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Two new Android options are available at Verizon Wireless this morning if you’re in the market for these particular types of smartphones. The first is the LG G Vista, a 5.7-inch phablet that’ll go easy on light pockets. It costs $100 on a two-year contract or $20 per month on Verizon Edge, and for that you’re getting pretty respectable specs. Here’s how it lays out on paper:
- 5.7-inch 960 x 540 display
- 1.2GHz quad-core processor
- 1.5GB of RAM
- 8GB of internal storage w/ microSD
- 8 megapixel rear camera w/ 1.3 megapixel front camera
- NFC, WiFi N, Bluetooth 4.0
- 3,200mAh battery
- Android 4.4.2 KitKat
- 5.93 oz, 5.99(H) x 3.12(W) x 0.36(D) inches
QSlide 2.0, KnockCode, Dual Window, Quick Memo, Mini View and more are all present as part of LG’s standard user experience (which is the best kit of software they’ve put together to date).
Shifting over to Kyocera’s camp, the newly-revealed Brigadier $100 two-year contract or $20 per month on Edge pricing structure, but this smartphone is intended for a much different crowd of folks. The Kyocera Brigadier is a rugged phone that can hold its own up against pretty much anything you can throw its way. Kyocera’s expertise in creating rugged phones shines through the most on this device with the inclusion of their Sapphire Shield display, a material that’s supposed to be pretty much impossible to break.
The chassis of the phone is bulky, but what other way to protect it from any drop, splash and smash you can think of? Its Mil-Spec 810G rating (protection against dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes, blowing rain, low pressure, solar radiation, salt fog, humidity and water immersion) and IP68 certification means you won’t find many devices that can take as similar of a beating at this same price point.
It should also prove to be pretty solid in the performance department with the following internals:
- 4.5-inch HD display
- 1.4GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400
- 2GB of RAM
- 16GB of internal storage w/ microSD card slot
- 8 megapixel rear camera w/ 2.0 megapixel front camera
- 3,100mAh battery (non removable)
- Dual-band WiFi ac, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC
- Android 4.4 KitKat
- 6.6 oz,
- 5.37 (H) x 2.69 (W) x 0.52 (D) inches
Nothing special going on with the software here aside from some light customization and themeing on Kyocera’s part (which shouldn’t be too much trouble to workaround if you don’t fancy their changes).
And there you have it — two solid smartphones that won’t change the landscape of the smartphone market, but should prove to be the right fit for many-a people out there. You can order the LG G Vista right here, and the Kyocera Brigadier right here if you’re interested.
Start your Doctor Who references/jokes here:
The LG is a very nice looking phone minus the big stupid verizon logo
And horrible resolution…
Verizon made a mistake on resolution on their website
I don’t think either of these are worth the time of someone on Verizon, Lg because of horrible resolution on a huge screen(even worse than am iPhone, surprisingly) and Kyocera because of track record. Please consider the non 4g moto g for an affordable option to tide you over until something better comes along.
They are mid-range phones. They aren’t designed to have the highest specs.
Breaking news: Not everyone is a spec whore.
Nor am I, that’s why I suggested a better option at $60 off contract. I’m talking quality for your buck.
The Moto G will not be suitable for folks who need rugged phones or prefer larger screens.
Yes, the Moto G is a good bang for your buck phone, but still doesn’t meet everyone’s needs. On top of that, the Moto G is only available on Verizon as a 3G PrePaid only phone. If you haven’t noticed, Verizon’s 3G network isn’t the best.
I’ve never used Verizon myself, but I do know that the moto g can be activated on a postpaid plan, not just prepaid, and Verizon’s 3g(really 2.9g) is not the best? Speed is not necessarily everything for a network. I could definitely live with 1Mbps everywhere on a mobile, though I will not be giving up my 20+ Mbps unlimited on T-Mobile anytime soon. Either way, your initial point of “not everyone is a spec whore” has been broken by your follow up comment;-)
My initial point was not broke. You falsely assume it was. Nice try though.
I meant by the fact that your suggesting the need for an LTE phone over an amazing 3g phone, and the fact that I was “spec whore”, buddy. I’m just trying to suggest a money saving option for those who choose big red.
Again, because the Moto G is a prepaid phone, it won’t work for everyone. Yes, there “may” be a way to activate it on Verizon postpaid, but how many people are actually going to try & activate it on postpaid to begin with? I’m willing to bet not many people will.
But, yes, in order for you to achieve the best network performance on Verizon, you do need an LTE phone. Their 3G network is horrible and if you see 1Mbps down, you’re one of the lucky few. I ran a 3G speed test on my GS5 a few weeks ago and seen 0.2Mbps down and 0.3Mbps up. Mind you, this was in a populated area where 4G coverage is abound. My phone was on 3G at the time because I went from being in a building to going outside and it didn’t kick onto 4G right away.
I’m sorry Verizon 3g in your area seems super congested, but the process is very simple to activate the moto g on any postpaid line, but you seem to have ruled out hearing someone out on the prospect of them being right about something on a matter you disagree on….. Either way, the option should be very clear for anyone with Verizon and wanting to save a ton: $60 or $580…
Please show me where I “ruled out hearing someone out on the prospect of them being right about something on a matter you disagree on.”
I’m curious to know where I’ve ruled someone out on anything.
Horrible resolution only means better battery life. Some people don’t want the 2K like the one on the G3. Why do you think the G Flex had such awesome battery life?
I can agree with that, but I’m saying a 720p is what is needed, at least, on such a huge phone, also why I suggested the moto g. I personally could have had something between a 720p and 1080p on my N5, and if the moto g had launched 4 weeks earlier, I would have gotten that.
BTW, 4k is absolutely ridiculous on such a small screen. I don’t know what people are thinking…
4K on a small screen? I think you’re meaning the LG G3 and it’s 2K display
cool, all i have to do to get this mediocre phone for $100 is pay up my rear end and around the corner for verizon service for 2 years.
outside of that, they want $500 for this slab. can you say rip-off?
Worth it to pay the extra $100 for the G3
Seriously, WTC.
Are you sure the LG G Vista doesn’t have a HD, 1280 x 720 display? I think Verizon has a mistake on their site.
EDIT: Verizon has updated their site 1280 x 720, the display specs are incorrect in your article.
They were correct as of the time of this writing ;) But thanks for the heads up. Updating.
This is what they release with Sapphire? Lame.