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LG Optimus 2X P990 Review

My latest handset purchase is the LG Optimus 2X, dubbed as the world’s first dual-core Android smartphone which made it to the Guinness Book of World Records. Check out our full review of the Optimus 2X after the jump and see if it lives up to expectations and hype.

The Optimus 2X is the 2nd handset we’ve reviewed that sports a dual-core processor so we’ve had a good idea on what to expect.

optimus 2x

The handset sports a pretty solid design and construction, has a bit of heft due to the metallic parts and thick glass display panel. With a respectable 4 inches display, the Optimus 2X is large enough although not as huge as the other 4.3-inch smartphones we’ve been seeing since late last year. The 10.9mm thickness is just about right — not too thick nor too thin.

The display screen has that dark, rich quality that offers vivid and clear images. It’s not the brightest we’ve seen but the amount of luminance is just right.

The glass for the display stretches out to the edges of the front panel and was shaved nears the side to give it a concave glass shape. As such, there is no room left for physical buttons except for some space at the bottom reserved for a touch-panel menu.

optimus 2x

The back panel is mostly covered in plastic with a rubbery feel to it. There’s a stainless steel meta strip (with an engraving that says “with Google”) in the middle that protrudes a bit towards the top center housing the 8-megapixel camera and LED flash.

The volume controls are found on the upper right side while the power button and 3.5mm audio jack are found on top along with the mini-HDMI port hidden between the two. The two speakers are found at the bottom end along with the micro-USB port.

The device runs Android 2.2 Froyo out of the box but LG says it will be upgradeable via OTA once they release 2.3 soon. LG also added the Optimus UI as a skin on top of Android. The Optimus UI isn’t the best UI we’ve seen skinned on top of Android (and it’s very similar to the TouchWiz UI of Samsung) but that should not stop users to be able to load their own custom Home theme or Launcher.

You should be able to see the difference in the UI on the video below where the Optimus UI is shown from 0:17 to 0:57 while the LauncherPro is shown from 1:51 to 2:15. Notice that the apparent lag in the Optimus UI is not present in the LauncherPro skin which is snappy and very fluid.

Performance of the Optimus 2X is at par with most of the 1GHz Android smartphones already in the market. I am not seeing any noticeable advantage of the dual-core proc on the OS level alone. Apps run quite fast and switches smoothly and the device can also play 1080p full HD videos without much effort.

On the contrary, the amount of RAM the unit is allocated might be its biggest issue if anything else. On paper, it says it’s got 512MB but the actual available RAM is just 372MB only. In comparison, the HTC Desire has 220MB, the SE Xperia X10 has 280MB, the Galaxy S has 304MB while the Galaxy S2 has 833MB.

The amount of RAM now becomes a huge factor once the device loads up a lot of applications and services in the background. That should not be a huge bother though as long as you got Advanced Task Manager running as well so you can kill apps if you feel the device is already slowing down.

optimus 2x

LG Optimus 2X
(LG P990) specs:
4.0″ IPS LCD display @ 480×800 pixels
ARM Cortex A9 1.0GHz dual-core processor (Tegra 2)
ULP GeForce GPU
8GB storage, 512 RAM
up to 32GB via microSD
3G/HSDPA
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n; DLNA
8MP autofocus camera w/ LED Flash
1080p @ 24fps video recording
1.3MP secondary front-facing camera
GPS w/ aGPS support
HDMI port
1500mAh Li-Ion battery
Android 2.2 Froyo

Where the dual-core Tegra 2 chip really excels is in the multimedia and gaming department. Only very few smartphones can do 1080p video playback (and also record one as well). The Optimus 2X easily does both.

I loaded up TegraZone Games and downloaded a THD (Tegra HD) game called RipTide GP. The graphics on this game is almost console-quality and the handset renders them quite nicely (the rendering of the water is pretty impressive).

Sample 1080p videos recorded using the 8MP camera of the Optimus 2X below.

The recorded videos look good but is sometimes a bit choppy at 24fps. Recording at close range is a little harder since the camera could not focus well. Stills can be shot at 15cm away (the closest focusing distance).


Photo quality is good but not that great. There’s no on-screen focusing or a dedicated camera button n the side. I love the fact that they included a manual focus though (as a touch slider on the screen).

Another great add-on is the HDMI port built into the device that allows you to hook up the phone to an external display. That means you can watch the HD movies directly on a bigger screen or play Angry Birds on your TV. LG was nice enough to include a mini-HDMI to HDMI cable in the box.

The pre-installed browser does a nice job at rendering websites, music quality is great with a pretty loud volume coming from the two speakers at the bottom.

Battery life is decent with a good two days on a single full charge with light internet use. Of course, that could easily change depending on individual usage pattern.

Over-all, the LG Optimus 2X is in for a good start. The Tegra 2 chip has great promise especially in the gaming department as well as HD videos coupled with HDMI out. The low RAM allocation is a bit of a drawback but it’s not really a bother if you’re used to other previous smartphones in the same caliber. Yes, it feels a bit rushed just to get that Guiness title so LG needs to do some more work with the UI and tweak it to be more responsive. I hope that the Android 2.3 update would come soon and fix some of the little nitty-gritty details that needs polishing.

At a retail price of Php27,990, the LG Optimus 2X is a good buy and is so far the only dual-core smartphone currently available locally so there’s nothing else to compare it with. My guess is that it will still probably be the cheapest in its class even when the Samsung Galaxy S2 and HTC Sensation are launched next month.

Disclosure: LG Philippines is an advertiser on this blog. The unit used in this review was personally purchased by me with the Php5,000 promo discount.

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Avatar for Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

101 Responses

  1. Avatar for renz renz says:

    Guys,
    Too bad, I lost my LG Optimus 2X… I just bought it last June, 2011. I still have the box and its warranty. Is there anyway I could recover it? If in case there’s someone selling unit for a second hand price, please let me know.
    -you can email me: renz_eigo****@****.*** or reach me @ 092292*****.
    Thanks and God Bless!!!

  2. Avatar for Nitram Nitram says:

    Hi Everyone! Am looking to buy one unit for myself. Since I am always on the go and before I go any further, I want to know first, how long does the battery life of LGP990 lasts?

    Feedback on this will be appreciated.

    Happy reading.

  3. Avatar for asazine asazine says:

    Totoo ba ung lagi cia nagrereboot at naffreeze ang battery?

  4. Avatar for TECHIHUNT TECHIHUNT says:

    If you’re the type that’s going to buy a phone just to put a custom ROM on it, then the LG Optimus 2X has got some great high-end hardware for you to play with.

  5. Avatar for wreek888 wreek888 says:

    Gingerbread update now available via pc suite.

  6. Avatar for renz renz says:

    Can anyone help me?? I was able to download apps before from the market of my lg optimus 2x but all of a sudden, I am not able to access market apps now.. any feedback is appreciated. thanks in advance po :)

  7. Avatar for wreek888 wreek888 says:

    september pa daw ang update to gingerbread

  8. Avatar for mark angelo carolino mark angelo carolino says:

    oh… july na. available na ba ang Gingerbread Update para sa LG Optimus 2x? how i wish i could have one for free hehehe :)

  9. Avatar for renor renor says:

    hi guys, i just found a site.
    is this reliable??
    http://lg2xpert.tmsmanila.com/top100.html

    i clicked it and told me im one of the 100, pero wala naman akong sinalihan. i clicked the link and im redirected sa paypal, tried to login my account and it was there asking me my credit card number. is it legit?? try to visit the site and give me some feedback if it is real. PLEASE. really want the phone. thanks!

  10. Avatar for renor renor says:

    is this reliable??
    http://lg2xpert.tmsmanila.com/top100.html

    i clicked it and told me im one of the 100, pero wala naman akong sinalihan. i clicked the link and im redirected sa paypal, tried to login my account and it was there asking me my credit card number. is it legit?? try to visit the site and give me some feedback if it is real. PLEASE. really want the phone. thanks!

  11. Avatar for Hiei Kaganshi Hiei Kaganshi says:

    Just got mine. Its really fast no doubt. Pati battery mabilis din ma drain adjusted everything pero ganun pa rin :|

  12. Avatar for Zo Zo says:

    anyone still interested in buying a slot for the 50% off promo? I have one and I’m willing to sell it with a little interest of course :)

    email me: es_****@****.***

  13. Avatar for Willy Willy says:

    DO NOT BUY THIS PHONE….mine is dead after 1 1/2 month use!

  14. Avatar for noob noob says:

    After using LG Optimus 2X for a week, I can say that i’m happy with it even with some minor issues. so far, here are my comments:

    1. Battery life drain faster when using WIFI.
    2. I don’t like the implementation of wake up and sleep button. It’s annoying to reach out the power button to wake up your phone.
    3. Occasional error when turning on the WIFI. You have to restart the phone to make it work again.
    4. No available screen protector, case or pouch here in the phils. So, I bought a cheap P100 pouch for temporary use.
    5. So far no reboot issues and BSOD.
    6. I installed ADW Launcher and i find it awesome than the stock LG Home Launcher. No more lags when scrolling.
    7. Playing 1080p video using HDMI connected to a full HD LED TV is a bit laggy and no audio output. (maybe i need to tweak some settings but im kind of busy to experiment.)
    8. I realized lately the iBooks for iPhone really sucks after installing iReader. It’s faster and awesome. However, it’s an obvious imitation of iBooks.

    BTW, i’m one of the winner of LG2Xpert 50% off promo.

    • Avatar for wreek888 wreek888 says:

      I installed no lock so that i wont have to touch that botton.
      2. I dont have problem with battery and maybe it can be fixed when gingerbread update will arrived.
      3. I watch my movie via hdmi connected and its awesome display amazes me.
      4. I never have problem when scrolling or browsing the web. It is indeed fast.
      5. I didnt install launcher or root it cause im very much satisfied and still its on 2.2 froyo how much more when gingerbread update comes.
      6. I only experience one reboot the first day i got.

  15. Avatar for jp jp says:

    Sino want bilhin ang slot ko sa LG o2x? reply lang ng email ng YM or kahit ano dito para maad ko kayo para sa mga interested.

  16. Avatar for chewy chewy says:

    i also got this phone during the Php5000 off promo. Am liking it so far. my galaxy tab is seeing a bit less action now, but it’s still too early to tell if this will be my main phone now. while it’s really powerful (on paper) I haven’t really done anything with this that actually requires the processing horsepower it offers. Oh yeah, one of my “relaxation” apps – which is Let’s Create! Pottery (a nice relaxing pottery app) doesn’t run well here (or on another tegra-powered device like the Xoom.)

    Still a good phone. Will write my own thoughts about this too.

  17. Avatar for wreek888 wreek888 says:

    Download mo muna un pc suire nasa phone yun. Nandun din ang update to gingerbread if ever meron na.

  18. Avatar for Sherwin Sherwin says:

    Hi,

    Got my optimus 2x, pag saksak ko sa pc… ayaw lumabas yun USB icon so i can’t transfer files sa pc to phone and vice versa… and how do i remove the UI of LG?

    Thanks!

    • Avatar for arj arj says:

      oo nga pano iuninstall ung ui ng lg ok lang ba na ung free na launcher pro ang ipalit? Im also one of the winners ng lg 2xpert contest nakuha ko sya last sat at enjoy ako sa phone sulit na sulit..buti na lang nagintay ako ng promo nakamura tuloy ako ng 14k..tnx lg ph..any tip to xtend batt life? Ang bilis madrain half day lang d naman ako heavy user..at nice apps/games suggestions naman jan.

    • Avatar for Sherwin Sherwin says:

      Pre nagkaproblem ka ba sa usb mass storage? tska un cable nila na mini usb. napansin ko pag ibang cable gamit mo ayaw gumanda

    • Avatar for Marvin Marvin says:

      ser, pwede nyong i-root yung phone nyu to uninstall the LG UI. of course you can use the free version of launcher pro… half day lang po sir? make sure that 3G, wifi, gps, automatic syncing and background updates are all disabled when not in used… sa umpisa po talaga sir maikli battery life, but after a few recharge and charge cycle, mag iimprove po yan…

      you can go to the LG optimus 2x thread at tipidcp.com, there are people there willing to help you sir like me…
      here it is…
      http://tipidcp.com/viewtopic.php?tid=16871

    • Avatar for arj arj says:

      @sherwin di nman ako nagka problema sa usb at mass storage, di ko pa natry sa iba eh.
      @marvin takot akong magroot eh di ako sanay at baka mavoid ung warranty ng phone..first time ko lang kasing gumamit ng smartphone eh.

  19. Avatar for coollearner coollearner says:

    H E L P … to all LG Optimus 2x/Froyo users

    My school require proxy to avail of free fast wifi. I believe our phone don’t have that option by default. Is there a way without rooting the device? Read of a way which needs to root the device.

    In case none, i’m considering to root my LG optimus 2x coz i found out that i can have admin access on the phone. I’m excited about the pros. I just want to be careful with the cons. Will it void the warranty? What should I do to avoid bricking my phone?

    Thanks dudes

  20. Avatar for wreek888 wreek888 says:

    I hope there is update na din ng gingerbread sa optimus 2x to solve the baterry issues.

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