Though it comes in a few colors and projects a lot of features, the LG CU720 Shine's moniker is fully earned with the brushed metal model. With this design, the device is exceptionally stylish, casting a reflective glow that makes it stand out from the rest of the market. Even if you ignore its look, there are quite a few features that make this phone very unique.

To begin with, the Shine features a 2-1/4-inch LCD. The screen is capable of supporting 262,000 colors and offers up very vivid images that have an impressive robustness. The truly interesting feature is what is known as "multi-angle vision technology": when the phone is on standby, the screen is basically invisible and can double as a mirror, but when the phone is powered up, the screen pops to life. Put simply, it's gorgeous. More importantly, it can be viewed from almost any angle and still offer up the same impressive performance--even in direct sunlight. For the sake of preference, you can adjust such things as font size, brightness, and the length of the backlight timer.

The screen really shines (ahem) when browsing the web. The clarity pairs well with the speedy UMTS connection, providing you with vibrant web pages that download swiftly. You can also use the 3G network to pull down songs to the music player, where you can create your own playlists out of the numerous file types supported (WMA, MP3, AAC, AAC+, and eAAC+). Another delivery option is to transfer songs from a computer via the microSD card or the USB cable. If you're a bigger fan of radio, the Shine offers connectivity to both MobiTV and XM Radio, so you can listen to streaming music from stations worldwide. Because the speakerphone is not particularly exceptional, you'll probably want to opt for a headset, however. Stereo Bluetooth is supported, so you can get good audio quality without the wires. The built-in equalizer also helps you maximize your listening pleasure.

Due to the exceptional LCD and 3G connectivity, video performance is stellar. The Shine can access AT&T's Cellular Video, which offers up streaming content from places such as ESPN, The Weather Channel, Comedy Central, iFilm, and CNN. There is also access to premium channels such as HBO. The quality is surprisingly good and sound is synched well with the images. This exceptional video performance is especially handy when using one of the other unique features of the Shine: AT&T's Video Share. With this service, If you're on the phone with someone else with access to Video Share, you can send (or receive) real-time video in one direction. So you can let your caller see you (or you can see them) as you speak.

The phone itself has sleek dimensions, and the stainless steel casing offers up some sturdiness but also means the phone weighs a somewhat bulky 4.23 ounces. But because the entire phone is made of the same material, there is a reliable-feeling heft to the slider mechanism that isn't found on lighter weight phones. Once the cover is open, a dial pad is exposed which, unfortunately, doesn't offer much distinctiveness between buttons. Dialing by feel is difficult, so you'll have to take advantage of the backlit pad in low-light conditions. Text messaging isn't any better. Unfortunately, it's in this area of ergonomics where the phone fails again. Most of the features of the phone are accessed through a multi-directional joystick. Located directly under the screen, the joystick is small and hypersensitive, offering a difficult execution of your desires. Often, it posed movements that were never intended at all. On the left side of the phone you'll find the microSD port and the headset jack, while the right side holds the volume rocker and the dedicated camera button.

In keeping with the focus on visuals, the camera on the LG Shine is exceptional. Using Schneider Kreuznach optics, it takes superb pictures that have both fine image quality and excellent color accuracy. In addition to choices of various resolutions, the camera offers various quality settings, customizable shutter sounds, flash, a self-timer, 2x digital zoom, and the ability to shoot multiple photos in succession (great for sporting events or a day in the park with the pooch). Meanwhile, there is also a camcorder that offers good performance. If you want to message clips, their lengths are capped at 42 seconds. But if you're interested in storing them for other use, the file sizes are only limited by the amount of space you have left on your microSD card.

The phone itself performs very commendably, with excellent noise-canceling properties for the microphone and solid incoming call clarity. As previously stated, the speakerphone is nothing mind-blowing, but it works well enough for regular conversations. Battery life wasn't much to report either, with the phone getting about three hours of talk time before recharging was required.

Other features include: vibrating ringer, multimedia messaging, stopwatch, calendar, voice-activated dialing, memo recorder, and speakerphone. Additionally, the phone has a 500-contact phone book, with each entry capable of storing five phone numbers and two email addresses. Each of these contacts can be paired with a distinctive ringer or photo ID for quicker identification. Overall, the LG CU720 Shine mobile phone is an exceptionally stylish device that offers some very good multimedia options for a reasonable price.

Pros: Very stylish design, multi-angle LCD, excellent camera optics, AT&T Video Share
Cons: Battery life, ergonomics

Warranty
1 year