LG Viper

“Welcome to the future: Sprint's LTE future. The LG Viper 4G LTE ($99 with contract) is a great little Android-powered smartphone, and it's the first phone we've tested that supports Sprint's upcoming LTE network, which should bring lightning-fast, unlimited data to most of the nation by 2014. But you aren't buying this phone in 2014. You're buying it in 2012, and that's where you're going to need to think this one through. The Viper has a lot to like, even as a 3G handset, but it's part of a crowded field of excellent smartphones on Sprint.”

“Talk about a smartphone that’s named after one of the most poisonous snakes out there, that’s because the LG Viper 4G LTE is missing a vital component that makes up a good chunk of its entirety – a live and robust LTE network! No doubt, we dig its $100 on-contract price point, especially when it’s modest with its hardware specs nowadays, however, it simply lacks the prestige and allure that should accompany a device built to show off a carrier’s new high speed data network. Of course, some will appreciate the eco-friendly initiatives found with it, but in the greater scheme of things, the LG Viper 4G LTE lacks the bite to turn over its prey. Unless money is a concern, you’re better off picking up that other LTE smartphone – the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.”

“A 4G LTE phone for $100 on contract? It's hard to argue with that. No matter how unattractive the design or antiquated the software experience, the Viper is a wise buy for frugal consumers and Sprint loyalists alike. It's not as if the handset's internals aren't up to snuff -- they are -- and whenever Hesse & Co. manage to roll out that Ice Cream Sandwich update, the phone is sure to see some appreciable performance boosts. No, the only major con working against it is the abysmal real-world speeds delivered by the carrier's 3G CDMA network. If you've been wed to Sprint for some time and can deal with its current state of pokiness, then by all means, hang on, upgrade your device and stay tuned for that 4G coverage.”

“Sprint calls the LG Viper future-proof, since it will be ready to take advantage of Sprint's LTE network once that network is finally rolled out. But depending on where you live, you might not be able to use this phone's best feature until you're well into that two-year contract. So in the meantime, how does it compare with other $99 phones on Sprint? If you can't wait for faster throughput, then we suggest the EVO Design 4G, which has a higher-resolution screen and longer battery life. The LG Lucid on Verizon is another good option, a $79 device that offers LTE speeds today. But if you want a solid 3G phone that will offer unlimited 4G LTE down the road, the Viper is definitely worth a look.”