This phone is the L-style phone that has thin design with “Floating Mass Technology” similar to the LG PRADA 3.0 phone. Yes, we are referring to LG Optimus L5 handset that will appeal to a lot of buyers in the mid- and lower-middle-range segment. While, it has some clear flaws, its fancy features and novel design are thing that cannot be ignored. Optimus L5 debuts with Google’s latest operating platform, Ice Cream Sandwich and a 4.0" capacitive TFT display. Though the UI overlay from LG is not up to the mark, the fun factor associated with ICS will attract many buyers. The worst thing is that LG has used a physical home button exactly similar to the Samsung’s line up of phones. The custom UI has some not-so-essential kind of effects, for instance, the circular transition effect. Moreover, Recent Apps button now also launches various menu settings for the launcher and themes.This is a common element for all the LG handsets equipped with ICS and so we find LG Optimus L5 as a prototype handset with beta software. It isn’t that original as we had earlier thought it to be.
The NFC connectivity is one of the plus points of this otherwise mid-range handset. One hardly finds this option even in some high end smartphones as yet. The device has an awesome new design and is available in Black and White color options with quality plastic body encased in metallic casing on the rims. It is both good looking and sturdy.
Design of LG Optimus L5
In sync with the LG's other L-series handsets, LG Optimus L5 has a characterstic "L-design". It has straight edges, slim build and a textured back. In fact, style-wise it fares better than many other LG smartphones due to this new design only. This 9.8 mm thick device has a strong and sturdy build despite of extensive use of plastic. The metallic edges lie just around the perimeter and along with its textured back gives that desired premium look to Optimus L5. On the whole, Optimus L5 feels good and fares well in most of the design aspects.
Audio and Music functionality in LG Optimus L5
LG Optimus L5 does not have a FM radio and follows the latest trend of not having one on-board like most other smartphones. But it has a good media player with nice looking album art cover and ability to play MP3/WAV/eAAC+ music formats.
Camera of LG Optimus L5
The 5 megapixels camera seated at the rear end of LG Optimus L5 has LED flash and option for video recording. The camera application is a little slow and takes few seconds to load up. There isn’t a physical button to snap the shots and that is cumbersome of many. You have to keep tapping the touchscreen for the shot. It is also observed that between two shots, a lag of few seconds ruins the whole magic. The options for editing are available within the app. One can use auto-focus, tap-focus and numerous scene, modes and effect options to modify the snaps in various ways. On the downside, Optimus L5 front camera is a VGA (640x480) quality camera which is incapable of recording 720p videos that are supported on a lot of mid-range handsets these days.
Memory of LG Optimus L5
One thing that is revealed about the memory specifications of LG Optimus L5 is that it accepts 32 GB microSD cards. There is no word on its internal memory or RAM as yet.
LG Optimus L5 Battery Life
The 1500 mAH battery unit of LG Optimus L5 seems quite capable but its offered talk time and stand-by time are still under wraps.
LG Optimus L5 Internet Features
LG Optimus L5 tickles the fancy with its connectivity specifications. It offers NFC connectivity to let users make contact less payments and also use the tag system. Rest, all the standard connectivity features are available. The Bluetooth with A2DP, microUSB v2.0 and Wi Fi trio is there. Besides, there is a HTML type web browser in the device for enjoying all the web-based applications.
LG Optimus L5 Messaging Features
LG Optimus L5 supports all modes of messaging and communication. There is SMS (threaded view), MMS, e-mail and Push email alongside Instant messengers like GTalk and Yahoo messenger.
There is just one complaint that the QWERTY touchscreen keyboard though reasonably spaced, lacks accuracy. One may, thus, consider downloading a third party option from the Android Market to ease the effort of inaccurate typing.
LG Optimus L5 Network Support
LG Optimus L5 runs on the GSM/GPRS 2G network using the quad band frequency bands of 850/900/1800/1900 MHz and also uses the 2100 MHz frequency bands of HSDPA 3G network.
Games in LG Optimus L5
With Ice Cream Sandwich on board, there is lot of scope for entertainment via gaming. Users can access thousands of games from Android Market. Also, Google Play, accessible because of ICS, will emerge as their hot favorite destination for 3D and motion-based games.
LG Optimus L5 Pros
LG Optimus L5 offers some real privileges considering that it is a mid-range device. It offers Ice Cream sandwich, Google’s latest Android version of Android OS inside. The good news also flows in as LG has included NFC technology inside the LG Optimus L5 to let you perform contactless payments and use LG's new Tag+ system. The 4.0 inch TFT screen is also massive and it is joy to do web browsing on Optimus L5.
LG Optimus L5 Cons
LG Optimus L5 comes with some clear drawbacks. There is a damn slow processor clocked at 800 MHz in the phone that can’t render desired speed and performance. The Ice Cream sandwich operating platform and its goodness goes in to vain, as a consequence. Some other downright negatives of Optimus 5 are its poor video recording quality and cumbersome keyboard.
Our views on the 4-inch HVGA TFT touch display of LG Optimus 5 are different. Unlike the processor and UI, it is great. Though, it does not conquer great heights with a 320x480p resolution, this TFT screen is bright and crisp. Its size is at par with screens of most high end Android smartphones like Samsung Galaxy S II though its quality may not be. For a mid-range device like Optimus L5, this is indeed a favorable thing.
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