LG’s new Optimus G smartphone has finally been released in Australia and offers a number of key new features that will make it even more relevant to everyday users.
The device has a high definition 4.7-inch TrueHD display, a quad-core 1.5Ghz processor and a 13-megapixel camera.
After spending 2012 focussing on its pre-paid value handset offerings, LG has produced a premium device with the Optimus G that easily meets the demands of today’s sophisticated smartphone user.
The 4G device is available now exclusively on the Telstra network.
DESIGN
The LG Optimus G has excellent build quality and a sleek design with Gorilla Glass 2 front and back plus laser cut edges and a silver trim around the screen.
The result is a device that fits nicely in your hands thanks to the curved back panel.
On the top edge is a 3.5mm headphone jack, the on/off/lock key on the right edge, volume control and sim card tray down the left side and a microUSB sync/charge port on the bottom.
The back glass panel has the 13-megapixel camera and LED flash set in the top left corner.
It is 131.9mm long, 68.9mm wide and 8.45mm thick and it weighs 145g.
FEATURES
LG’s Optimus G is brimming with new and useful features and not just gimmicky add-ons.
These include QSlide, Dual Screen Dual Play and QuickMemo and Time Catch Shot.
With QSlide we were able to use a selection of apps simultaneously – messaging, videos, browser, memo, calendar and calculator.
For example, if you’re replying to a message and need to see if you’re busy on a certain date you can have the calendar on the screen at the same time.
And to make it easier to complete the message, the QSlide can be adjusted to make the calendar more translucent to see what you’re typing below.
Dual Screen Dual Play also works well and allowed us to connect the Optimus G to our TV using a Miracast device (in our case we used the Netgear Push2TV).
With this feature you can play a video on the TV screen from the phone and then use other functions of the Optimus G at the same time.
This is also useful for presentations with the slides showing on the screen and your accompanying notes showing only on the device’s screen.
QuickMemo is one of our favourite features and turns the screen into a note pad that you can write on with your finger.
For us it was useful to jot down notes and number during calls and when hearing back our voicemail messages. And you can even save these notes and also share them if you have to.
The 13-megapixel camera on the LG Optimus G is excellent and shoots impressive pictures and videos with accurate colour and clarity.
But apart from just taking good pictures, the camera also offers some enhancements to make it easier for users to come up with the best results.
One of those enhancements is Time Catch Shot which can help users not miss the moment.
As soon as you turn on the camera, the Optimus G captures images at full 13-megapixel resolution and holds a two-second buffer. This means that by the time you’ve hit the shutter button the camera has also captured the previous two seconds as well.
Anyone who has ever tried to photograph young children or pets will know they are not always interested at looking at the camera or posing and Time Catch Shot does increase your chances of success.
You can go back and in time and choose the images you want to keep which will hopefully include the money shot.
One fun option we found on the Optimus LG’s camera was the ability to capture an image just by talking.
This is handy for those users who want to capture selfies or shots at an odd angle that make it hard to hit the capture key.
All you need to say is “cheese”, “whisky”, “smile”, “kimchi” or “LG” to activate the shutter.
Another handy feature of the camera is Live Zooming which allows users to zoom while shooting video without having to pause or stop.
PERFORMANCE
Under the hood the Optimus G really has it where it counts and offers a fast and smooth experience.
The device is powered by a SnapDragon S4 Pro 1.5Ghz quad-core processor and 2GB RAM which really puts some serious computing power in your hands.
As a result the Optimus G is fast and reliable and can handle having multiple apps open at the same time as we saw with the QSlide feature.
The operating system is Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean and has an excellent interface with all of the main features and your content right at your fingertips.
One of the first things you’ll notice is the sharp 4.7-inch screen. It has a high definition resolution of 1280 x 768 and images, videos, apps and web pages look great on the screen.
There is 32GB of internal storage with the Optimus G but LG missed an opportunity by not adding a microSD card slot to allow users to expand that capacity even further.
With the ability to capture and create such great content with the Optimus G, the microSD added storage would have been a welcome addition.
On the battery side the device boasts a 2,100mAh cell that has 800-cycle technology onboard which means the battery will have a longer life and be able to hold its charge longer.
During our testing we easily got through a whole work day on a single charge and had to reach for the charger in the early evening.
We had hoped for better considering the specs of the battery and thought it would have sailed through to the next day.
But powering a quad-core processor, 2GB RAM and operating on Telstra’s 4G network obviously takes it toll on the battery.
VERDICT
The LG Optimus G is a smart device with features that make it an even more useful product to have by your side.
It is easily the best mobile device LG has produced. We’re just sorry we didn’t get it sooner.
LG Optimus G
Price: $624 or from $0 on a $60 a month Telstra plan
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