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.
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.
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.
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 Php27,990USD 477INR 40,434EUR 454CNY 3,474, 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 Php5,000USD 85INR 7,223EUR 81CNY 621 promo discount.
YugaTech.com is the largest and longest-running technology site in the Philippines. Originally established in October 2002, the site was transformed into a full-fledged technology platform in 2005.
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Jam. says:
Tried that one on a Nvidia event. Even in Fruit Ninja THD. You can see the difference, Tegra games are better. Now, I can’t wait for Kal-el :D
deuts says:
Mukhang maganda nga itong LX Optimus 2X ah. Magkano ba ang regular retail price nito?
Marvin says:
Sir Yuga,
the amount of ram on the optimus 2x is more than enough. it runs on a linux based OS it is not like windows. Linux or more specifically, FROYO does a very good work of managing your RAM.
And sir Yuga, you don’t need task killers on FRoyo(or gb, HC). it will only ruin and damage your system and your battery. as i said earlier, froyo is capable of managing your ram.
task killers are only designed for android 2.1 eclair and LOWER.
a useful and informative link:
http://geekfor.me/faq/you-shouldnt-be-using-a-task-killer-with-android/
BTW.
i own an optimus 2x and im loving it. :)
technobaboy says:
i’ll probably get the HTC Sensation then
avid0n3 says:
Don’t know if it’s the implementation of Firefox or the handling of Android… Have you experienced downloading files (say 80MB video), where the download stops because firefox shutdowns when you put them on the background?
Nexus One user here, running Gingerbread (2.3.4)
J says:
Sir Yuga, Magkano po ba to sa stores?
OTW says:
Looks nice.. How much SRP?
coollearner says:
Got it also with 5k discount … specs and pricewise – sulit to -personally enjoying the phone – cant wait for the update to load on mine to see the dual core optimized
adam says:
Ganda nito.
michael says:
This phone is so cooL.
ang advantage talaga ng phone na to is gaming.
wala akong masabe, i had a samsung galaxy tab and galaxy S before, may games na malag sa dalawang yan pero sa optimus 2x sobrang smooth.
video and camera is good also. browsing is really fast and straightforward. smooth lahat except yung LG launcher pero pwede mo namang tanggalin yun then download na lang ng launcher pro. overall 8/10 score ko. siguro pag dumating gingerbread update baka maging 9.5/10 na sya. hehe :p
Name: says:
medyo malag ung UI
Lrae says:
base from the video medyo malag ung UI
light says:
thank you very much for the review!
It seems like a very nice phone. I think I’ll like that plastic with rubbery feel at the back :D
Jhay says:
So if I’m looking to for HD capabilities, the Optimus 2X is a good buy huh?
Hmmm, now I can make a better decision whether or not to get this phone to replace my LG Optimus One.
Air|danio says:
http://bit.ly/iQS4wE ♕ Wow nice Phone, I wish I will have that..
ferdinand marte says:
for the money, the Super AMOLED Samsung phone is still the best. Tech-spec lover’s should just wait ’til Samsung releases new AMOLED phones.
Oni says:
sir yuga ano n po nangyari sa samsung galaxy s2 wla p po b nilalabas na price?
James says:
sakit sa ulo ang mga gadgets nato :)
21 says:
LOL, EPIC fail background song..
csseyah says:
nasa P27,990 po ang LG Optimus 2x sa store.. sana mapili ako sa online promo nila na 50% off discount ang ibibigay nila… nice nice
techieszoo says:
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s_ii_vs_lg_optimus_2x-review-585.php
jalvaran says:
I bought this one the week it was released.
I would give it a passing mark on visuals, though its a rushed device trapped on a froyo 2.2 its still pretty neat. Vibrant and very responsive capacitive screen. Its snappy on games, browsing, etc..
My complaints would be the lower RAM, and the “tin can sounding music” it produces. Most reviews/reviewers like this one tend to neglect “what you hear from a device” and focuses much on “what you could see and feel” from it.
As a music nut Optimus 2x gave me the biggest disappointment. On the same headset LG provided, (same song, bitrate, quality etc…) I compared how it sounds versus Iphone, IpodNano and it turned out a very disappointing blow for LG. Not only its PC suite will trap every song you have to a caveman 192kbps maximum quality, it will sound weak, fluffy even on the highest volume it could offer. It will turn guitar solos into sawmills and drums to clashing tin cans. This phone one is a big no no for a music critic.
MyMaria says:
Really want to give this phone to my mom.
http://www.bastaigatsikat.com/2011/06/what-makes-smartphone-genius-phone.html
Cesar Noel says:
Nice Review. I’m sure some of the earlier releases will drop their prices. Been longing so an Android Phone for some time now.
Cesar Noel says:
Nice Review. I’m sure some of the earlier releases will drop their prices. Been longing so an Android Phone for some time now.
jp says:
:D isa ako sa top 100 na makakadiscount ng 50% kaso wala lang pera pambili :(
wreek888 says:
well im so happy to be one of the top 100 to win the contest to pay it half the price, you can beat it for paying 13,990 for this phone. I really wanted it even at a discount of 5k. My friend got this phone and its fast brilliant display amazes me. Thanks LG, at least i dont have to line up for hours like last year at megamall for that optimus p500 its traumatic.
Hiei says:
Ang cool. Mabibili ko narin sya anytime of this month dahil isa ko sa nanalo sa tmsmanila nakakatuwa naman :) I really like this phone. :) Thanks sir Yuga ganda ng review mo.
kebbot says:
AKO rin isa sa top 100 optimus2Xpert, this will be my 2n LG 2x phone, i got my 1st LG 2x less 5000 pesos and now less 50% wow,,,,,,,, hehehe
wilmost says:
I don’t know if I got a lemon. The battery life of this phone is horible!!! It can’t last half a day with only native LG apps running + SKYPE and WiFi on.
Kenneth says:
I read somewhere that the default settings and apps of the LG O2x is horrible and that one user after he rooted the phone and fixed the settings and the apps that are launched by default his battery life improved from 1 day, and reached 2-3days before a recharge.
Kenneth says:
Just to clarify … (wrong choice of word earlier)
What I meant with the word “horrible” is “not properly setup & optimized”.
shine says:
hi im intrstd to avail the 50% off for lg optimus pls let me know thanks
friend.com.ph says:
which is much better between Samsung Galaxy S II and LG Optimus 2x?
red says:
“The two speakers are found at the bottom end along with the micro-USB port.”
Mali ata ito. One houses the speaker and the other one is a dummy that hides the microphone.
Battery life is below average, hoping 2.3 will fix that. No lags, no random reboots so far.
kebbot says:
i am one of the top 100
for sale lg 2x p990 for 23,000 free shipping… i have 2 lg 2x thats why ill sell the other one, brand new
heckiboi says:
I also got a 50% discount ^_^
http://www.hectorlegaspi.com/2011/06/i-am-certified-lg2xpert.html
LameXcuzes says:
Just got my optimus 2x at 50% off it’s price. Very accomodating yung company na partner ng LG. Napatagal pa yung kwentuhan namin dahil sa kulitan. The phone performance is very good, the screen display is very pleasing to look at. Thumbs up to the company(SunCross Communications) and to LG for considering cash transaction in their office.
21 says:
Nakita q si Sr, abe sa channel 11 QTV. Pop talk ! sobrang mahiyain. lol
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
wreek888 says:
I hope there is update na din ng gingerbread sa optimus 2x to solve the baterry issues.
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
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!
wreek888 says:
Download mo muna un pc suire nasa phone yun. Nandun din ang update to gingerbread if ever meron na.
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.
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.
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.
Willy says:
DO NOT BUY THIS PHONE….mine is dead after 1 1/2 month use!
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_****@****.***
Hiei Kaganshi says:
Just got mine. Its really fast no doubt. Pati battery mabilis din ma drain adjusted everything pero ganun pa rin :|
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!
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!
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 :)
wreek888 says:
september pa daw ang update to gingerbread
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 :)
wreek888 says:
Gingerbread update now available via pc suite.
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.
asazine says:
Totoo ba ung lagi cia nagrereboot at naffreeze ang battery?
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.
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!!!
Marco says:
LG Optimus 2X is now retailing for (just) 9K cash in one of the shops in SM North’s Cyberzone. You call that a huge price drop indeed. Spec-wise, it seems its offer is still better than sub-10K Smartphones out there.
jasa review says:
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