Boxy in design and with a definite focus on function over form, the CG180 offers up a phone with little fuss. Though it is manufactured by LG, the CG180 harkens back to the beginning of the new millennium, when Nokia phones were strongly at the forefront of the cellular market. The first thing one notices about the device is how basic it is. With an LCD on top and a keypad below, little distracts the consumer from realizing this is first and foremost a mobile phone. The dial pad has reasonably large keys that are good for those with larger thumbs; nonetheless, the buttons don't have a particularly high-end feel about them. Other than simplicity, price is definitely the major focal point here, so quite a few corners have been cut to keep the CG180 as affordable as possible.

Though the numeric keys are reasonably sized, the first issue of constraint is directly above: the navigational buttons. These are unfortunately small, with a multidirectional toggle that causes some issues. Selecting menu choices is accomplished through one of the soft keys rather than a central OK key, which means that your thumb must stretch uncomfortably in order to select. That this would be a major annoyance seems silly, but given the speed that one becomes accustomed to when operating a phone, this is a consistent point of irritation. It's also one that results from a simple design decision. Otherwise, beneath the two soft keys that are on either side of the toggle are buttons for engaging and disengaging calls. These are also a little small, resulting in accidental presses when trying to quickly pick up a call. Thankfully, the dial pad below is more reasonable in its spaciousness, but even there it lacks much tactile difference between the keys. Dialing by feel can be somewhat tricky.

Above the set of buttons is an LCD screen. The screen supports 64,000 colors and measures just over 1-1/2 inches diagonally. Nonetheless, it is perfectly serviceable and displays the phone's graphics and menu options with good clarity. You can adjust a few settings, such as the backlight timer and the contrast, but you're stuck with the font size. Overall, the phone's dimensions are quite compact, and the CG180 is exceptionally light at 2.37 ounces. This lack of heft is due to its plastic construction, which unfortunately gives it a cheap feel.

On the rear of the CG180 is the speakerphone, which offers very straightforward performance. Sound quality is not particularly rich, but it is reliable and volume output is adequate. The phone includes a telephone book that can hold up to 500 entries (that is bumped up to 750 if you include the SIM card's capacity), and each contact can store three phone numbers, an email address, and memos. You can pair the contacts with either a distinctive ringer or a graphic (photo ID is not supported, as the device does not have a camera). The CG180 has a vibrating ringer option, an alarm clock, a voice recorder, a stopwatch, and a tip calculator. If you spend a lot of time on public transit or in lines at the bank, you will appreciate the Sodoku game that comes preloaded.

One feature of note on the LG CG180 that is particularly useful to those on a budget is the service. The device is bundled with AT&T's Go Phone programs--instead of having to take on a 2-year contract, this phone can be used with a prepaid plan. You have the choice of different monthly fees that affect the per-minute call rate. A good range of options is provided for all, from the more frequent user to those who really only need a phone in emergency situations. Once money is loaded onto the service plan, the phone is fully serviceable until the money runs out. There is, however, a time period during which money must be added to the plan or else the service is cancelled. If you're someone who desires to grab a phone only occasionally from your drawer, a handy feature allows you to the check the balance of your account quickly and easily just by cycling through a few menu options.

Being that this phone is designed to be simply that, the call features of the CG180 are commendable. Incoming call quality was quite good, with a clarity that was devoid of static or crackles. And callers reported that the microphone did a good job in eliminating ambient noise, though they also mentioned that stronger winds were audible. Battery life was good, offering up about five hours of talk time before recharging was required. In standby mode, the phone was serviceable for about eight days. Overall, the LG CG180 is a very good buy for people who want something reliable for the occasional call, but who otherwise don't need a lot of functionality from their phone.

Pros: Price, good call quality, no nonsense, minimal weight, compact
Cons: Cheaply constructed, ergonomics are not exceptional, few features

Warranty
1 year