LG Optimus G hands-on: First look

Introduction

LG just launched its monstrously-spec'd Optimus G in its home market and it set a new performance benchmark for smartphones. The Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset that powers the beast features four Krait cores, which are all but guaranteed to wipe the floor with existing CPUs.
The LG Optimus G also impresses with its spectacular 4.7" WXGA (1280 x 768 pixels) True HD IPS Plus screen, which offers a full RGB matrix and a pixel density of about 318ppi. Knowing how good previous True HD screens from LG were, we just couldn't wait to see this new one in person.

Fortunately we were invited to the LG Optimus G launch event, so we didn't have to wait too long really. We got to spend some quality time with the company's new flagship and we are ready to share our impressions with you. But before we start let's have a quick look at the full list of Optimus G highlights.

LG Optimus G at a glance:

• General: 2G/3G/LTE
• Form factor: Touchscreen bar phablet
• Dimensions: 131.9 x 68.9 x 8.45mm, 145 g
• Display: 4.7-inch WXGA True HD IPS Plus (1280 x 768 pixels) capacitive touchscreen, Gorilla Glass
• Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro
• CPU: Quad-core Krait 1.5 GHz processor
• GPU: Adreno 320
• RAM: 2GB
• OS: Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
• Memory: 32GB storage
• Still camera: 8/13 megapixel auto-focus camera with Time catch shot, smart shutter and cheese shutter; 1.3MP front facing camera
• Video camera: Full HD (1080p) video recording at 30fps, LED flash,
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth 4.0, standard microUSB port with MHL support (TV Out, USB host), A-GPS receiver, 3.5mm audio jack, NFC
• Battery: 2100 mAh
• Misc: Optimus U, built-in accelerometer, multi-touch input, proximity sensor, gyroscope sensor, QSlide Function

As you can see there's hardly any smartphone on the market that can stand up to the LG Optimus G in a spec-to-spec battle. The Snapdragon S4 chipsets with two Krait cores were already able to keep up with their quad-core Cortex-A9 competitors, but the Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset matches the Tegra 3s and Exynos 4 Quads in terms of core count and should make easy work of any challengers.

  
LG Optimus G live photos
But the LG Optimus G is not all about acing benchmarks and providing the smoothest UI navigation possible. The smartphone also has some cool software tricks up its sleeves, which promise to add to the user experience.
It's time to see how well those work in real life - join us on the next page for a bunch of live photos of the LG Optimus G, garnished with our initial impressions of the smartphone.