The G2x arrived in April as a port of the Optimus 2x for T-Mobile. Hardware wise, it's fantastic. The device has a 4-inch IPS display that is bright and generally legible when looking at it in sunlight. It's about 11mm thick but doesn't feel that hefty. It has a smooth metal rim and a dark matte back. “With Google” is engraved on a strip of stainless steel. The G2x is a premium handset.
It carries a dual-core Tegra 2 processor, 8GB internal storage, front/back facing cameras (1.3 and 8MP respectively). All current G2x devices come shipped (or updated) with Gingerbread. Its only downside is of 512MB RAM, which nowadays seems paltry. A Micro HDMI port sits at the top with a 3.5mm headphone jack and power button. At the bottom are 2 speakers and a Mini USB port. The phone is packed with a 1500mAh battery.
The reception is very clear and so is the loudspeaker. Sound quality works great through the device’s microphones. When recording video or taking/receiving voice calls, it captures sound perfectly. 3G speeds on the device are dependent on the where you are on the network. I’ve managed 4-8Mbps, which is fair for an HSPA-equipped handset.
Everything that plays out on this device is in the hands of its software, of course. The G2x is MOSTLY stock save for some unremovable T-Mobile tweaks and apps. They remain on the Gingerbread update and use some of RAM you have left. LG’s camera software on 2.2 has been replaced with the stock 2.3 camera. Picture quality is average and features like Panorama are completely gone. However shooting in 720p and above is crisp and stays above 25fps. Bluetooth and DLNA are present, and HDMI mirroring is possible.
There have been bugs in the device’s software that seem to be present among most G2x devices, such as random reboots, powering off while charging and some GPS troubles. While I only have one of those issues, it’s still frustrating. Being a stock (intended) Android device, scrolling and navigating the UI is quick and smooth. You get no UI overlays whatsoever. Web browsing and Flash animation can be handled easily. There isn’t a single game I’ve tested that runs poorly on this device. While I’ve never connected other HDMI devices to the G2x, I hear it does the job pretty good.
Battery life is a mixed bag. On average, I can squeeze in about 12 hours on a regular work day. On standby or with minimal use, it was 17. When using the G2x to its limits, I achieved about 7 hours. But considering its small battery, it’s no wonder.
The G2x a very fine device, but has quickly become overshadowed by newer and much better handsets worth your time. The device is future-proof, well-built and also ICS capable. However it’s not without its software caveats, which LG could work harder to fix.
The Breakdown
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Design
8
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Display
8
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Camera(s)
6
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Reception / call quality
8
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Performance
9
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Software
5
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Battery life
7
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Ecosystem
8
