LG Optimus One: A good entry Android phone

The iPhone fiercest competition is doubtlessly the Android phone. Not only are these phones capable of performing more tasks than an iPhone but they also comes in a variety of designs to cater to different needs and budget. Among the major manufacturers, LG was the first to release a budget Android in Optimus One. Their direction is no surprise considering that they had previous success in bringing affordable basic touchscreen to the masses. Unfortunately, they tried too hard too hard to replicate that success by churning out version after version of LG Cookies and got left behind in the smartphone race. When their Android range fail to excite the consumers, the easy solution is to make them affordable and thus the LG Optimus One is born. (Possibly that is why these two phone share the same model number too, KP500 for Cookies and P500 for Optimus One)The buttons design is unique but do you like them?

The Optimus One looks bigger than its mere 3.2" screen but it appear slim. The faux-metal frame around the side of the phone lends a nice accent to the design. In a market filled with generic touchscreen design, the Optimus One stands out with its unique button arrangement that makes it immediately recognizable. Its aesthetic is subjective though as I personally don't agree with the design. Still, the phone feels solid to hold since it's heavier than it looks.

The phone was released with a 600Mhz processor in a time when 1Ghz is not uncommon. But then again, there was a time when 600Mhz was the trademark and frankly, it reportedly runs just fine. The camera takes decent 3MP photo but video recording is poor. However, its video player is able to play more format than the regular MP4 in most handphone, as long as the file size isn't too large. GPS and Google Map is quite standard in an Android while basic connectivity is quite complete with both 3G and Wifi.

This is a good entry level Android phone. Design wise, you either like it or can live with it. No complain really. Despite relatively lower spec, it's reliable and almost capable of delivering the full Android experience. It was introduced to the local market at about RM 899 but is easily available for less than RM700 now.