The Samsung Galaxy S 2 has some fierce specs, but is it good enough to floor the next-gen tech in the LG Optimus 3D, or is a glasses-free 3D smartphone a gimmick too far? Read on for our head to head between the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the LG Optimus 3D.
Screen
This is where we’ll find the real difference between the LG Optimus 3D and Samsung Galaxy S 2. The LG Optimus 3D has, in case you hadn’t worked it out already, a 3D glasses-free display. The Samsung Galaxy S 2 on the other hand, comes rocking a Super AMOLED Plus screen.
The latter, we found, to be infinitely preferable. The 3D on the LG Optimus 3D looked great when we were playing games, but aside from this it had little in the way of appealing application: would you really want to watch a 3D film on a 4.3-inch screen?
The Samsung Galaxy S 2 on the other hand was super bright, and has the same sized screen as the LG Optimus 3D at 4.3-inches. It floored its predecessor, and blew us away with brilliant sharp colours and lovely crisp images.
Read our Samsung Galaxy S 2 hands on first impressions
Under the hood
If this is a battle between next-generation technologies, then the Samsung Galaxy S 2 sees the glasses free 3D put forward by the LG Optimus 3D, and raises it NFC tech. This is the same stuff that was packed into the Google Nexus S, which will let you pay for stuff and swipe your way in to places using just your smartphone. It’s not so practical now, but a number of places have committed to rolling it out, and Nokia was even predicting that TfL would be using it come 2012.
Also under the hood of the Samsung Galaxy S 2 is a super speedy dual core processor. It absolutely flew when we had a play with it, but the LG Optimus 3D can match that, packing as it does a 1GHz dual core processor. Batteries on these two come in at 1650mAh for the Galaxy S 2, which is slightly higher than the 1500mAh on the Optimus 3D. That doesn’t mean that the LG will have shorter battery life though, the difference here is minimal, and the respective power management in each of these beauties will be the decider.
Cameras
The Samsung Galaxy S 2 has an 8MP camera with autofocus and LED flash, plus a front facing 2MP camera for video calls. The LG Optimus 3D has dual rear facing cameras, both 5MP, with autufocus and an LED flash.
The LG Optimus 3D can snap away in 3D, and while the Samsung Galaxy S 2 has more pixels for your pennies, that’s no guarantee that it will produce better pictures. This battle won’t be decided until the full reviews are in.
Take a look at our LG Optimus 3D hands on photos
Video recording and playback
The dual cameras on the LG Optimus 3D also mean that you can record 3D video. Video playback for 3D content is 720p, and it can push up to 1080p for 2D vids. The Samsung Galaxy S 2 has 1080p video recording and playback, but no 3D.
The LG Optimus 3D also an HDMI output, which the Galaxy S 2 doesn’t. This means you can hook the LG up to a 3D telly. When we saw the LG Optimus 3D, we said: “From what we saw today, the LG Optimus 3D is easily on par with the likes of the Sony Bloggie 3D and other, cheaper, 3D camcorders.”
Verdict
The battle as to who’s the best could be decided by the success or failure of a number of features here. Does the Super AMOLED plus drain battery like there’s no tomorrow, or is it the glasses-free 3D screen that’s the power drain? Is the dual core processor enough to keep the LG speedy?
As it stands, the Samsung Galaxy S 2 is the best for our buck, but we’re not convinced by 3D, and seriously doubt whether we’ll see many more manufacturers following in LG’s footsteps.
Which is the best for your buck, the LG Optimus 3D or the Samsung Galaxy S 2? Shout out in the comments!
