- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How it compares
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
LG Esteem
- Android 2.3 Gingerbread
- 4G
- 4.3"
- 1 GHz
Released September, 2011
Rated 70% by by c|net (Oct, 2011)Beaming up at you is a 4.3-inch WVGA touch screen (480x800-pixel resolution) with a Corning Gorilla Glass topper and support for 262,000 colors.
Conclusion Check out the LG Esteem
First reviewed December, 2011
Features Key features of the LG Esteem
1 GHz
Android 2.3 Gingerbread 4G
Rated 70% by by c|net (Oct, 2011)Photos are crisp and colorful, with good color fidelity, auto-focus, and a well-calibrated flash that correctly didn't engage when taking well-lit indoor shots.
screen size
4.3"
3.2"
3.2"
screen resolution
Esteem by c|net (Oct, 2011)Photos were overall crisp, clear, and colorful, and the Esteem makes editing after-the-fact as simple as tapping some on-screen controls.
camera resolution
| 0 MP | 8.7 MP   | 9 MP |
Esteem by c|net (Oct, 2011)The 1.3-megapixel shooter's reproductions were much less grainy (and much more flattering) than many other front-facing cameras, even those with 2 megapixels.
Esteem by c|net (Oct, 2011)At 5 megapixels for the rear-facing camera, the Esteems' shooter may not capture the highest number of megapixels on the market, but it doesn't need to.
Performance Real world tests of LG Esteem
browser benchmark
Esteem by c|net (Oct, 2011)MetroPCS has also added its regular complement of apps, including a browser, a navigator, a backup app, an online storefront for purchasing more ringtones and music, a 411 service, and a Wi-Fi sniffer.
download speed
Esteem by c|net (Oct, 2011)However, the 4G data speeds are much faster than the 2.5G data network (1x RTT) that MetroPCS has deployed as its 4G fallback, and which also serves as its standard data network.
talk time
210 min
810 min
700 min
Esteem by c|net (Oct, 2011)In real-time, the battery drained quickly and we often found the phone turned off when we fished it out from our bag.
Our analysis How does it stack up against its top 10 competitors
pros
-
3.5 mm -
Android Market (Android) -
Capacitive -
5 MP -
Many games and videos on the Internet require Adobe Flash -
Supports the fastest, most reliable networks -
HDMI -
4.3"
cons
-
Can't share your phone's data plan with other devices -
172 g -
67 x 128 x 13 mm -
Can't listen to local radio stations -
1280 x 720 @ Unknown -
210 min -
Single core -
Android 2.3 Gingerbread -
Some newer payment by phone methods require NFC -
70% -
-
13 mm -
Cannot detect when the tablet is rotated -
Sep, 2011
Reviews Word on the street
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|---|---|
Carrier
LG Esteem | Rated 70% by by c|net (Oct, 2011)If you're a MetroPCS subscriber in a 4G market like San Francisco, the speeds are indeed noticeably faster.
LG Esteem | Rated 70% by by c|net (Oct, 2011)MetroPCS may technically have an LTE network, but it's never been known to move as quickly as Verizon's LTE, for instance, or even as fast as T-Mobile or AT&T's HSPA.
LG Esteem | Rated 70% by by c|net (Oct, 2011)In addition, MetroPCS will offer a 90-day free subscription to Rhapsody.
Camera
LG Esteem | Rated 70% by by c|net (Oct, 2011)LG's interface is also intuitive and easy to use, with well-considered submenus and a handy shortcut to get to the photo gallery without leaving the camera app entirely.
LG Esteem | Rated 70% by by c|net (Oct, 2011)Instead, it joins other 5-megapixel cameras (like those of the Samsung Focus and iPhone 4) to show that competent software trumps numbers alone.
LG Esteem | Rated 70% by by c|net (Oct, 2011)The Esteem has not one, but two cameras, plus 720p HD video capture, auto-focus, and a flash on its 5-megapixel rear-facing camera.
Network technology
LG Esteem | Rated 70% by by c|net (Oct, 2011)MetroPCS will forever hold the distinction of being the first to offer the U.S. an LTE market and phone 11 months ago, but it's also been the slowest in developing a 4G portfolio.
LG Esteem | Rated 70% by by c|net (Oct, 2011)If the Samsung Galaxy Indulge was a step in the right direction for MetroPCS' 4G lineup, the LG Esteem is a leap.
LG Esteem | Rated 70% by by c|net (Oct, 2011)The LG Esteem represents the carrier's second LTE smartphone since MetroPCS first launched the Samsung Galaxy Indulge.
Keyboard
LG Esteem | Rated 70% by by c|net (Oct, 2011)There's no keyboard here, but the upside is that the phone is sturdy-strong and likely to take a little abuse before cracking (not that we'd recommend it, mind you).
LG Esteem | Rated 70% by by c|net (Oct, 2011)It's a hefty 6-ouncer, which we usually see when a phone is brimming with metal accents and a thick keyboard.
LG Esteem | Rated 70% by by c|net (Oct, 2011)Sure, it's a single-core Android device, it's bulky, and there's no HD video capture, but it does have Android 2.3 Gingerbread, an impressive set of front-and-rear-facing cameras, and pretty good call quality.
Video
LG Esteem | Rated 70% by by c|net (Oct, 2011)Overall, playback was pretty smooth from the 720p HD-capable 5-megapixel lens.
LG Esteem | Rated 70% by by c|net (Oct, 2011)The 5-megapixel camera lens is on the back, along with a flash (it does 720p HD video capture, too).
LG Esteem | Rated 70% by by c|net (Oct, 2011)Video capture and playback were also good with both front- and rear-facing cameras.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Samsung Galaxy S III Most built-in storage Samsung Galaxy S III vs LG Esteem |
 | 2 | Nokia Lumia 920 Rated the best by consumers Nokia Lumia 920 vs LG Esteem |
 | 3 | Samsung Galaxy Note Lots of battery capacity Samsung Galaxy Note vs LG Esteem |
 | 4 | ZTE Warp Sequent 6-way tie: Has a removable battery ZTE Warp Sequent vs LG Esteem |
 | 5 | Kyocera Hydro Is waterproof Kyocera Hydro vs LG Esteem |
 | 6 | LG Optimus S Least latency on actual networks Optimus S vs Esteem |
 | 7 | LG Optimus M 6-way tie: Has a removable battery Optimus M vs Esteem |
 | 8 | LG Connect 4G Smallest Connect 4G vs Esteem |
New duel?
Let the battle continue or dare to compare.
