Hands-on review: MWC 2013: LG Optimus Vu 2

The LG Optimus Vu 2 picks up from where the original Optimus Vu left off, quirky 4:3 screen and all.

Eyebrows were raised when the first Vu was announced last year, but LG has obviously deemed it enough of a success to churn out a new iteration.

Global release dates and availability for the Optimus Vu 2 are currently unknown, but the handset is already on sale in LG's native Korea for 966,900 won (around £530/$860) and we'd expect it to hit other markets round the world in the coming months.

You still get a 4:3 aspect ratio display, which clocks in at 5-inches and boasts a 1024x768 XGA resolution.

The odd shape of the screen means the Optimus Vu 2, likes its predecessor is more of a square shape which makes the handset very wide and difficult to hold in one hand.

LG has managed to keep the weight down on the Vu 2 and the frame is quite thin so while your fingers may be struggling to properly wrap round at least your wrist isn't giving way.

It looks like a premium device thanks to the metallic frame running around its perimeter, but the sturdy chassis of the Optimus Vu 2 is predominantly plastic with no brush aluminium in sight.

To help manipulate the expansive display LG bundles a stylus with the Optimus Vu 2, but there's no space to slide it into the handset like you can with the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 which makes us think it will get lost in a matter of days.

The screen itself is bright and responsive and we had no trouble navigating our way around Android, although we were disappointed to find the LG Optimus Vu 2 was only running Ice Cream Sandwich and not Jelly Bean.

With a 1.5GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM the Vu 2 has plenty of power under the hood and that makes for a smooth user experience and apps which open quickly.

You get 16GB of internal storage in the Optimus Vu 2 and there's a microSD card slot on hand if you feel the need to expand the memory capabilities.

LG has pre-installed Google Chrome alongside the stock Android browser, and thanks to its 4G connectivity, strong Wi-Fi support and powerful processor we we're able to nip around the web at a decent pace.

Both desktop and mobile sites looked good on the Optimus Vu 2, and the 4:3 aspect ratio makes viewing full versions of websites easier.

Video playback on the Vu 2 was pretty good, but it isn't the best we've seen on a smartphone and the 4:3 display really isn't suited to cinema footage, as you're stuck between having large black bars above and below or a distorted image if you want it to fill the screen.

The Optimus Vu 2 comes with LG's QSlide feature, which lets you make the video you're watching become a transparent overlay on the handset, allowing you to use other features of the phone without interrupting playback.

There's a slider present at the top of the display allowing you to adjust the opacity of the film and the transition from movie watching to the transparent, multitasking layer is a smooth one.

Another LG innovation is Vu: Talk which allows you to share your screen with another Optimus Vu 2 and gives both users the ability to draw on screen, share maps and make notes in real time and even during calls.

It's a pretty impressive feature but due to the limitation of both people requiring the handset to make it work, it's one we fear won't get a great deal of use.

The 8MP camera on the back of the LG Optimus Vu 2 produces some pretty good quality images, and with features such as a flash, HDR, panorama, burst mode and a voice controlled shutter the app is well stocked.

Shutter speed is quick and the voice controlled option is a fun way to take photos, with the simple command of "cheese" or "smile" enough for the Optimus Vu 2 to snap a picture.

There's also a time machine mode which will take five photos before you hit the shutter, to ensure you don't miss the action you're trying to capture and it worked pretty well when we tested it out.

Thanks to the large size and awkward shape of the LG Optimus Vu 2 one handed typing is a bit of a struggle, but you can set the keyboard to bump up to the left or right of the screen to make it a little easier.

However this adjusted view means the keys become bunched up and the cramped layout can lead to mistakes.

While we applaud LG for breaking the mould with the screen on the Optimus Vu 2 we can't help but think the handset is just a bit too impractical.

The oddly shaped screen will put a lot of people off at point of sale and it doesn't offer anything particularly outstanding over the competition such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

If you want a big screened LG handset you're probably better off checking out the Optimus G Pro which sports a full HD, 5.5-inch display - although you don't get a stylus with that.


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Hands-on review: MWC 2013: LG Optimus G Pro

Taking over from the LG Optimus G, the LG Optimus G Pro was officially announced back in January but MWC 2013 is the first chance we've had to get hands-on with the new flagship device.

LG says the Optimus G Pro will be available in global markets, although it's bad news for anyone living in the UK as the Korean firm has already confirmed it won't be heading that way.

Take a look at our MWC hands-on video below:

The LG Optimus G Pro comes equipped with an excellent 5.5-inch full HD IPS display which delivers an eye-popping 400ppi, meaning everything looks stunning.

This puts the Optimus G Pro firmly in competition with the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Huawei Ascend Mate and ZTE Grand Memo in the ever evolving phablet war.

That screen is backed up by a beefy 1.7GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM which sees Android Jelly Bean zip along at a rate of knots, making for a pleasing and efficient user experience.

Thanks to that 5.5-inch display the Optimus G Pro is a pretty large device measuring 150.2 x 76.1 x 9.4 mm and weighing in at 160g.

LG has taken steps to make it more manageable for one-handed use, with a slender bezel running down each side of the display helping you wrap your fingers round the device.

Something which detracts from the Optimus G Pro's design is the use of plastic, as we're seeing premium handsets such as the iPhone 5, HTC One and Sony Xperia Z sporting classier materials these days.

The gloss finish also means that the Optimus G Pro is a pretty slippery customer in the hand offering very little in the way of grip, and we would be concerned about dropping this behemoth.

It's also tricky to hit the power/lock key on the right and the volume rocker and quick key buttons on the left side of the G Pro when holding it in one hand, and we found ourselves employing both mitts when it came to adjusting the volume or unlocking.

The responsive touchscreen meant we were able to merrily skip through homescreens and app list without issue and applications opened up almost immediately on the Optimus G Pro.

LG has added a few touches as part of its Android overlay including quick settings toggles in the notification bar allowing you to easily control Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and NFC.

QSlide also makes an appearance on the LG Optimus G Pro, allowing you to have multiple applications open at the same time on the expansive 5.5-inch display, which is perfect it you need to read a document while replying to an email, or make a quick calculation in the middle of a text message.

Video playback on the Optimus G Pro is very impressive and HD movies look excellent on the large screen, which also boasts decent viewing angles allowing your friends to huddle round and watch the action.

Battery fans will be pleased to hear that the LG Optimus G Pro comes with a removable 3,140mAh juice pack, which will be in high demand thanks to the HD screen and 4G network capabilities.

The Optimus G Pro is also blessed in the camera department, boasting a 13MP lens and single LED flash on its rear, while round the front you get a 2.1MP camera for video calls and self portraits.

As with the rest of the handset, shutter speed is rapid and there's a decent range of modes and settings in the camera app to keep budding photographers busy.

Google Chrome and the stock Android browser both make an appearance on the Optimus G Pro, offering up a slick, fast and visually impressive web experience which you can take on the road thanks to the LTE compatibility.

The Optimus G Pro is an impressive handset offering up super slick Android Jelly Bean and a top notch range of features.

It gives the likes of the Galaxy Note 2 and Xperia Z some serious food for thought, and it could go on to be a pretty decent success as LG looks to capitalise on a successful Nexus 4 period.

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Hands-on review: MWC 2013: Samsung Galaxy Fame

Small dimensionsCheaper priceNFC supportDifficult textingLow-res screenLow battery life
The Samsung Galaxy Fame offers a lot of technology for what will presumably be not much dollar – looking at the spec sheet you can see this could be seen as the natural successor for the why-won't-it-die Samsung Galaxy Ace.

Of course, you can argue that the Galaxy Ace 2 already has that mantle, but with sales of the predecessor still eclipsing that model, a case can be made for a new competitor.

The Fame, like most of the phones spewing out of Samsung's factories, is modelled closely on the design language first seen in the Samsung Galaxy S3.

Its white polycarbonate chassis feels light, and unlike the more premium devices in the Korean firm's stable, it feels worth the money you'll likely pay for it.

While it's 'only' got a HVGA screen, coming in at 320 x 480 pixels, the device has a 3.5-inch screen to really mitigate the lack of sharpness you'd expect. Compare it to a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and you'll see the difference, but in standalone tests it really doesn't do too badly.

It's not a great experience when watching video or the like, but it's not impossible to use. We found the colours surprisingly vivid, but that screen size is never going to be attractive to anyone wanting a marathon movie session on the train.

Similarly, the screen resolution makes browsing the internet a tiresome experience, although it's rather quicker than we'd expected.

The Galaxy Fame is also treated to a spot of Android Jelly Bean, as well as packing NFC under the hood. This doesn't really mean much in the world of mobile payments yet, but it does mean that the phone will be able to share data with its bigger brothers using S Beam, as well as connect easily to the new Samsung HomeSync device.

It's got a 1GHz processor chugging along under the hood, and while we did encounter a fair few instances of apps slowing down when trying to do crazy things like open them, on the whole we didn't find ourselves wanting to throw the phone at the wall. Big tick there, then.

It's also backed up with 512MB of RAM to help save on the effort needed; given the Samsung Galaxy Fame only has a 1300mAh battery, it's going to need all the help it can get, but that should see it last for quite enough time to download apps and socially networkalise when you want to.

Another key difference between this and the Samsung Galaxy Young is the offering of a 5MP camera with flash – it might not have the sheer zip of the Samsung Galaxy S3 when it comes to taking snaps, but at least it will be able to capture the moments you're after.

We're pleased to see the addition of a microSD card slot under the lid of the phone (which comes with a removable battery) and that's also hot swappable, making it easy to load media when you want to. At the lower end of the market this is still a really key feature, since onboard storage (yet to be confirmed) is still likely to be pretty low.

The Samsung Galaxy Fame won't set pulses racing any time soon when it comes to specs, but there's clearly a strong budget market to be attacked and Samsung knows what it's doing here.

We're still awaiting final prices for the phone, but if it comes in anywhere near the Samsung Galaxy Ace shelf-tag then this could be a real winner. That's if the Samsung Galaxy Young isn't even cheaper and more attractive, of course…

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'Hands on reviews' are a journalist's first impressions of a piece of kit based on spending some time with it. It may be just a few moments, or a few hours. The important thing is we have been able to play with it ourselves and can give you some sense of what it's like to use, even if it's only an embryonic view. For more information, see TechRadar's Reviews Guarantee.

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Hands-on review: MWC 2013: Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2

RuggedCamera buttonImpressive screenSmall batterySlightly thicker than necessary?
Samsung has always enjoyed dabbling with the rugged crowd: be it the original Xcover or the Beam range, it's enjoyed offering up more robust phones. The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2 brings with it a whole new gamut of features and functionality and really shows straight away that it's not a phone to be messed with.
Let's get the key features that make it such a tough Mother Hubbard on the table now, shall we? Well firstly it's IP67 certified, which means you can submerge it for up to 1 metre for 30 minutes before it will start to go a bit wrong.

In reality it means you can pop it in with the nightly washing up to get it all nice and clean after a day's hard extreme rambling, or whatever it is you fancy doing. You can also chuck it in sand or drop it from a height of two metres before worrying about smashes - plus it has a neat screw-in battery cover on the back that means it won't all fall apart should you do so.
But under all the tough exterior beats the heart of a decent smartphone - and it's hard to explain how glad we were not to be looking at another Samsung Galaxy S3 clone, since this is all decked out in a plastic/rubber hybrid that makes it super easy to grip no matter what the conditions.

It's hefty alright, with a 12mm (0.47 inches) thick chassis and a weight that tips the scales at nearly 150g (0.33lbs) - but you're glad of all that when you're holding it, because it gives the impression of impregnability that we assume you're after.
The dual-core 1GHz processor, the 4-inch screen with WVGA resolution and the 1GB of RAM all combine to make an impressive phone - it's basically an upgraded Samsung Galaxy S2 with a really protective shell whacked on the outside.

There's also a killer feature that we love to see: the camera shutter button on the side. This can even be fired underwater, so if you're taking a short snorkelling excursion over some quite picturesque fish, then you may snap away with the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2 at 5MP resolution.


The LED flash also doubles up as a torch - sure, that's nothing new, but on the new Xcover 2 you can set it so that the torch fires when you hold the Volume-Up key in sleep mode. It's a useful feature, but hard to use without accidentally waking the screen at times.

Samsung was also keen to point out to us that the phone was upgraded with GLONASS technology to make tracking you more efficient than ever before. This is pretty important to the outdoorsy types, as being able to locate yourself, even on an offline map, is something that makes you feel a lot safer.
The only worry we have is over the battery size: it's only 1700mAh and while the screen is smaller than others on the market, it still needs a bit of power behind it. Given the increased dimensions, we'd have liked to see a thicker phone and a larger battery instead.

Media-wise the Samsung Xcover 2 is pretty well stocked, if you're prepared to invest. While it only has 4GB of onboard storage, you can add in another 32GB through the microSD slot (make sure you shut everything up before dunking the phone underwater, alright?) and the screen was bright and vivid enough to imagine it would be great for watching videos.

You can't do that underwater though, since the headphone jack is under a cover too - you'll need some submerged Bluetooth headphones if you're that way inclined. Maybe you don't want to go diving and work on a building site though - in which case you'll be fine.
The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2 is one of the better phones we saw at MWC 2013, simply because it was a different proposition to the rest of the identikit Samsung Galaxy family. We didn't get to dunk it underwater, which is still a favourite test of all mobile phone reviewers, but we're pretty confident it can stand the heat. Also literally.
It looks to not be a super-expensive handset either, which is a real plus for those thinking of picking it up, as the spec level belies a mid-range phone. We're expecting this to land any month now on shop shelves, and if you're in the market for a tough, attractive next-gen smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2 could certainly be worth checking out.

See more mobile phones Add comment 'Hands on reviews' are a journalist's first impressions of a piece of kit based on spending some time with it. It may be just a few moments, or a few hours. The important thing is we have been able to play with it ourselves and can give you some sense of what it's like to use, even if it's only an embryonic view. For more information, see TechRadar's Reviews Guarantee.

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