LG Optimus F7 and F5 are cheap 4G phones for Europe
LG's introducing two new Android smart phones, that will hopefully bring 4G speed to those shopping on a budget.
LG is serving up two new Android smart phones for hungry phone fans. The LG Optimus F7 and F5 are two mid-range mobiles that pack 4G and a recent version of Android.
The F7 has a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, which bubbles away beneath the phone's 4.7-inch display, alongside 2GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. The F5 meanwhile is a little more modest, with a 4.3-inch display, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and 8GB of storage. The F7 has an 8-megapixel camera, while the F5's sensor packs a more modest 5 megapixels.
Both phones come with microSD card slots, so you can bump up their storage space if you need more room.
Both phones are running on Android 4.1.2, which is an older version of Jelly Bean than the one currently running on Nexus devices like the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10.
It's galling not to have the very latest software, but this version is still relatively recent, so should deliver plenty of Android features, including of course access to Google's Play store and the thousands of apps within.
Both phones have LTE capability, which means they'll hook onto 4G networks. While both phones are confirmed to come to Europe between April and June, LG tells me it hasn't confirmed a UK launch, so it's not clear yet whether the F Series mobiles will get 4G in Britain.
I've got my fingers crossed though -- with the recent conclusion of the 4G auction, it would be great to see some mid-range, high-speed mobiles available to shoppers. The specs of these phones are decidedly modest, so that should keep the price down.
LG's CEO is quoted as saying, "We are sending a clear message to consumers with the Optimus F Series that LTE isn't just for heavy content users and techies anymore. It's for everyone." To me that sounds like a pretty heavy hint that these phones won't cost you the Earth.
Both the F7 and F5 should be present at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, which kicks off next week. CNET will be out there in force, so check back for more mobile coverage, and let me know if either of these phones tickle your fancy in the comments or on our Facebook wall.