LG Announces Prada Touch Screen Phone

By Geoff Duncan
January 18, 2007

Although it won't reach U.S. markets, LG's new Prada phone features a completely touch-screen driven interface...like a certain phone expected from a Cupertino company.

South Korea's LG may be looking to bask a bit in the anticipatory halo surrounding Apple's forthcoming iPhone: the company has announced its new Prada phone, a slim black and white candy bar mobile phone developed in conjunction with the luxury goods brand, and which features an entirely touch-screen driven interface.

"We at LG are exceptionally proud of the Prada Phone by LG" says Dr. Scott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company, in a statement. "The two companies have worked together seamlessly towards a truly shared vision, to develop one of the most beautifully stylish handsets the market has ever seen."

Although many are comparing the device to the forthcoming Apple iPhone—and noting that it's a bit smaller—consider that the Prada phone offers a skimpy 8 MB storage (opting instead for microSD cards), doesn't support Wi-Fi connectivity—and the iPhone's will pack a larger display (480 by 320 pixels) and all those stylish accelerometers and proximity sensors. But if consumers in Europe and Asia want to be able to pay for the Prada name, they will be able to do so: the LG Prada phone is expected to carry a €600 price tag (about USD $770). (If you're counting, iPhone prices will start at $499).