The Motorola GLEAM+ WX308 and LG GD310 represent a pivotal moment in mobile history – the transition from basic phones to the early smartphone era. Both devices aimed to offer more than just calls and texts, but approached this goal with different philosophies. This comparison revisits these phones, analyzing their features and usability in the context of their time and assessing their appeal to collectors and those seeking a simpler mobile experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user today, the LG GD310 likely offers a slightly more compelling experience due to its unique sliding design and potential for a more modern feel, despite both phones being limited by their age. However, the GLEAM+'s potential for robust build quality (typical of Motorola) shouldn't be dismissed.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| EDGE | No | Class 10 |
| GPRS | Yes | Class 10 |
| Technology | GSM | GSM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, February. Released 2012, April | 2009, October. Released 2010, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 107 x 52.5 x 13.5 mm, 75.8 cc (4.21 x 2.07 x 0.53 in) | 102.9 x 52 x 15.5 mm (4.05 x 2.05 x 0.61 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 105 g (3.70 oz) | 112 g (3.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 400 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.8 inches, 22.3 cm2 (~39.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~33.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | TFT, 256K colors |
| | - | external hidden OLED display |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | 10 dialed, 10 received, 10 missed calls |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 50MB | 128MB |
| Phonebook | Yes, Photocall | 1000 entries, Photocall |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 3.15 MP |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.1, A2DP |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | No | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, Adobe Flash Lite |
| Games | Yes | Yes |
| Java | - | Yes, MIDP 2.1 |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email | SMS, MMS, Email |
| | - | MP3/AAC+ player
MP4/H.264 player
Organizer
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 417 h | Up to 500 h |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 50 min | Up to 6 h 20 min |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 750 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 900 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Winter White, Silver | White, Black, Pink |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 90 EUR |
Motorola GLEAM+ WX308
- Potentially more durable build quality (Motorola reputation)
- Simple and straightforward user interface
- Long battery life
- Limited features compared to the GD310
- Small, low-resolution display
- Basic camera
LG GD310
- Unique sliding design
- Potentially more advanced features for the time
- Distinctive aesthetic
- Sliding mechanism could be prone to failure
- Potentially shorter battery life due to more features
- Small, low-resolution display
Display Comparison
Given the era, both the GLEAM+ and GD310 likely featured small, low-resolution color displays – likely around 2.2-2.4 inches with resolutions under 320x240 pixels. The GD310’s sliding design *may* have allowed for a slightly larger display area when extended, offering a marginally better viewing experience. However, neither display will compete with modern smartphone panels in terms of brightness, color accuracy, or viewing angles. The GD310’s design, while novel, could introduce potential points of failure with the sliding mechanism.
Camera Comparison
Both the GLEAM+ and GD310 likely included basic VGA (0.3MP) cameras, primarily for capturing low-resolution photos for MMS messaging. Image quality would be poor by today’s standards, with limited detail and significant noise. The cameras were more of a novelty feature than a serious photographic tool. The GD310 *might* have offered slightly more advanced camera software, but the underlying hardware limitations would remain.
Performance
Performance is difficult to quantify without specific processor details. Both phones would have relied on basic 2G connectivity and limited processing power. The GD310, marketed as a more advanced device, *might* have included a slightly faster processor to handle its more complex interface and features, but the difference would be negligible by modern standards. RAM would have been extremely limited – likely under 32MB in both cases – impacting multitasking capabilities. The primary performance bottleneck would be the slow data speeds of 2G networks.
Battery Life
Battery life would have been a significant strength of both devices, given their low-power components and small displays. Both likely featured batteries around 800-1000mAh, providing several days of standby time and hours of talk time. Charging would have been via a proprietary connector, and charging times would have been relatively slow compared to modern smartphones. The GD310’s more complex features *could* have resulted in slightly faster battery drain, but the difference would likely be minimal.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola GLEAM+ WX308 if you prioritize a potentially more durable device from a brand known for build quality and are interested in a classic, straightforward feature phone experience. Buy the LG GD310 if you prefer a more visually distinctive design with its sliding mechanism and are intrigued by its attempt to bridge the gap between a feature phone and a smartphone, even if its functionality is limited by today's standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG GD310's sliding mechanism likely to still function reliably after all these years?
The LG GD310's sliding mechanism is a potential point of failure. Over time, the internal components can wear down, leading to a loose or non-functional slider. Finding a GD310 in good working condition with a fully functional slider may be challenging.
❓ Can either of these phones be used on modern cellular networks?
No. Both the Motorola GLEAM+ WX308 and LG GD310 are 2G-only devices. Most modern cellular networks have been phased out 2G support, rendering these phones unusable for making calls or sending texts without specific, and increasingly rare, network access.
❓ What kind of data transfer options do these phones offer?
Data transfer options are extremely limited. Both phones likely support basic file transfer via a proprietary USB connection, but transfer speeds will be very slow. Bluetooth connectivity, if present, would be limited to older versions with slower data rates. There is no support for modern data transfer protocols like Wi-Fi or 4G/5G.
