The LG Optimus G is one big, beautiful powerhouse. Seeing as I’m an all-out Apple lover, this is a statement that I don’t make lightly. While I don’t hate Android devices by any means, I’m accustomed to, and happy with my iDevices. Moving to a completely different OS was a big shift, but it wasn’t a bad one.
The “Great Migration” I’ll call it, at the beginning was a pain, as it always is. Having to download all the apps again, shifting over contacts, and the like. However, the work was done quickly, because there was hardly anything in the way of loading times. I was done and set up in no time flat. You would think that it was just the newness of it all, but once things got going, I found myself leaving my iPhone in the other room.
It was like being a kid in a candy shop who was just told they had free reign. Apps ran faster and smoother, games had no lag, and keeping things updated didn’t feel like a chore. This was and is a phone worth using, and there are plenty of reasons why.
What does it look like? Curved, glossy, black, and with no jagged edges to catch your fingers on, the Optimus G is one classy piece of technology. Its construction is solid, weighing 5.19 ounces, and it feels like a sturdy phone, which is saying something for a relatively thin configuration of plastic and glass. The front and back of this device are covered with Gorilla Glass 2, which is slight and strong. This means you’re going to have much less chance of bumping or scraping your shiny new lifeline.
The display of the Optimus G is a 4.7” (768×1280) True HD IPS Plus, which has deep blacks and crisp colors that will make you “ooh” and “ahh” all over the place. While it is beautiful, it’s also much bigger than I was expecting. I may have bass player sized hands, but it still feels a bit bulky, as the screen is larger than normal. Things feel more akin to a tiny tablet, but don’t worry, you won’t look like you’re jamming a brick against your face when you answer a call as it’s still fairly compact.
Now I’m sure you’re wondering how the innards perform. The Optimus G has a 1.5GHz processor, which is definitely one of the fastest in the market at the moment. It operates on the Android Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0.4), and there are lots of goodies to play with. Thankfully its 2,100mAH battery can withstand a full day of business and off-duty time, so you won’t have to fret over making it home on the final percentage of power.
There’s a 1.3 megapixel camera in the front, and an 8 MP HD autofocus camera with an extremely bright flash in the back (which also doubles as a good flashlight). While the forward-facing camera feels a bit lack-luster (as they always do), it was still decent at doing its job for pictures and chat. The rear-facing option was where it really started to become interesting though.
Tons of settings to choose from, and you could zoom WHILE you were shooting video (you can also choose the quality all the way up to 1920×1080). There were spoken cues such as saying “cheese” or “smile” that would snap a picture so you don’t have to fumble around for the button on the screen. The autofocus was a bit of an annoyance as it readjusted itself much too quickly for me to be able to settle on anything. Even if you tapped, it would readjust a couple of seconds later.
Thankfully though, there is a face tracking setting that isn’t too overzealous about trying to find something to hone in on. Taking video would yield blurry footage here and there, and it was the same story for the panoramic shots, but overall, it was a blast to use. Getting things loaded on various apps was a breeze, because there was little to no loading times on getting things open and running. This means all of your social media is quick and simple, just the way we like it.
There’s an option that essentially gives you two screens called “Qslide”. Through this function, you can watch videos in the background, while you work away on notes, photos, or what have you in the foreground. If you happen to see something important or inspiring while you’re watching a video, taking pictures, or even searching the web, you can swipe down and open something called Quickmemo. This is a screen capture and note-taking combo that is extremely helpful for holiday gift lists and reminders. Work and play have never been closer together! The video below will demonstrate the dual screen option, as well the Quickmemo capabilities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksZhJc0eal0
Conclusion
The big question for any phone is whether or not it’s worth getting. The answer? Maybe. Now I know I just gushed about wonderful it is, but it’s honestly a matter of preference. The Optimus G is going to take care of your need for speed on a phone, but it is a little bigger than the average phone. Those with smaller hands will probably be bothered by how awkwardly large it would be.
This smartphone can handle work and play without breaking a sweat. Not to mention it can scoff at a full day of constant use without having need for a charge break. If you’re in the market for a new phone, and want something that can withstand your professional world, social media, and gaming, then dropping about $200 with a contract on the LG Optimus G will be worth it.
