LG Optimus 3D - Keepin' it Real
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Performance - Part II
Multimedia Performance
Armed with dual 5-megapixel cameras at the back and an LED flash, the phone is capable of taking 5-megapixel resolution 2D images and 3-megapixel resolution 3D images. As we recall, the dual-core LG Optimus 2X's camera performance wasn't up to our expectations, so we were hoping that the LG Optimus 3D might an improvement in this segment. So here are the results from our usual camera tests.
We found that the overall photographic performance for the LG Optimus 3D was about average for a phone. Colors were white-washed while photos exhibited low level of details and clarity due to noise reduction. The Optimus 3D is definitely not fit for someone looking to take relatively good photos on-the-go. While it showed improvement over the LG Optimus 2X (another dual-core smartphone under LG's belt), it certainly pales in comparison with other current dual-core smartphones like Samsung Galaxy S II and the Motorola Atrix. Again, we would like to stress that while we're disappointed with the overall imaging performance from the Optimus 3D, it's more of a norm in many phones today. So if imaging quality isn't a priority, this isn't going to be a concern.
Battery Life Performance
Our final performance test is our regular battery test. This consists of comparing the smartphone to a select group of devices chosen based on their similarities across battery capacities, display sizes, resolution and processing power. Our testing methodology involves testing a video with a 480 x 800 pixels resolution looping under the following conditions:
- Screen brightness and volume at 100%
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection active
- Constant data stream via email and Twitter
To ascertain how well its dual-core processor will handle its power management and battery mileage, we compared other similar dual-core Android devices such as the HTC EVO 3D, HTC Sensation, and Samsung Galaxy S II.
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And herein lies the LG Optimus 3D's Achilles' heel. The combination of a dual-core processor, a 4.3-inch screen and built-in 3D capabilities takes a serious toll on the smartphone's battery mileage for it only managed to clock in a mere dismal 166 minutes (note that the phone will not play videos when battery life falls within the range of 4 to 5%). Likewise, the HTC EVO 3D edges pass this result by a slight margin, most likely due to having a battery with higher capacity rating. If you take a look at the power consumption chart, both devices yield almost identical results. Now the funny thing is that we weren't using any of the 3D functions during the endurance test so it's bewildering why both the 3D phones consume so much more power than the other phones. On the same note, we observed that the phone gets really hot after 15-20 minutes of 3D gameplay, which we take as a sign of poor power efficiency.
Unsurprisingly, packing in extra features into a smartphone also increases its weight. Taking a look at the comparison table, you will note that both LG Optimus 3D and HTC EVO 3D are equipped with larger and heavier bodies; the former weighs in at 168g and the latter, 170g. Naturally, these factors have negative bearings on the battery life to (weight x volume) ratio. Coupled with only 2.77 hours of battery time and a larger, heavier body, the Optimus 3D had the lowest portability index in the lot, making the Samsung Galaxy S II an obvious choice for those who want the best of both mileage and good portability.
As for rationing the phone for normal day-to-day operations, the phone could only last for at most half a working day (5 to 6 hours). Keeping that in consideration, we feel that the Optimus 3D's poor mileage will hurt its performance greatly if it can't even last a typical day's needs.
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