SPECIFICATIONS:
OS: Android v.4.1.2 Jellybean
Processor: Single Core 1 GHz
Display: IPS Capacitive Touchscreen
Sensors: Accelerometer, proximity,compass
Camera: SMP with LED Flash
Dimensions: 4.63 X 2.45 X 0.36 inches
Weight: 1 03.3g
WHAT’S HOT:
• Long Battery Life
• Good screen display
• LED surrounded home button
• QuickButton
WHAT’S NOT:
• Snappy Plastic backplate
• No-front facing camera
• No auto-brightness
• Fingerprint magnet screen
BOTTOM LINE:
The LG Optimus L5 II is an ultimate companion to performance-seekingsmartphone lovers who are low on moolah.
The mobile world has exploded over the years and brewing the next great mobile technology has become the main focus of handset developers and manufacturers battling head on with their flagship models. Smartphones, which enable users to do almost anything except fly, is the buzzword of the generation, but not all of us have the budget to purchase costly high-end devices. LG, with its series of Optimus smartphones also introduced medium price ranged phones in the fray. The LG Optimus LS II is a simple yet noteworthy device that is perfect for the budget conscious smartphone enthusiasts.
The first thing I thought of when the device was handed to me by my editors for review was that it was extremely lightweight. Tipping the scales at just 1 03.3g, it is as light as a chocolate bar. Though budget-friendly, the Optimus LS II doesn’t look inexpensive. The LS II that was handed in white looks very refined with its glossy metal-textured rear and rounded profile. The sides are accented with thin silver lines, so is the frame of its front. It took me quite a few flips and turns of the device to figure out how to open its delicate plastic back plate, until I realized I could hook my nails on the microUSB port at the bottom and it popped open.
It fits comfortably in the palm of my hand; with its 4-inch IPS capacitive touchscreen you can operate this device with one hand-a refreshing change from the massive smartphones that have looded the market recently.
I took a liking to its Home button, which is surrounded with smart LED lights that glow in distinctive colors whenever you receive calls, messages, e-mails and other notifications. The capacitive back and menu keys are at the opposite side of the home button, both having good response to touch. The Lock/Power button is located at the right and the Quick Memo button, which is actually a Quick Launch button that can be assigned to any app, sits atop the volume rocker on the side of the phone. The audio port is positioned on top of the handset. It doesn’t come with a cover, so for girls who customize a lot, you could plug in adorable dust stoppers or”pluggies”to add more personality to the look of your device.
The 4-inch capacitive touchscreen is a true color IPS display. I loaded a 720p video onto the LS II; for a mid-ranger phone, the colors were vivid and sharp, which is a plus point for this device. The LG Optimus’ user-interface has a minimalist design with widgets and themes that can be personalized like other Android phones. Organizing can be done through holding buttons and dragging them anywhere you prefer on the screen. The lock screen can host the calendar and clock that is changeable to different styles and designs.
Powered by Android Jelly Bean, this handset can also be a fit to game lovers. I downloaded Minion Rush on the handset and did a few runs. There wasn’t much trouble with the endlessrunning game; it didn’t lag and the graphics did an okay job. The colors were popping out throughout runs but if you like intricate details, when it comes to 3D games it wouldn’t exactly meet your preference.
I’m the social-networking-messagingproactive type of person, so I hoard apps that will keep me in touch with my friends. Google Hangout and Twitter are pre-installed on this Android device and you can, of course, download more apps from Play Store to keep you in the know of everything now. The keyboard doesn’t take much space off the screen but still has enough space for you to not accidentally send “kjhsfhadhjwhs”filled messages to your friends. In the aforementioned departments the LS II does a commendable job.
Another plus point for this handset is its 1 GHz single core processor, booting didn’t take much time; it only took a few seconds to go live. It includes a 4GB (1.4GB available to users) internal memory and microSD slots capable of housing up to 32GB in its roster of features. With a 1 ,700mAh battery, you don’t need to worry about your battery draining out on you in the middle of a busy day. Without hardcore gameplay or full-on internet surfing a well-charged battery could definitely last up to the next day.
Built-in LG apps like SmartWorld, which offers discounts on Android apps, and Safety Care, which allows an emergency call settings and location monitoring feature, come with this mid-ranger out of the box. I was impressed with the QuickMemo feature that allows you to make notes on the screen that look like Post-it notes, or that you can use it as wallpaper after saving it in the gallery. When you cannot find a pen and a paper to jot down numbers and reminders on, this will definitely come in handy.
A device in this category can’t really have it all, and the LSII has no front-camera. This is a bit of downer for people who love taking “selfies:’ but it does a have a SMP rear camera. The camera is great for taking outdoor shots and the panorama option to take the whole field of view, and not just snippets. In poor lighting conditions, the LED flash will save the day. It is also designed with a voiceactivated shooting system where you can set it up say”cheese;”‘ole!;'”yay” and other similar words to take pictures.
Apart from its hits and misses, the LG Optimus L5 II is an affordable, yet well performing and appealingly groomed handset that will more or less serenade its way to your to-buy shortlist.
First published in Gadgets Magazine, July 2013
Words by Mia Carisse Barrientos