Every smartphone is going to be measured against the iPhone. For people who compare mobile phones, it’s the smartphone gold standard. The LG Arena KM900 might not quite be an iPhone, but it’s certainly a very good offering, and packed with features.

When it comes to sound, not only is there Dolby mobile surround sound on this handset (which is great when watching movies), but also a 3.5mm headphone jack for private listening on a user’s headphones of choice.

The camera has five megapixels, and for once it’s one that works pretty well even in low light, even if it doesn’t do all the movie bells and whistles.

The mobile phone’s styling is good; it fits in the hand well, and the rounded corners are appealing – it’s as good to look at as it is to use.

What else is good? The GPS, which utilises Google Maps, is excellent, and easy to use, and although a three inch display might seem a little small, it’s very clear and sharp for video.

However, the interface could be better. It’s awkward, and certainly not intuitive. Rather than up and down, the screens only move from side to side, which can be confusing to users, as will the lock, which requires a user to briefly hit the power button to reactivate the handset from idle.

For those who can acclimatise themselves to the vagaries of the touchscreen, the Arena KM900 offers a good, solid smartphone experience. But it’s not an iPhone – and for many that will be the big drawback.

Photo by LGEPR.