Optimus L7
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How would you change LG's Optimus L7?
When we reviewed LG's Optimus L7, we compared it to BMW's 328i, saying that it was pitched as an entry-level car that could satisfy power-hungry buyers -- but really, that was very unfair on the vehicle in question. The problem with this particular phone is that while it promised to be a stylish low-price handset, the hardware inside didn't match its sleek exterior. Poor performance, bad voice quality, flaky touchscreen, slow data transmission and a lack of 3G bands for roaming meant that we suggested you look elsewhere. Still, what we want to know is did you agree with our reviewer? This is How Would You Change, so share your technical insight with us all.
LG Optimus F7 debuts in Korea as Optimus LTE III
After being teased, leaked and eventually revealed at Mobile World Congress, LG's Optimus F7 is finally ready for consumption -- at least in South Korea. Adopting the moniker of Optimus LTE III, the recently renamed handset boasts a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 8GB of storage and a 2,540mAh battery. If that's not enough, the handset's 4.7-inch display flaunts the same pixel counting "True HD IPS" display technology as its predecessor. LG seems to be positioning the LTE III as a transition device, promising feature phone users a user-friendly "easy mode" to help them through the growing pains of entering the smartphone world. No word on international availability, but LG fans with a flair for the mid-range can read the (machine translated) announcement for themselves after the break. Read Korean? Check out the rightmost source link.
LG Optimus L7 leaks for Boost Mobile as the Venice
The merriment continues at evleaks, which just spilled another smartphone via Twitter. This time it's the LG Venice for Boost Mobile: a rebadged version of the Optimus L7 that just so happens to sport a handsome silvery backplate. This is the second version of the Optimus L7 to be geared for US shores, the first being the Splendor for US Cellular. Absent any drastic changes, shoppers can rightfully expect to find an Android 4.0 smartphone that's paired with a single-core 1GHz CPU, a 4.3-inch WVGA display and a 5-megapixel camera that'll capture video at 720p. Unfortunately, pricing for the Venice remains up in the air, which makes it difficult to know whether it'll provide much of a value proposition within Boost's lineup. Likewise, the all-important release date is also a mystery, although with the carrier actively refreshing its fall lineup, a near-term arrival is certainly within reason.
LG Splendor now available at US Cellular for $80 after rebate, it's the Optimus L7 all over again
After having previously leaked, the LG Splendor is now officially available at US Cellular. A retooled version of the Optimus L7, it combines Android 4.0 with a single-core 1GHz CPU, a 4.3-inch WVGA display and a 5-megapixel camera that'll capture video at 720p. The phone also sports a front-facing VGA camera, 2GB of internal storage, a 4GB microSD card and a 1,700mAh battery. Unfortunately, its heritage means purchasers must deal with sluggish performance and forego basic amenities such as an ambient light sensor. Given its $80 price tag -- after a $100 mail-in rebate, mind you -- it's positioned as a poor alternative to the Galaxy S II, which is also available for $80 from US Cellular. Don't say we never warned you.
LG teases Splendor for US Cellular, brings Optimus L7 to American shores
We've wondered if LG's L-series style phones, like the Optimus L7, would ever reach the US; we just didn't think LG would be the one to leak its own plans. Astute watchers at Smartphenom caught both a since-pulled LG product page and a brochure that have inadvertently confirmed the bigger (though not biggest) model in the Android 4.0 budget line arriving on US Cellular as the Splendor. The American voyage doesn't involve much of an overhaul, mind you -- the switch to the CDMA network and a conspicuous carrier logo are the biggest changes to the 4.3-inch handset. No word has emerged as to just how soon the Splendor will appear or how much it will cost, although the official documents and the L7's budget nature could put it in stores relatively soon with a low price tag.
Visualized: LG's Optimus L7, 4X HD, Vu and 3D Max pose for family album
A few weeks ago we had the chance to line up some of LG's current handsets -- the Optimus L7, Optimus 4X HD, Optimus Vu and Optimus 3D Max -- for a little photo shoot. While we only had access to the 3D Max for a short time, we ended up reviewing the other three. There's a bit of something for everyone here -- some Ice Cream Sandwich and some Gingerbread, some mid-range hardware and some hi-end style, some phablet and some 3D. Check out the pr0n family album in the gallery below.%Gallery-161789%
LG Optimus L7 review: a beautiful, entry-level Android 4.0 smartphone with LG's new UI 3.0
Consider your last trip to the car dealership. Let's say you saved up and hit up BMW. While you might've looked at -- or even test driven -- the M3, there's a good chance that your better judgment (and your budget) led you to drive off of the lot with a 328i. Sure, it's only got a four-cylinder engine inside, but the car offers great handling and good gas mileage. Better yet, you didn't have to spend an atrocious amount of money to get behind the wheel. The same goes with mobile phones. While it's fun to dream of owning a One X, a Galaxy S III or an Optimus 4X HD, they're called superphones for a reason: they cater to power-hungry individuals with a fair amount of disposable income. Like supercars, they're designed to bring people into the store, even if shoppers ultimately leave with something else in hand. More Info LG shows off UI 3.0 for Ice Cream Sandwich devices, says it's 'unobtrusive and simple' LG Optimus L-style series hands-on LG busts out a trio of L-series phones in the run up to MWC Enter the LG Optimus L7. Positioned at the higher end of the company's entry-level lineup, it aims to be the 328i of smartphones. Sure, no one's lining up to drool over it, but LG is aiming for this to be a practical choice with just enough elegance and pizzaz to keep consumers grinning. Of course, that sweet spot is difficult to achieve, and we've seen plenty of smartphone manufacturers miss the mark in attempting to balance performance and amenities with a palatable price. So, does the Optimus L7 rise to the challenge? We've spent the past week with it as our daily driver, and we're ready to make the call. Read on for the answer.%Gallery-159344%
Mobile Miscellany: week of June 4th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, the LG Optimus L7 and Sony Xperia U both arrived at Fido, and Verizon Wireless unleashed some wicked LTE expansion across the US. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of June 4th, 2012.
Mobile Miscellany: week of May 28th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, we learned of another possible prepaid destination for the iPhone (hint: it's a subsidiary of Sprint), and Samsung announced a combined sales total of 50 million Galaxy S and Galaxy S II smartphones. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of May 28th, 2012.
Mobile Miscellany: week of April 30th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, we saw the first rollout of Verizon LTE from one of its rural partners, and both the Optimus L7 and Xperia U were spotted for Fido. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of April 30th, 2012.
LG's Optimus L7 brings ICS, 4.3-inch screen to market starting today
The high end edition of LG's new L-Style Optimus line is ready to roll, as the company announced the Optimus L7 is available in various "major" European locales before heading to Asia and the rest of the world later. In case it's been forgotten in the midst of its fellow L-branded smartphones like the L3 that launched in March, the L7 is an Android 4.0 handset with a 4.3-inch screen and 8.7mm-thick frame. Check out our hands on impressions from MWC or the press release after the break for more info, though it will likely appear on a carrier nearby sooner rather than later.
Mobile Miscellany: week of April 9th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, we've seen clues to suggest the Galaxy Nexus will arrive at Sprint in a matter of days, and leaked materials suggest Rogers will have the HTC One X in stock by April 20th. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of April 9th, 2012.
LG Optimus L7 reportedly joining Rogers' budget lineup
We've already taken on you on a personal tour of LG's upcoming L-style handsets, and word on the street is at least one of them is on its way to Rogers. According to MobileSyrup, a kind tipster's handed the site intel claiming the Optimus L7 will be offered as part of the Maple Leaf Carrier's "Smartphone Lite" lineup. Still, it's unclear how much it'll cost you, or when it will go on sale. To give you a quick refresh, the L7 comes packing a 4.3-inch, 480 x 800 screen and a 1GHz CPU along with tasty ICS at its core. Pricing and availability uncertainties aside, we can be certain you'll have to sign the usual Canadian three-year deal with your network once the device gets an official launch.
LG Optimus L-style series hands-on
LG's Optimus L-style family of (slightly more) affordable devices is here, packing a similar designer flavor to the Prada phone 3.0 alongside some reduced specifications. Three models made their debut here at MWC, from the 4.3-inch Optimus L7 to the dinkier 3.2-inch L3, with the 4-inch L5 offering a size and specification compromise right in the middle. Skip on past the break for some first impressions.
