The Prada phone by LG is among those handhelds that rely solely on touch-based as opposed to stylus-based interface interaction. The famous Apple iPhone surely started the craze over such devices, but the LG KE850, elsewhere known as the Prada phone, is nothing like iPhone. A highly stylish and versatile multimedia device, the Prada branded mobile is a true joy to the eye and represents the true meaning of a fusion between a full-featured mobile phone and a fashion icon. Impressive from the word go, the Prada phone will leave nothing but fascination in everybody around you. Our job is to delve deeper and see if it really has got what it takes to overrun the fashion mobile market by storm.

Prada phone by LG

Key Features:

• Exclusive design and slim form factor
• Full touch-based Flash user interface
• 3" TFT display with a WQVGA resolution (400 x 240 pixels)
• 2 megapixel camera with auto focus
• Shoots video in WQVGA resolution
• Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP stereo support
• microSD memory card slot
• Office documents viewer
• FM radio
• Standard 3.5 mm audio adapter

Main Disadvantages:

• No 3G or HSDPA support
• Unimpressive battery life
• Really basic web browser
• Fingerprint magnet

Practical, yet exclusively sophisticated with eyes on stylishness - those are some of the words that might describe the Prada phone. Its full market name in fact is "Prada phone by LG" which in fact means that the Prada comes before LG in this duo. Initially the handset was named "LG Prada phone" but obviously tables have turned in the opposite direction. As far as the LG portfolio is concerned the devices carries the unobtrusive model designation LG KE850. So don't be bewildered as we use all these names throughout our review - we have only one device in mind.

The LG Prada phone is truly unique and thus has no direct competitors. With its touch-based user interface it outranks all current fashion mobiles.

When it comes to product packaging LG already have a tradition of offering their products in high-quality retail packages that are visually attractive as the handsets themselves. The LG Prada phone makes no difference to that rule. The Prada phone retail box is a black cube and the contents are positioned on different levels inside the box.

Prada phone black box • opening the cover

The accessories that come with the handset are equally attractive. Besides the headset which has a standard 3.5 mm audio jack adapter, allowing you to listen to music on your favorite headphones, the retail package also includes a 256MB microSD memory card, a data cable and a stylish hard leather case.

Retail headset • LG Prada phone leather case

Out-of-the-box experience

Now, the Prada phone is nothing less than a spectacular piece of technology. It measures 98.8 x 54 x 12 mm and weighs the meager 85 g. The whole handset is made out of a matt black plastic with silver framing which is made out of metal.