Introduction
If you have spent any time in the amateur radio or shortwave listening communities, you know how hard it can be to find a single device that does it all. For decades, the radio world was split into two camps: traditional radio frequency (RF) enthusiasts who love hunting down weak signals over the airwaves, and modern listeners who prefer the convenience, variety, and static-free clarity of internet streaming. Putting these two worlds together in a single portable device has always felt like a distant dream.
Enter the CHOYONG LC90 Smart Internet Radio. This fascinating, hybrid device aims to completely bridge the gap between traditional RF and modern internet audio. Priced at $249, this radio offers classic FM, Mediumwave (AM), Longwave, and Shortwave bands—complete with Single Sideband (SSB) reception—while simultaneously integrating Wi-Fi, 4G LTE cellular, eSIM technology, and a ChatGPT-powered smart voice search. It is, without a doubt, one of the most unique and ambitious portable radios to hit the market in years.
But does this hybrid model actually deliver on its bold promises, or does it try to do too much at the expense of performance? In this comprehensive, honest review, we will dive deep into the design, sound quality, reception capabilities, smart features, pros, and cons of the Choyong LC90 to help you decide if it is worth a spot on your nightstand or in your travel bag.
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Product Overview
The CHOYONG LC90 Smart Internet Radio is best described as a “smart entertainment hub” housed in a vintage-modern portable radio body. At its core, the device functions as both an advanced DSP multi-band receiver and an Android-based streaming player. It features a bright, highly detailed 1.8-inch IPS color screen that displays station logos, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) data, and menu options. Rather than using a touchscreen, Choyong opted for a tactile approach with a digital dialing keypad, dedicated shortcut buttons, and physical control knobs. All the keys are beautifully backlit, which makes operating the radio in total darkness a breeze.
Under the hood, the LC90 is loaded with features designed to keep you connected no matter where you are. For traditional listening, it includes a telescoping whip antenna and a 3.5mm external antenna jack. For internet listening, you can connect the radio to a local 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network. When you are away from home, you can insert a physical Nano-SIM card or activate the built-in eSIM to connect to 4G LTE networks. This makes it a truly standalone internet radio that does not require you to drain your smartphone’s battery by running a hotspot.
The audio side of the LC90 is incredibly robust. It features a 15-watt dual-speaker system that combines a mid-bass speaker, a silk dome tweeter, and a passive low-frequency radiator. Powering all of this is a high-capacity 5000mAh rechargeable battery pack, which actually consists of dual 18650 lithium-ion cells accessible via a battery cover on the back of the unit. In terms of local media, the radio supports Bluetooth 5.2 and has a Micro SD (TF) card slot for playing back offline MP3s and podcasts.
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Pros
- Unrivaled Hybrid Connectivity: The ability to seamlessly switch between local FM/SW broadcasts and over 40,000 global internet radio stations is an absolute game-changer. The inclusion of 4G LTE and eSIM support means you can take your favorite global stations and podcasts camping, on road trips, or to the beach without needing a Wi-Fi connection.
- Stunning, Room-Filling HiFi Audio: Most shortwave and portable radios suffer from thin, tinny, and fatiguing speakers. The Choyong LC90 is the complete opposite. Its 15-watt speaker configuration produces a rich, warm, and highly detailed sound. The dedicated silk dome tweeter keeps speech crisp and clear, while the bass radiator adds a satisfying thump that makes it double as an excellent standalone Bluetooth speaker.
- Single Sideband (SSB) Support: For amateur radio operators and dedicated utility DXers, the LC90 includes full SSB support with independent Upper Sideband (USB) and Lower Sideband (LSB) selections. Combined with the fine-tuning dial (which allows for precise 1 kHz steps on MW and 5 kHz steps on SW), it is incredibly capable of pulling in ham radio operators, maritime broadcasts, and aviation weather reports.
- Smart GPT Voice Search: Finding a needle in a haystack of 40,000 stations can be exhausting. Fortunately, Choyong introduced a ChatGPT-powered voice engine in their 4.7 and 4.8 firmware updates. By holding down the “Lang” button, you can speak naturally into the radio (e.g., “Find BBC Radio 4” or “Play some jazz from New Orleans”), and the radio will instantly locate and play the stream. It is fast, accurate, and incredibly fun to use.
- Active and Helpful Firmware Updates: Unlike some manufacturers that release a product and immediately forget about it, Choyong has been actively updating the LC90’s software. Recent firmware updates have dramatically improved system stability, squashed bugs, reduced internal noise, and added massive new features like dedicated podcast search menus.
- Vibrant IPS Screen & Backlit Controls: The IPS screen is bright, highly visible even in outdoor settings, and displays beautiful station art. At night, the buttons glow softly upon being touched, making it one of the absolute best bedside radios for late-night listening session.
- Versatile Offline Media Playback: With a built-in Micro SD card slot, you can easily load up gigabytes of your own music, audiobooks, or downloaded podcasts. The radio also works as a USB computer speaker if you connect it to your PC or laptop via a Type-C cable.
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Cons
- Disappointing Mediumwave (AM) and Longwave Performance: While the LC90 performs admirably on FM and Shortwave, its AM (Mediumwave) and Longwave reception is quite weak. The internal digital electronics, backlit screen, and cellular/Wi-Fi antennas create a relatively high noise floor. This means that even with Wi-Fi turned off, local AM stations can be masked by background hiss. If you are a hardcore AM DXer looking to pull in distant AM stations at night, this is not the right radio for you.
- Awkward External Antenna Port Placement: The 3.5mm external antenna jack is positioned extremely close to the main tuning dial. If you plan on using an external shortwave antenna or a magnetic loop antenna, you will likely need an adapter. Unfortunately, standard RF adapters can easily block or scrape against the tuning knob, which is a frustrating design oversight.
- Clunky UI & Initial Learning Curve: Because the LC90 is packed with so many features but does not have a touchscreen, navigating the user interface requires a bit of a learning curve. Moving through menu settings, entering Wi-Fi passwords, and sorting favorites using physical dials and keys can feel a bit tedious and “clunky” until you get used to the system’s logic.
- Micro SD Card Required for Updates: Some users have reported that the radio is highly dependent on having a Micro SD (TF) card inserted. In some instances, performing firmware updates over-the-air (OTA) or even establishing a stable initial Wi-Fi connection required having a TF card physically in the slot. Since the radio does not come with an SD card in the box, you will need to purchase one separately.
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Customer Reviews Analysis
With 53 reviews on Amazon and an active following in global radio forums, the Choyong LC90 has sparked a lot of conversation among radio enthusiasts. Analyzing these reviews reveals a very clear narrative: the LC90 is a highly loved product, but it is one that has greatly benefited from software updates.
Early purchasers in late 2023 and early 2024 noted that the software could be buggy, and they frequently pointed out annoying “birdies” (internal squeals or tones) on certain shortwave frequencies. However, the sentiment changed dramatically after Choyong released firmware versions 4.7 and 4.8. Customers who updated their devices were thrilled to find that these updates vastly improved stability, minimized internal noise, and added the highly praised ChatGPT voice search.
The overwhelming majority of positive reviews highlight the radio’s outstanding physical build and premium sound quality. Many users express sheer delight at being able to sit on their porch or in their workshop and listen to crystal-clear international broadcasts, sports streams, and podcasts that they previously could only access through a computer or smartphone. Expatriates and language learners especially appreciate the flawless access to over 40k global internet stations. On the flip side, the critical reviews almost exclusively center around the poor AM/MW reception and the clumsy placement of the external antenna jack, which are valid engineering critiques that buyers should keep in mind.
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Who Should Buy This Product?
The CHOYONG LC90 is a highly specialized piece of gear, and it appeals to a specific audience. You will absolutely love this radio if you fall into one of these categories:
- Podcast and Global Radio Enthusiasts: If you love listening to international news (like the BBC, Deutsche Welle, or NHK), global music, or talk radio, this is an incredible standalone device. It keeps you from being distracted by your smartphone while still giving you access to millions of hours of global content.
- Frequent Travelers and Campers: Thanks to its dual 18650 battery setup and 4G LTE/eSIM cellular support, the LC90 is a spectacular travel companion. You can take it into the woods or a hotel room and instantly stream your favorite home-town radio stations.
- Ham Radio Operators and casual SWLs: If you enjoy casual shortwave listening and want a radio that can decode SSB signals while also providing high-fidelity internet backups when atmospheric conditions are poor, the hybrid nature of this radio is perfect.
Who should pass? If your primary goal is AM/Mediumwave DXing (searching for weak, distant AM talk radio stations at night), you will be disappointed by the internal noise floor. In that case, you are better off buying a dedicated analog AM receiver like a Tecsun or Sangean for a fraction of the price. Additionally, if you want a simple, budget-friendly “plug-and-play” device, the $249 price tag and clunky button menus might feel like overkill.
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Final Verdict
The CHOYONG LC90 Smart Internet Radio is a bold, forward-thinking piece of technology that dares to do something different. It successfully drags the traditional portable shortwave radio into the 21st century by blending it with the boundless world of cellular and Wi-Fi internet streaming.
While it is not a perfect radio—its poor AM reception and awkwardly placed external antenna jack keep it from being a flawless all-rounder—the things it does well, it does extraordinarily well. The 15-watt HiFi audio speaker is shockingly good, the ChatGPT-powered voice search is a revolutionary way to find content, and the active firmware support shows that the manufacturer is genuinely dedicated to making this device the best it can be.
At $249, it is certainly an investment, but for those who value world-class audio, global connectivity, and a truly unique listening experience, the Choyong LC90 is worth every single penny. It is an innovative, highly entertaining “smart radio” that will quickly become your favorite companion for bedside listening, workshop projects, and outdoor adventures.
