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Review of the LG G Stylo for Boost Mobile

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Jul 10, 2015, 6:00 AM   by Eric M. Zeman
updated Jul 10, 2015, 12:58 PM

LG's G Stylo for Boost Mobile is an inexpensive Android handset with an over-sized screen and stylus. It borrows its good looks from the LG G4, but drops the specs a bit to keep the price attractive. Here is Phone Scoop's full report.

Is It Your Type?

The LG G Stylo is for those who want a big, inexpensive phone with good battery life that also happens to include a stylus. It is a phablet for the fiscally frugal, thanks to the low price, which makes it an incredible bargain on Boost's prepaid network.

Body

The Stylo would seem to be a competitor to the Samsung Galaxy Note smartphone, based on size and a quick skim of its features. Chiefly, it has a huge display and a stylus. Its spec sheet doesn't quite match the Note's, but the Stylo is hardly a slacker.

The Stylo relies on LG's familiar design language. In fact, it so closely resembles the LG G4 that it's hard to tell the two phones apart when placed side-by-side. The only real giveaway is the size; the Stylo is somewhat larger and thicker than the G4. LG's core design language is simple and sharp, but some variation would be welcome. The Stylo has a clean face, rather pointy corners, tapered edges, and buttons on the back. LG's entire roster of devices is beginning to look a bit homogenous.

A plastic frame, colored in a bronzish hue, circles the glass front. It provides a nice contrast and defines the shape clearly. The frame has a bit of a chin along the bottom edge, but the overall effect is good. The back surface has a pleasant curve to it that thins out as it reaches the side edges. The tapered shape at the corners is vital when it comes to handling the phone. The rear surface, made of plastic, has a patterned silver/gold color to it. I like the way the pattern looks in the light, and it adds a modicum of texture to the phone.

You need two hands to grapple with this device. The 5.7-inch screen mandates the big dimensions. It's about the same size as an iPhone 6 Plus. The weight isn't bad, but it is a wide and thick phone. I had trouble reaching the upper corners of the phone without adjusting my grasp. I guess that's what the stylus is for? The phone is pocketable, but only if your pockets are a bit large. There's no way it will fit in skinny jeans. As with many LG handsets, the Stylo is best positioned with the screen facing your leg in order to minimize the effect of the pointy corners.

Build quality is good. The plastic materials are solid enough, and the rear shell snaps onto the frame tightly. The seams are all even and the Stylo doesn't feel cheap.

Body  

The Stylo's frame provides a rather sharp rim around the front of the phone. You can definitely feel it against your fingernails and/or skin as you grip the phone and trace your fingers across the display. The rim provides a minimal amount of protection for the glass when the handset is placed face down. LG's logo is about the only design element visible on the front face. The earpiece and front-facing camera are all but invisible.

Like many of LG's handsets, the Stylo's sides are devoid of any buttons. The microUSB port is on the bottom and the stereo headphone jack is on the top. The Stylo's stylus is tucked into the top edge, as well. It's easy to retrieve thanks to a little notch, but I can't say it is seated firmly enough. I dropped the phone once and the stylus popped out and went scampering under my couch. The stylus itself is about four inches long and has a soft-rubbery tip. I found it easy to grasp and use, and it interacts perfectly with the display.

The volume and screen lock buttons are on the back of the Stylo, as they are on most LG handsets these days. After three years of testing phones with this design, I've finally gotten used to the button configuration. When I reach for the phone, I automatically fondle the back in search of the three-button array.

The volume buttons are indented a bit and have a sandpaper-like texture. The screen lock button has a raised profile and a ribbed texture. All three buttons have decent travel and feedback. There is no dedicated camera button, but the volume keys double as shortcuts to user-defined actions (such as the camera) if you want. The camera module - straddled by the flash and laser-assisted focus - is placed above the control buttons.

The Stylo's rear cover is removable. The cover peels off easily thanks to a notch on the lower left side. The battery is removable, too, and the Stylo has a memory card slot built into the SIM card slot. These are must-have features for some people.

In general, I like the Stylo. The design and build quality are certainly decent, though it may be too big for some people. Those with small hands will be thankful for the stylus.

About the author, Eric M. Zeman:

Eric has been covering the mobile telecommunications industry for 17 years at various print and online publications. He studied at Rutgers Newark and University of Kentucky, and has a degree in writing. He likes playing guitar, attending concerts, listening to music, and driving sports cars.

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Comments

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This forum is closed.

Kaboodle

Jul 12, 2015, 8:01 PM

Only 4gb User?

That should be criminal in this day and age. Especially with many apps being unable to run from an SD card. 4gb of user memory gets filled up with Facebook and Chrome updates withing 3-4 months -.-
Even 8 and 16 should be outlawed. I can't imaging getting anything with less than 20gb usable.
 
 
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