The LG TM520 was released in Summer 2002 as a dual band, tri-mode phone (800/1900 CDMA and AMPS) that is sold for use on the Telus Mobility network in Canada. A very similar model, the LG VX1, is also being sold by Verizon in the US.

The LG TM520 is a flip model with a large LCD screen on the inside and a small display screen on the outside. When closed, the TM520 is about the size of your palm and fits nicely into your hand. The phone can also either be carried in a pocket or a well-designed belt clip that is included with the phone. The overall dimensions of the TM520 are 84mm x 46mm x 25mm (3.3" x 1.8" x 1.0") and the handset weighs in at 108g (3.8 oz), which is just marginally lighter than both the Samsung N370 and the Nokia 3390.

The front keypad has the usual numbers, send, end, and clear keys, a 4-way scrolling pad, plus two soft keys. On the left side there are also up and down volume keys and a voice recorder/memo key. The keypad had a nice tactile grip and all the keys were well-sized and I found the keypad easy to navigate.

This is a flip or 'clamshell' phone, meaning that to use the phone you must open it up. The top of the clamshell holds a large-sized LCD screen that can display up to seven lines of text. The display is graphical, so for some menu screens you will see more lines of text and/or intermixed text and graphics. On the reverse side of the top shell (on the outside) there is a smaller two line screen that shows incoming phone numbers, message status, signal strength, etc. There is also an elongated red LED on the outside of the phone that flashes if there is an incoming call or message.

Both screens have a green backlight, that really doesn't show up too well in lighted conditions, which is just fine as the LCD screen has a nice contrast. In dark conditions the green displays the text and graphics well. The keypad is also nicely lit from behind and you can see the buttons quite clearly in the dark.

As mentioned before, when the TM520 is closed, it holds well in your palm. When opened, the bottom half of the phone is well weighted and balanced so that it doesn't feel like the phone will fall out of your hand -- this is a fair contrast to theMotorola P8167. I found the TM520 not as comfortable to hold next to your ear when compared to a non-flip model, but this is more of a personal preference. The handset felt solid and did not creak significantly and is quite robust to scratches and damage from accidental falls.

his is a dual band, tri-mode phone (800/1900 CDMA and AMPS) that will only work within North America. This model will work with both 800 and 1900 MHz CDMA networks, plus flip over to analog (AMPS) when there is no digital network present. In North America, this particular handset model is compatible with the Telus and Bell Mobility (plus other Mobility) networks in Canada, plus Verizon, Sprint PCS, and other CDMA networks in the US.