The Motorola Atrix and the LG Optimus 3D are two phones built on marketing gimmicks. The former acts like a device from a Bond flick thanks to its high-tech fingerprint scanner, while the latter attempts to use 3D imaging to dazzle prospective buyers. Which one of these unique handsets is more worthy of your hard-earned cash? We’re here to find out.
Further reading:
Screen
The biggest selling point of the LG Optimus 3D is unquestionably its auto-stereoscopic display. Using parallax barrier technology very similar to that seen on Nintendo’s 3DS, the phone is capable of providing a 3D image but doesn’t force users to wear a pair of bulky, uncomfortable glasses.
As an ice-breaker it’s world class, but the novelty soon wanes when you realize that it drains the battery fast and isn’t ideal when you’re in an environment where you’re having to move position a lot – doing so results in you losing the ‘sweet spot’ which is required to achieve the 3D effect.
Thankfully the Optimus 3D has a decent IPS-powered 4.3-inch screen that looks great in 2D as well as 3D. The Atrix’s 4-inch display rocks a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels, but the TFT screen looks a bit dull by comparison.
Operating System
When you consider the amazing operating systems and manufacturer-installed skins that are present on other Android phones, this feels like the battle for the wooden spoon. Both the Motorola Atrix and LG Optimus 3D are running Android 2.2, and not 2.3 – which is the latest version of Google’s mobile OS.
To make matters worse, the skins created by Motorola and LG leave a lot to be desired. MotoBlur on the Atrix feels like a bad dream, with pointless apps and needless social networking connectivity. LG’s phone fares a little better, but that’s largely because the company has wisely decided to be less aggressive with its custom software.
Under the hood
Each boasting 1GHz dual-core processors, the Motorola Atrix and LG Optimus 3D are pretty tough customers when it comes to raw CPU power, with the latter clocking the second highest Quadrant benchmark we’ve seen on a phone. Granted, they’re a little off the pace when you look at phones like the HTC Sensation and Samsung Galaxy S 2 (both of which have 1.2GHz dual-core chips) but you’re unlikely to find yourself cursing their lack of strength.
In terms of storage memory, these two phones are also evenly matched. Both possess 8GB of internal memory, with MicroSD card slots to augment this figure.
Of course, the Atrix also possesses the capability to power a laptop dock (sold separately), which has its kinks and foibles, but we must admit, is very impressive for remote login at work, and well worth considering for this reason alone if you’re a business bod on the go.
Camera
Despite its relatively low megapixel count, the 5 megapixel camera on the Motorola Atrix can take some seriously gorgeous shots. It’s also more than happy when recording 720p HD video, like so:
The LG Optimus 3D also has 5 megapixels – but it has two cameras instead of just one. This allows it to snap 3D pictures, which can be viewed on its screen or on your 3D-ready television via a HDMI connection. Furthermore, it can shoot full HD video at 1080p and 3D video at 720p, as you can see in the sample clips below:
Verdict
One might consider this an uneven fight, given the current buzz for everything 3D. However, while the LG Optimus 3D may showcase cutting-edge display technology, it gets its nose blooded by the older Motorola Atrix when it comes to screen resolution and sheer functionality.
When the dust settles the harsh truth remains – neither of these handsets are running Android 2.3, and the manufacturer-created UI skins are somewhat less than perfect. However, both have their neat tricks – in the case of the Atrix, it’s a fingerprint scanner which locks your phone to anyone but yourself and with the LG Optimus 3D it’s the ability to watch 3D movies and play 3D games, as well as shoot 3D photos and record 3D video. It’s a matter of picking which gimmick you prefer.
