Big LG G Vista goes big on value (pictures)

With its 5.7-inch display, the G Vista is LG's latest foray into the phablet market. Currently, it costs $50 for AT&T and is free on Verizon with a two-year contract. If you prefer to go off-contract, the device is $355 or $400, respectively.

Though the G Vista isn't the largest phone on the market (the Nokia Lumia 1320 and 1520, for example, have 6-inch displays, and the Samsung Galaxy Mega has a 6.3-inch screen), the device is still quite big. It measures 5.99 inches tall, 3.12 inches wide and 0.36 inch thick.

The handset's 5.7-inch HD display features Corning Gorilla Glass 3, a 1,280x720-pixel resolution and 258ppi. This doesn't compare to high-end phones like the 1,440p Samsung Galaxy Note 4, but a 720p resolution is quite standard for midtier handsets in this price range.

On its top edge sit the 3.5mm headphone jack and IR blaster, which works with LG's Quick Remote app to convert the handset into a universal remote for your living room. The Micro-USB port for charging is on the bottom edge.

The G Vista is also powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor and a 3,200mAh battery. This will yield a reported talk time of up to 26 hours and a usage time of 15 hours.

For AT&T users, the carrier preloaded a healthy dosage of apps and services. Some include DriveMode, FamilyMap, and AT&T Live. As for Verizon, it preloaded its own messaging app, VZ Protect, and My Verizon Mobile.

Additional features include 1.5GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, and a paltry 8GB of internal memory. That might not bother those who plan on adding storage, but with just 8GB of space out of the box (and even less if you go by available storage), that's not much to start out with.

On the back, you’ll find the control keys and an 8-megapixel camera that’s capable of shooting 1080p full HD video. To access the 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, just swipe the screen.

Camera options are kept to a minimum and include panoramic and HDR shooting, a voice-activated shutter, a timer and grid lines.

Being a midrange handset, the G Vista won't take the best pictures or have the fastest processor. But that doesn't mean it's not a good phone for what it is. Indeed, with its reliable performance and competitive price tag, I'd recommend the Vista for anyone who's in the market for a phablet, but on a tight budget. Check out more LG phones here.