LG Optimus – How Good Is It?

Posted on 29 August 2010

One might think that all smartphone manufacturers have long been placing the Android OS in their handsets. Not so with LG, but the company has taken its time and produced a phone that is versatile and practical at the same time. It is the LG GT540, also known as the Optimus for marketing purposes. It takes the place of the GW620, and since it is the next logical step, development costs have been kept low, savings that are passed on to the customer.

One improvement over the 620 that the Optimus presents is a QWERTY keyboard. This is appealing to those who prefer texting on a pad that is similar to the one on a computer. In order to accommodate the larger keyboard, the body of the phone is somewhat larger than similar models, but it still measures only 109 x 54.5 x 12.7mm enabling the user to tuck it away without a problem. The phone is constructed of a sturdy, lightweight plastic that doesn’t add undue weight while carrying it around. A curved, smooth finish adds a sleek aesthetic to the Optimus that is pleasing to the eye.

A resistive touch screen presents the images on the Optimus. Some may be distressed to learn that the 5-inch screen is not capacitive, but the phone provides nothing to worry about. The screen is much more accurate than most resistive screens leading to very few mistakes. The display is TFT and carries HVGA resolution. This creates impressive imagery for a phone that enjoys a mid-range price. The resolution is 320 x 480 pixels and supports 256K colors.

The LG Optimus provides customers with two types of home screens. Those familiar with the Android OS will recognize one, while the other is customized by LG. The one created by LG allows customizable buttons found at the bottom of the screen that grant access to shortcuts, widgets, and folders. Messaging is instantly accessible from this screen as well. Three to seven home screens are available and the theme can be completely changed.

Some LG smartphones have suffered short battery life, but the company has greatly improved battery performance with the Optimus. Around 7 hours and 20 minutes of talk time and 500 hours of standby time are obtained from the 1500mAh lithium-ion battery. Not many smartphones can claim such life.

Anyone looking to enhance their previous smartphone experience will be pleased with the LG Optimus. The handset comes complete with an alarm clock and a world clock. There is a voice recorder and a personal organizer for those on the go. Also included is a dedicated Youtube plug-in, a PDF viewer and just about any other application imaginable.

Although it is LG’s first attempt at using Android technology, they have created a user-friendly experience with the LG Optimus. Users already familiar with Android smartphones will not be insulted and new users will not cry out of frustration. The Optimus offers a good balance of complexity and simplicity.

Share and Enjoy: