Sprint and LG have announced their third device for 2012, the "eco-friendly" LG Optimus Elite. The new smartphone will be launched on Earth Day (Sunday, April 22) exclusively through Sprint.com, followed by a bigger launch through additional channels on May 18.
Tree huggers will be happy to know that the device is only $29.99 with a new two-year service agreement and a $50 mail-in rebate. Of course a $30 smartphone is going to be lacking in the normal specification department, but the Elite is all about its eco-friendly features. Just like the LG Viper, the LG Optimus Elite is ULE Platinum certified, and is protected by a casing made of 50 percent recycled plastics. It's also free from hazardous materials, such as PVC, phthalates, halogens and mercury, and it ships with a EC Code of Conduct efficient charger that onle consumes 0.03 watts of power when plugged into a wall socket.
Other LG Optimus Elite specs include Android 2.3, Gingerbread, a 3.5-inch capacitive touch-screen, 800 MHz processor, 5 MP rear-facing camera and camcorder with flash, virtual QWERTY keyboard and mobile hotspot capability supporting up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices.