LG Escape

“The Escape occupies a unique place in AT&T's handset stable. Considering just the specs it could almost be high-end, but the entire package keeps it more midrange. Of course, it's not designed compete with AT&T's high-end devices like the Galaxy S3 and the iPhone 5 and it offers much more than its Android brethren in the same price range. Its closest competitor is probably the Motorola Atrix HD. That handset also offered a great screen and a fast processor, but low battery life, a lot of bloatware, and poor photo quality held it back. So where does that leave it? Well, it leaves it in the same place as many of LG's phones before it. It has a lot to offer, but there's nothing really special about it. Absolutely, the price is excellent. And if you're looking for more Android phone for less, it's worth buying on that basis alone. But if you want better performance, it's worth shelling out more for a flagship device. Just remember that a lot of new and interesting AT&T devices, including the LG Optimus G, are due before the end of the year. So if the Escape blends into the background now, just wait a few weeks.”

“As I've said before, you can't make a budget device without making a few compromises to get the price down. The trick, of course, is to sacrifice the right things in the right places. That's exactly what LG has done with the Escape: check all the right smartphone boxes, and yet cut only a few mostly minor corners. With good specs and build, great performance, and a relatively low price, the Escape is the best budget device I've ever reviewed.”

“After being impressed by the Pantech Flex recently, our expectations regarding entry-level smartphones has been heightened. Well, we have to admit that LG also has a formidable model that shouldn’t be taken for granted, as it competes nearly on the same level with its performance. Out of everything, it’s still rather difficult to choose this over Pantech’s offering, mainly because its design is so blah compared to the Pantech Flex. Regardless of that, it surely offers a ton of value for being a $50 on-contract smartphone – so you won’t be disappointed for the amount you pay for it!”