Key features:
* Quad-band GSM and dual-band 3G (with HSDPA) support
* 3" resistive touchscreen of HVGA resolution
* Android OS v1.6
* Accelerometer for auto screen rotate
* 3 megapixel autofocus camera
* Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and GPS receiver, digital compass
* Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP
* 150 MB internal memory
* Hot-swappable microSD card slot (supporting card with capacity of up to 16GB)
* Standard microUSB port and Mass Storage mode
* Social networking service integration
* DivX/XviD video support
* Stereo FM radio with RDS
Main disadvantages:
* Android OS is limited to version 1.6
* Poor sunlight legibility
* No video-call camera
* No Flash support for the web browser
* No voice dialing
* Video recording maxes out at VGA@17fps
So, we’re talking the makers of Black Label handsets and some pretty good cameraphones. And well, it’s only their second attempt at Android. No wonder then, they’re not too keen to make a big noise about it. On a second thought though, it’s really the Android way. The quiet multitaskers will just do their job and offer consumer-friendly smartphone experience. Quite often it would be first-time smartphone users too.
Upon a casual look, possibly the biggest sin of the GT540 is the outdated Android version. While the competition is busy releasing Éclair-powered devices (v2.1), the GT540 owners will have to wait for an upgrade, which is not certain at all.
Getting a Donut instead of an Eclair is not such a huge letdown after all. There’re enough applications out there that will run comfortably on Android v1.6. And by the way, the Optimus does get you v1.6, as opposed to the GW620 that only comes with the obsolete v1.5.
Most importantly, the potential LG GT540 users are quite unlikely to worry about such things. The Optimus is supposed to be the first smartphone they ever had. And it’s clearly got what it takes to entice feature phone users to upgrade.
The GT540 Optimus boasts HSDPA and Wi-Fi for a full connectivity set. Bluetooth is crippled indeed by the Donut, but still. It’s a HVGA touchscreen while some of its direct rivals come with a QVGA display. The phone is social-network-friendly and has more than decent media. And as far as its design is concerned, the GT540 seems to know how to please everyone – there are multiple color versions and distinct stylings to suite every taste.
LG position the Optimus as an entry level smartphone and we think the device will connect with LG users who would like to upgrade. As to competition, Android’s been busy lately and there’s plenty of choice.
The first name that comes to mind is the Samsung I5700 Galaxy Spica. It has a larger screen, serves Éclairs and thinks as fast as the Optimus. However, its price tag is a bit higher. Among the other Droids worth considering is the Motorola QUENCH. It packs a capacitive display, a 5-megapixel snapper along with a highly customized UI, the MOTOBLUR. It’s Android v1.5 underneath though. The cheaper HTC Tattoo has a QVGA screen that shortens the list of compatible applications. Another option is the HTC Magic (a.k.a. T-Mobile myTouch 3G).
If Android is not set in stone, the list of competitors gets even longer. Here come the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic and its even cheaper versions – the 5230 and the 5530 XpressMusic. All three of them are based on the S60 platform and have been around long enough to now cost way less than the LG GT540 and the rest of the potential rivals. You might want to check out the HTC Touch2 PocketPC as well.
To sum it up, the LG GT540 is standard issue entry-level Android phone. Nothing more, nothing less. And this seems just right for the intended target audience. The various paint jobs with fashionable styling suggest the Optimus is getting ready to be enjoyed by girls and boys alike. It is smart and has rich connectivity and social networking features. There are some flaws we couldn’t just let go but none of them is a real deal breaker. There you go.
Labels: Android , LG
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