LG KF510 review: Shinier than Shine

It is quite obvious that sleek looks and youthful appeal are very high on the LG list of priorities recently. Just as we gave you the flamboyant LG KF600, LG KF510 makes us wonder how much sweeter Chocolate can get. Undoubtedly of the same bloodline, the two handsets take a different approach to full touch navigation with InteractPad and Touch Lighting. The rest of the ammo is basically the same. The really sleek metallic finish and bigger 2.2" display (no InteractPad to shrink the screen) are the LG KF510 major assets. The ultra slim slider has the looks and handling to get us exited, so let's get rolling.

LG KF510 official photos

Key features:

• Great design and slim body
• Touchpad navigation
• 2.2" 262K-color TFT display of QVGA resolution
• 3 megapixel camera with autofocus
• microSD card slot with hot-swap
• USB v2.0 and Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP
• FM radio
• Good web browser

Main disadvantages:

• No 3G support
• Tri-band only
• Poor file management
• Video recording maxes out at QVGA resolution
• Inadequate display legibility in direct sunlight

Touchpad navigation just for the sake of having it runs a serious risk of failure. LG sure did know that and they seem to have a good enough background to step on. Plus, the steady improvements of user interface are a more than welcome effort. Nice and easy handling is notably gaining momentum with LG devices and the KF510 is surely another small step forward.

LG KF510

Once again we reminisce of the Samsung E950 and comparison is not in its favor. Of course, it offers a touch-sensitive mini display, along the lines of the InteractPad, but is still a good enough reference point. The smallish navigation display of the Samsung is not capable of offering much more options than the touchpad of LG KF510. In addition, the KF510 touchpad has some interesting animations and interactions with the interface, which partially make up for the lack of a full color navigation display. It's fair to say that in terms of navigation, LG KF510 comes within reach of Samsung U900 Soul. And that's a downright compliment. The Soul is a high ball with HSDPA and a 5 megapixel shooter.

LG KF600 should also be considered here as a touch-based navigation peer. Save for the InteractPad, which is much more "interactive" than the touchpad, all the rest of their specs are very similar (if not the same). Both handsets seem to cater to a similar audience.

LG KF510 in its full shine

Now, one last thing before we're finished with the intro. The LG KF510 unit we got to review was still a beta version and, although major changes are unlikely so close to release, some tweaks might be expected in the retail version. We will be back after the jump.