The Optimus G is believed to be the device that will make LG significant again in the market. It is available in Sprint and AT&T for U.S. users. But probably the most important reason why it’s making a buzz in the Android world is that it is where the next Nexus, which will also be made by LG for Google, will be based on. Here’s a thorough review of the Optimus G.
Hardware
Similarities: Both the AT&T and the SPRINT version have a 4.7 inch display. Both have a slab surface instead of being curved. LG installed its back surface with what they call a “Crystal Reflection”. That’s basically a polarized clear panel with a textured area beneath it. In a certain angle, it looks kind of plain, but for the most part and with the right light available it looks pretty cool. The power/sleep button sits on the right side of the device while the volume rockers sit on the left side. The speaker is located at the lower right side of the phone which is covered by a vertical slit.
Difference:
AT&T version – a little bit wider than the SPRINT version to make room for Micro SIM card and a microSD card. There is a ‘notification light’ that surrounds the power button rather than being installed in the front. The edges on the right and left side are made of a curved chrome rail. It is equipped with an 8 MP camera.
SPRINT version – the edges of this version is at right angles in front with a curve going to the back. Unlike the AT&T version, it is completely sealed but it does have a 32GB internal storage. Has a 13MP camera with its lens sticking out.
Display
As mentioned, LG gave the device a 4.7 inch display, with a 1280×768 resolution. In technical terms, LG refers to it as a “True HD IPS Plus” with “Zerogap Touch”. In layman’s terms, that simply means the pixels are going to appear much closer to the surface. It has very high pixel density, very good color fidelity, and an excellent viewing angle.
Camera
Both versions have the 1.3 MP cameras in front which serve for the usual video calling. However, the rear-side camera is where they differ as LG placed an 8MP camera on the AT&T version and a 13MP camera on the SPRINT version. Of course, you might expect that a camera with higher MP to take better quality photos, but that’s entirely the case here. The 13MP camera seems to take photos that are low contrast and it even performs poorly in low-light areas.
There is a feature where the camera takes photos when you say “cheese” or “whisky”. You can play and change settings of the ISO, focus, white balance, etc. and blend it according to your own liking. You can also save four different settings and save them so the next time you put out your phone to take pictures, you can just use a certain setting by just tapping it then you just click and shoot.
Software
LG uses Android 4.0 OS. One of the things you can do with it is resizing folders. You can also rearrange icons or change the image of the icons. There is a ‘Quick Settings Area’ on the ‘Notification Bar’. You can manage the ‘Home screen’, although it does have a lot of options that may not be easy to figure out at first, but eventually in time it becomes a lot easier. LG installed a ‘quick memo’ feature which allows you to write or draw on screenshots, on a blank page or basically anywhere around the OS by simply holding on to the volume keys.
Performance
The Optimus is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 “krait” processor clocked at 1.5 GHz, a 2GB RAM, and Adreno 320 graphics core. Battery life is very good, able to withstand a full days work on par with the iPhone 5 and the Galaxy SIII. There is no LTE on the SPRINT version in most cities, while the AT&T version is working at a great speed.
Overall, LG Optimus G is a nice device that performs as it is endorsed. It gives you a snappy and speedy experience, it is very responsive with the touches and the commands, and it’s a great purchase all in all.
