I haven’t seen LG managing to create any hype around the mobile handset market. Elsewhere in the world things may be different, but in our country LG seems to be synonymous with TVs, refrigerators and microwaves. So after the failure of LG Chocolate, which wasn’t such a great product to begin with, I thought with the Shine the company is trying to make a desperate scramble. But I was wrong!
The LG KE970 Shine is different. Let’s start with the form factor. It’s enlivening to see something so crisp and fresh – you can even see a bit of yourself in the phone (literally). In other words, there's a mirrored screen, and a brushed metal body. The mirror effect works so well that you might end up reflecting too much glare when you're out in the sun. This said, it’s not entirely impossible to see the screen.
The Shine earns some extra points over the erstwhile Chocolate thanks to a new scroll wheel. It’s smooth, easy to use and greatly facilitates navigation. In a way it’s also a little wild when you press it to select something. But nothing you can’t deal with I’m sure!
On either side of the scroll is the two-way navigation key that's a pain to use since it's attached to the wheel and is TINY! You will end up hitting the wheel involuntarily. The OK and Cancel buttons can be found on the main panel on either side of the wheel.
If you notice, the quintessential ridge is absent to slide the phone open. The wheel is useless in this regard, since it’s a wheel and will roll every time you try to lodge your thumb-tip below it. I would cut points here!
The keypad is quite comfortable and responsive to use. I like the space each gets – I don't have to worry about hitting the wrong key. All the shortcut buttons, volume keys and the USB, charging slot are on the right.
The back panel houses the camera, flash and the self-portrait mirror, which is fine except that I would rather have it on the part that slides in, so that it stays protected from fingerprints and dust. The SIM card slot is under the battery cover, and don’t require you to shut the phone and take the battery out.
Oh...wow..
