imported>Knoxxman at 18:37, 29 April 2025

2025-04-29T18:37:51Z

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{{Short description|Mobile phone}}
{{Infobox Mobile phone |
| name = LG Chocolate / [[LG Cyon|CYON]] Chocolate
| image = LG KG800.jpg
| logo = LGChocolateLogo.png
| caption = The LG Chocolate (KG800) in white
| slogan = '''Are you craving for Chocolate?'''
| manufacturer=[[LG Electronics]]
| carrier =
|modelnumber = {{plainlist|
* KG800 (GSM)
* KU800 (GSM)
* TG800 (GSM)
* SV590 ([[SK Telecom]])
* KV5900 ([[KT Corporation|KT]])
* LP5900 ([[LG U+|LG Telecom]])
* ID90c (Indonesia)
* KG90 (China)
* VX8500 ([[Verizon Wireless]])}}
| available =
| screen = TFT, 262,144 colors / 65,000 colors (KU800)
| exterior_screen = N/A
| camera = 1.3 MP, 1280 x 960 pixels, video ([[QCIF]]), [[Flash (photography)|flash]]
| 2nd_camera = N/A
| memory = 128 MB / 512 MB
| memory_card = Yes/No
| networks =
| battery = 800mAh [[Li-Ion]]
| connectivity = [[USB]] & [[Bluetooth]]
| size = 95 x 48 x 15.2 mm<br />97 x 48 x 17.5 mm (VX8500)
| form = Slider
| weight = 83 grams<br />98 grams (KU800)<br />100 grams (VX8500)
| series = [[Black Label Series]]
| predecessor =
| successor = [[LG Shine]]
}}
'''LG Chocolate''' is a [[mobile phone]] created by [[LG Electronics]], the first of the [[LG Black Label Series]]. It was released at the end of 2005 in South Korea, followed by an international [[GSM]] release in 2006 (the '''KG800'''), and a slightly altered [[CDMA]] model released for [[Verizon Wireless]] in the United States (the '''VX8500'''). The LG Chocolate is a 'slider' style phone that reveals touch sensitive buttons on its face, which activate upon sliding the phone open. The Chocolate was extremely popular worldwide due to its highly fashionable design,<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2006 |title=LG U830 Cell Phone is Surprisingly Un-chocolatey |url=https://techcrunch.com/2006/09/01/lg-u830-cell-phone-is-surprisingly-un-chocolatey/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Five popular cell phones that dominated the US market in 2006 |url=https://www.androidguys.com/featured/five-popular-cell-phones-that-dominated-the-us-market-in-2006/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016032621/https://www.androidguys.com/featured/five-popular-cell-phones-that-dominated-the-us-market-in-2006/ |archive-date=2018-10-16 |access-date=2018-10-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Will LG's Chocolate phone hit a sweet spot? |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna13976470 |website=[[NBC News]]}}</ref> selling over 21 million handsets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.koreaherald.com/common/newsprint.php?ud=20090814000060|title=Design innovation: LG`s formula for success-프린트화면|website=www.koreaherald.com}}</ref><ref>fonearena [https://www.fonearena.com/blog/5677/new-lg-chocolate-black-label-phone.html click]</ref><ref>zdnet [https://www.zdnet.com/article/is-this-the-next-lg-chocolate-yes/ click]</ref><ref>techradar [https://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/get-another-taste-of-the-lg-chocolate-614173 click]</ref><ref>gsmarena [https://www.gsmarena.com/lg_teases_with_new_lg_chocolate_black_label-news-1007.php click]</ref><ref>lg [https://www.lg.com/hk_en/press-releases/chocolate-makes-a-sweet-return click]</ref>

== Features and design ==
The LG Chocolate is a [[feature phone]] in sliding style. Features include a 1.3 megapixel camera, MP3 player, and FM radio.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Motorola Razr to the LG Chocolate: Classic Phones We Miss From The 2000s |url=https://www.januarymedia.co.uk/technology/classic-phones-we-miss-from-the-2000s-motorola-razr-to-the-lg-chocolate |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=January Media |language=en}}</ref> The Korean models came with 512 MB memory while the KG800 had only 128 MB. There is no memory card slot in the original Chocolate but the 3G variant and the American CDMA variant do have it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Review: LG Chocolate |url=https://www.phonescoop.com/articles/article.php?a=87 |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=Phone Scoop |language=en-US}}</ref> It was considered both stylish and sleek, with touch-sensitive keys that would glow up in red, and was designed to resemble [[chocolate]]. A chief LG designer claimed the phone was designed to not look like a mobile phone.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=揭開締造百萬銷量的 LG 巧克力機驚奇之謎 |url=https://www.sogi.com.tw/articles/%E6%8F%AD%E9%96%8B%E7%B7%A0%E9%80%A0%E7%99%BE%E8%90%AC%E9%8A%B7%E9%87%8F%E7%9A%84_LG_%E5%B7%A7%E5%85%8B%E5%8A%9B%E6%A9%9F%E9%A9%9A%E5%A5%87%E4%B9%8B%E8%AC%8E/6010294 |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=SOGI手機王}}</ref> At about 83 grams and 14.4 mm thickness it was also lighter and slimmer than most phones; to achieve this, LG converted from a multi-layer structure to a single-layer and all of its parts had to be freshly developed.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2021-12-17 |title=[응답하라, 그때 그 휴대폰] LG 초콜릿폰 |url=http://www.ilovepc.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=41871 |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=스마트PC사랑 |language=ko}}</ref>

==Release and variants==
The Chocolate was released in November 2005 in [[South Korea]] during a time when simplicity became trendy.<ref name=":0" /> It was available in three colours: black, white, and red. The phone was so in demand in South Korea, recording 4,000 units sold on day one.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Slim LG KV5900 Cyon Slider |date=4 November 2005 |url=https://gizmodo.com/135202/slim-lg-kv5900-cyon-slider}}</ref> The phone was backed by an advertising campaign featuring [[Kim Tae-hee]], [[Hyun Bin]] and [[Daniel Henney]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-05-29 |title=[2006 서경 베스트히트 상품] LG전자 '초콜릿폰' |url=https://www.sedaily.com/NewsView/1HRQNB29AL/GD0601 |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=서울경제 |language=ko}}</ref>

It was released in China in April 2006 (GSM model KG90, CDMA model KG90c),<ref>{{Cite web |title=LG「一碰你就脸红」的巧克力手机，13 年后依旧让人心动 {{!}} 极客博物馆 {{!}} 极客公园 |url=https://www.geekpark.net/news/244662 |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=GeekPark}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-12 |title=LG mobile phone song finally exits: goodbye my "chocolate" |url=https://iphonewired.com/industry/105179/ |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=iPhone Wired |language=en-US}}</ref> and internationally as GSM model KG800 in May 2006, which had its marketing strategy planned and executed<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marketingweek.com/2018/01/05/story-cv-mobile-marketing-specialist-helping-save-lives/|title = How one mobile marketing specialist is now helping to save lives|date = 5 January 2018}}</ref> by John Bernard, a marketer based in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-167410938.html|title=Sony Ericsson recruits ex-LG marketing head in senior role.|author=John Bernard) (Brief article)|journal=Marketing Week|date=March 24, 2016|access-date=July 16, 2023|archive-date=March 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324214619/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-167410938.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Colours included the original black (reminiscent of dark chocolate) and later white, pink and red.<ref name=":1" />

=== LG KU800 ===
The KU800 is a [[3G]] version of the KG800 Chocolate, providing higher speed [[UMTS]] connections. It was released in the UK at end 2006 by [[Vodafone UK|Vodafone]]. Its display resolution has also increased to 240x320 but with a drop in colour depth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LG KU800: 3G Chocolate – Mobile Gazette – Mobile Phone News |url=https://www.mobilegazette.com/lg-ku800-06x10x16.htm |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=www.mobilegazette.com}}</ref>

=== LG VX8500 (Verizon Wireless, U.S.) ===
[[File:Charcolatesmall.jpg|left|thumb|LG VX8500 Chocolate]]
The LG VX8500 was the LG Chocolate released in the United States on [[Verizon Wireless]]. It differed from the original Chocolate design by having physical directional keys combined with music keys, putting emphasis on music playback.<ref name=":0" /> The touch panel has a circular button arrangement bordered with glossy metal, versus the original Chocolate's square arrangement featuring simple arrow designs. Additionally it has an improved QVGA (320x240) display over the original Chocolate's 176x220.

It was released in July 2006 for online sale. On August 7, 2006, it was released for sale in Verizon stores. In addition to the original black “Dark Chocolate” model, the LG Chocolate VX8500 was also available in light green, white, pink, and red models called "Mint Chocolate," "White Chocolate," "Strawberry Chocolate," and "Cherry Chocolate," respectively.

The LG Chocolate had successor called the [[LG Chocolate Spin (VX8550)|VX8550 LG Chocolate "Spin"]] which featured touch buttons with improved accuracy, a scroll wheel, support for 4 GB [[microSD]] cards, and tactile send and end keys.

=== LG TG800 (Canada) ===
A slightly modified version of the KG800, released as the LG TG800, was sold by [[Rogers Wireless]] and [[Fido Solutions|Fido]] in Canada, released on the market in November 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.comparecellular.ca/cell-phones/lg-chocolate-tg800/|title = LG Phones and Smartphones}}</ref> Additionally, [[Bell Mobility]] has a modified version of this phone that works on their [[CDMA]]/[[3G]] [[EVDO]] network despite the offering of the [[LG Chocolate (VX8500)]] in Canada available there through [[Telus Mobility]].

==Sales and reception==
In over half a year, 600,000 Chocolates were sold in South Korea.<ref name=":0" /> A total of 1.4 million units were sold in its first three months in the European, Asian, and Latin American markets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna13976470|title=Will LG's Chocolate phone hit a sweet spot?|website=[[NBC News]]|date=21 July 2006 }}</ref> In April 2007, LG reported that Chocolate sales had topped 10 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LG has shipped ten million Chocolates |url=https://www.engadget.com/2007-04-27-lg-has-shipped-ten-million-chocolates.html |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}</ref> In December 2007, it reported 15 million sales.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hardy |first=Ian |date=2007-12-12 |title=LG Chocolate hits 15 million units |url=https://mobilesyrup.com/2007/12/12/lg-chocolate-hits-15-million-units/ |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=MobileSyrup |language=en}}</ref> It eventually reached sales of over 20 million units.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Design innovation: LG's formula for success-프린트화면 |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/common/newsprint.php?ud=20090814000060 |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=www.koreaherald.com}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
Before its European debut, the phone had already won an iF Design Award and a Red Dot Design Award.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ferra.ru/review/mobile/s26396.htm|title=Эксклюзив. Первый в мире тест LG KG800 Chocolate: самый стильный мобильник сезона|website=www.ferra.ru}}</ref>

At the Mobile Choice Consumer Awards 2006, the Chocolate won the award for Best Fashion Phone, and was runner up in Phone of the Year beaten by [[Sony Ericsson K800i]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-11-09 |title=Mobile Choice Magazine : Mobile Choice Consumer Awards 2006 Winners |url=https://www.mobilechoiceuk.com/artman/publish/article_148.shtml |access-date=2023-07-16 |archive-date=2006-11-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061109174504/https://www.mobilechoiceuk.com/artman/publish/article_148.shtml |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

The Chocolate single-handedly helped turn LG Electronics's business from a loss to profit by the end of 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-10-21 |title=How much Chocolate did the world consume? {{!}} Mobile Mentalism |url=https://www.mobilementalism.com/2006/11/20/how-much-chocolate-did-the-world-consume/ |access-date=2023-07-16 |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Successors ===
The LG Chocolate was succeeded by the [[LG Shine]], the second member of the [[LG Black Label Series]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stainless-steel Chocolate successor |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/stainless-steel-chocolate-successor/ |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref>

Numerous other Chocolate-style phones were released by LG, including the [[LG Chocolate Platinum (KE800)|LG Chocolate Platinum]] (KE800/SV600/KV6000), a clamshell model [[LG Chocolate Folder (KG810)]], and the [[LG KG320]].<ref name=":0" /> In the United States, carrier Verizon Wireless also released several Chocolate updates, including: [[LG Chocolate Spin (VX8550)|Chocolate Spin (VX8550)]], [[LG Chocolate 3 (VX8560)|Chocolate 3 (VX8560)]], and [[LG Chocolate Touch (VX8575)|Chocolate Touch (VX8575)]].

In 2009, LG released the [[LG New Chocolate (BL40)|New Chocolate (BL40)]] in Europe, Asia and Canada, alongside a non-touch New Chocolate model BL20.

==Specifications==
;KG800
{| class="wikitable"
| '''Display'''
|256,000 colour, TFT type, 176×220 size
|-
| '''Dimensions'''
|95 x 48 x 15.2mm
|-
| '''Weight'''
|83g
|-
| '''Standbytime'''
|Up to 200hrs
|-
| '''Band (in MHZ)'''
|900 / 1800 / 1900 (Tri-band)
|-
| '''Sound'''
|64 Polyphonic
|-
| '''WAP browser'''
|2.0
|-
| '''Messaging'''
|SMS, EMS, MMS, Email
|-
|'''Connectivity'''
|Bluetooth, USB data kit
|-
|}

;VX8500
{| class="wikitable"
!Type
!Specification
|-
|Modes || CDMA 800 / CDMA 1900 / GSM
|-
|Weight || 3.53 oz (100 g)
|-
|Dimensions || 3.80" x 1.88" x 0.69" (97 x 48 x 16 mm)
|-
|Battery Life || Talk: 3.50 hours (210 minutes) Standby: 384 hours (16 days) batteries were known to have a defect as they were released in December 2006. They did not hold a full charge.
|-
|Battery Type || LiPolymer 800 mAh
|-
|Display || Type: LCD (Color TFT/TFD) Colors: 262,144 (18-bit) Size: 240 x 320 pixels
|-
|Memory || Phone:61800 KB Music:62881 KB
(micro SD memory cards are available in 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, 6 GB, and 8 GB.
|-
|Camera || Resolution: 1+ megapixel self-timer, night mode functions / brightness, white balance controls
|-
|Video Capture || Max. Length: 1 hour QCIF resolution / 3GPP2 format
|-)
|}

==References==
<references />

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121113025712/http://www.cnet.com.au/lg-chocolate-kg800-240063360.htm LG Hot Chocolate KG800 Review – CNET.com.au]

{{LG phones}}

[[Category:LG Electronics mobile phones|Chocolate]]
[[Category:Mobile phones introduced in 2005]]
[[Category:Mobile phones introduced in 2006]]

LG Chocolate - Revision history

imported>Knoxxman at 18:37, 29 April 2025