LG Optimus L3 Review
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Ugly screen or not, the Optimus L3 is still a capable smartphone, as it runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, skinned with LG's Optimus UI. This version of the Optimus UI isn't too deep (thankfully, and mostly changes some graphical elements for a more customized look. Well, there are a few added shortcuts like the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/etc. switches at the top of the notification area, which is OK. Most of the standard Android functionality is left unchanged and functions the way you expect it to.
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The LG Optimus L3 runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, skinned with LG's Optimus UI | ||
We actually don't like the fact that the main menu is a vertically-scrolling list, rather than horizontally arranged pages, because it makes it a bit more difficult to determine exactly where you are and where the app you need is, especially if you have a lot of stuff installed. While we're on the topic of installing stuff, it's good to mention that the phone has 1GB of built-in memory, so it won't be a problem to have many apps and games installed.
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Main menu | |
Processor:
Thankfully, LG hasn't made a compromise when it comes to the SoC powering the L3. It's an 800MHz single-core ARM Cortex-A5, and we're happy to report that it manages to guarantee a perfectly fluid interface. We could even play some games like Temple Run, Angry Birds Space and Fruit Ninja without a problem, experiencing a stable and relatively high FPS.
| Quadrant Standard | AnTuTu | NenaMark 2 | |
| LG Optimus L3 | 1271 | 2559 | 13.2 |
| Motorola DEFY MINI | 951 | 2391 | 15.6 |
| Samsung Galaxy S II | 3113 | 6076 | 51 |
| Samsung Galaxy Nexus | 2000 | 5503 | 24 |
Messaging:
The Optimus UI keyboard works decently on the 3.2” screen of the L3. We did not expect wonders from it, and didn't get any. However, it does take advantage of the full width of the screen, and when in landscape mode does allow for a pretty decent typing experience.
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Virtual keyboard | |
Internet and Connectivity:
Due to the extremely low screen resolution, the browser of the Optimus L3 performs relatively smoothly. It's fast and capable enough to get the job done, however, the L3 is not a good phone to browse the web with, since everything is so crude-looking and hard to read. We guarantee that your eyes won't feel very comfortable if you attempt to read long articles on this display, so don't you dare to think about it.
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The browser of the LG Optimus L3 supports the Adobe Flash Player plug-in | |||
Since the handset has an 800 MHz processor, it supports the Adobe Flash Player browser plug-in. You may not believe it, but Flash animations are running smoothly, even though they look terrible, as everything else on this screen.
Besides Wi-Fi, the Optimus L3 also has 3G, theoretically reaching 3.6 Mbit/s on the downlink.
We didn't have any problems with the built-in GPS. It located our position on a clear day in a couple of minutes, without using assistance from nearby wireless networks.
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LG Optimus L3
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31 Comments
1. kshell1 posted on 17 Apr 2012, 09:39 6 1
Before everybody starts bashing this phone think about this, a lot of people would probably choose this phone because in today's economy nothing is easy to buy because of insane prices. This phone may not be the greatest in the world but it would fit most peoples needs. Certainly not mine though as I am an avid gamer with various emulators installed that i doubt this thing could possibly handle.
2. DrioDRaTeR posted on 17 Apr 2012, 10:16 9 7
Unfortuantely teens and cheap adults everywhere will be toting this cheapo droid and going to the store every 3 months to complain about how bad the device lags and freezes, Everyone should do themselves a favor and if they want an LG device buy a washing machine or a tv, leave the mobile phones to a legit manufacturer!
30. JCASCA posted on 24 Nov 2012, 09:31 0 0
Interesting comment. I could make the same observation about Nokia and its C1 . . . but isn't Nokia a legit manufacturer?
4. Jericho posted on 17 Apr 2012, 12:08 5 2
Lg is awesome. ANd hey this phone is better than the crappy samsung galaxy y.
5. abhishek48 posted on 17 Apr 2012, 13:03 5 1
WHAT THE HECK
this phone cost $130 on ebay same as galaxy y which is a smash hit, it has same resolution as galaxy y, it has more ram, better design better camera.
experia ray and neo v cost $270.. how can u even compare phone with double the price.. SI THIS REVIEW A JOKE, there are many people who wanta cheap smart phone on which they can surf internet and maps.. which this phone does... and tell what galaxy y does better than this which is a super hit
6. droiddomination posted on 17 Apr 2012, 13:32 0 3
the carrier ought to pay the user to get this POS. I mean, this is a "smart phone" right? so that mean you will, say for ex., use at&t and pay at least say, $20 month for a data plan x 24 months= $480 you spent on this trashy poor excuse for an android phone. now if they allow you to get this for free and come up with a new market for data plans, say inbetween feature phones and smart phones with REAL screens and spec's, say smart phone jr. plans, then it would be accetable. but this is nothing more than a glorified feature phone and should have a feature phone priced data plan to accompany it.
9. abhishek48 posted on 17 Apr 2012, 16:18 4 0
this phone wont come to at&t as contract it will be like go phone no contract or it may not even come to USA where u have to buy a costly data plan wiht a smart phone.
it will go to countries where carrier have no contracts
21. Raymond_htc posted on 05 Jul 2012, 09:51 0 0
your eyes have a problem. Get a spectacle or.. OMg! you have myopia?!
8. TylerGrunter posted on 17 Apr 2012, 15:19 5 0
I really start having an issue with Ray S. and his biased reviews. Any time he reviews an Android phone the final mak goes 2 points down what it should. But what gets me really angry is his lack of accuracy when doing reviews. This sentence: "it costs just a bit less than majorly-superior phones like the Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V and Xperia ray" it is plainly FALSE. It costs HALF as much as the Ray and ONE THIRD than the Neo.
LG L3 should be in leage with the "SG Y", the "SG mini" or the "Huaweis ideos X3"!!!
Comparing it with the Sony Xperia Neo is like comparing a VW Mini with a Porsche and saying that you should buy the Porsche...
And what´s more: the "Samsung Galaxy Y" got a 7 in phonearena and this one that has a 4! The LG L3 is better in many things, like more RAM, internal memory or the camera. Does Ray S. has his own way to give reviews different from the rest of the reviewers or what???
PS: in fact the LG optimus L7 costs as much as the Neo, not the L3 not even the L5.
10. mercorp posted on 17 Apr 2012, 17:49 1 4
The galaxy mini 2 can do much better than this Lame phone,.
20. ilovelg2012 posted on 18 Jun 2012, 01:25 1 0
Battery of android LG phones are better than Samsung android phones.
11. u-suck-more posted on 18 Apr 2012, 03:09 4 0
it is very apparent that there is a LG hater disliking every pro-LG comment here.
i mean, if u hate LG so much why do u even bother reading this article?! go read OTHER articles which has NOTHING to do with LG. if u want to read an article about LG and comment, DONT put hate comments like ''LG should not make phones'' or ''Samsung and HTC is so much better than this crap'' or ''LG should concentrate on making TVs and home appliances and leave phones to proper manufacturers''. if all you can say is that, i just wanna ask. WHY ARE YOU READING A LG ARTICLE/REVIEW IF U HATE THE BRAND SO DAMN MUCH?!
12. kshell1 posted on 18 Apr 2012, 10:01 1 0
I don't hate LG personally. I had a G2x and loved it
13. DrioDRaTeR posted on 18 Apr 2012, 18:29 0 1
i'm reading cuz i work in the business and actually have to deal with the idiot that buys this peice of crap and comes in and wonders why it doesnt play videos like a droid razr or a nexus ..... Thanks for your concern
14. u-suck-more posted on 19 Apr 2012, 04:12 1 0
I don't care if u work in the industry or not, the fact is, u still shouldn't be saying stuff like this. Esp to say LG is not a legit manufacturer is just down right rude. Every company, deserves respect. Just like how every human deserves love
15. u-suck-more posted on 19 Apr 2012, 04:32 1 0
plus, the fact that u are working in the industry means u should not be biased and put personal prefences aside when recommending phones
16. kshell1 posted on 19 Apr 2012, 08:08 0 0
I personally think LG is a good manufacturer i just typically don't buy their products because the of UI
18. ajmalvaliyakath posted on 14 May 2012, 08:08 1 0
Am using this handset from last one week
as a budget android phone i feel better with it ??
And What the heck is the problem with UI ???
19. u-suck-more posted on 15 May 2012, 07:13 0 0
my point exactly! the UI isn't as bad as what ppl claim it to be!
17. ajmalvaliyakath posted on 14 May 2012, 08:05 1 1
I don't Know why Phone Arena trying to sign LG L3 as a bad Handsets with out any pros ???
am using this from last week, its sure that its Display clarity not so much good.but for the price range is there any phone that you can which comes in Amoled ???
the processor is fab (800 mhz,cortex A5,MSM 7225A) and the touch interface is cool and the design is Sexy
its multimedia options works with out memory card which most of the handset doesn't have
for 8000 Indian Rupees its a great handset....
29. turk75 posted on 05 Nov 2012, 13:58 0 0
Hey man,
Are you running flash on this phone? If so, how can i do this?
Thx,
Turk
22. KINGJUAN27 posted on 18 Jul 2012, 02:06 0 1
It's quite obvious that LG copied the sharp-edged/corners design from Sony! LG was in a hurry in releasing its L series (the cheap L3 was released ahead) to overtake Sony's release of new breed of Xperia (although Sony announced their Xperia S earlier than LG's L3) that's why the L series' specs are sooooo crappy! ughh..
23. u-suck-more posted on 18 Jul 2012, 04:29 0 0
u ought to do ur research! LG dint copy! and jesus, the L series is for the low end and low mid range market! how stunning are e specs going to be?! and the LG newchocolate bl40, which came out in 2009, also had this design! so LG didnt copy!
24. KINGJUAN27 posted on 19 Jul 2012, 04:56 0 1
but that doesn't change the fact that L3 is an awful low-end smartphone! ;)
26. ankush_1986 posted on 11 Sep 2012, 12:05 0 1
It is the worse mobile anybody can purchase,
Resolution is very very poor.
Only 150 MB space to install applications so no use of 1 Gb internal memory.
GPRS/3G speed is very slow.
user interface is very Bad, LG has modified many features of Android and made it a dull mobile.
Even local companies mobiles are better then this.
Waste of money!!!
27. arpix posted on 15 Sep 2012, 20:48 1 0
Great, what phone you can get it for the same price?
28. turk75 posted on 05 Nov 2012, 13:48 0 0
Hi everyone,
I just got this phone. It seems okay, but I want to run flash on it. I can't seem to get it to work. This website said that flash works. Can anyone with this phone tell me how to do that? It seems to be a problem since adobe is no longer on google play. This is my first smartphone. Thx, Turk
31. ladyd50433 posted on 05 Dec 2012, 23:59 0 0
I have something to say about all this ranting and raving grow up. I thought I would be able to find out on this site about why my internet isnt working when i have tried everything i can think of. But I doubt I would even find an answer at all.
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