LG Optimus One review

LG’s latest Android handset, the Optimus One, follows on from the original Optimus GT540, which at the time of review was far too expensive and ran an out-of-date version of Android. The Optimus One runs Android 2.2 and is available for half the price of the GT540, but otherwise has a similar specification – a 3.2in, 320×480-pixel screen and a 3-megapixel camera. It’s also available on contract as well as prepay.

The One looks nothing like the GT540, and we found its rounded corners and buttons a bit bland. It feels well made, with a metal strip around the edge that houses the ports and a volume rocker, and a rubber finish on the plastic casing that makes it easy to grip. LG has opted for physical rather than touch-sensitive buttons, which are easier to feel for in the dark and you’re less likely to trigger them accidentally.

The screen is small by today’s standards, but despite the low resolution we found it sharper than other budget handsets’ displays, such as the HTC Wildfire or Motorola Flipout’s. It’s nowhere near as good as Motorola’s Defy, though, with its much larger 480×800 resolution. The 3-megapixel camera is also slightly disappointing, especially as it lacks a flash and so isn’t suitable for low-light conditions.

We found pictures suffered from a lot of smearing and colours were a bit flat. Videos too were blurry and the camera struggled to capture movement, while their low resolution makes then only suitable for posting on the web. We were disappointed to find that the One lacks the GT540’s clever video editing app.