Smartphones8.05.2013

LG Optimus G hands-on

By Jan Vermeulen

While it doesn’t look like South Africa’s mobile network operators will be offering Google’s Nexus 4 on contract, the device it is based on, the LG Optimus G is on its way to our shores.

Compared to the Nexus 4, the Optimus G doesn’t make a great first impression: it’s not quite as nice to hold, and the default interface theme makes it look like a child’s toy.

Fortunately, the look-and-feel of the user interface can be customised quite a bit.

A few minutes in the settings menu, and the Optimus G’s interface may be transformed from looking like a toy to something more suitable to a 1.5GHz quad-core toting, 2GB RAM smoking, (Android) Jelly Bean chomping powerhouse.

Aesthetics and first impressions notwithstanding, the LG Optimus G impresses tremendously. The user interface is slick and responsive; even more so than the newer Android devices on the market, despite the Optimus G’s slower processor.

The LG Optimus G doesn’t have the gamut of software features offered by the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S4, though it does include a handful of helpful gestures, and its own take on “Smart Stay” called “Smart screen”.

This feature promises to detect your eyes when looking at the screen, preventing it from going to sleep while you’re busy with something.

The LG Optimus G also has an FM Radio app – something you don’t see every day on a top-end smartphone.

LG Optimus G default interface (left) and Biz skin (right)

Conclusion

As expected, the LG Optimus G performs like a top-of-the-range smartphone, though it lacks the bells (such as a full HD resolution display) and whistles (such as HTC’s Blink Feed, Samsung’s S Health, Translate, air gestures, and “Smart Pause”, and Google’s photosphere).

Though the LG Optimus G is a little out-gunned by the new generation of Android smartphones making their way to South Africa’s shores, it could be quite attractive if priced right.

What you’ll love

Smooth, ultra-responsive UI that is mercifully somewhat customisable (unlike some other Android skins).

What you’ll hate

The camera software lets down the 13 megapixel hardware.

What you should note

Sealed unit: no removable battery or microSD slot;

Glass on the back like the iPhone 4/4S – do not drop this phone from anything but hip height or something will crack (dropping any R6k-R7k smartphone is generally a bad idea, though)