LG Optimus T Review

Introduction:

In the course of only a year, we've witnessed a monumental shift in the Android community as consumers now have a variety of handsets to choose from. Compared to the same time last year, the only options available back then were mostly mid to high-end range Android smartphones – with devices like the Motorola DROID and Samsung Moment taking most of the attention from their respective carriers. With the advent of the LG Optimus T for T-Mobile, it seemingly opens the door in branching out Android's mainstream reach to the masses here in the US – especially when it trots around with a $29.99 on-contract price from day one.

The package contains:

• LG Optimus T
• 2GB microSD card
• Stereo Headset
• microUSB Cable
• Wall charger
• Start Guide

Design:

For something sporting an attractive price point, you can't knock the the design of the LG Optimus T since is follows accordingly like any other touchscreen device before it. In fact, we're more than surprised with the level of quality it exhibits – like the all around soft touch coating and faux-pas chrome bezel. Average in size (0.52” thick) and weight (4.55 oz), the handset doesn't scream the industrial designs of some big name handsets, but it's more akin to some of LG's line of feature phones – like the LG Sentio and Encore. Overall, we're content with its construction as it feels solid all around and better built than some other smart phones out there.



You can compare the LG Optimus T with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.

In following closely to its entry-level nature, the handset features a 3.2” HVGA (320 x 480 pixels) capacitive touchscreen with support for 262k colors. Even though the display feels a little on the plastic side, it is indeed capacitive technology and performs handsomely. Not only does it offer some decent viewing angles, but it does an agreeable job in displaying sharp tiny looking text and exudes some high contrast colors. Sure you'll still need to shield it away from the sun, but we're quite happy with the results when it's set to the highest brightness setting. As for responsiveness, you'll definitely need to break it in before you get that slick feel with the surface, but once it's there, it didn't have too many issues registering a touch.


Gone are the annoying accidental presses found with the capacitive buttons on other Android phones – that's because the Optimus T resorts to using physical ones instead. Ever so slightly elevated from the surface, it features the menu, home, back, and search buttons – all of which have that hard click feel to them.


The left edge of the phone is completely clean of anything, but the right side houses the skinny volume rocker, which is rather difficult to make out when attempting to press. The same thing applies to the dedicated power button found on the top portion of the phone as it's just too tiny to distinguish from the surrounding area. Thankfully though, the smartphone manages to pack along a 3.5mm headset jack as well – something that could've been missing due to its price point. But when it comes to charging, the microUSB port is placed accordingly at the bottom edge of the phone which enables you to use the phone without any worries while giving it a good recharge.


Flipping over to the rear, the only thing found there aside from the “LG” and “with Google” branding is the 3.2-megapixel auto-focus camera – but probably to cut cost, it's lacking a flash or self-portrait mirror. There's a small notch towards the top middle of the phone which easily allows you to yank off the back cover. Once it's off, you'll have access to the SIM card slot, battery, and hot swappable microSD card slot.