Death match: LG Cookie KP500 VS O2 XDA Zest

Touchscreens aren’t just the preserve of the iPhone, Omnia or Prada. It’s possible to get a phone with a screen primed and ready for paw prints, without shelling out the cost of a transatlantic flight.
Targeting the cash conscious, the O2 Zest and LG Cookie might compromise on build, but if touchscreen is your number one priority, they utilise technology similar to that found in higher spec'd models.
Primarily a fashion phone, the Cookie is the latest in a long line of touchscreens from LG, borrowing from the Prada, KF700 and Viewty. In contrast the Zest is no head turner, instead business features target new entrants into the smartphone market. So will it be our sweet cookie or juicy smartie?


Death match one: Ease of use

LG Cookie KP500
£100 PAYG, Free on contract

With widgets you use to customise the home screen and a responsive 3in touchscreen, the Cookie if far more intuitive to use than the sluggish Windows Mobile equipped Zest. Without dedicated keys, there's a fiddly virtual keyboard and stylus and handwriting recognition.

O2 XDA Zest

Running Windows Mobile 6, the Zest was always going to be more business than consumer focused and thanks to a fiddly touch interface and stylus typing, it’s simply not as intuitive to use as the Cookie.

Winner: LG Cookie KP500



Death match two: Features

LG Cookie KP500

There’s no 3G or HSDPA, so connectivity is limited to GSM for tedious browsing and downloads. Motion sensor technology makes the games gimmicky, but great fun and there's a decent 3MP camera.

O2 XDA Zest

Calling this smartphone 'lite' is selling it short. With WiFi, HSDPA and GPS it can challenge most higher-priced handsets, there’s a decent 3MP camera and you get a 2-week CoPilot trial.

Winner: O2 XDA Zest



Death match three: Value for money

LG Cookie KP500

For £100 on PAYG the Cookie is outstanding value. In fact connectivity aside, we'd pick this over the heinously priced Prada any day. Just avoid it on contract - the iPhone is only £10 a month more.

O2 XDA Zest

Far cheaper then many Windows Mobile equipped rivals, the Zest is excellent value if you want office features and excellent connectivity without a contract. If it’s just a touchscreen you’re after, opt for the cheaper Cookie instead.

Winner: LG Cookie KP500



Death match four: Conclusion

The O2 XDA is great value if you’re after a Windows Mobile smartphone. If you’re not bothered by business features, there are more intuitive phones available. The LG Cookie is like a value pack of choc-chip biccies, the contents aren't premium, but the Cookie is still a decent mobile and great value for touchscreen fans on a budget

Winner: LG Cookie KP500