A Closer Look at the Samsung Galaxy Attain and LG Connect for MetroPCS

The LG Connect.The LG Connect 4G and Samsung Galaxy Attain 4G--both offered through MetroPCS--were the first of many LTE phones that launched Monday on Press Day at CES. These phones piqued my interest due to the simple fact that they?re contract-free. Remember those days when the only smartphone you could get prepaid was an ancient BlackBerry? My, how things have changed.

The LG Connect, as far as I know, is the only dual-core LTE prepaid phone available. It isn?t the most attractive phone, but the 4-inch NOVA display (LG?s LCD display technology) looks great. NOVA displays, as seen on the LG Optimus Black, the LG Prada, and other top-of-the-line LG phones, have deep blacks and bold, bright colors that pop. It also has the added benefit of a Corning Gorilla Glass Screen Protector.

The Connect isn?t this thinnest phone around and the design is a bit on the clunky side. I?m not a big fan of the textured plastic battery cover, either. It does feel solid in hand, however, partially due to that extra tough Gorilla glass.

Performance-wise, the LG Connect seemed pretty snappy. Sadly, I couldn?t test MetroPCS?s 4G network, however, as we seemed to be in a complete dead zone (for multiple networks).

Samsung's Galaxy Attain.The 5-megapixel camera took blurry, dull photos, but perhaps it takes better outdoor photos. But overall, the LG Connect is an excellent addition to MetroPCS?s growing lineup of LTE phones. I?m definitely looking forward to spending more time with the Connect when we get one in for review. Pricing has not yet been announced for the Connect, but we?llsee it in MetroPCS stores at the end of the month.

The other LTE phone, the Samsung Galaxy Attain 4G, is on par with the first generation of Samsung Galaxy phones, like the Samsung Mesmerize, Vibrant, Captivate, and so on. That isn?t a bad thing, but if you?re looking for the latest and greatest pre-paid phone, the Attain might not cut it. The 3.5-inch display feels cramped compared to the 4-inch-and-larger screens that seem to be the norm for Android phones these days. It also seemed a bit on the low-res side as text looked slightly pixelated.

Still, an LTE contract-free phone for $200 is hard to beat if you?re looking to do a lot of speedy Web browsing and emailing. The Galaxy Attain 4G is coming in the next few weeks, though an exact date has not been announced.

For more blogs, stories, photos, and video from the nation's largest consumer electronics show, check out PCWorld's complete coverage of CES 2012.

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