Review: LG Optimus GT540

Jenna Pitcher
Friday, 10 September 2010 13:45

Your IT - Mobility

LG's entry level Android-based handset '” the Optimus GT540 '” has been on the Australian market for a few months now. At first glance its sleek exterior makes it an attractive option for the fashion-conscious. However, in general we find it hard to recommend anyone buy this handset, due to an extremely frustrating touch screen that does not respond well to user input. Buyer beware!

Design
The first thing about the LG Optimus GT540 that caught my eye was the design '” it's much nicer to look at than some other models on the market. The case finish resembles dark brushed-aluminium with a curved back and symmetrical concave ends. The device is 12.7mm thin and weighs 115.5g g which combines for a pretty solid and snug fit in the hand.

There are colour choices available '” either the dark silver finish or a metallic pink.

The faux aluminum case is sturdy and feels solid in the hand unlike other handsets that use plastic cases. However, the screen wasn't so sturdy in a real-life scenario. The screen didn't survive the duration of our testing period unscathed and had scored three minor dints, although a screen protector was on and definitely helped protect the screen.

Features
The LG Optimus operates on the Android 1.6 operating system with Android 2.0 backports. It comes pre-installed with a few LG applications, including the usual amount of third-party manufacturer bloat installed. The display is a 3'³ 320×480 pixels resistive touch screen and is not multi-touch.