The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
While range-topping dual core Android phones can last less than a day on full charge with moderate usage, budget rivals like the Optimus One have a greater chance of giving you more time between trips to the plug socket.What's good
- 1500mAh battery means you can get 48 hours of use from the phone before it needs recharging
- Option to upgrade the software from Android 2.2 to 2.3 will please many users because other budget handsets are often stuck with older iterations of the platform indefinitely
The LG Optimus One is described by LG as a great choice for first-time smartphone users. In this writer's opinion, the Optimus One deserves a better lead than that. Let's break it down.
The LG Optimus One is an Android-powered candybar that offers a 3.2 inch, 320 x 480 pixel capacitive display which, while not top tier, is certainly capable, large and easy on the eyes.
Add a 3MP camera with auto-focus, video record, MP3 player, FM radio, full internet browser and native YouTube player, and you have a phone that can keep pace with the diverse and immediate needs of many users.
The Optimus One also features location-based services including navigation via A-GPS, memory expansion via microSD (Up to 32GB), Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm headset jack and more.
With a talk time of up to five hours and a standby time of up to 450 hours, the LG Optimus One is a great choice for first time smartphone shoppers, and then some.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- GSMArena Team, GSMArenaThe Optimus One is a low-end Android but it performs very well in its price bracket. LG’s main goal with this one is pull people away from feature phones by offering more functionality than even the most high-end feature phone.Feature phones usually offer a better screen and a better camera bu...
- Gareth Beavis, T3Don’t look at the specs when buying the LG Optimus One, as that’s not what it’s about. Instead realise that the few tradeoffs you have to make are necessary to get a cutting edge Android phone for less money than it takes to replace a cracked iPhone screen. LG looks to have got the...
- Stuff Team, StuffThe camera isn’t much to crow about. Unlike some budget smartphones, though, you have a reasonable chance of recognising something you’ve taken a picture or a video of – even if it is a little murky and jerky in 18fps VGA. 170MB of storage on the phone itself is supplemented by the microSD slot. Wit...
- Rosemary Hattersley , Tech AdvisorA budget smartphone that offers some great features, the LG Optimus One P500 is well worth a second look. Unlike some other cheap handsets, it runs Android 2.2 Froyo rather than 2.1 Eclair.
- Edward Chester , TrustedReviewsThe LG Optimus One is quite simply some phone. As a budget smartphone, it more than gets the job done and if you can find it on a good deal, there's no reason for you to avoid it. However, equally there's little to really make us recommend it. Frankly, the Orange San Francisco still stands out as th...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the LG Optimus One user manual here.
LG backs up the Optimus One with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Optimus One has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact LG support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find LG's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- LG Optimus One Manual (PDF)
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