Review: Verizon LG Spectrum
The LG Spectrum is Verizon’s edition of the LG Optimus LTE, LG’s newest higher-end smartphone that is accomplished specifically well in other parts of the globe. Verizon is the second US carrier to function the Optimus LTE AT&T began offering the Nitro HD in December.
Verizon has released a barrage of higher-end smartphones above the past couple of months, and the LG Spectrum will be placed alongside a slew of other Android gadgets on Large Red’s network with the lofty goal of wooing customers away from the likes of the Droid RAZR, HTC Rezound and Galaxy Nexus superphones. But does the LG Spectrum differentiate itself adequate to make it a must-have smartphone for Big Red?
1. Hardware and Performance
The innards of the gadget are exactly where the Spectrum really shines. The Spectrum capabilities a one.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S3 processor with the now-standard 1GB of RAM. This mixture makes the gadget truly fly. Even when running several applications in the background, the Spectrum performed exceptionally properly with nary a hiccup in overall performance. If you want a phone that is blazing quickly, the LG Spectrum holds its personal with even the leading-of-the-line devices out there.
Sadly, it does not have an NFC chip within, which is frankly a baffling move for a gadget that will characteristic Android four. (much more on that later on).
2. Construct Quality and Aesthetics
I genuinely desired to like the develop good quality in the Spectrum. Although LG had some difficulties with software (and, maybe, hardware) on the T-Mobile G2x, the device remains one particular of the finest feeling Android gadgets out there. However I haven’t personally had time with the AT&T variant of the Optimus LTE, many reviewers stated the device felt great in the hand, thanks in large portion to the textured backing on the Nitro HD.
When it comes to the LG Spectrum, the textured backing has been swapped out for a glossy checkerboard-patterned cover that, however it definitely seems good, can make the gadget experience inexpensive and plasticky. Additional, the glossy finish is a fingerprint magnet, and it only feels clean after a fresh wipedown of the device. The Spectrum certainly doesn’t win in the develop quality division, both, especially when it’ll be sitting following to the Galaxy Nexus and Droid RAZR line of smartphones.
three. Display
720p displays are certainly turning out to be a norm in greater finish devices, and nowhere is this far more correct than on Verizon’s network. Although virtually all gadgets Massive Red releases feature a 720p display, the Spectrum’s 4.five-inch Accurate HD IPS show stands out as one particular of the a lot more beautiful displays we’ve witnessed in a smartphone. Colors actually shine on the Spectrum, particularly when you crank the brightness up to the highest setting.
four. LTE
Even though we’re nearly sick of continually repeating this section at this point, Verizon’s LTE network addresses the most people of any true 4G network in the country, and the speeds offered by Verizon LTE are ridiculously quickly by any standards. With LTE capability, the Spectrum can easily churn via higher definition video streaming and upload photos and video with ease.
5. Android two.three with LG’s UI Overlay
By now, you’re probably painfully mindful of my distaste for the custom UI skins carriers/manufacturers are keen to put on gadgets. However there are undoubtedly some great ones out there (I’m fairly enjoying Touchwiz on the Epic Touch 4G, for instance), they generally detract from the consumer expertise Google has mastered in Android 4., and I believe the time is nigh to do away with them.
Sadly, these skins seem to be right here to stay. LG has some serious work to do if it’s going to appeal to men and women to its UI. The categorized app drawer is hideous, and the launcher appears like a boxier edition of Touchwiz. Luckily, this dilemma is quickly remedied by setting up a launcher substitute from the Android industry.
Still, if you are going to place money into the advancement of a UI overlay, be certain to make it differentiate itself in some way. Or, at least make it look rather. In my viewpoint, LG’s does neither.
LG has promised to provide Android four. Ice Cream Sandwich shortly, and we’ll update this assessment when the update hits our gadget. Hopefully LG releases a skinned-down model of Google’s most current OS, if not pure Android 4. altogether. However with out an NFC chip, we won’t be seeing Android Beam or Google Wallet hitting this gadget.
6. Camera Quality
I was really pleasantly surprised with the LG Spectrum’s 8 megapixel 1080p capable digital camera. Even though performance in reduced lighting for any smartphone digital camera is typical at finest, the Spectrum carried out beautifully in medium to nicely lit circumstances. Images came out crisp and captured detail remarkably well. Video clips came out excellent as well, even though the automobile-focus struggled a bit although taking video samples.
All in all, the camera on the Spectrum is one of the greater cameras we’ve observed in an Android cellphone, and I’d argue you’ll be completely fine leaving the point and shoot at residence if you’re going to be snapping a few photographs in a reasonably well lit surroundings. Photo and video samples from the Spectrum can be found under.
7. Battery Lifestyle
The LG Spectrum is not the Droid RAZR Maxx you will not be capable to get 24 or even 10 hrs out of the device with moderate use. As with practically all LTE devices currently accessible, you’ll only be in a position to get through the standard eight.5-9 hour workday if you barely touch your gadget. The Spectrum fares about as nicely as the rest of the LTE gadgets, and I found it generally lasted about 7 hours before I was scrambling to locate a charger.
As with most LTE gadgets, you’ll probably want to drop some income on an extended battery if you’re going to pick up the Spectrum. Fortunately, considering that the Spectrum runs a total $ 100 less on-contract than the top rated of the line gadgets, you will have some further money in your pocket to drop on an extended battery.
eight. Contact and Sound High quality
When putting telephone calls, individuals on the other end of the line have been capable to hear me completely effectively, and the sound on my finish was quite very good, also. Speakerphone good quality was also surprisingly good on the Spectrum. As for the speakers in common, the Spectrum supplies rather good sound output movies and music played loud enough to hear them with out getting to stand or sit as well close to the device.
9. Integrated Applications
Carriers are keen on loading extra programs on their gadgets, and Verizon is certainly as guilty as the rest. The Spectrum comes preloaded with many Verizon-branded applications, only a handful of of which proved valuable. Of note, Verizon Video offers users access to a ton of video content, which includes live sporting activities. I watched a bit of the Marquette at Notre Dame basketball game in HD top quality — rather handy for when you’re away from your Tv or pc. You will also discover entry to several Television exhibits and other content material.
Netflix HD and ESPN ScoreCenter HD come preloaded on the device to present off the HD abilities of the IPS 720p display. I only tested out Netflix, but was truly impressed with the video good quality on the Spectrum’s screen. Shoppers of video could want to take a difficult and rapidly search at the Spectrum as a media consumption device.
As you’d expect, there are a number of other applications out there, some of which are arguably tiny more than totally free room takers on your gadget. If you were hoping you’d be in a position to uninstall these applications, you’re out of luck. They seem to be locked down by Huge Red. The lack of capability to uninstall useless applications gives the Spectrum a half-point ding in this category.
ten. Differentiating Factor
Customers who walk into Verizon’s store will be pitting the LG Spectrum against dozens of other Android gadgets out there. Even with the $ 199 price tag point, the Spectrum’s immediate competition will be the lately discounted Droid RAZR and HTC Rezound smartphones. Clients prepared to spend a bit much more will even contemplate the Galaxy Nexus and Droid RAZR Maxx devices against the Spectrum.
For the Spectrum to realize success, it will need to right away catch the eye of the consumer. Frankly, it is our viewpoint that the LG Spectrum does not do enough to differentiate itself from the competition in a excellent way. Many other devices have a 720p screen, truly feel far better in the hands, or have an arguably far better consumer interface than the Spectrum.
Last Thoughts
LG Spectrum6 / ten
Verizon customers have a almost infinite degree of choice when it comes to which gadget is going to uncover its way into their pockets. Going up against the similarly priced Droid RAZR and HTC Rezound, the Spectrum fails to differentiate itself as the better option, even far more so when you consider the RAZR Maxx and Galaxy Nexus gadgets.
As usually, the alternative of which smartphone will be your next gadget is yours and yours alone, and we inspire you to spend some hands-on time with the device for by yourself prior to making that decision the Spectrum may possibly quite well be your preferred device in Verizon’s lineup, you just won’t probable discover it in any of our hands.
Sorry about the fingerprints in the gallery under. I wiped the mobile phone a number of occasions for the duration of the photo shoot, but this issue exhibits prints like no tomorrow, front and back!
