Overview
The LG Rumor (also marketed as the LG Rumour in English‑speaking Canada and the LG Rumeur in French‑speaking Canada, and known as the LG Scoop in some markets) is a feature‑phone released by LG Electronics in September 2007. It was positioned toward younger users and those who required convenient text‑messaging capabilities, combining a slide‑out QWERTY keyboard with a traditional 12‑button keypad.
Design and Features
- Form factor: Slider with a right‑hand slide‑out QWERTY keyboard; the keyboard exposes five‑way navigation keys on the main panel.
- Display: 176 × 220 pixel TFT LCD capable of showing 262 K colours. The screen rotates when the keyboard is extended.
- Camera: 1.3 megapixel rear camera without flash, offering basic image enhancements (negative, sepia, black‑and‑white tones, borders).
- Audio: Built‑in MP3/AAC player; music stored on a microSD card (up to 4 GB). Playback is disabled unless a compatible card is present.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth (profiles HFP, HSP, OPP, DUN, FTP, OBEX) and a proprietary LG USB cable.
- Battery: 950 mAh Li‑Polymer battery providing approximately 270 minutes of talk time and 240 hours of standby.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 109 mm × 51 mm × 18 mm (4.30 in × 2.00 in × 0.70 in) |
| Weight | 117 g (4.13 oz) |
| Memory | 16 384 KB internal; microSD slot supporting up to 4 GB |
| Network | CDMA 800 / CDMA 1900, 1xRTT data |
| Operating System | BREW MP |
| Battery Type | Li‑Polymer (950 mAh) |
| Camera | 1.3 MP, no flash, self‑timer, night mode |
| Bluetooth | Supported (multiple profiles) |
| Contact Capacity | Up to 500 entries with additional numbers, notes, and e‑mail addresses |
Carrier Availability
The device was sold primarily on CDMA carriers in North America, including Sprint Nextel (U.S.), Bell Mobility, Solo Mobile, Virgin Mobile Canada, Kajeet, US Cellular, Alltel, and others. In some markets it carried the “LG Scoop” branding.
Known Issues
- Power problems: The charging connector pins can wear or bend over time, leading to intermittent charging failures.
- Keyboard ribbon wear: Prolonged use may cause the keyboard’s ribbon cable to break, resulting in blurred images from the camera and erratic input.
- Battery life: Users reported that the 950 mAh battery provided limited talk time compared with competing devices of the era.
Legacy
The LG Rumor was the first model in the “LG Rumor” line, which later included the LG Rumor 2 (released in 2009) and subsequent variants. Its slide‑out QWERTY design influenced a generation of messaging‑focused phones aimed at teenage and business users before the widespread adoption of smartphones.
References
- Wikipedia contributors, “LG Rumor (original),” Wikipedia, accessed June 2026.
