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After 30 seconds of googling, I can get the "LG GT540 Optimus" unlocked for $129, and it can be updated to Android 2.3. This phone certainly isn't the cheapest

After 30 seconds of googling, I can get the "LG GT540 Optimus" unlocked for $129, and it can be updated to Android 2.3. This phone certainly isn't the cheapest android phone, so I'm not sure what it's selling point is.

SwellJoe 15y ago
The Optimus is 3G (no 4G), has a 600MHz processor, 156MB of RAM, and a cheap low res screen. You get what you pay for. I looked into it as an option to replace my dying Nexus One, but it'd be a big downgrade. A phone closer to these specs (though I'm unaware of any available phones with specs this good) will cost $600+.
JonLim 15y ago
My mom got an LG Optimus cause she wanted a smartphone with wifi without having to shell out the cash for an iPhone or Android phone. It has a terrible screen, is hardly responsive, and is only useful as a phone. And barely, considering how difficult it was to place a call using that awful screen.
- EwanG 15y ago
  I have an Optimus LG V. While the way it came from the box sounds familiar, I have to say that rooting the phone and installing the Bumblebee Rom has made it incredibly reliable and reasonably responsive (being able to overclock to 850 helps). I replaced my dying Nexus One with this, and I can't say I've missed much (other than a real version of flash, but I have a tablet for that stuff).
drzaiusapelord 15y ago
Cheap, non-slow phone? Lets face it, the phone market is full of slow Android phones because of cost-cutting and Android is something of a beast (no hardware accel until version 2.3, needs lots of ram, etc). The phone in the article is a dual core monster. At $310 its going to be $50 or $75 on contract. Thats a nice price point for feature-phone users looking to upgrade and not having a terrible Android experience with phones like that beat-up Optimus. If we can get a $50 smartphone on the market that doesn't completely stink then we're going to really see a big move towards android.

SwellJoe 15y ago

The Optimus is 3G (no 4G), has a 600MHz processor, 156MB of RAM, and a cheap low res screen. You get what you pay for. I looked into it as an option to replace my dying Nexus One, but it'd be a big downgrade. A phone closer to these specs (though I'm unaware of any available phones with specs this good) will cost $600+.

JonLim 15y ago

My mom got an LG Optimus cause she wanted a smartphone with wifi without having to shell out the cash for an iPhone or Android phone. It has a terrible screen, is hardly responsive, and is only useful as a phone. And barely, considering how difficult it was to place a call using that awful screen.

EwanG 15y ago
I have an Optimus LG V. While the way it came from the box sounds familiar, I have to say that rooting the phone and installing the Bumblebee Rom has made it incredibly reliable and reasonably responsive (being able to overclock to 850 helps). I replaced my dying Nexus One with this, and I can't say I've missed much (other than a real version of flash, but I have a tablet for that stuff).

drzaiusapelord 15y ago

Cheap, non-slow phone? Lets face it, the phone market is full of slow Android phones because of cost-cutting and Android is something of a beast (no hardware accel until version 2.3, needs lots of ram, etc). The phone in the article is a dual core monster. At $310 its going to be $50 or $75 on contract. Thats a nice price point for feature-phone users looking to upgrade and not having a terrible Android experience with phones like that beat-up Optimus. If we can get a $50 smartphone on the market that doesn't completely stink then we're going to really see a big move towards android.