too keen on shelling out 900 clams for that phone, there is a budget model waiting in the wings: the KF510.
Design
Like the Secret, the KF510 is a slider phone coated with tempered glass, which gives it a solid feel in your hand. But we've said it before and we'll say it again: glossy, glass-covered surfaces equal icky, fingerprinted, face grease-infested phones. This is definitely the case with the KF510, so carry a wipe cloth if you don't want to gross yourself — and others — out.
Those who care not for the ancient art of manual-reading may struggle to locate the power button on the KF510. It is a slider switch located on the right side of the KF510 and looks closer to an MP3 player's hold switch than your garden variety on/off key. Beneath the slider is a dedicated camera button, which also functions as a wake-up key for when the display lapses into idleness. There's a microSD slot, but it's a stealthy little thing. After several minutes of ape-like fumbling, we finally located it lurking on the back of the internal section — the bit that's only visible when the phone has been slid open.
Slide the KF510 open and you'll get a face full of large, matte number keys. The sliding mechanism itself is sturdy enough to inspire confidence &mdash rather than simply dividing into a top and bottom section, the phone uses an internal slider for more stability. This allows a 3-megapixel camera to set up shop beneath the sliding mechanism, just like the camera we saw in Sony Ericsson's C902.
The big point of difference with the KF510 is its disco-style navigation. All non-numeric buttons are hidden until the phone is awakened from standby mode, when they light up and follow the movements of your finger. Press any part of the touchpad and the illuminated dots form an animated arrow draws attention to the relevant section. You can also scroll through lists by dragging your finger down the surface. The buttons offer haptic feedback, which means you'll feel a little buzz when you press them. There are three levels to choose from, depending on how much you want your fingers to tingle.
Features
The KF510's specs list doesn't reveal anything new or exciting, but for a sub-AU$300 phone it doesn't do too badly. Stalwarts such as Bluetooth, an FM radio and a speakerphone join a world clock, MP3 player and organiser to get your daily essentials sorted.
The 16MB of internal memory won't do you much good if you plan to store songs and photos, so you'll need to invest in a microSD card to bump up the space to a gigabyte or so.
Performance
Why are mobile manufacturers so mad for touch-sensitive buttons? Granted, they often look snazzy, but almost every touch-activated phone we've tested has had a black mark recorded against it due to accidental key presses and delayed response times. This tradition is continued with the KF510 — although the adjustable haptics are a help, the vibrations don't affect the laggy response time. Forget speeding through a text message with this phone, as editing a misspelt word using the touch keys is a patience-testing affair.
Whle images captured with the 3-megapixel camera couldn't quite match the sharp lines and vibrant colours you'll get with the Secret's 5-megapixel lens, photos don't look bad if you're in a well-lit area. We did notice some artefacting in our images when viewed at full resolution on a monitor, but pics look fine on the KF510's 240x320-pixel display.
Overall
The KF510 doesn't give the Secret a run for its money — and at a third of the price, it would be unfair to expect a similar standard — but it does incorporate some of the pricier handsets' more endearing features and looks. The phone's point of uniqueness, though, is also its greatest weakness. While the interactive lighting effects give you something to talk about with curious admirers, they'll likely drive you batty when you're texting.
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