Chintzy LV 2008 handset boasts attachable zoom lens

It's been a tick since we've seen a Chinese handset this obscure, and while the PS3-playing A816 and Surround Sound Phone sure had their moments, this laugher takes things to a whole 'nother platform. The LV 2008 supposedly offers up a 3.5-inch LCD, an array of speakers, multimedia player, voice recorder, Bluetooth, an e-dictionary, and USB connectivity, but the standout "feature" here is the attachable zoom lens. Yep, it looks like we've got a DSLR phone (okay, not really, but you've got to admit it rolls off the tongue) on our hands here folks, and while we're sure that optical zoom is nice, the paltry 1.3-megapixel sensor just drags the whole package down. But hey, for around $130, why not pick one up just for kicks? More unbelievable pictures after the break.

[Via MobileWhack]

[Michael @ Aug 14th 2007 9:27PM]

That is awesome! Seriously. I wish more mobiles phones and devices had the option to throw on an external lens.

[Homeboy @ Aug 14th 2007 9:51PM]

I bet that the quality of the lens and sensor doesn't produce satisfactory pictures. Neither do I believe that the screen will make my nut sack tingle.

This is a case of great idea, crappy product. Then again you get what you pay for.

[adnap4 @ Aug 14th 2007 9:45PM]

The summary missed the key feature, "the function of checking money with ultraviolet radiaition!" MMM I can finally get a tan from my phone :P

[eastman @ Aug 14th 2007 9:50PM]

detachable lens does not = DSLR (digital single lens reflex).
sorry, i just couldn't let this snafu slide by

[Hung @ Aug 15th 2007 5:10PM]

"(okay, not really, but you've got to admit it rolls off the tongue)"

Yeah, I think engadget couldn't let that "snafu" (pretty sure it means a bad situation) either.

Also, 1942 wants its vocabulary back.

[hooger158 @ Aug 19th 2007 11:02PM]

I think you mean "gaffe." Snafu is army slang for Situation Normal, All F'ed Up. And obviously engadget was joking about DSLR. Ironic that you screwed up an acronym trying to correct theirs.

[Chris @ Aug 14th 2007 9:50PM]

Damn, that's sweet!

[nDee @ Aug 14th 2007 10:22PM]

Frankly you should check out that
those phones somehow have decent screens,
not so awesome camera,
you pay 50% price but 80% functionality of PDAs

[jptech @ Aug 14th 2007 10:37PM]

wow that thing is real "buckaroo banzai" style. I would like to play around with that thing.

it's like a palm/htc/nokia/bushnell

[Drew @ Aug 14th 2007 10:42PM]

There is NOTHING about this phone that makes it a DSLR!

[XSportSeeker @ Aug 14th 2007 11:09PM]

But anyways, here's the problem: if you have crap sensors, crap lens, it doesn't matter if you are able to put detachable lens on it or not... the image will still suck.

It's more or less the same as the 7.1 speaker system. You can have a 100.1 speaker system... sound will still be crap at that size. You need a heavy and powerful system (big magnets) to get good bass.

While I can't really judge before handling it, I recommend caution.

[invincible @ Aug 15th 2007 1:41AM]

To expand on this, a DSLR is a camera where there is a mirror between the lens and the digital sensor, which normally reflects light into a viewfinder but flips down to reveal the sensor when a photo is taken. There is no requirement for the lens to be removable.

The other problem with external lenses is that the more glass you have, the more likely you get artefacts like flares and ghosts, unless they are built to extremely high standards. There's a reason why high quality filters which are used only for lens protection cost over $50.

Of course, in today's consumer society, it's quantity over quality. Otherwise, we wouldn't have people comparing cameras based on megapixel count as if it actually meant anything useful.

[Lo @ Aug 15th 2007 6:09AM]

I can't believe you guys are taking this so seriously ! Of course it's not a DSLR, and it's most probably a total piece of c*** that can't produce half bad pictures, but that's the whole point of the post isn't it !? Sarcasm anyone ?

[Chris Kovach @ Aug 15th 2007 8:38AM]

Damn it...I shot coffee out my nose and hit my monitor when i saw that goofy lens stickin out the back of that thing!

[uhh @ Aug 15th 2007 1:43PM]

... OR you could just purchase one for your phone. Brando sells all sorts of wacky things.

http://mobile.brando.com.hk/MobilePhoneTelescope-SE.php

This "new" phone basically adds a proprietary mount for a product that has been around for quite a while.

[ian lou @ Oct 8th 2007 3:14AM]

are their any soulutions to LV 2008 GPRS settings? its not working, its not complete, i cant even use as video call, mms and all gprs operations! please send me any updates!