LG Optimus L9 Review
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While top Korean manufacturer Samsung has been making waves with its Android lineup both on retail shelves and in court, Korean #2 LG has quietly begun to make a name for itself with its Optimus lineup. With pioneering devices like the Optimus 2X, Optimus 3D and Optimus One, LG has shown that they are not afraid to push the limits of technology. This has of course culminated with LG being picked to design the Nexus 4 (based off of their excellent Optimus G,) but lost in the talk of quad-core processors and high definition displays is the launch of the Optimus L9 on T-Mobile. While it is not top-of the line, it has many great features you’d expect from a premium device such as a 4.5” IPS display and dual-core processor. With the Nexus 4 coming to T-Mobile on contract does the Optimus L9 have a place in the lineup? Read on to find out!
Design:
LG has been finding their design language over the past year, and the L9 builds on the angular, minimalist designs we’ve seen LG put out. The large 4.5” IPS display dominates, but there is also a slim physical home button below. Hidden capacitive back and menu keys flank the home button. The volume rocker and side power button are a bit smaller than we’d prefer and could be easier to find by touch. They don’t offer much travel or tactile feedback, but seem to work well enough.
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The LG Optimus L9 builds on the minimalist angular designs we've seen from the manufacturer | ||
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With tapered edges, a textured, soft-touch back and measuring only 9.1mm thin the Optimus L9 is very comfortable to hold. That battery door is removable, giving access to the 2150mAh battery, SIM card and microSD slot. A quality plastic housing means that the L9 is light, but doesn’t feel cheap. Overall we appreciate the L9’s design, which may not evoke the same response as a premium device like the Optimus G, but does not feel like a budget model in any way.
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The physical home button | The 5-megapixel shooter | The 2150mAh battery is beneath the soft touch cover |
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Left side | Right | Top |
The IPS display has a 540x960 qHD resolution, which makes for a respectable 245 ppi density. LG has made a name for themselves with excellent displays recently, and the L9 is no different. While it does not have the highest resolution, the IPS technology makes for very bright and vibrant displays with superb viewing angles. We had no issues using the phone in any lighting condition, and clarity was very good.
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21 Comments
4. redmd posted on 05 Nov 2012, 08:11 3 0
4.7 for the international version. 4.5 for t mobile version.
5. smallworld posted on 05 Nov 2012, 08:12 0 0
Yeah I noticed after it was the T-Mobile version.
2. redmd posted on 05 Nov 2012, 08:09 8 0
I don't see why those cons eat 2.5 of total score. it's a mid range phone did someone forget? I think it deserves at least 8. snappy performance alone could warrant that.
8. GTR722 posted on 05 Nov 2012, 10:38 6 0
Remember this is PhoneArena, the S3 mini got a higher score than this phone....
3. thephonedude posted on 05 Nov 2012, 08:10 6 0
Finally a L Series Phone that is better than its other versions! GREAT L STYLED PHONE :) I am using L5
13. DKMDROID posted on 10 Nov 2012, 04:21 0 0
The international version has gorilla glass 2 not so sure about the T-mobile version but i suspect the only difference is the 0.2" of screen real estate between the 2
11. thephonedude posted on 06 Nov 2012, 03:28 0 0
Eh S3 mini is better in terms of specs.. but if you want great design... the L7 is the one for you
19. shubham3mathur posted on 09 Mar 2013, 02:18 0 0
For more detail and specifications about S3 Mini or Optimus l9 and s duos plz visit at techfactz.com
14. masterwoo posted on 17 Nov 2012, 10:32 0 0
Read more about LG Optimus L9 at indiapricepoint.com/electronics/price-of-lg-l9/
15. Landmarkcm posted on 23 Jan 2013, 21:55 0 0
This site seems to rate the camera quality on some good phones as a negative alot. Whereas phonescoop etc said this phone takes great pictures. Which it does! Wow I think it takes some of the clearest shots ive had. Its better then the 8mp on Lumia 822 I was using. So just goes to show mp count doesn't mean everything. Is Phonearena not focusing right or what...? lol. Anyway I thought I was fully converted to WP8 but im loving Android again with this device. Especially on Tmobiles no contract plan. This phone is awesome for 199!
16. seadude posted on 30 Jan 2013, 04:05 0 0
LG has been known for not supporting their software upgrade. You may get the latest android right now. But you are going to stuck with that android version for the rest of your smartphone life. Don't buy LG, you will regard it next year when everyone is using Android 5.0. I am a victom of the G2X, they promised to upgrade it when it was released 2 years ago. I now have a samsung s3 and the g2x still hasn't get that updated LG originally promised. In fact, LG don't even response to G2X update questions at all... LOL
17. Landmarkcm posted on 30 Jan 2013, 11:55 0 0
I hear ya but im not super worried abt the software update. As long as it's nothing major im missing. If I keep this device for at least a year that will be good for me as I have been going through phones to fast. I haven't liked other things abt some lg's in the past but overall this one is good, & has overall good marks.
18. shubham3mathur posted on 07 Mar 2013, 06:14 0 0
For complete specification and review of LG plz visit techfactz.com
20. Charlie_boy posted on 03 Apr 2013, 00:45 0 0
It's uncanny that the international L9 specs are very similar to the Galaxy Nexus... I wonder how that came about...
21. Teknofilo posted on 02 May 2013, 18:33 0 0
I'd like to point out that the panorama function seems to use the camera mode, rather than the photograph mode, which results in panorama pictures having very small vertical resolution.
We have included a sample in our review at Teknofilo.com blog and, while the article is in Spanish, you'll easily spot where the panorama picture is.
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