LG Optimus 3D (Thrill 4G) Review
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The LG Optimus 3D, expected to hit AT&T shores as the LG Thrill 4G, aims to deliver more than most other high-end devices do. With its dual-core processor, dual cameras and dual-channel memory, it scores a triple double, but will this be enough for it to get noticed in the packed high-end Android space? The dual-core TI OMAP4430 chip is one of the most capable dual-core performers we've seen and coupled with 512MB of dual-channel memory it makes the Android experience buttery smooth. Then there's 3D – the 4.3-inch screen does an excellent job of displaying glasses-free 3D, while the two rear cameras will help you create your own three dimensional content. Factor in full HD 2D video recording, and you get the strengths of the Optimus 3D, but it has its weaknesses as well – it's bulky, comes with Android Froyo instead of Gingerbread and the overall photo quality disappoints.
Design:
The LG Optimus 3D tips the scales at 5.93 ounces (168g) and has a considerable girth of 0.47 inches (11.9mm). Sure, the tri-dual muscle justifies this to a certain extent, and the bulkiness does make it look solid in the hand, but the phone definitely feels obese by today's standards.
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The LG Optimus 3D looks solid in the hand | ||
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You can compare the LG Optimus 3D with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.
The 4.3-inch LCD screen with resolution of 480 x 800 pixels is key to the success of the 3D-centric phone. After all, it's one of the front-runners of 3D parallax displays on a phone along with the HTC EVO 3D. When in standard 2D mode, the screen has good viewing angles, but a slightly disappointing direct sunlight legibility.
But how does glasses-free 3D work? A long press on the 3D button on the right triggers the magic and the screen activates the parallax barrier to feed your eyes with 3D images and videos, which you can see without glasses. The parallax technology works through an extra slit plate atop the standard screen, which blocks part of the picture for each eye, so you see a slightly different variation of the same image with each of the eyes. It yields great results with some limitations - you'll have to be willing to sacrifice quality as you only get to see half of the horizontal resolution and you have to look straight at the screen. Looking from the side, you'll only see shades and won't get a sense of depth, which means that only one person at a time can enjoy 3D.
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The parallax display |
We got to show the 3D effect to unprepared viewers and the initial reaction was extremely positive. But while initially everyone is impressed with the added depth and realism of a 3D image or video, after spending a couple of minutes looking at 3D content feelings were mixed. We felt slightly tired after a couple of minutes, down to really dizzy after a couple more, so we ended up not using the feature extensively and relying more on the traditional 2D mode. The reaction to 3D seems to vary across people with some more tolerant, while others less tolerant to those after-effects, so we'd recommend you spending a couple of minutes with either the handset or the samples below to see how you handle 3D.
Taking your eyes off the screen, you'd notice the plastic build of the LG Optimus 3D. It comes with a soft-touch coating on the back and a brushed metal-like finish up front. Those cover ups make it feel less plasticky, which is a good thing. Below the screen there are four capacitive buttons giving you solid haptic feedback.
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Front side | Capacitive buttons | Earspeaker |
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Left side | Right side |
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Top | Bottom |
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The back of the LG Optimus 3D | ||
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24 Comments
3. vette21man posted on 15 Jul 2011, 09:39 5 1
Easy choice: choose Galaxy SII. Choose the LG if you want to impress your friends for 10mins with the gimmicky 3D (that's about how long your battery will last). The Galaxy SII is a beast with future-proof features and no gimmicks...clearly the winner.
4. KingK (unregistered) posted on 15 Jul 2011, 11:10 3 1
What future-proof features?
It has no features that no one else has. Meanwhile missing some its self.
Both these phones will be obsolete this year anyway.
6. bastian890 (unregistered) posted on 15 Jul 2011, 17:23 3 0
About samsung gs2 i don´t like the fact that it doesn´t have stereo speakers or stereo mics for video and i always disliked android icons and widgets and i´m not a fan of samsung either.But with dual core 1.2ghz speed, a processor that delivers the best benchmarks so far, 1gb ram, 4.3 super amoled plus without the pentile arrangement as the previous model, codecs support, mhl and usb on the go, bluetooth 3.0, it´s certainly future proof and won´t be obsolete in at least three years. It´s even hard to imagine better features. I can only think of camera improvements, quad core processor, foldable screen... by the way i don´t own a gs2.
14. twenti7 posted on 22 Jul 2011, 15:56 2 0
No phone is future proof. No matter what features or specs it has, there will be a phone out within 6 months that is just a little bit better, with many others following suit.
Granted, it will still be a great phone for another year or more, much the same way that the EVO 4G is still a great phone, despite no longer being the best.
2. remixfa posted on 15 Jul 2011, 08:58 1 0
if u want battery, performance, camera, and higher rez screen, go SGS2. If you want performance and 3d go for the LG.
Personally I think after a few XDA mods the LG battery could be made to last quite a while.. it will need a gingerbread rom and probably removal of the 3d stuff to do it though. The phone is a large screen powerhouse though.
15. twenti7 posted on 22 Jul 2011, 15:59 0 0
The SGS 2 has a lower res screen than most new HTC and Moto phones. And if you want performance and 3D, definitely do not go with the LG. The EVO 3D is better all-around.
20. Trick (unregistered) posted on 14 Aug 2011, 07:54 0 0
SGSII and LG Optimus 3d have same screen size and resolution, 4.3" 800X480.
On certain benchmarks like flash the LG optimus g2x beats the SGSII in performance. The G2x is essentially the same hardware as the 3D without the 3D. In other cases (sunspider for instance) the SGSII comes out the better. Check Andandtech's Review.
Battery life sucks on all smartphones. My wife and I shoot for about 15 hours of life on our Captivate and Inspire4g phones and often we are disappointed.
12. Starfleet Captain (unregistered) posted on 20 Jul 2011, 18:14 0 1
They gave the EVo 3D a 9/10. This phone got an 8/10
8. Eingild posted on 16 Jul 2011, 06:07 0 2
With all due respect, but canPA ask John to do the video reviews? Seriously, the guy (whoever he is) is so boring. Hearing his voice make me sleepy, and is also too biased towards apple. Please make John your chief reviewer. That guys is awsome and unbiased like the one making this video
13. Motto Pubies (unregistered) posted on 21 Jul 2011, 06:47 0 0
I think whoever does the written reviews also does the video portion. That being said, I agree with you. John V is the best video reviewer on PA and should do all of them even if he just reads what somebody else wrote. The other video reviewers here are pretty bad actually, and I have a tough time even finishing the video.
9. lockscreen (unregistered) posted on 16 Jul 2011, 17:41 0 0
lol the lockscreen looks awful compare to sense3
10. CX3NT3_713 posted on 17 Jul 2011, 22:55 2 3
They gave this phone a 8? Wtf suppose to be a 10 :) and the sg2 is too plane and boring.. IMO
17. dontneedaname (unregistered) posted on 31 Jul 2011, 15:52 0 0
It's wide and tall for a phone with this size of screen. even the Evo, which is known to be a massive phone is shorter and narrower.
16. jthiagesan posted on 23 Jul 2011, 16:49 0 0
im poor in comparing cameras. Can someone of you please explain me the red lines that appear on these pictures?
19. Illusionist (unregistered) posted on 03 Aug 2011, 16:08 0 0
Ahhhh..that's going to be really annoying..every couple of weeks finding a new "killer" phone with tons of new features and glossy structure,buyers need some break!
i have the LG 3D 47" LED..and i can say the whole 3d technology is little boring and sometimes crab..i don't think it can be the fashion for the next ten years.
any how..this device is an invention it self ,but not every invention is a great product,
i experienced the brand new Sammy G S II and it's an amazing device..a real miracle.
isn't it?!
21. arun rawat (unregistered) posted on 30 Aug 2011, 10:14 0 0
i like this phone . its look is so nice and good.
