LG wants to bring
design to the masses with its L-style range and has launched three
handsets aimed at the fashion conscious consumer, the Optimus L3, Optimus L5 and Optimus L7.
The
LG Optimus L7 may be top of the pile in the L-style range, but don't
let that trick you into thinking it's a high-end device ready to tackle
the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S3 and HTC One X.
It's
not even competing at the level below, with the Optimus L7 priced at
around £240 (around $375) SIM-free and free on contract from as little
as £13.50, the handset is set to rub shoulders with the HTC One V, Nokia Lumia 710 and Orange San Diego. Like
its L-style siblings, the LG Optimus L7 is an angular handset sporting a
metallic boarder around the edge which LG claims has "exquisite style" –
we're not sure if we'd go that far, and although the L7 is far from
ugly, it's hardly the prom queen of the mobile world.
LG boasts
that the Optimus L7 uses its new "floating mass technology" – which to
you and me means that the handsets curves in from front to back, giving
the appearance that the handset is thinner that it actually is, as well
as making it look like its floating above the surface it's on. It's
hardly groundbreaking, with plenty of phones employing this styling
method to give the illusion of a sleeker device – take a gander at the Panasonic Eluga or Galaxy S2 for example.
That
said, it's not like the Optimus L7 is a chubby handset, measuring just
8.7mm in depth, it easily slips into your pocket – and tipping the
scales at 121g give it a reassuring weight. The Optimus L7 does feel well made, and the sturdy chassis refused to flex when we exerted pressure on it.
On
the front you get a 4.3-inch WVGA (800x480) display, with a physical
home key below it, flanked by back and menu touch buttons. Above the screen is a front-facing VGA camera and light sensor – competing a fresh, minimalist look.
Move to the top of the Optimus L7 and there's a power/lock key opposite a 3.5mm headphone jack. The
power/lock key can be a little troublesome to reach at times, with the
angular shape of the Optimus L7 proving difficult to manipulate in your
palm – which is better suited to more rounded edges.
The volume rocker on the left hand side is easier to hit, which wraps up all the physical buttons on the handset. At
the base of the Optimus L7 you'll find a microUSB port and a small hole
for the microphone, with nothing to report on the right hand side.
Flip
the LG Optimus L7 over and the textured plastic back carries on the
simple and clean layout, with just a 5MP camera next to a single LED
flash and small speaker grill in the bottom left to note. Picking
off the plastic back plate requires a finger nail to be slid between
case and frame, so could prove a problematic experience for those who
like biting theirs.
The black plate is made of relatively thin
plastic which can be easily bent in the hand, so make sure you treat it
with care, especially as it houses the Optimus L7's NFC antenna. You
can stick your full size SIM-card into the Optimus L7, with LG not
choosing to go down the microSIM route, plus there's a handy slot for a
microSD card if you need to expand on the 4GB of internal storage.
Thankfully
both SIM and microSD card can be inserted and removed without having to
disturb the 1,700mAh battery – which itself can also be taken out,
useful if you need to do a hard reset or like to use multiple power
packs.
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