Hands on with the 5-inch LG Optimus View smartphone/tablet

Hands-on with the 5-inch LG Optimus Vu smartphone/tablet [Video]

by Ben Stevens, Technology Researcher Mobile Phones 27/02/2012

The LG Optimus Vu is a 5-inch smartphone likely to go head-to-head with the Samsung Galaxy Note when (if) it launches in the UK later this year.

Unexpectedly, the Optimus Vu’s screen has a 4:3 aspect ratio rather than a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio which would match a cinema or TV screen more closely. So while this large pocket-filling device might be great for web browsing, ebook reading and composing long emails, film buffs may be disappointed with the thick black lines of wasted space bordering the movie.

Besides the large screen, what are the Vu’s most interesting features?

The Optimus Vu is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, has an 8Mp camera on the back, and a front-facing camera for video calls.

The Vu also supports NFC (near field communication) technology. This means that small bits of data can be transmitted and received by touch. Practical uses of NFC include quick access to navigation apps when you get in the car, and the processing of small payments in coffee shops, for example.

In the hand, the LG Optimus Vu feels lighter than first impressions would suggest. It has a nice textured finish and a responsive touchscreen.

It’s unclear whether the Optimus Vu will launch in the UK, so watch this space for updates. If it does launch, we’ll be buying one and testing it in our labs to see how it fares against the Samsung Galaxy Note, the 5.3-inch device that it most closely resembles.