Below is my review of the LG 410g for TracFone. To find out where to buy this model, click here.

General Overview

The TracFone LG 410g is a basic flip phone that operates on GSM networks (i.e. AT&T and T-Mobile networks). The retail price on this model is around $20, putting it in the range of the Motorola w260.

The phone measures 3.46 x 1.85 x 0.73 inches and weighs just under 3 oz, making it pretty light and similar in size to the LG 600g. It’s also lighter than the Motorola W-series flip phones.

The 410g is pretty limited in terms of features, lacking all of the extras that most new TracFone models seem to include, such as DMFL, bluetooth, and camera. It does have an external screen and a web browser, but just like all TracFone models, it is limited to TracFone’s “mobile web” rather than allowing unrestricted internet access.

External/Appearance

Click on the image to find this phone at TracFone.com

The appearance is pretty basic, yet fairly modern. The size and the shape are pretty comparable to the earlier LG 600g model. Rounded corners allow for easy sliding in and out of pockets.

The external appearance also includes a small black-and-white screen that displays the time and date, signal strength, battery meter, ringtone profile and, when applicable, incoming caller id and number of missed calls as well as the number of unheard voice mails or unread text messages.

The hinge mechanism feels strong and I have no concerns about the construction quality or long-term durability of this device.

General Phone Function

The reception was great on this model, perhaps even outperforming the recent slider models Motorola EM326g (Net10) and Samsung T301g (TracFone). Call quality was also above average. While it may fall slightly below the recent Motorolas in this category, I don’t think anyone will be disappointed by the sound quality on the LG 410g.

The volume is also excellent on the 410, both on the ringtones and in-call. My standard test for volume is to try out the various volume components while in a car traveling at highway speeds (as a passenger, of course). I tested the ringtone at the highest setting and was startled by how loud it was. I then tried out the call volume, and was again extremely satisfied with the volume. On the highest setting using the earpiece, it hurt my ears. And even at a middle volume levels on speaker phone, I was reprimanded by my wife who was afraid I would wake our children sleeping in the back. So if you need a loud phone, this is a good one to consider.

The battery life on this model is EXCELLENT. I was able to do some testing on this phone, which included playing with the different menus and settings as well as making a few test calls, and the meter didn’t move at all. I then set it aside – I didn’t use it, but left it turned on. Ten days later, the phone was still on, showing one bar out of three on the batter meter. It ultimately ended up dying somewhere around day twelve or thirteen.

This Review is continued in Part 2.