LG Viper 4G LTE Pro Reviews

A 4G LTE phone for $100 on contract? It's hard to argue with that. No matter how unattractive the design or antiquated the software experience, the Viper is a wise buy for frugal consumers and Sprint loyalists alike. It's not as if the handset's internals aren't up to snuff -- they are -- and whenever Hesse & Co. manage to roll out that Ice Cream Sandwich update, the phone is sure to see some appreciable performance boosts. No, the only major con working against it is the abysmal real-world speeds delivered by the carrier's 3G CDMA network. If you've been wed to Sprint for some time and can deal with its current state of pokiness, then by all means, hang on, upgrade your device and stay tuned for that 4G coverage. For anyone else not tied to the carrier and looking to swap services, we'd stay focused on other, cheaper budget options running on live, widely deployed LTE networks. Verizon has a host of sub $99 handsets readily available like LG's Viper twinner, the Lucid for $80 or even Pantech's Breakout at $50 on contract, both running along what is arguably the strongest, next-gen network. Need to drop the price bar even lower? At just a penny with a two year agreement, bargain hunters will want to check out the Burst on AT&T -- a real no-brainer as purchases go. Clearly, then, you'll have no dearth of options, especially at this price point. The only question that remains is: Should you buy into what Sprint's not yet selling?

The LG Viper is a solid introduction to Sprint’s incoming family of LTE phones—even though there isn’t a Sprint LTE network yet. The Viper might not be a top-of-the-line smartphone, but its dual-core processor keeps it running smoothly, and the camera snaps solid photos. But the Viper seems as if it is jumping the gun a bit. Being stuck on a 3G network with an LTE-capable phone is a little sad; and while Sprint did say the Viper will get the Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade, there’s no telling when that will be. If you don’t mind waiting for Sprint to switch on its LTE network (especially if you live in one of the first few cities on Sprint’s roll-out list), the Viper is a good choice. If you’re looking for higher-end LTE phones on Sprint, you might want to wait a bit and go for the incoming HTC Evo 4G LTE or the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

Talk about a smartphone that’s named after one of the most poisonous snakes out there, that’s because the LG Viper 4G LTE is missing a vital component that makes up a good chunk of its entirety – a live and robust LTE network! No doubt, we dig its $100 on-contract price point, especially when it’s modest with its hardware specs nowadays, however, it simply lacks the prestige and allure that should accompany a device built to show off a carrier’s new high speed data network. Of course, some will appreciate the eco-friendly initiatives found with it, but in the greater scheme of things, the LG Viper 4G LTE lacks the bite to turn over its prey. Unless money is a concern, you’re better off picking up that other LTE smartphone – the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

Despite a tough-sounding name, Sprint's first LTE device is a cute-yet-powerful, environmentally friendly phone.

The LG Viper is ahead of its time -- literally, and not necessarily in a good way. Many of its most attractive features, like 4G LTE, the Ice Cream Sandwich OS, and Google Wallet, can't be used at the time of purchase. Aside from that, and a few disappointments with audio quality and processing speeds, the phone is solid in all other aspects. For a midrange device, it has a great camera, sturdy build, and it's a good fit for those who are environmentally conscious.