LG
KG290

The LG KG290 was a compact, entry-level slider phone released in 2007, aiming to capitalise on the major design success of LG’s "Black Label" series, specifically the KG800 Chocolate. While the Chocolate was a high-end fashion statement, the KG290 was positioned as an affordable alternative for users who wanted the trendy slider form factor and multimedia capabilities without the premium price tag. The device featured a smooth, spring-assisted sliding mechanism that revealed a standard T9 keypad. Its design was more rounded and "pebble-like" compared to the sharp lines of the Chocolate series, making it comfortable to hold and pocket. It featured a 1.77-inch TFT display with a 128 x 160-pixel resolution, which was standard for budget handsets of the era. Despite its entry-level positioning, the KG290 was surprisingly well-equipped for multimedia. It included a VGA camera (0.3 megapixels) capable of taking basic photos and recording video. More importantly for the youth market, it featured a dedicated MP3 player and an FM radio. Unlike many basic phones of the time that relied solely on the limited internal memory, the KG290 included a MicroSD card slot, allowing users to turn the handset into a functional portable music player. Connectivity was another strong suit for the KG290; it boasted Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP support, enabling the use of wireless stereo headphones, a feature often reserved for more expensive models in 2007. It also featured a WAP 2.0 browser and GPRS for basic mobile internet access.