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LG Optimus Vu

29 Feb 2012

Measuring 8.5mm thin, the 4:3 ratio, 5-inch Optimus Vu is equipped with LG's IPS display technology, delivering tablet-like viewing. Powered by the NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor, it will run on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

Tags: smartphone, lg, nfc, android 2.3, mobile phone, optimus, gingerbread, ice cream sandwich, android 4.0, mwc 2012

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HWZ's Overall Rating: 7.5

Design:

7.5

Features:

User-Friendliness:

8.5

Performance:

7.5

Value:

More real estate

Bright and crisp HD IPS screen

User-friendly UI

Excellent performance

Lackluster battery performance

Camera performance needs improvement

Width of device is very wide

Very late market availability

<div id="product-review" class="article">
			<h2 class="header-green">Hands-on: LG Optimus Vu [Updated With Video]</h2>
		<span class="byline">Article by Wong Casandra on Thursday, 01 Mar 2012</span>
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		 		<h2 class="page-title">Hands-on: LG Optimus Vu</h2>
		 		<h3 class="page_title">Hands-on: LG Optimus Vu</h3>
<p>We say, size does matter, and it is no different in the mobile device industry. No doubt, the line between tablets and smartphones is blurring, with the latter getting bigger. LG's answer to <a target="_blank" href="/review-samsung-galaxy-note-oversized-phone">Samsung's 5.3-inch Galaxy Note</a>, the 5-inch Optimus Vu, is testament to the fact.</p>
<p>Equipped with LG&rsquo;s advanced LTE and IPS display technology, the 4:3 aspect ratio Optimus Vu sets out to offer a rather unique combination of smartphone portability, tablet-like prowess, high quality multimedia-viewing and convenient note-taking/editing.</p>
<p>Rounding up the rest of its hardware specs, the Android 2.3 Optimus Vu comes with an 8-megapixel camera, 32GB memory, a high capacity 2080mAh battery (interestingly, lesser than <a target="_blank" href="/feature-hands-lg-optimus-4x-hd-lg-optimus-3d-max">LG Optimus 4X HD's 2150mAh battery</a>)&nbsp;and a 1.5GHz dual-core processor. We reckon that the phone will appeal to multimedia enthusiasts and users looking a smartphone/tablet hybrid, but we will leave it to the readers to find out. Take a quick look at what the new device has to offer:</p>
<table align="center">
    <tbody>
        <tr>
            <td class="rtecenter"><img width="200" height="200" alt="" title="LG Optimus Vu" src="/files/img/2012/02/VUTN.jpg" />&nbsp;</td>
            <td valign="middle" align="left">
            <p class="rteleft"><strong>&nbsp;            Key highlights of the LG Optimus Vu</strong></p>
            <ul>
                <li>Android 2.3 (Upgradable to Android ICS 4.0)</li>
                <li>5-inch IPS Display  / 1024x768 pixels</li>
                <li>1.5GHz dual-core processor&nbsp;</li>
                <li>1 GB RAM / 32GB Internal memory&nbsp;</li>
                <li>8-megapixel camera /&nbsp;LED flash&nbsp;/ Auto-focus&nbsp;</li>
                <li>1.3-megapixel front-facing camera</li>
                <li>2080 mAh battery<strong><br />
                </strong></li>
                <li>139.6 x 90.4 x 8.5mm</li>
                <li>Availability: Q4 2012 in Singapore&nbsp;</li>
            </ul>
            </td>
        </tr>
    </tbody>
</table>
<p class="rtecenter"><img width="500" height="488" title="Holding the Optimus Vu in your hands takes some time getting used to due to its unusual form factor and wide girth. However, it compensates by being extremely thin at 8.5mm and light which takes a little pressure off from trying to get a good grip on it. Its bright IPS screen is certainly made for quality reading, especially colored mediums such as comics and magazines." alt="" src="/files/img/2012/02/VU_Screen.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img width="500" height="320" title="LG has made mention of using an &quot;exclusive floating mass technology&quot; to ensure that the Optimus Vu is a slim and portable device despite its 5-inch screen. This is quite apparent in its 8.5mm thick profile. The device is also said to be the slimmest among all LTE phones currently on the market and we can't agree more." alt="" src="/files/img/2012/02/Right_1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img width="500" height="362" alt="" title="Like its LG Optimus 4X HD and Prada by LG 3.0 peers, the Optimus Vu is framed by silver-accented buttons that adds a subtle touch of sophistication to the device. From left to right: a retractable antenna, power/lock button, a microUSB port that's protected by a slide-out cover and a built-in QuickClip button. The last allows users to make notes, draw and edit on virtually any screen/photo/documents (including any home screens) in one quick touch - one that's similar to what Samsung's S Memo function." src="/files/img/2012/02/Top_1.jpg" /></p>
<p>To give you a better picture of what the LG Optimus Vu has to offer, check out the short video demonstration below:</p>
<p class="rtecenter"><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/l6EKvTX3GV4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p class="rtecenter"><img width="500" height="426" alt="" title="Editing can be easily made on photos and documents. You can choose to send it to LG's notebook app or save them in your gallery." src="/files/img/2012/02/Notetaking.jpg" /></p>
<p class="rtecenter"><img width="500" height="481" alt="" title="You can access the Notebook app via your homescreen. This works like a scrapbook of sorts, with users pegging relevant notes to virtual notebooks. Edited media will automatically be saved in the QuickClip Note book." src="/files/img/2012/02/Notebook_App.jpg" /></p>
<p class="rtecenter"><br />
<img width="500" height="499" alt="" title="On entering an individual notebook, you can add text, edit photos further, record voice messages or capture videos without much fuss." src="/files/img/2012/02/DSC_0594.jpg" /><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>The LG Optimus Vu will be available in Singapore in Q4 2012. The late arrival might do some damage to its potential pool of buyers due to the long wait but we have to say that the Vu is a pretty impressive and nifty device for those looking for a productivity/multimedia tool.</p>
<p>There are no details on pricing yet so do keep a lookout on our website for more details as they become availlable.</p>			</div>
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