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5.7-inch LG G Vista joins Verizon family for $99 on-contract

The budget "phablet" comes with an 8-megapixel camera, a 1.2GHz quad-core chipset, and LG's signature rear controls.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
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LG's 5.7-inch G Vista is like a toned-down G3 for Verizon. Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

LG's 5.7-inch G Vista is like a toned-down G3 for Verizon.

If LG's G3 is too much phone for too much dough, Verizon's new LG G Vista could be the perfect antidote.

The larger-than-life LTE "phablet" features a 5.7-inch display (1,280x720 resolution) with a minimum bezel, and LG's now-standard rear controls. A 8-megapixel camera and 1.3-megapixel front-facing lens handle photos, and a 1.2GHz quad-core processor (and 1.5GB RAM) steers performance from within.

You'll also find 1080p HD video recording, a removable 3,200mAh battery to feed the power-hungry screen, NFC, and Bluetooth 4.0. There are 8GB of internal storage and microSD support for up to 64GB more.

Android 4.4.2 KitKat joins LG's own interface to instill LG's consistent look and feel, including LG apps and the Knock Code technique for unlocking the device.

So far, the price seems to match the specs at $99 with a new, two-year service agreement, or $20 per month for 20 months using Verizon's Edge payment plan. That works out to $400 when all is said and done, which is significantly less than the much more specs-heavy G3.

Stay tuned! We'll be back with a full review as soon as our unit comes in.