LG Optimus 2X : Dual Core LG Smartphone

The Optimus 2X measures in at 123.9x63.2x10.9mm and weighs 139g � that�s 4g heavier than the Atrix. The WVGA 4-inch display clocks up the standard 480x800 pixels and is decent enough � although we think it couldn�t be compared with a Super AMOLED Plus or qHD.

The front of the Optimus 2X is fashioned from Gorilla Glass with a faux metallic edging that runs around the entire device. The back, in true LG-style, is plastic all the way apart from a brushed metal strip beneath the camera that has �with Google� stamped on it.

LG�s Optimus 2X is the first Tegra 2 1GHz dual core-powered smartphone to hit the UK. It also squeezes in a low-power NVIDIA GPU too, along with 512MB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage and support for an additional 32GB via its microSD slot.

Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA and Wi-Fi hotspot creation are all also present, as you�d expect. As is HSDPA, 10.2 Mbps and HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps � so far so good, then. But how does this translate into performance?

First up, the LG Optimus 2X is fast. However, it�s not �that fast� and, if we�re honest, we were expecting a lot more. There�s still noticeable lag when swiping screens, the device doesn�t boot-up that quickly and we did run into problems on more than one occasion.
The dual core processor and NVIDIA GPU do pay dividends when it comes to gaming though. We tried out a load of games on the Optimus 2X, such as Gun Bros and Spider Man, and they played like a dream � no lag, seamless movements and little to no glitches.
It�s also obvious you�re packing two cores when multitasking as well. For instance, you can mirror the device via HDMI and still run applications in the background without causing the Optimus 2X any real problems.

In this sense, the LG Optimus 2X is perfect for CPU-abusers and serious mobile gamers. It�ll take pretty much anything you can through at it. What�s bizarre though is that all this raw power isn�t really that obvious in general day-to-day usage. There�s still UI lack, more than a few glitches and Android 2.2 doesn�t run as well as you�d expect. Basically, we think there�s lots of room for improvement on the software side of things.

LG neglected to ship the Optimus 2X with Android 2.3. Instead it�s been pushed out with Android 2.2 and LG�s usable, but ultimately inadequate, UI skin. Fortunately one of these issues can be remedied instantly with a quick download (Launcher Pro) via the Android Market, which should get your UI up to speed in no time.

Most people hear 8-megapixels and think, �Wow, that must be a great camera � so many megapixels!� But I have to admit that the camera wasn�t a �wow� for me. Yes, you can obtain image in high resolution and a 1080p video, but unfortunately it is not so good as it should be.

Overall

Honestly, I�m not particularly impressed with the LG Optimus 2X. Yes, the dual core processor and awesome GPU translates into many tangible benefits for gaming, multitasking and the like � this is a given. But overall the Optimus 2X lacks a type of quality that we�d expect from a device with this level of spec.

So if you�re desperate to get a dual core smartphone, you�re probably best waiting for HTC�s Sensation to land or picking up either the Samsung Galaxy S2 or Motorola Atrix.

Share :

Tweet

✚

Advertisement