LG Spectrum review

It broadens Verizon's 4G LTE selection, but can it topple the competition?

LG Spectrum
A sleek LG phone with 4G - but is it any good?

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

As expected from the bright, excellent display, the LG Spectrum is an ideal personal media player, especially when it comes to local or streaming video clips.

LG spectrum

The LG Spectrum supports MPEG-4, WMV, H.263, and H.264 video formats, and locally stored high-resolution clips look outstanding on the screen, sporting crisp details and vibrant colors throughout.

Even Netflix streaming movies and TV episodes over the 4G LTE network looked great and ran at a steady clip, though they'll drain your battery in a hurry. Be sure to update the phone, though, as Netflix playback is broken out of the box but quickly addressed with an OTA update.

Located on the lower back next to Verizon's 4G LTE logo, the speaker grate delivers clear sound quality for video, but doesn't reach very high volumes during playback, making it an unlikely option to prop up to entertain multiple people without an external speaker.

LG spectrum

The speaker gets a bit louder for music, but sounds slightly distorted on the highest setting. Luckily, the sound quality of music via headphones is stellar, with the built-in music player somewhat resembling that of the iPhone and iPod touch, thanks to a large cover image flanked by playback buttons.

LG spectrum

The Spectrum's Gallery app offers easy access to your Camera photos and video clips, as well as images stored on the MicroSD card and images and profile picks pulled from any Blogger account associated with your Google profile. From the main Gallery screen, you can expand two fingers to view a few photos in each category stack, then tap to access the full set and view individual photos.

TOPICS
Latest in LG Phones
LG V50 ThinQ
LG’s phone business is dead, but its phones are still getting Android 12
LG Wing 5G
LG has reportedly made its last smartphone
Pile of smartphones
Do you remember your first phone? We look back on our early mobiles
LG Velvet
LG’s Android phones will get three years of updates
LG phones
LG's smartphone legacy: every LG flagship Android phone
LG Wing 5G
Some LG phones will get Android 12
Latest in Reviews
MacBook Air 15-inch with M4 chip on a creative's desk with screen open
I've reviewed the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) - and it remains the best 15-inch laptop I'd recommend for most people
Samsung Music Frame on a table beside some books and a vase
I spent six weeks listening to the Samsung Music Frame and it kept missing the beat
GlocalMe KeyTracker
When I tested this global tracker, it trounced the Apple AirTag in so many ways
Groov-e Boston DAB radio on a wooden table
I tested this affordable DAB radio and, sadly, its tinny output made me think of every car garage I've ever been to
An AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D on its retail packaging
I've reviewed three generations of 3D V-cache processors, and the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the best there is
Mac Studio on a desk
Apple Mac Studio (M3 Ultra): the ultimate creative workstation