LG E900 Optimus 7 Specs Prices Pros & Cons Revealed

Introduction to LG E900 Optimus 7

The LG E900 Optimus 7 is a smartphone that was announced in October 2010 and released in November of the same year. It was part of the early range of devices powered by Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 operating system, which was a significant step for LG in expanding their smartphone offerings. Despite being discontinued, the LG E900 Optimus 7 offers a glimpse into the early smartphone market, providing a mix of features that cater to users looking for a balance between performance and practicality.

Design and Build

The LG E900 Optimus 7 features a form factor typical of the early 2010s. It has dimensions of 125 x 59.8 x 11.5 mm and weighs 157 grams, making it relatively compact compared to modern standards. The phone is built with a sturdy body and is equipped with a Corning Gorilla Glass to protect its display from scratches and minor impacts. The design of the LG E900 is minimalistic yet functional, encapsulating the ethos of early smartphone designs.

It uses a Mini-SIM card, which was the standard at the time, and the device is available in a classic black color, appealing to users who prefer a professional appearance in their gadgets.

Display

The display of the LG E900 is a 3.8-inch TFT screen, with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels at a 5:3 ratio. This results in a pixel density of approximately 246 ppi, providing clear and sharp visuals for the user. While the screen might seem small compared to today's standards, at the time of its release, it was considered adequately sized for general media consumption and app interaction.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the LG E900 Optimus 7 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 chipset with a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU and an Adreno 200 GPU. Coupled with 512MB of RAM, the device provides a sufficient amount of processing power for handling most tasks typical of smartphones in its era, such as browsing the web, managing emails, and using social media applications.

The internal storage of the device is 16GB, and it does not support external storage options such as microSD cards. While this might seem limited by today's standards, at the time of its release, 16GB was sufficient for storing a moderate amount of apps, photos, and music files.

Camera Capabilities

The LG E900 Optimus 7 comes equipped with a 5 MP rear camera featuring autofocus and an LED flash. This camera can capture video at 720p resolution at 24 frames per second, a decent specification for its time providing users with the ability to capture moments with reasonable quality. However, the device does not include a front-facing camera, which limits its capabilities for video calls and selfies, functions that were not as in demand in 2010 as they are today.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery. According to specifications, it offers up to 330 hours of stand-by time on both 2G and 3G networks, and talk time of up to 6 hours and 40 minutes on 2G, and up to 5 hours on 3G. While these metrics may not compete with modern smartphones, they were competitive during the device's active market life.

Operating System

One of the main highlights of the LG E900 Optimus 7 is its operating system. It runs on Microsoft Windows Phone 7, which could be upgraded to version 7.8. This operating system was part of Microsoft’s effort to gain traction in the smartphone market. It offered a unique tile-based interface, integration with Microsoft Office, and Xbox Live for gaming, setting it apart visually and functionally from Android and iOS devices.

Connectivity and Features

The LG E900 isn’t short on connectivity options. It includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with DLNA capability, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, GPS with A-GPS support, and a Stereo FM radio. Additionally, it features a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. For sound, it provides a 3.5mm audio jack along with a loudspeaker, making it versatile for audio playback.

Additional sensors include an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, which align with the phone’s navigational capabilities and app functionality. The HTML browser included provides basic internet browsing capabilities that were standard at the time.

Market Positioning and Legacy

Upon release, the LG E900 Optimus 7 was priced at about 120 EUR, positioning it as a mid-range smartphone. It held a significant place in LG’s product lineup as part of their attempts to broaden their portfolio with Windows Phone devices. The device's build and feature set provided a solid smartphone experience for users not demanding the high-end features found in flagship models of the time.

While the LG E900 is now discontinued and may seem outdated in the presence of contemporary smartphones, its legacy rests as a pioneering device under the early Windows Phone umbrella. It's an emblem of early 2010’s tech evolution and showcases the incremental progress and variety that characterized this transitional era in mobile technology.

Conclusion

The LG E900 Optimus 7 represents a pivotal moment in LG’s smartphone history. Its combination of Windows Phone 7, functional design, and competitive hardware provided a foundation that would shape the development paths for both LG and Microsoft in the smartphone market. Today, the device remains a reflection of the dynamic changes that smartphones have undergone over the years.