LG Optimus Vu in the flesh, first impressions

We finally got our hands on an LG Optimus Vu. Launched just last November 7, the Optimus Vu is LG’s very own hybrid smartphone-tablet handset that comes in an odd 4:3 aspect ratio.

The 4:3 aspect ratio of the Optimus Vu a wider frame that feels like a shrunken iPad. Actually, this is the only smartphone we’ve seen that sports this kind of form factor. It’s also one of the thinnest smartphones we’ve seen at just 8.5mm.

The Optimus Vu also comes with a stylus, the one that’s similar to a pencil eraser head (or the type you buy from 3rd-party accessories shop). The back also has that same texture and finish we’ve seen on the LG L-series and the LG Prada 3.0. Also, the unibody design that allowed for a slim profile also meant the battery is non-removable.

LG continues to bank on the processing power of Tegra 3 and the hardware configuration is very similar to the LG Optimus 4X HD that’s been out for a while as the flagship phone. However, LG also made sure that the screen brightness is cranked up so high at 650 nits.

LG Optimus Vu specs:
5″ HD-IPS LCD @ 1024×768 pixels, 256ppi (650 nits)
NVidia Tegra 3 1.5GHz quad-core
1GB RAM
32GB internal storage
HSPA+ 21Mbps
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, WiFi Direct
NFC
GPS with aGPS support
8MP AF rear camera
1080p video
1.3MP HD front-facing camera
2080mAh battery
139.6 x 90.4 x 8.5 mm
168g
Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich

Right off the bat though, we’re a bit concerned about that 2080mAh battery and we were expected a Jellybean flavor right out of the box. We’ll take it to its paces and see how it fares in the coming days.

The LG Optimus Vu is already selling in stores for a retail price of Php27,990USD 477INR 40,434EUR 454CNY 3,474. We’ve been swamped with review units but we’ll try to get it out in a week.

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.

https://www.yugatech.com

17 Comments

jojo says:

12 years ago

iPad micro LOL.
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jeje says:

12 years ago

4:3 = instant fail
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jaja says:

12 years ago

it’s selling very good here in seoul an i’m starting to like it. don’t judge it until you use it.
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Haiku Haiku says:

12 years ago

Just because it’s selling well in Korea (or in any country for that matter) does not make it a good phone.
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Can't help says:

12 years ago

.. but comment that I honestly find this phone, if you can call it that, very ugly. Saw one and held one, and the experience doubled my opinion.
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Andrei says:

12 years ago

Just because you told us it looked odd, it doesnt mean it’s a bad phone either!
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ngee?/ says:

12 years ago

ngee?? bakit fail??? ayaw mo ba ng bago?? too mainstream ba 4:3?? hahah
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thejorlan says:

12 years ago

Good phone/tablet! See for yourself! If tablet is too big for you, and phone is too small for you, this could be it!
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kimchi says:

12 years ago

Oo nga dito sa Korea nila makikita ang mga high-tech phones,hindi ung mga customization ang habol ng mga tao dito kundi ung media experience at mabilis maka-konek sa 3g/4g,mga pinoy talaga.
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jhong says:

12 years ago

umm panget sa “media experience” ang 4:3 aspect ratio, malaki letterboxing sa videos
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ian maaliw says:

12 years ago

Siguro Kung walang galaxy note 2 na may fullpack features mas mapapansin to.

3 reason why bibilhin ito.
1. Budget
2. Hindi kilala si galaxy note 2
3. Ayaw Kay samsung

IMHO.
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garth says:

12 years ago

May Cherry Mobile Titan na lang kayo.
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epol says:

12 years ago

pag nilagyan kaya ‘to ng picture ng mansanas sa likod? tingin ko puro puri mababasa kong comment dito. ba’t ganun? marami pa din sa ating mga consumer ang hesitant sa mga bagong produkto. magtry naman kayo ng bago.d nyo malalaman ang totoong “kwento” kung hindi kayo mismo ang nakaranas. wag naman tayong maniwala lagi sa sabi sabi lang or mag judge agad dahil hindi ganun ka luxurious ang brand.
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June Justine says:

12 years ago

I saw this in the flesh kanina at a local phone shop and I lol’d because the size is just hilarious. Feels like you’re bringing a matchbox.

Performance-wise though, hands down.
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Ian maaliw says:

12 years ago

It’s not about the brand or aspect ratio…
Kahit kung apple ito or any android oem…
Kung bago ka sa market at kakagatin ang new features mo, bibilhin ka.

That’s why nakilala si iphone kasi bago sya nun Maganda…
Kaya note 2. Full of features.
Bali kung parehas kayo ng features ni Note2 pwede pa. Pero kung parehas ng price range at magkalayo ng features. Malabo, dun na ko sa madami features.

IMHO

But sempre kanya kanya tayong ng preferences..

Lets see Kung mag stand sya sa market pag madami ang bumili nito… :D
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marco says:

12 years ago

For a moment I thought you were going to bash samsung. Fullpack sounds like it’s meant to be an insult.
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pines says:

12 years ago

area wise… mas malaki ang
note 2 with 12619.84 mm squared
than
optimus vu with 12163.55 mm square

sa screen size nman , mas malaki ang note 2 with 5.5 then zunod nman ang note 1 with 5.3… but screen size is different from screen area since size is measure diagonally while screenarea is the ratio of screen size over the aspect ratio.. here is a sample break down od screen areas..
:
note 2, screen size 5.5, aspect ratio 16:9 , total area= 12.925
note 1, screen size 5.3, aspect ratio 16:10, total area= 12.5966
lg vu , screen size 5.0, aspect ratio 4:3, total area = 12

the diffefence of .925 inch square or 4.8 mm na kwadrado s magkabilang side is hardly noticeable…

what i mean here is yung advantage ng aspect ratio n 4:3 over 16:9 or 16:10.. were in at a same diagonal screen size eh you can achieve a bigger screen area if you will be using the 4:3 na aspect ratio…
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