The Optimus 3D is something of a novelty, being only the second 3D capable phone in India. However, it isn't the fastest device around, and neither is it the sleekest. It also debuts with Froyo (Android 2.2). Spending Rs. 37k (MRP) on this doesn't make sense, especially when there are other options available albeit without 3D. You must be a real fan of the whole 3D phenomena to opt for the Optimus 3D.
Pros
Cons
Pros
- 3D without glasses
- Dual cameras capture good quality 3D images and 3D videos
- Excellent display quality- crisp and vivid, in 2D and 3D modes
- Solid build
Cons
- Android 2.2 is ancient
- 512 MB RAM is too little
- Battery life is mediocre – a day with careful use
- The handset is bulky
Features
The Optimus 3D has a 4.3-inch 3D display (480x800 pixel resolution), and quite frankly, we absolutely loved it. Why? – excellent colour, with only very minor gradation of colours (at times), great brightness levels, fast moving scenes in videos are smoother than most other high-end smartphones (maybe because this display has a quicker refresh rate, don’t really know) and the depth of the 3D content was actually surprising, in a good way. The 3D Zone mentioned earlier contains all 3D content – games, movies and access to the 3D camera.
Before we get back to 3D and its performance, let us look at some of the other features. The ARM Cortex-A9 dual core 1GHz processor and the PowerVR SGX540 graphics power this 3D smartphone. However, we were a bit amazed (and subsequently a bit disappointed) to find that there is only 512MB of RAM to complement this processor. The 8GB of built-in storage can be added to via the microSD card route, up to 32GB. For the photography enthusiasts out there, a smartphone may not always be the best device, but the dual 5MP cameras do have some powerful capabilities – 1080p @ 30fps for 2D videos and 720p @ 30fps for 3D videos. And yes, it takes 3D pictures too! The mini HDMI out port will let you connect to any 3D television as well to enjoy 3D on a bigger display.
The LG 3D UI wrapped around Android is basically an updated version of the one we saw on the Optimus 2X with a slightly tweaked look. The Optimus 3D comes pre-loaded with Android 2.2, and frankly with 2.3 becoming pretty much de facto on phones, this retro step is a bit of a puzzle.
More on the 3D feature – LG has addressed one of the biggest complaints against the entire 3D experience - it is too complicated and uncomfortable. The Optimus 3Ds 3D display functions without glasses i.e. the display is auto-stereoscopic, and to be honest works quite well. However, as with auto-stereoscopic technology that is still in its infancy, using this display in 3D mode for long periods of time (say above 30 minutes) will cause headaches and sometimes a nauseous feeling. Incidentally, you can most formats of 3D video files on to the Optimus 3D and it will play them. We tried a 1080p MKV file and this played pretty well.
Price: Rs. 37,000 (MRP)
Specs:
Platform: Android 2.2 (upgradeable to 2.3); Processor: ARM Cortex-A9 Dual Core 1GHz processor, PowerVR SGX540 graphics, 512MB RAM; Display: 4.3-inch 3D LCD, 480x800 pixel resolution; Storage: 8GB built-in, microSD slot up to 32GB; Camera: Dual 5MP camera, 1080p @ 30fps for 2D videos and 720p @ 30fps for 3D videos; Battery: 1500 mAh
Ratings:
Features: 8.5
Build: 7
Performance: 7
Value: 6
Overall: 7
| Brand | LG |
| Model | Optimus 3D |
| Street Prices (Rs) | 36500 |
| Price (MRP, Rs) | 37000 |
| Features | |
| Physical Specs | |
| Form Factor | Bar |
| 2G Network Bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G Network Bands | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Screen Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels |
| Screen Size (inches) | 4.3 inches |
| Maximum Screen colours | 16M |
| Touchscreen / Dual Screen (Y/N) | Touchscreen |
| Battery Rating | 1500 mAh |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 128.8 x 68 x 11.9 mm |
| Weight | 168 grams |
| Expandable Memory Type | microSD |
| RAM (in MB) | 512 MB |
| SoC (CPU, GPU) | Dual-core 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 proccessor, PowerVR SGX540 GPU, TI OMAP4430 chipset |
| CPU Clock speed | 1 GHz |
| No. of CPU cores | 2 |
| Hot Swappable (Y/N) | N |
| Available Colours | Black |
| Other Features | |
| Operating System (Tested with) | Android 2.2 |
| Charging via USB (Y/N) | Y |
| Hardware Keypad (Regular/QWERTY) | None |
| Accelerometer (For auto rotate) | Y |
| Address Book Capacity | Unlimited |
| No of calls in register | Unlimited |
| Talk Time / Standby Time (3G) * | 9 hrs / 450 hrs |
| No of Profiles # / Customisable | NA / Y |
| Offline Opearability (Y/N) | Y |
| Inbuilt GPS / A-GPS support (Y / N) | Y / Y |
| Connectivity | |
| Browsing (GPRS/EDGE/3G) | Y / Y / Y |
| EDGE max speed (in kbps) | 237 kbps |
| 3G max speed (in mbps) | 7.2 mbps (HSDPA) |
| Connectivity (WiFi/Bluetooth/IR/USB) | Y / Y / N / Y |
| Bluetooth Version/A2DP support | 2.1 / Y |
| Camera Specs | |
| Camera Resolution (Mega Pixels) | 5 |
| Video Capture Resolution | 1920 x 1080 and 1280 x 720 |
| Auto focus / flash | Y / Y |
| Type of flash | LED |
| Secondary camera for video chat | Y |
| Mirror for self portrait (Y / N) | N |
| Camera Settings (So 10) | 6 |
| Zoom (Optical/Digital) | digital |
| Multimedia | |
| Music Formats supported | MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ |
| Video formats supported | MP4/DivX/XviD/H.264/H.263/WMV |
| FM Radio / RDS (Y/N) | Y / Y |
| Accessories | |
| Bundled Accessories | Charger, data cable, handsfree |
| Size of memory card provided | 8 GB |
| Build and Ergonomics (So 10) | |
| Surface materials used | 7.5 |
| Overall build and in-hand feel | 7 |
| Quality of moving parts | 7 |
| Design and ergonomics | 6.5 |
| Keypad design (on-screen or hardware) | 7 |
| Menu and interface | 7.5 |
| Settings and ease of navigating menus | 7 |
| Camera menu options | 6 |
| Performance | |
| Signal Reception and Voice Clarity (So 10) | |
| Zone 1 | 7 |
| Zone 2 | 5 |
| Zone 3 | 4 |
| Handsfree Clarity | 8 |
| Loudspeaker Clarity | 6 |
| Earpiece Clarity | 7 |
| Handsfree Volume | 8 |
| Loudspeaker Volume | 7 |
| Earpiece Volume | 7.5 |
| Bluetooth Transfer Speed (in KBps) | 180.1 |
| Imaging and multimedia tests | |
| Captured Photo Colour | 7.5 |
| Captured Photo Crispness | 7.5 |
| Captuted Photo Detail | 7 |
| Captured Video Quality | 7 |
| Effectiveness of integrated flash | 6.5 |
| Music Quality (loudspeaker) | 6.5 |
| Music Quality (handsfree) | 7 |
| Volume levels (loudspeaker) | 7 |
| Volume levels (handsfree) | 8 |
| Display (So 10) | |
| Crispness | 8 |
| Colour | 7 |
| Contrast | 7 |
| Font rendition | 7 |
| Legibility in bright sunlight | 5.5 |
| Video playback | 8 |
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