LG Optimus 2X review: Double the potential

Pretty decent retail package

The retail package of the LG Optimus 2X packs a good deal of gear. There’s a socket charger that couples with the supplied microUSB cable to charge the phone. The usual set of manuals and a nice one-piece headset are next.

The Optimus 2X package also includes a microHDMI cable so you can hook up the phone your TV without having to buy any extra cables.

The box packs everything you need

You’ll be able to load a serious amount of multimedia files on the 2X too – there’s no microSD card in the box, but the phone has 8GB internal storage so that seems fair.

LG Optimus 2X 360-degree spin

The LG Optimus 2X stretches at 123.9 x 63.2mm, which is about what you would expect from a device with a 4” screen (though the Motorola Atrix is notably more compact). It’s not something you can slip in every pocket, but if you do manage to squeeze it in, the 10.9mm slim profile will make sure it won’t create a bulge.

The Optimus 2X sized up against the Apple iPhone 4 and Samsung I9000 Galaxy S

The weight of the handset is 139 g, which we found to be a great compromise between solid feel and portability.

Design and display

The LG Optimus 2X styling is good enough for its stature – you get sleek lines and a nice accent in the curved glass over the display. It’s hardly exceptional and won’t get many wows, but it will keep the attention long enough for the Tegra 2 powers to be demoed (when the cheering will start).

The Optimus 2X front does bear a strong resemblance to the LG Optimus Chic E720, but the overall looks are sufficiently upgraded to suit the higher-end device.

The LG Optimus 2X overall styling is pretty decent

Still as we have always told you a full-touch handset’s design is mostly about the touchscreen itself. With four inches of bright densely packed pixels alight nobody will care to look at the back or sides of the device.

The Optimus 2X uses a 4” WVGA LCD that uses the IPS technology for improvement of viewing angles and color reproduction. On paper that screen is very similar to the iPhone 4 unit, but for the pixel density. In reality though things aren’t quite so impressive with the Optimus 2X screen losing on both viewing angles and contrast to the Retina display.

On the other hand this matters very little as you are still able to see the screen without much color distortion from various viewing angles. There is some colors shift, when you tilt the Optimus 2X, but it is hardly too bothering except at 45 degrees orientation.

Contrast and color reproduction on the other hand are hardly as good and you will easily notice the difference between a Super AMOLED unit and the Optimus 2X display. The LG smartphone fares pretty well in the LCD league, placing ahead of the HTC Desire HD (on all accounts), Sony Ericsson XPERIA Arc (on contrast degradation at even not so wide angles) and probably equal with the Samsung I9003 Galaxy SL. The Samsung Super Clear LCD packs slightly better viewing angles but has a cold cast to it that we don’t particularly enjoy.

We’ve prepared a few shots comparing the Optimus 2X screen to the Galaxy SL unit. We’ve also thrown in the originalGalaxy S for good measure.

The LCD screen is decent, but hardly spectacular

And here’s a video to see how image quality changes when varying theviewing angles.

Finally, the LG Optimus 2X screen turned out to be a good performer in sunlight legibility and sensitivity.

Here's how the contrast ratio of the Optimus 2X display turned out to be.