LG Optimus T Specs Pricing & Performance Unveiled

Overview of LG Optimus T

The LG Optimus T was released in December 2010, marking LG's serious foray into the Android smartphone market. It was introduced as an affordable yet capable handset, providing consumers with a touch-friendly experience on the Android platform. Embodying the classic candy-bar design, the Optimus T offers practical functionality and straightforward usability.

Design and Build

Weighing in at 129 grams and measuring 113.5 x 59 x 13.3 mm, the LG Optimus T fits comfortably in hand and pocket. Its compact size makes it easy to use with one hand, which was particularly appreciated in an era where smartphones were beginning to grow in size. The device features a TFT screen supporting 256K colors, providing decent color fidelity for everyday tasks. It has a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 45.5%, which was fairly standard for its time. Available in Burgundy and Titanium colors, the phone sports a simple yet discreet aesthetic.

Display

The LG Optimus T is built around a 3.2-inch display, offering a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels. While by today's standards this may seem modest, at the time it offered an adequate experience for viewing photos, browsing the web, and using apps. The pixel density stands at around 180 ppi, which provides a basic viewing experience acceptable for texting, basic web browsing, and social media.

Performance and Hardware

Equipped with a 600 MHz CPU and 170MB of internal storage, the LG Optimus T was not designed for heavy multitasking or intensive applications. Its performance was targeted towards users who needed a device for calls, texts, and simple app usage. It came with a microSDHC card slot, which included a 2 GB card to address the rather limited internal storage. This feature was crucial, allowing users to store additional photos, music, and apps.

Operating System

The device runs on Android 2.2 Froyo, one of the earlier versions of the Android operating system. Froyo brought several improvements over its predecessors, including better performance, new security features, and support for mobile hotspot functionality. LG also added its user interface tweaks for enhanced usability, providing shortcuts and custom widgets to the home screens.

Camera

The 3.15 MP rear camera of the LG Optimus T was designed for basic photography needs. While it does not support the high-resolution imaging seen in contemporary smartphones, it was sufficient for casual snapshots. Auto-focus features ensured that images were reasonably sharp under good lighting conditions. The video capture capability allowed recording at 480p and 18fps, suitable for quick, informal videos.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery, the Optimus T offered decent battery life. It was capable of providing up to 450 hours of standby time and up to five hours of talk time – suitable for a day's worth of typical use. The removable battery design was practical, allowing users to replace it easily, thereby extending the effective life of the device.

Connectivity

The LG Optimus T comes equipped with essential connectivity options, including GSM/HSPA technologies supporting various bands (GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and HSDPA 1700/2100). It supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g for internet connectivity and can function as a Wi-Fi hotspot as well. Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP allowed basic wireless audio streaming and file transfers. The inclusion of a stereo FM radio provided some entertainment options out of the box.

Additional Features

The device includes an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, adding to the interactive experience through navigation and responsive screen orientations. The 3.5mm headphone jack and loudspeaker offered audio versatility, while microUSB 2.0 served as the main interface for data transfer and charging. The presence of HTML browser capabilities enabled web surfing, albeit at more modest rendering speeds and compatibilities compared to more modern devices.

Market Position and Legacy

Upon release, the LG Optimus T was priced at approximately EUR 110, positioning it as an entry-level smartphone accessible to a broad audience. It bridged the gap between traditional feature phones and more costly, advanced smartphones. Discontinued after a period on the market, its affordability and functional scope helped contribute to the mainstream adoption of Android devices.

Conclusion

The LG Optimus T, with its blend of essential smartphone capabilities and affordability, reflects a critical period in mobile technology development. While simple by today's standards, it played a significant role in making Android handsets accessible. Its practical design, modest specifications, and expandable storage options appealed to first-time smartphone users, setting a foundation for those considering later, more advanced smartphones in LG's lineup.