LG Optimus L9 – Review
The first series of LG medium-low range made some time ago was largely successful among young people and among the people who were looking for an Android smartphone functional but cheap. LG has in recent years been shown to take special needs of those who do not want to spend much, and has recently launched a new range in a position to better compete in the market against new competitors born recently.
There will be successful? To find out, we put our hands for a couple of weeks on the new LG Optimus L9, comparing its potential with the same range of smartphones already reviewed.
LG Optimus L9 – Design
Inside the box of LG Optimus L9, in addition to the manual, there is a charger with a USB connection, a USB, microUSB, not in-ear earphones (did not realize they still existed!) And, of course, the smartphone. Turning it over in his hands, we note that the product is quite lightweight (120 grams) and as the size reached are quite satisfactory (128.4 x 66.5 x 9 mm). But we watch something we do not really like the non-slip coating brilliantly crafted for the old LG L9 is gone, replaced by a classical rear bodywork plasticky, creaky and slippery.
Also the physical home button disappears, replaced by three fully touch commands. It would be a relatively good thing (the key of the old LG L9 was a bit hard to press), but it must be stressed that it is also missing the touch key backlight. A choice that really does not understand: the absence of touch buttons light users will be unpleasant little hand that, in the moments when you use the device in the dark, they will have some trouble orienting the menus.
For the rest, LG Optimus L9 is a normal smartphone that looks a bit anonymous. On the bottom, there is a microUSB port and two grids respectively engaged with the mono speaker and microphone. Shutdown button on the right side, headphone jack and volume controls on the top left.
The buttons are within easy reach, given also the relatively compact size of the product, and do not suffer from either of these strange creaking noises. They are really thin, and it is difficult to put hands on these buttons without actually observe the smartphone.
About buttons, it is really nice idea to include an additional button in the upper left button is freely programmable and allows you to open applications such as a quick reference for writing notes, but also a web browser or the camera app. Also on the upper area is pleasing to note the presence of an infrared sensor which, through the app QuickRemote, allows us to turn the device into a universal remote control.
On the back you can find an 8-megapixel camera with LED flash, and on the front, occupied by the display 4.7 ” touch and keys, there is also another 1.3-megapixel camera and a proximity sensor, as one might expect from a touchscreen smartphone.
Similarly, we expected to find even a light sensor, practices on smartphones since time immemorial. The fact is, though, that the sensor that detects the ambient light is absent, no choice but disturbs us a lot. Adjusting the brightness of the display, then, must be done manually or through the options down the rapid notifications.
Lacks appeal also an LED for notifications, it would be handy to have. We close the external description indicating the presence of an input to the SIM classical (now that we did not expect to see on the newest smartphones) and a microSD slot to expand the memory up to 32 GB. The latter makes up only to 4 GB of internal memory.
LG Optimus L9 – Display
LG has always been synonymous with good quality, at least when it comes to mobile displays. The panel that equips LG Optimus L9 is an IPS True HD 4.7 ” from the resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. The resolution, which generates a density of about 312 pixels per inch is more than enough to make the device extremely sharp and pleasing to the eye, not to mention the pleasant natural colors offered by IPS matrix and clean white (and, unfortunately, the blacks not absolute, but this is a common problem of the LCD where you have to get over it).
This is why we should appreciate so much display of LG Optimus L9 is the incredible brightness offered by the panel, which lets you see with pleasure even in the bright noon outdoors. Probably, LG Optimus L9 is the best smartphone of this price range with regard to the visibility of the sun, and also the viewing angle is not bad for the price paid. The aforementioned absence of light sensor is a lack even more unforgivable by virtue of a screen that can go from extremely dark to extremely bright.
LG Optimus L9 – Battery life
LG, in 2013, he wanted to stand out from other investing heavily in order to obtain satisfactory battery autonomy. This was seen especially on LG Optimus L9 that despite the high-end nature, could also safely conclude two days of moderate use. LG Optimus L9 tries to follow the lines of the older brother by adopting a 2150 mAh battery with SIO technology, a specific type that can guarantee a large amperage in a space smaller.
The final results? Good, but not enough to make the champion of the category: LG Optimus L9, with a moderate use, largely ending the day, but struggled to complete the second, unlike the Motorola Moto G who often manages to finish it. Which is odd, considering that the battery LG Optimus L9 is higher amperage.
What comes to mind is that the absence of automatic brightness ports smartphone not to exploit the good times when you do not need high illumination of pixels (and you know, we do not go often to manually change the brightness). Another issue could be that the software being heavily customized by LG. You may be charged by major processes. Not missing a classic power-saving mode that reduces the workload to increase the autonomy.
LG Optimus L9 – Camera and Connectivity
The camera of LG Optimus L9 is pretty good, basically better than that of the products sold on this price range. The 8 megapixel sensor, assisted by good autofocus and LED flash, take pictures of reasonable quality outdoors.
Excellent also the ability to shoot video at 1080p, in a bid to medium-low all able to get to the only 720p quality. In addition, the native application to take pictures and record video is really good: Intuitive and full of additional features, such as filters, white balance, self-timer, special effects for video and so on.
What we did not expect to find in this camera has a marked effect on grain all macros, often independent of how much you keep a steady hand. Eight megapixels should be an indication of greater sharpness, but the sensor mounted on this LG Optimus L9 certainly does not shine for that. Maybe a photo department of higher quality but lower resolution would give the best fruits at the same cost.
Predictably, without LTE connectivity, LG Optimus L9 gets along very well on the connectivity side with the standard modules for Wi-Fi and HSPA module with up to 42 Mbps in download, making data transfer a frustrating experience does not.
Call quality and reception are also very good. The other side of the phone call you let us feel good, while the capsule audio for calls of the product reveals one of the best bands, with a sound that, as dry, is one of the highest ever reported.
Different speech On the audio from the speaker below: located on the edge of nature and mono speaker / handsfree LG Optimus L9 showed an average sound, volume is not an exaggeration but certainly adequate for calls. In this regard, we enter play even headphones, which are so present but which are not the in-ear type.
We did not really liked this choice: the insulation is much smaller, and the bass simply does not exist. They are very light, do not give that feeling of fatigue typical of in-ear and are equipped with microphone and volume control on the cable. It should also be pointed out that their final surrender is interesting, with a power worthy of note.
LG Optimus L9 – Conclusions
LG needs to better understand how to move in the medium-low. LG Optimus L9 is a good product but, in an attempt to introduce some more premium features typical of devices, not focused on basic experiences: materials, hardware, user experience, and accessories. What impressed us about this product is certainly the display, perhaps the brightest object in the price range, as well as the presence of a convenient microSD slot and a capsule for calls by volume surprisingly high, but there are some deficiencies that cannot be filled by an NFC module or an infrared port.
It’s really a shame, because the first LG Optimus L9 was a device rather convincing. LG Optimus L9 gets our sufficiency, but can not scratch the podium of products that, even at the price lower, they manage to hit the target the needs of the public low-budget: a device performing solid and equipped with everything that might come in handy in his own day of work or leisure. If you are interested in purchasing, you can obtain it on Amazon, in both colors black and white, at a guide price of around $220, not bad for what it offers little LG.
Our Opinion
PROS : Perfect display, NFC and infrared, Expandable MicroSD, Great call quality.
CONS : Missing the light sensor, No notification LED, Erratic performance, Headphones poor quality.
- Design
- Quality
- Receiving Signal
- Battery Life
- Value of Money
