The LG Optimus 2X was one of the many Android phones on show at CES 2011 last week, and since it just so happens to be one of the first dual core mobiles ever, we just had to get a good look. Read on for snaps and our findings in our LG Optimus 2X review: first look.
LG’s sat on the sidelines for the last two years while rivals like Samsung and HTC have pumped out turbo charged Android phone after turbo charged Android phone. Now though, it’s weighing in with a pumped up and pimped out handset of its own, the LG Optimus 2X. But if we’re honest, from our brief play we’re not liking it as much as Samsung, Motorola and Sony Ericsson’s new Android phones.
On the outside, we’re a little bit underwhelmed by the LG Optimus 2X. It lacks the superbright NOVA display and supremely thin shell of the LG Optimus Black. There’s something about the piano black bezel and touch sensitive buttons below the display too that screams LG Chocolate to us, and that’s not a compliment.
Check out our Best Android phone Top 5 now
Still, under the bonnet, we certainly can’t fault the hardware. All of the Nvidia Tegra 2 powered phones on show at CES (including the LG Optimus 2X) wowed us with their spiffy load times (or lack there of) and blazing speed. While we could’t see the results of footage shot on a big screen, 1080p video recording is promised and we don’t doubt there’s enough processing oomph in here to keep it smooth.
But it’s a shame LG isn’t pushing the boat out with the software. We’re not usually fans of Android software skins, but if manufacturers insist on them we’d rather they pushed the boat out. Given the dual core CPU and full HD video recording on the LG Optimus 2X, we’d love to see have seen a native HD video editing app to rival iMovie on the iPhone 4, but that’s not included.
Best Android phone of CES 2011: Top 5
Instead, what you’ve got is LG’s typical S-Class UI, with a rather childish looking dock and its own unnecessary custom Facebook app (Not needed LG!). Still, there are some nice touches too, like the music controls and toggles in the notification bar, and a rather lovely looking onscreen keyboard that’s a huge improvement over the one found on the LG Optimus One.
There’s no denying that the LG Optimus 2X is supremely powerful, but from what we’ve seen so far, we’re actually preferring the build of the LG Optimus Black. We’ll see how those extra specs affect performance and battery life when we get hold of a review unit in the coming months though. In the meantime, check out the LG Optimus 2X hands on pics here!
