Australian Review: LG Stylus DAB+ – Look at my dab

In an era of streaming music services and podcasts, radio might seem a little passe. Like radio, the AUD$449 LG Stylus DAB+ itself feels a little passe; it’s a plastic-backed phone in a time where other manufacturers are making similarly priced devices out of much nicer materials. The LG Stylus DAB+ is the first smartphone to feature digital radio, but at the same time I can’t help ask “why?”

Thanks to a 5.7-inch screen, the Stylus DAB+ is on the bigger side of the smartphone spectrum. Personally, I quite like big smartphones, but the Stylus DAB+’s ergonomics make using the phone a challenge. The rear-facing power and home button is awkward to reach and I found myself having to adjust my grip to press it. The phone is also slightly too wide to use one handed, at least if you’re holding it securely.

The Styus DAB+’s 720p resolution is another let down. Phones with displays this big typically run at 1080p, if not Quad HD resolutions. This results in a comparatively low pixel density, meaning pixelation is far more noticeable (text and icons don’t look smooth). Despite the screen real estate, the Stylus DAB+ still feels a bit cramped.