LG Optimus Black and Optimus 2X hands-on

CES

Last night, LG threw a laser-packed bash to welcome the addition of the Optimus Black and Optimus 2X to their stable of Android-powered handsets. While both devices were on display, the Optimus 2X was clearly the star of the show. Featuring an nVidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor running at 1GHz per core, the Optimus 2X is an incredibly powerful handset that, along with this year’s other Tegra-powered phones, will help to set a new standard for smartphone performance. The graphics on this thing were stunning, the screen is gorgeous, and the phone absolutely flies along. The handsets on display were running Froyo, but all of the display material noted that Gingerbread is all but a foregone conclusion as soon as it hits the streets. LG had 3 of these things hooked up to what looked like 42″ displays via the included HDMI output, and the gaming and graphics performance on the big screen was pretty incredible. No frame-rate issues, full HD display, and more. Really cool stuff.

The Optimus Black, on the other hand, is all about aesthetics. It was super responsive to be sure, but its 1GHz OMAP3630 processor paled in comparison to the Tegra. That said, it’s not as if the Optimus Black didn’t have its virtues. The device is super thin, is really well manufactured and designed, it definitely feels like more of a luxury/up-market device in hand. The Optimus Blacks were also running Froyo, but featured a new Wi-Fi direct feature that allows for long range peer-to-peer connections. The Optimus Black also has what is being touted as the “world’s first front-facing 2 megapixel camera” allowing for relatively passable shots from the forward camera, and definitely paving the way for a bit of a higher quality video chatting experience than we’ve come to expect from the mobile arena. Oh, and did we mention that LG brought lasers? Click on over to the respective galleries for more shots and some video from the event!

15 Comments
  • http://twitter.com/mistercarter7 Mike Gonzalez

    where’s the LG Black at?! i cant see no pictures of it

  • Ay82

    Just wondering, does the 2X have a 2mp front camera as well or is it just on the black?

    • Gaza

      Seems like only the Black.

  • Anonymous

    What kart game are they playing?

    • serpentor

      Right now I don’t care about kart games.

  • http://twitter.com/BigJawnMize Will Wagner

    Were they skinning froyo there…it looks pretty vanilla but I cant totally tell. This phone with an upgradable OS would be the bomb for tMob users.

  • Anonymous

    The crappy LG custom skin means slow updates (like 6-12 months late slow). Don’t fall for this trap again. The only android phone worth its weight in salt is one with a stock UI.

    • Anonymous

      i think LG skin is better than MotoBlur. id get it.

  • Anonymous

    We need the two questions answered that everyone is ignoring…WHO gets it and for how much??? May we have carrier info and pricing please?

    • zazou1

      Supposedly Tmo will get the 2X and Verizon gets the Black.

    • Dusty

      IDK about Tmo getting the 2x…I’m always hoping we”ll get one of the “hot phones,” and we always end up getting…”something else.” :-

  • http://twitter.com/HolidayNC Mr. Holiday

    *splooge* @ Tegra 2

    GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR @ ANOTHER unnecessary and craptastic custom interface

    Do I get this when it releases and hope it’s not ridiculously locked down and pray to GOD the developer community shows this phone some love with Vanilla Android ROMS?

    Or do I chalk it up as a loss and get the Nexus S as a passable, flashable alternative until a stock Android device is released with a dual-core processor?

    *sigh*

    • http://on.fb.me/seoadvice Vadim T

      Why Nexus S if the Galaxy S is around? I have a custom rom/kernel and its smooth as butter!

  • Anonymous

    I see the big boys of mobile are back with a vengeance. Samsung flying, LG and Moto on fire and Nokia still warming up. It will be interesting to see what Jobs and co come up with, iPhone 5 better be good, no antennagate please.

  • Anonymous

    Axiom Telecom are bringing these to Dubai, so us Dubai-ans probably won’t have to wait as long as we usually do for phone releases. I’m going for the Optimus Black though, the 2X looks cool, but the front camera on the Black’s tempting me.

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