LG has shown off many phones in their lead up to the MWC 2012, this one by far is the most exciting. The Optimus 4X is a successor to their first Dual core phone the Optimus 2X. The device will feature a 1.5 GHz Quad core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor along with a 4.7-inch True HD IPS LCD (1280×720). The device will also run ICS out the box and looks like it has been skinned by LG. The device also has a 2,150mAh battery, 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. On optics it has a 8MP rear camera and a 1.3 MP front shooter. Information on pricing and actual release is expected during MWC next week.
LG’S QUAD-CORE SMARTPHONE MAKES DEBUT AT 2012 MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS LG Optimus 4X HD Takes Desktop Performance to the Mobile Space
SEOUL, Feb. 23, 2012 – LG today unveiled its first Quad-Core processor smartphone, LG Optimus 4X HD. Combining NVIDIA’s latest 1.5GHz Tegra 3 with True HD IPS display, the LG Optimus 4X HD delivers PC-like performance in the palm of one’s hand.
“LG introduced the world’s first Dual-Core smartphone exactly one year ago and today we’re announcing the next milestone,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Mobile Communications Company. “But speed in itself isn’t what makes LG Optimus 4X HD unique, it’s the benefit we’re bringing to customers with the HD multimedia experience in a mobile form factor.”
The NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor is the world`s only 4-PLUS-1™ Quad-Core mobile processor designed for high-level multimedia performance but utilizes a fifth battery-saver core to handle less demanding tasks such as active standby and music playback. When running at full speed, the 12-core graphics processing unit (GPU) in Tegra 3 delivers a visually rich experience and console-quality game playability.
Equipped with the True HD IPS display, the Optimus 4X HD guarantees the finest viewing experience with high resolution, clarity and no color or shape distortion. The Optimus 4X HD includes 16 GB internal memory and runs on the latest version of Android OS, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Besides the smooth and fast performance, the Optimus 4X HD boasts a 8-megapixel BSI (Backside Illumination) Sensor camera with LED flash and advanced multimedia features to enrich the overall multimedia experience.
And LG designers made sure that looks didn’t take a back seat to performance. The 8.9mm slim and sleek smartphone features a “prism-edged” design with enhanced materials and finish.
Additional information on the revolutionary new Optimus 4X HD will be available at LG Stand (Hall 8) at MWC 2012 from February 27 to March 1.
Key Specifications: o Chipset: 1.5GHz Quad-Core processor (NVIDIA Tegra 3) o Display: 4.7-inch (1280 x 720) True HD IPS o Memory: 16GB eMMC and 1GB LP DDR2 o Camera: 8.0MP BSI Sensor (Rear) and 1.3MP (Front) o OS: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich o Battery: 2,150mAh
DLNA and WiFi Direct have tied up to offer what appears to be the brilliance of a future never left out. The technologies if put together will eliminate the need of third party routers. The Digital Living Network Alliance has officially incorporated WiFi Direct into its interoperability guidelines, which means you could soon be streaming movies and music between devices (like your laptop and smartphone) without connecting to a home (or public) network.
Check out the full PR below.
[toggle title_open=”Press Release” title_closed=”Press Release” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wi-Fi Direct™ Now Included in DLNA® Interoperability Guidelines
DLNA® and Wi-Fi Direct™ Make It Easier Than Ever for Consumers to Connect Devices WI-FI ALLIANCE LOGO WI-FI ALLIANCE LOGO. (PRNewsFoto/Wi-Fi Alliance) AUSTIN, TX UNITED STATES
PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The Digital Living Network Alliance® (DLNA®) today announced that Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wi-Fi Direct has been incorporated into its Interoperability Guidelines. Wi-Fi Direct is a certification by the Wi-Fi Alliance® for products that are capable of device-to-device connections without the presence of a traditional home, office or hotspot network. Through incorporation into the DLNA Interoperability Guidelines, Wi-Fi Direct will expand on the existing Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ devices supported by DLNA to enhance wireless connectivity for consumers globally.
“Wi-Fi Direct meets an important need for today’s consumers to enjoy seamless product interoperability,” said Nidhish Parikh, chairman and president of DLNA. “DLNA has supported Wi-Fi CERTIFIED devices since 2005 and the inclusion of Wi-Fi Direct in our Interoperability Guidelines is a logical extension of our relationship with the Wi-Fi Alliance. We continue to advance the connected home by providing consumers with new, innovative ways to connect and enjoy their digital content.”
ABI Research recently examined key market and technology trends for the integration of home networking capability in mobile devices and expects DLNA Certified® and Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wi-Fi Direct smartphones to grow strongly through 2016. The firm stated that both will help consumers when connecting devices at home and will bring wireless technology further into the mainstream market.
“Worldwide demand for interoperable, security-protected Wi-Fi® products has grown exponentially in recent years, and the device-to-device usages enabled by Wi-Fi Direct are fundamental to digital home usages for Wi-Fi,” said Edgar Figueroa, CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance. “Wi-Fi continues to evolve and to enhance the connected consumer experience. The incorporation of Wi-Fi Direct into the DLNA Interoperability Guidelines will aid the proliferation of Wi-Fi Direct in today’s connected home.”
DLNA and the Wi-Fi Alliance are also jointly distributing a holiday edition Gadget Guide (http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/wifi/gadgetguide_dlnawfa) which highlights great DLNA Certified® and Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ gift ideas available today for consumer purchase. The 2011 Wi-Fi® and DLNA® Gadget Guide: Holiday Edition is available now.
About DLNA
Members of Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) share a vision of an interoperable network of personal computers (PC), consumer electronics (CE), mobile devices and service providers in and beyond the home, enabling a seamless environment for sharing and growing new digital media and content services. Founded in 2003, the group established and maintains a platform of interoperability based on open and established industry standards that, when used by manufacturers will support the sharing of media through wired or wireless networks. More than 200 multi-industry companies from around the world have joined DLNA, committing the time and resources necessary to achieve their vision. DLNA’s Promoter Members include: ACCESS, AT&T, AwoX, Broadcom, CableLabs, Cisco, Comcast, DIRECTV, DTS, Dolby Laboratories, Ericsson, HP, Huawei, Intel, LG, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, PROMISE Technology, Qualcomm, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Technicolor and Verizon. Additional information about the Alliance, its participating companies and membership benefits is available at www.dlna.org or find the Alliance on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dlnacertified or on Twitter at @DLNA.
About the Wi-Fi Alliance
The Wi-Fi Alliance is a global non-profit industry association of hundreds of leading companies devoted to seamless connectivity. With technology development, market building, and regulatory programs, the Wi-Fi Alliance has enabled widespread adoption of Wi-Fi worldwide.
The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ program was launched in March 2000. It provides a widely-recognized designation of interoperability and quality and it helps to ensure that Wi-Fi enabled products deliver the best user experience. The Wi-Fi Alliance has completed more than 11,000 product certifications, encouraging the expanded use of Wi-Fi products and services in new and established markets.
Wi-Fi®, Wi-Fi Alliance®, WMM®, Wi-Fi Protected Access® (WPA), the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo, the Wi-Fi logo, the Wi-Fi ZONE logo and the Wi-Fi Protected Setup logo are registered trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™, Wi-Fi Direct™, Wi-Fi Protected Setup™, Wi-Fi Multimedia™, WPA2™ and the Wi-Fi Alliance logo are trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Additional details on the Wi-Fi Alliance and Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wi-Fi Direct can be found at http://www.wi-fi.org/Wi-Fi_Direct.php. Follow Wi-Fi Alliance on Twitter @wifialliance.[/toggle]
One of the Smartest Smart Phones to hit our country, The Samsung Galaxy S2 has gathered a lot of public attention. But, does it stand up to the challenge put out by Day-to-Day Smart-Phone use? Lets Find Out!
BUILD QUALITY, HARDWARE & DESIGN
The Galaxy S2 has a nice design, a sleek body and extra tough glass. But the build quality of the phone may not be up to the mark. The device features a total plastic construction that defies all laws of mobile phone existence. At just 8.5mm thick the device boasts an extremely slim profile. The back panel/cover is a flimsy piece of plastic that is fidgety to remove and put back on and also rattles when the phone is shaken.
The screen on the other hand is extremely tough, it also resists scratches and impacts without a question in mind. Overall, the build is solid, the plastics don’t bend easily and are not cheap to look at either. But are not nearly enough when you compare it with what you pay for the device.
In terms of hardware the two major things working for the Indian version of the Samsung Galaxy S2 are
Super Amoled Plus Screen – 480 x 800 px – 4.3 inches
1.2 GHZ dual core processor
The performances of these two major hardware components can be seen from the get go, and are attracting people towards the GS2. There is also 1 GB of RAM, giving an effective 853MB for usage (we really don’t know why only 853 is there totally). There is no NFC on the Indian Samsung Galaxy S2, and why would you need it anyway? The 8 MP rear camera with full HD video recording, a 2 MP front camera, 1650mah battery. You can also check out the full Spec Sheet Here
CAMERA AND MULTIMEDIA
The Camera on the S2 is brilliant; the screen viewfinder makes it even better. The colors are projected to the screen as-is, and are captured beautifully with the 8MP lens. The camera is fast to focus and has great exposure values. Tap to focus lets you select you subject and one click capture brings you an experience that’s hard to replicate. The camera app is also packed with a long list of settings and effects you can tweak and play around with. Shooting modes, scene modes, effects, image size, exposure values, white balance, noise reduction and anti shake to name a few.
Macro mode is exceptionally great as it can capture close-ups with great detail. There is also a timer, ISO settings, Metering selection, blink detection and geo-tagging. The S2 has a fully loaded camera app and a great camera lens to go with it. Overall performance of the camera is easily notable and can replace your point and shoot camera for day-to-day use. The flash is bright and has a great field of coverage.
Video capture at 1080p is smooth and without frame drops, although you can notice the autofocus on the camera struggle during the video recording output. Videos are clean and the microphone picks up sound just great. Video is so good in fact we actually shot an unboxing video on full HD with the Samsung Galaxy S2 – Check it HERE
Sounds from the speaker are actually louder than we expected. Audio quality is clear and speech notions can be understood easily. Why we emphasize on speech is because you will be watching a lot of videos and movies on the STUNNING AMOLED PLUS display. It is the best possible display from Samsung to date. With amazing depths of color and a great resolution (480 x 800) the display is very vivid. Colors are bold and there is no washout even at greater viewing angles. Some may argue that the colors on the screen are not what they appear to be, and the AMOLED screen gives a heightened look to a normal display/video.
The included earphones are not a great match with the S2, the bass on the earphones is poor, watching movies or listening to music. If you enjoy good depth, you wont enjoy the included earphones. The placement of the main speaker can also be bothersome, especially when you hold the device in landscape to watch videos or play games. You will find your fingers covering up the main speaker for a total loss of sound.
PHONE AND MESSAGING
Nice large dialer, good speaker, strong mic and excellent network performance make the Galaxy S2 a great phone aswell. We tested the phone capability over extended periods of use and failed to get one reason to complain about the device. It was pure performance for the phone through out.
The Keyboard on the GS2 is well spaced out in portrait and is very responsive during those long messaging sessions. You also have a huge list of settings that you can modify to make the keyboard a complete unit for you. From auto text to auto replace, modifiers and word learning, the keyboard is simply intelligent. You can also switch to the included Swype keyboard for a faster input experience. In Landscape, typing is fast and efficient and the keys are wide enough to compile long emails without breaking a sweat.
DATA & INTERNET
Getting a smartphone like this? Expect to get a 3G data plan if you don’t already have one. This phone turns you into an “on the go data monster”. With the constant need to feed information into the device the unit comes ready to handle all sorts of online activity, from social feeds directly on your homescreen to business mails in a secret box. You get the latest news, weather information and stock prices without ever needing to install an app or setup the device. 3G / HSDPA performance is somewhat good, we found that the device would drop the connection to the server and would require a restart of the data service from the settings app. We have never faced a similar issue with any other Android device an it appears to be a glitch in the software somewhere. Another thing to note, is that when the device is in this suspended data connection mode, the back of the phone starts to heat up incredibly fast which leads to an equally fast battery drain.
Wi-Fi Hotspot, also acts up (due to the network error we presume) and you will find your self constantly struggling with the error messages on the portable hotspot window.
BATTERY LIFE
If you haven’t read the section above we suggest you go ahead and read it. The battery life is largely affected by data mismanagement.
Values
2G
3G
3G with Error
Talk Time
upto 7 Hours
4.5 hours
1 hour
Standby time
36 Hours
24 hours
6 Hours
Web Browsing
8-9 hours
4-5 hours
–
Video Streaming
4 Hours
2 Hours
–
Music Streaming
14 hours
6 hours
–
Wi-Fi Values stand more or less the same with 2G data
GAMING
We though we would include this section just to clarify a lot of questions. While the device is perfectly capable of running high graphic games, you will not find us showing you videos of any such games for one simple reason. They don’t work on the device. Most games like Fast 5, NFS shift Asphalt, Assassins creed, Settlers crash on start up and some don’t show visuals. This is possibly a software -hardware integration glitch and perhaps the games are not designed to run on dual core smart phones. Other games like Angry Birds -All, Gun Brothers and our new favorite Age of the Zombies work perfect and without any issues.
DUAL CORE
The Samsung Galaxy S2 is India’s second phone to boast a dual core processor, and after our previous let down, we a happy to say that Samsung has managed to utilize the dual core- Android combo perfectly and has made it possible for the end user to enjoy the total experience. The phone is not only fast and responsive it is a super performer. All visuals play smooth, graphics and renders are fast all of this with tons of ram to spare. The Galaxy S2 also uses Android suspend multitasking which enables you to pause your ongoing app in real time and switch to another app, and then come back to the previous app without loosing data, or in our case lives.
There is the heating issue that is causing battery loss but we believe its due to the data glitch and can be resolved by switching data modes, or turning on data as and when required (which can be troublesome, but is a quick fix until Samsung can fix it). If you haven’t already seen the benchmarks, check them out here.
CONCLUSION
The Samsung Galaxy S2 is highest spec’d phone available in India through official channels, its thin and light, its got a beautifully vivid display and a dual core processor that’s on steroids. The Galaxy S2 is ready to perform from the get-go and looks good doing it. Yes its got a flimsy looking build and some overheating issues. But why do we feel okay looking past those? Possibly because poor build usually leads to a damaged display, but in this case the gorilla glass wont let that happen. As far as the battery drain- data error issue, Samsung is already working on pushing an update that will fix these issues.
[xrr rating=4.25/5 label=”We Rate The Galaxy S 2 : ” imageset=shiny_yellow_star display_as=fraction_stars]
So while we were playing around with the new Samsung Galaxy S2 and found a great screenshot feature so we decided to show you benchmark screenshots: take a look at the amazing scores from Samsung Galaxy S2
Is it here Finally? Yes it is, the new Samsung Galaxy S2, The Epic Smartphone of the Year! (Till now Anyway) While we unbox the beauty check out the Hands On Pics below. Remember you got all exclusive news on the Samsung Galaxy S2 here at iGyaan.in.
LG has made the Optimus 2X available in the UK via Expansys. The price is UK £449.99 . That’s a good £50 cheaper than the cheapest iPhone 4. What does this one add?
A dual core processor, Full HD 1080p output, DLNA, a brilliant screen and Android OS, Enough said. This month is anyway going to be a blaze at iGyaan with The Nexus S and the Xperia Arc already doing rounds in our studios.
Reports and rumors are floating around that the LG Flagship will launch in India in April end-May for a whopping INR 34,999. Too much if you ask us. Lets hope LG can hold their roses in the right bunch in the right hand, unless they want to end up loosing the
