Version: 2008
  • On The Insider: Britney's Bikini-Clad Top 10
advertisementCreate a FREE, no hassle website now
advertisement

LG 1200 - blue (Sprint)
Reviewed by
Roger Hibbert
on 04/07/2003
front back sides
front back sides

See all LG Electronics products

Add to my list Product summary

The good: Compact; external display; easy menu navigation.

The bad: Dim backlight for buttons; no analog roaming; no wireless Web access.

The bottom line: The no-frills LG 1200 may be short on features, but it's good at what it does.

Read full review
Check coverage in your area

CNET editors' review

  • Reviewed by:
    Roger Hibbert
  • Reviewed on: 04/07/2003
  • Updated on: 04/09/2003
  • Released on: 03/01/2003
If simplicity is an ideal, the LG 1200 is an idealist. This inexpensive step-up model to the TP1010 lacks the latest features--and even some older ones--but it's still a solid starter phone with its easily navigable menu system, strong signal, and loud, clear call quality.

Pretty pocketable: The LG is small, but it's not the smallest of cells.
The LG 1200 is an attractive flip phone that bears a striking resemblance to the earlier LG TP1010, and it comes in either blue or silver. It's actually slightly larger than its predecessor at 3.4 by 1.9 by 0.9 inches and 3.2 ounces, but it still fits easily in just about any shirt or pants pocket. However, it's not very scratch resistant; our phone quickly picked up a couple of battle scars after spending some time with a set of keys in a pocket.

The phone offers a decent, seven-line display with an extra line for icons. The menu system is always present, offering quick access to call history, the phone book, messages, and voicemail submenus. Perhaps because it's so simple, the menu system is easily navigable via the four-way rocker key. We also liked the one-line external display that shows info on battery level, signal strength, and caller ID (as available) when the phone is closed.

The rubberized number keys and function buttons are well spaced and easy to hit with a thumb or an index finger. However, they're somewhat slick and don't offer much traction. One gripe: Though the handset's greenish backlight illuminates the display adequately, it's too dim to light outer keys, making dialing difficult in low-light environments.

Menu, please: You won't get lost in the LG's simple menu system.
As noted, the 1200's feature set is pretty limited; extras such as "high speed" wireless Web access and the ability to download ring tones and games to the phone are absent. That said, all standard phone features are onboard, including a 199-name phone book, a calculator, a calendar and event planner, three screensavers and power on/off images, and 13 ring tones, as well as a vibrate mode. You'll also find a couple of built-in games: Black Jack 2 for the compulsive gambler and Mobile Hawk, a helicopter game for warmonger types. Advanced features such as voice dialing, call forwarding, and access to Voice Web for limited info such as news and sports scores are available through Sprint PCS for an extra fee.

This is a single-band mobile, which means it works on only Sprint's PCS network and won't roam to analog networks out in the boonies. It should be noted, however, that Sprint's "roaming partners" effectively extend the range of its network, so the lack of analog roaming isn't a major downside, especially if you're concerned about having to pay high roaming fees.

The 1200 uses a good, old-fashioned charger, rather than LG's irritating desktop-base charger.
Like the TP1010 before it, the 1200 is a single-mode phone (CDMA 1900) that works on Sprint's 1xRTT voice networks but not its high-speed data network. Overall coverage was good in our tests in San Francisco, and driving up to Lake Tahoe, we didn't encounter any gap in coverage. Reception on both ends was clear--and loud. The phone's small earpiece speaker has a big sound that's likely to make your head ring if you hold it too close. We're not complaining; too loud is better than not loud enough.

Though the 1200 doesn't boast stellar battery life, it's adequate. Testing yielded 2 hours, 37 minutes of talk time--7 minutes more than LG's estimate. And the phone also lived up to its rated six days of standby time with a few hours to spare.

Most helpful user reviews

Submit your review

Log in or create an account to submit your review for:

LG 1200 - blue (Sprint)

 ORLog in with your Facebook account
1. Rate this product:
(Mouse over the stars to rate this product and click to set your rating.)
2. One-line summary:(Summarize your review in one line. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 55 characters
3. Pros:(Tell us what you like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
4. Cons:(Tell us what you don't like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
Bottom-line summary:(Explain to us in detail why you like or dislike the product, focusing your comments on the product's features and functionality, and your experience using the product. This field is optional.)
0 of 5000 characters

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks are prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit

Compare prices for LG 1200 - blue

This product is currently not in stock at any of our online merchants.

Email me when this product is available

advertisement

Recent user reviews

Submit your review

Log in or create an account to submit your review for:

LG 1200 - blue (Sprint)

 ORLog in with your Facebook account
1. Rate this product:
(Mouse over the stars to rate this product and click to set your rating.)
2. One-line summary:(Summarize your review in one line. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 55 characters
3. Pros:(Tell us what you like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
4. Cons:(Tell us what you don't like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
Bottom-line summary:(Explain to us in detail why you like or dislike the product, focusing your comments on the product's features and functionality, and your experience using the product. This field is optional.)
0 of 5000 characters

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks are prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit

Special sponsor stores

advertisement
advertisement

Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest

  • alaTest.com

    Editors' rating: 71

    Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 84 reviews of LG L1200 from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 70/100 and users 61/100. Comparing these reviews to 485486 other Cell Phones reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 71/100 = Good.

    Read full review

  • pcmag.com

    Editors' rating: 70

    Summary: The LG C1300 is a sexy, lightweight phone for the budget-minded buyer who just wants a phone and can live without the bells and whistles.

    Read full review

LG 1200 - blue (Sprint)

Reviews & advice
Site map
Editorial policies
Meet the editors
How we test
Forums
Internet speed test
Popular topics
Apple iPhone
Apple iPod
Cell phones
Dell
GPS
LCD TV
CNET sites
CNET Site map
CNET TV
Downloads
News
Reviews
Shopper.com
More information
Newsletters
CNET Mobile
Customer Help Center
RSS
CNET Widgets
About CNET
sponsored