LG Optimus 7 Phone Review
The E900 Optimus 7 is the first smartphone manufactured by Korean company LG that runs on Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 mobile platform.
Unlike its Windows Mobile predecessor, which was targeted at enterprise users, the Windows Phone 7 operating system is aimed at consumers. This puts the WP7 platform in direct competition with Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android, which both have the same target.
Microsoft has issued strict hardware requirements for all manufacturers who want to implement the new OS on their devices. These hardware requirements are tough to meet and limit the variety of devices that can run Windows Phone 7.
Design
LG Optimus 7 looks like a true smartphone, large and elegant at the same time. The device measures 125 x 59.8 x 11.5 mm and weighs 157g (battery included). The Optimus 7 is no business phone, but neither a device meant exclusively for the tech-savvy users.
The phone’s matte plastic that covers the front part gives a nice feeling to the touch and doesn’t attract fingerprints. The battery cover on the back is entirely made from metal, which adds to the smartphone’s weight, but this is compensated by the fact that it makes the phone more solid. The Optimus 7 is not easy to fit in an average pocket, but that’s the case with all smartphones that feature such a large display. The smartphone’s curved shape makes it easier to handle and differentiates the Optimus 7 from other WP7 phones.
The device features a 3.8-inch LCD touchscreen display, which puts it in the average category in comparison with HTC’s 7 Pro 3.6-inch display and HD7 with a 4.3-inch screen.
Above the display there’s a secondary camera, an ambient light sensor, as well as a proximity sensor for auto turn-off. Below the screen there’s a set of three keys, which are required by Microsoft: Back, Start and Search. These are physical keys and a little bit hard to press when the phone is operated with only one hand. Users with longer fingers will have an easier time, but otherwise Back and Search buttons are harder to reach.
The middle Start key protrudes a bit and feels rather cheap as the silvery paint wears off in time. The right side of the phone features the microUSB port and a dedicated camera key, which can be set to unlock the phone and start the camera. The left side of the phone includes both volume keys, while on top of the device there’s a 3.5mm jack port and the Power/Lock button. The mouthpiece has been placed on the bottom side of the smartphone.
The 5-megapixel camera on the back features flash, as well as self-portrait mirror. The battery cover can be pulled out by pressing on the the small latch at the base, below the Windows Phone 7 logo.
The loudspeaker has been moved on the front part just above the display, along with the earphone. Even though this is LG’s first Windows Phone 7 smartphone, the manufacturer succeeded in making its device stand out from other WM7 phones. Because of the strict hardware requirements set by Microsoft, this could prove quite a challenge. Overall, LG Optimus 7 feels like a smartphone with a great build quality, elegant and appealing to business-oriented as well as mass market users.
Battery
LG Optimus 7 features a Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery rated by the manufacturer for up to 330 hours (up to 330 hours for 3G) or up to 6 hours and 40 minutes (up to 5 hours for 3G). Sadly, the phone’s battery will deplete very fast if you plan to use the Wi-Fi connectivity for more than an hour or so. The battery’s energy drops very fast when browsing the Internet over a Wi-Fi connection. Otherwise, you can have 2-3 days of medium use with only one charge. Of course, I suggest disabling some additional settings that will stop data connections in the background, as well as the location services.