LG Optimus Sol E730 InDepth Review of Specs Pricing and More

Overview

The LG Optimus Sol E730, released in September 2011, is an elegantly designed smartphone introduced during an era when Android was gaining popularity over other mobile operating systems. Known for its rich display quality and efficient performance at the time, the device garnered attention from tech enthusiasts and everyday users alike. Though discontinued now, understanding its features provides insights into the evolution of smartphone technology over the past decade.

Design and Build

With dimensions of 122.5 x 62.5 x 9.8 mm and a weight of just 110 grams, the LG Optimus Sol E730 was designed to be sleek and lightweight, making it easy to handle. The phone features a minimalist design with a robust build, thanks to the incorporation of Corning Gorilla Glass, offering enhanced durability and scratch resistance.

Display

The smartphone boasts a 3.8-inch OLED display, featuring 256,000 colors, vivid contrast, and remarkable brightness. This, coupled with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, translates to a pixel density of approximately 246 pixels per inch, offering sharp and vibrant images. The display's ~53.7% screen-to-body ratio provides a decent viewing area, efficient for media consumption and everyday smartphone tasks.

Performance and Operating System

Powered by the Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset, the device is equipped with a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU and an Adreno 205 GPU, delivering adequate performance for multitasking and media playback. Running on Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread, the device catered to users' basic smartphone needs efficiently, offering access to thousands of applications through the Google Play Store at that time.

Memory and Storage

The LG Optimus Sol E730 comes with 512MB of RAM, ensuring a smooth user experience given its release period. It is equipped with 2GB of internal storage. However, the storage can be expanded via a dedicated microSDHC slot, supporting additional storage and proving to be a practical feature for storing more apps, photos, and media.

Camera Features

The main camera of the device is a 5 MP autofocus sensor, capable of capturing decent quality images and recording videos at 720p@30fps. Although not equipped with advanced features seen in later models, the camera sufficed for capturing everyday moments. The front-facing VGA camera enabled basic video calls, addressing the essential communication needs of the times.

Audio and Multimedia

The device includes a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, catering to users who prefer wired audio solutions. This multimedia functionality ensures users could enjoy their music and audio content without needing proprietary accessories, a strong selling point during its time.

Connectivity Options

The phone supports comprehensive connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot, and DLNA for device connectivity. Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP allows for wireless audio streaming, while GPS and A-GPS support provide reliable navigation capabilities. The presence of an FM radio ensures users had access to traditional media consumption on the go.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery. It promises a standby time of up to 496 hours on 2G and 446 hours on 3G networks. For talk time, users could expect up to 18 hours and 30 minutes on 2G networks and approximately 8 hours and 50 minutes on 3G. This performance, for its era, provided satisfactory battery longevity for typical daily usage.

Additional Features

The Optimus Sol comes with several sensors including an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and a compass, which enhance the overall user experience by providing auto-rotation functionality and location-based services. The device was offered in three colors: black, titan, and white, giving consumers options to suit personal style preferences.

Conclusion

The LG Optimus Sol E730 served as a notable example of early smartphone technology that balanced performance, design, and feature set at a reasonable price. Its discontinuation marks the end of an era of foundational Android devices that paved the way for advancements in modern smartphone designs and capabilities. Though it may seem modest by today’s standards, it was an innovative piece of technology for its time.