LG E460 review
The E460 suits only someone who needs a dirt-cheap throwaway phone to receive calls and texts in an emergency, and even then a used mid-range phone from 2015 onward would be more usable. Anyone with real smartphone needs, whether in 2013 or now, should look at better-equipped entry-level options.
This review is written with AI assistance from LG’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the LG E460, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The LG E460 is a 2013 budget Android phone with a 4-inch display and basic specs that feel dated even for entry-level buyers of that era. It has almost nothing to recommend it: weak performance, tiny storage, short battery life, and a camera that captures at best acceptable moments.
Design & Build
The E460 is compact and light at 103 grams, with a 4-inch screen that fits one-handed in 2013 terms. The 9.2mm thickness is reasonable for the era, though the device feels plasticky and hollow rather than solid. There is little to say beyond the obvious: it is a small phone that does the job of existing. The removable battery was useful at the time, though by modern standards that only matters if you are stuck without power for extended periods.
Display
The 480x800 IPS LCD is sharp enough on paper at 233 ppi, but the small 4-inch size combined with thick bezels leaves little actual screen real estate. Colors are flat and viewing angles fade quickly, which is typical for entry-level IPS of that generation. For basic text and app icons it works, but video or photos look washed out. There is no gorilla glass equivalent listed, so scratches are a real risk if you use it daily.
Performance
The 1 GHz Cortex-A9 with 512MB RAM was underpowered even in 2013. Apps open with noticeable lag, multitasking is painful, and anything demanding stutters. The Mediatek MT6575 was a budget SoC that prioritized cost over speed, and it shows. By the time this phone shipped, rivals at the same price were offering dual-core processors and more RAM. Gaming is pointless, and heavy apps feel like wading through mud. For basic calls, texts, and light web browsing it limps along, but do not expect smooth everyday use.
Software
It shipped with Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean and can upgrade to 4.4.2 KitKat, which means it landed in a software version already two generations behind by 2013 standards. Support is long gone, and the Play Store will not install modern apps on it anymore. Even in 2013, security patches were sparse for budget LG devices. The UI is basic and responsive enough given the hardware limits, but you are essentially using an outdated OS with no real future.
Camera
The 5MP rear camera with LED flash captures recognizable photos in good light but offers little detail and poor color accuracy. There is no front-facing camera, which is a serious omission even by 2013 standards when competitors were adding modest selfie sensors. Video tops out at 480p, which is low even for that year. The autofocus helps avoid blurry stills, but low-light shots are grainy and washed out. This is a camera that works in a pinch, not one you would rely on.
Battery & Charging
The 1700 mAh battery is tiny by any standard and will struggle to last a full day of actual use. The specs claim up to 10 hours of talk time on 2G, but real-world usage with apps, screen brightness, and Wi-Fi active will drain it faster. Charging speed is not listed, but USB 2.0 was slow, so count on hours to refill. The removable battery was a lifeline for power users of that era, but without a spare, you are tethered to a charger by afternoon. For anyone with a modern usage pattern, this is crippling.
Value & Verdict
At 140 EUR in 2013, this was an intentional bare-minimum option for people who wanted a phone and nothing more. For that era and price, it was acceptable but not good. Today it is obsolete: the OS is unsupported, apps have moved on, and the hardware is too weak for even light modern use. Even as a curiosity or budget second phone, the E460 is hard to justify. Rivals from the same era offered better performance and more storage for similar money.
Verdict
The E460 suits only someone who needs a dirt-cheap throwaway phone to receive calls and texts in an emergency, and even then a used mid-range phone from 2015 onward would be more usable. Anyone with real smartphone needs, whether in 2013 or now, should look at better-equipped entry-level options.
- Compact and light enough to pocket or carry without burden
- Removable battery allowed quick swaps if you had a spare
- Dedicated microSD slot for storage expansion beyond the cramped 1.4GB user space
- 1 GHz single-core CPU and 512MB RAM make it sluggish even for 2013 standards
- 1700 mAh battery barely lasts a full day of normal use
- No front-facing camera, which was already becoming standard by 2013
LG E460 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2013, February. Released 2013, April |
|---|---|
| Display | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~62.3% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6575 (40 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 4GB (1.4GB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Main camera | 5 MP, AF |
| Selfie camera | No |
| Battery | 1700 mAh |
| Software | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4.2 (KitKat) |
| Dimensions | 117.5 x 62.2 x 9.2 mm (4.63 x 2.45 x 0.36 in) |
| Weight | 103.3 g (3.63 oz) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 |
LG E460 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the E460 support 5G?
No. The E460 tops out at GSM / HSPA, without 5G.
What chipset does the E460 use?
The E460 runs on the Mediatek MT6575 (40 nm).
What display does the E460 have?
A 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~62.3% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density).
How big is the E460 battery?
The E460 has a 1700 mAh battery.
Does the E460 have NFC?
Yes, the E460 has NFC.
Does the E460 support a microSD card?
Yes, the E460 supports expandable storage (microSDHC (dedicated slot)).