Review of LG Optimus 3D (English Version)

REVIEW LG OPTIMUS 3D (LG P920). First 3D Mobile phone in Indonesia

The development in smart phone technology is so fast that now has entering the era of 3 dimension display (3D) with the presence of LG P920 Smart phone (known popularly with the name of Optimus 3D).  This Smart phone is based on Android operating system with the primary feature plus point of:

      1.  Can record photo and video in 3D format 

     2.  Can display photo and video in 3D format which can be seen directly with normal plain eyes (without the need to have special 3D glasses at all).

Below is my review for the LG Optimus 3D which I get as one of the pre-order unit participant for this fascinating unit:

     A.    LG Optimus 3D Product Packaging and Accessories

Good enough and neat / solid showing the high class quality of the handset (packaging is not using the thin carton box). The inside of it is protected by thin foam at the side that facing the handset screen.  Packaging with the bright red color which is quite “eye catching”

Plus:

-       *   Unit already equipped with HDMI cable as bonus

-       *   Packaging is very neat and sturdy

-       *   Completed with user manual in several languages

-     *  Battery charger that is give is the type with fast charging capability (charging is quite fast, in about 2 hours then battery capacity is already full) compared to other product in the market which charger needs about 3 hours just to charge battery with almost the same capacity with Optimus 3D battery

-     *  LG already have “Product Authentication Program” that is the protection mechanism so that user really ensured to have original product (not black market or fake product) by sending 1 SMS from the handset to LG (verifying the handset is indeed original for Indonesia market and coming from LG Indonesia),  this protection way make users to get extra warranty period making it to be total of 13 months warranty as described at the packaging box (Currently only LG that have this kind of  protection for  originality of the products and feature for extra 1 month warranty)

Minus:

-       *   Separate data cable is not given (battery charging cable can be functioned as data cable)

-       *   Micro SD memory card is not given as well, unlike other handset vendor

     B.    Phone Specification

LG Optimus 3D has the “3D” specification as well, that are:

-    * Dual core processor 1Ghz ARM Cortex A9 processor, TI OMAP 4430 Chipset + PowerVR SGX540 GPU

-       *  Dual Channel

-       *  Dual Memory (2 x 256 Mbyte)

The display is stereoscopic 3D LCD with the size of 4.3” and resolution of 480 x 800 pixels with 16 million colors.  Its touch screen system is capacitive model and based on testing it is quite sensitive and responsive in taking input coming from fingers.

This handset already support the use of micro SD class 10 up to 32GB capacity (as the time this review is made, at the market only available 16GB micro SD class 10 and class 6).  It is advisable for HD quality video recording (2D or 3D) then uses micro SD class 6 or class 10 (high speed recording).

The built-in camera at the front is having VGA resolution while the back camera is comprise of 2 cameras that each have resolution of max 5MPixel to be able to generate 3D as well as 2D picture and video.

Testing by running the handset daily non-stop for making / receiving phone calls, SMS, recording and playing back 3D contents and playing 3D game as well as connecting to Wi-Fi or 3G network to access internet showing that the performance is stable (no restart or hang).  The heat generated by the handset body also still in tolerable level on my opinion (heat because of the non-stop operation as mentioned).

   

Update per 28 Sept 2011 until 16:40, handset with original firmware v10A and original operating system (android 2.2.2 froyo) has been running since 18 Sept 2011 hour 16:00 without the problem of hang, restart or random reboot (operating very smoothly and already using all applications, functions that exist in Optimus 3D).

Plus:

-      *   Supporting multi touch up to 10 fingers

-      *   LED at the camera is very bright

-      *  Supported by GPU PowerVR so that it can play games with HD quality perfectly

-      *  Handset still have chance to be upgraded to Android with higher version

-      *  3D LCD screen is quite bright even for outdoor viewing

-   * 3D LCD screen can withstand scratch (even though the usage of screen protector is still recommended)

-     *  Micro SD slot position is outside of the battery so that making it easy to change MicroSD

-     *  Supporting Micro SD class 10 that is high speed up to 32GB capacity

-     *  Battery is available with cheap price (the battery is the same with battery for Optimus 2X which is already entering the market in advance)

-   * Have built-in test application (accessing it by pressing 3845*#920# through the “telephony” menu).  Test that is given is very complete and can test each and every function and feature of the LG Optimus 3D without the needs to download third party tester application anymore

-     * HDMI and USB slot have “cover” thus making it more exclusive look and hard for dust / external object / water splashing to get in.

Minus:

-      *  Operating system is still Android Froyo 2.2.2

-      *   Battery that is given is only having the capacity of 1500mAH, with all the 3D usage that can be very intensive, battery can be drain up in less then 1 day.

-      *  Dual Memory is a very good architecture in increasing the performance of the handset, however each memory module is only given the memory of 256 Mbyte (by the time this review is made, there is already other handset that have the memory of 1 GByte although only as single channel).

-      *  Does not have FM radio facility (there is a chance that this feature of FM radio can be enabled via upgrade against the android software / firmware in the future)

-     *  The weight is a bit heavier (168 gram) compared to other dual core smart phone that exist in the market now

-      *  The screen can not be very bright as in the NOVA screen at Optimus Black

-     *  With the handset default setting, Application and Game data that can be in big sizes must be installed in internal telephone memory (which only left around 5GB from total of 8 GB).  External Micro SD memory can only be used to store photo or video results or other user file.  Internal memory size should be made bigger at least up to 13-16GB as in the other handset with the same class.

  

     C.     Standard Telephony Feature

Telephony feature: To make or receive calls through internal microphone, internal speaker (at the top of the phone) or through speaker phone have good clear quality.  Give video call feature support (using the front camera with VGA resolution).   Have notification ability with ring tone and vibration and it works very good

SMS / MMS feature: To send and receive text or multimedia messages can be executed smoothly.  SMS can support standard text messages of 160 characters and also multi / long SMS perfectly.

Plus:

-      *  Easy in searching for the destination numbers through the “Contact” menu

-      *  Voice quality is good and clear

-    * Give interface where user can reject calls without pressing button but by alternatively sending SMS that contain specific messages to the caller number automatically

-     * Giving “CAR HOME” menu (telephony menu in the simplest version with the support of “Voice command”) that make it easy for user in using the telephone while driving (using phone while driving is not recommended)

-     * Contact list can be synchronized with user Gmail account including photo for the specific contact (that already have existing photo in their Gmail account)

Minus:

-      *  No

     D.    Multimedia Feature

Optimus 3D  gives special sub menu to enter the world of 3D where other menu below it is menu with full 3D animation thus creating extra ordinary experience offered by device in the form of mobile phone like this..

Handset also has been equipped with good music player, making it easy in setting and playing songs.

For photo and video is having feature for 2D (photo resolution max 5MP and video resolution max 1080p/30fps) as well as for 3D (photo resolution max 3MP and video resolution max 720p/30fps).  

We already can play 2D games, HD quality as well as 3D games directly and smoothly (no lag).  Even for 3D game, if the user is not used to view 3D content then the game can be set in such a way that as if it turns into 2D (by changing the effect of the depth from default setting of the game to its most minimal value).   Depth setting feature also available in the 3D video player.

Playing game in 3D format is not giving motion sensor support so the movement must be done by using virtual D-Pad at the touch screen (this is because if the screen is moved to play based on motion then the 3D view will be unclear, so that is very acceptable reason)

Handset already equipped with SMART SHARE feature whereas user can share picture, video even music that he/she have to other user wirelessly.

Plus:

-       *  Can record at FULL HD (1080p) resolution at 30fps quality

-     * Handset have dedicated 3D hardware button to quickly change mode from 2D to 3D and vice versa

-       * Depth level at the 3D mode can be set from the handset for photo, video as well as for game

-      * Can view the resulting 3D picture or video directly with normal plain eyes without the needs of other additional tools 
      
      Minus:

-    * Handset does not have hardware dedicated button for camera (camera setting and taking picture/video must be performed through the touch screen interface)

-       *  3D picture / video must be viewed from straight point of view with specific distance so that the result can be seen perfectly (if it is viewed from wrong angle the result will be seen as if it is blurry)

     E.     Network Feature

Handset is already give support for Wi-Fi, 2G, 3G, HSDPA and HSUPA, Bluetooth network also connection using cable through its mini USB port.  GPS system also works perfectly in detecting location

Handset already support tethering function so that the telephone can share its internet connection with other device (example: with other computer/notebook) through cable or wirelessly (telephone become wi-fi access point) whereas this support can be implemented for computer that use Windows Vista, Windows 7 even Linux as operating system.

Plus:

-      * Support USB Tethering including for other devices with Linux without the needs for special driver or software

-    * Support complete social network coverage like facebook, twitter and myspace (integrated in the handset without the needs for third party software)

-       *  Internet connection is quite stable and not intermittent 

      Minus:

-     * Not yet supporting USB On The Go / USB OTG (the feature to use other USB device at / with the handset like using USB keyboard to type at this handset)

-      * Not yet supporting Wi-Fi Direct (transfer data with the speed that is even higher than Bluetooth 3.0) as the feature that already exist in the LG Optimus Black series

-      * Not having NFC (Near Field Communication) chip that is the future trends

-      * Not having chip to access Wi-Max network

    F.     Office, Calendar and Other Internal Application Feature

Office feature is using Polaris Office which is very complete to open and modify Microsoft office files (word, excel, power point) even the one with xml format

Calendar application is showed with full Graphical User Interface so that making user easier in entering specific schedule at the calendar

Other application that is interesting are REMOTE CALL LG whereas with this application user can ask for help / assistance from LG technician to remotely access user’s handset during trouble shooting events (will be charged with data communication cost)

Plus:

-      * Internal application is quite complete including integrated office application at the handset which already can read and modify the newest office format without needs to pay extra (free)
      * Update per 27 October 2011, LG has officially launch Firmware 10D (to replace 10A) in which this firmware already come with "3D GAME CONVERTER"

Minus:

-      * No

CONCLUSION:

Plus Point:

The main advantage of the Optimus 3D handset is its ability to record and playback photo or video with 3D quality that is very amazing (3D can be seen directly with plain eyes) also the support of “3D” technology in the form of Dual Core processor, Dual Channel and Dual Memory that will give you the very satisfying multimedia experience.

Minus Point:

Thing that need to be fixed is the battery performance which is draining very fast and also upgrade to android with higher version as planned by LG to be executed at October 2011 (as the time this review is made there is android Gingerbread 2.3.4 that already supporting video call using Gtalk and many security patch as well as other important update patch including support for better virtual keyboard with virtual pointer thus making more easier in choosing sentence or statement at the handset screen)

TIPS:
Several tips based on my personal experience in using this handset:

1. If located far away from power source, battery charger and extra battery is not yet available then to save battery usage then the following steps can be performed:

• Setting network to "2G network" only
• Disable Bluetooth, wi-fi, GPS, and internet connection
• Change default setting for "screen brightness" from "automatic" to minimum value that is still acceptable for your viewing (the brightness level of the screen will affect the durability of the battery)
• Disable flash / LED light if not needed (especially while taking outdoor pictures / video that still have plenty of light / bright)

2. For movie / video, photo can be changed from 2D mode to 3D or vice versa by only pressing the "3D button" hardware that is given at the side body of the mobile phone.

3. For 3D game, can easily be converted to 2D HD quality game (so is not making headache during play time) or vice versa changed back to its original 3D format by only pressing "3D button" hardware that is given at the side body of the mobile phone..  This way of "pressing the hardware 3D button" turn out to be a better way compare to setting the 3D depth way to its minimal level from within the 3D game application because with this method screen display of Optimus 3D also change into pure 2D display, not blurry effect (more clear) even it give the same wanted effect (change 3D game to 2D game mode)

4. Set for video and photo capture to be stored in external memory (the mini SD card) so that during recording of video / photo in high quality then the recording speed will be good / fast (it is recommended to use mini SD card class 6 or class 10, this is also to make sure that internal memory that is only 5 Gbyte capacity is truly used only for application/game data installation).  The change of this setting can be done by entering the camera setting menu (by tapping at the touch screen). 

5. Update firmware or other possible update (if any in the future) is better to be performed from within the facility provided by the handset (because usually doing it this way makes the data not being deleted) although it is still recommended to backup all data before performing any update activity. 

6. Playing 3D movie with Side By Side (3D SBS) format at Optimus 3D:

• Put the 3D SBS movie at the O3D
• PLAY the movie
• Press the 2D button showed on screen (so now it is changed to 3D mode) OR press the 3D hardware button at the side body of the handset
• Put the mobile phone in vertical standing position (LG Logo on top)
• Press the capacitive button that have the icon/picture of "box within box" for about 1-3 seconds (if the handset in vertical standing position (LG logo on top) then this button is the button that located at the most left bottom side of the phone)
• There will be shown 3 menu option on the bottom of the screen (put mobile phone back to its horizontal position)
• Choose "3D formatter" (the option in the leftmost position)
• Choose "The leftmost option" (to integrated 3D SBS picture into one 3D screen viewing)
• Finish

  

7. If for some reasons motion sensor becoming slow/non responsive (example: during screen is moved to landscape position but somehow the display still showing portrait view) then that case can be fixed by ourselves (no need to bring mobile phone to the service center). This is how to fix it::

• Go to "Setting"
• Enter sub menu "motion"
• Choose "Recalibrate Motion Sensor"
• Put O3D handset in a table or other FLAT base (with the position of  handset screen facing upward)
• Press the button as instructed on the touch screen (button to start automatic screen orientation recalibration)
• Finish (the screen should be responsive/normal again), test it by changing the screen orientation from landscape to portrait and vice versa then now O3D "motion sensor" should already working perfectly whereas orientation of the view will follow mobile phone orientation.  Orientation that can be detected is only for: Portrait, landscape to the left and landscape to the right. 

CLOSING

Thus the review from me.  To close this review, this handset is making its own blow by its capability in “make and view 3D content with plain eyes”.   One word that usually spoken when I demonstrate the Optimus 3D to somebody is “WOW THIS IS REAL 3D!”. LG Optimus 3D is extra ordinary! 3D in reality...

By: Leo.B – One of the First owner and Proud owner of LG Optimus 3D – Jakarta 
(Review at 24 Sep 2011; Last update 28 Oct 2011 hour of 8:36; English translation finished and revised at 28 Oct 2011 hour of 8:40)