LG Optimus L7 in the flesh, first impressions

Together with the Optimus 3D Max that we received last week, we also got a demo unit of the upcoming LG Optimus L7 that runs on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Check out our unboxing photos and first impressions after the break.

The Optimus L7 was first announced during the Mobile World Congress back in February along with the Optimus L3 (see review here) and the Optimus L5.

The handset reminds us of the LG Prada 3.0 we reviewed earlier although we noticed the specifications aren’t as impressive as the latter.

We reckon the Optimus L7 can be categorized somewhere in the mid-range of LG’s line-up, akin to the Optimus Black of last year (or probably a more affordable version of the LG Prada 3.0).

The most noticeable changes or updates on this model is the Android 4.0.3 ICS out-of-the-box, a higher capacity battery and inclusion of an NFC chip.

LG Optimus L7 P705 specs:
4.3â€³ IPS LCD @ 480Ã—800 pixels, 240ppi
Corning Gorilla Glass
Qualcomm MSM7227A Snapdragon S1 1GHz Cortex-A5
Adreno 200 GPU
512MB RAM
4GB internal storage
up to 32GB via microSD
HSPA+ 21Mbps
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, WiFi Direct, DLNA
Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP
NFC-enabled
GPS w/ aGPS support
5MP autofocus camera w/ LED flash
VGA front-facing camera
FM Radio tuner
1700mAh Li-Ion battery
Android 4.0.3 ICS
125.5 x 67 x 8.7mm
122grams

What disappointed us a bit is that while taking photos (images looked good), we discovered the rear camera can only take VGA (640×480 pixels) videos and not even 720p.

While the hardware isn’t that impressive, we’re hoping LG Mobile Philippines will position this handset in the more affordable range.

Given that the Optimus L3 retailed for only Php5,990 when it came out last month, we are optimistic that LG might be able to offer the Optimus L7 in the price range of around Php12k to Php15k. If that’s the case, then the Optimus L7, with its large 4.3-inch screen and ICS, can have a really good fighting chance in that price category.

Check out more of our unboxing photos below:

[fancygallery ID=”lgoptimusl7″]

Check back after a week or two for the full review, and hopefully, a final retail price.

Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

https://www.yugatech.com

13 Comments

Kandice says:

10 years ago

Thanks for sharing your info. I truly appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting for your next write ups thanks once again.
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amao says:

13 years ago

hmmmmm… maybe lg can price this around 12-14k above that i might consider sony ericsson lastest offerings…

i think the dev community of lg p500 are one of the best in its price range..
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Anti_kimchi says:

13 years ago

If there were just an iPhone with a 4.3″ screen.
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Mr. Curious says:

13 years ago

spot on there my friend! but there are rumors that apple will release a 7″ iPad.

Docalfred says:

13 years ago

Same here. No LG for me. Don’t have to explain the bad experienced that I had.
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showbiz says:

13 years ago

If all the customers would read the comments here. For sure LG would find it hard to sell their unit.
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JmBalicano says:

13 years ago

I can’t agree more that LG’s support for their phones, even their flagships, has continued to suck until now. Yeah, there’s some custom ROMs that owners can get a hand on, but that’s just for those with the know-how to install them without bricking their phone. It’s a shame, because the Optimus Black was a pretty awesome phone for its price. It certainly beats out the Galaxy Ace Plus that’s selling for right around the same price. Now here comes another solid mid-ranger that’s likely to come at a likeable price in the L7. While I’m impressed with the phone itself, I doubt that LG has learned its lesson yet when it comes to timely updates.
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wacko says:

13 years ago

Kaumay na yang mga android phones, I’m using sgs2 pero kakaboring, battery lagi lowbat, sana improve ang battery,
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cJJ says:

13 years ago

kawawa naman ang mga ob users jan, i’m one of you pero happy ako sa Marvel ROM. Try niyo.. Mabilis masyado at magaan! Gaya lang yan sa Defy pangit ng stock roms pero pag naka MIUI ROM na mabibighani ka. Too bad you’re missing something!
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Whiz says:

13 years ago

kahit ano pang phone brand yan basta maganda ang online community panalong panalo…

=)

OB user din me disappointed din ako.. dahil wala nga support ang LG but kung maganda lang ang online community nito ok na ko siya.,
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mo says:

13 years ago

other side of the spectrum. hehe. kung di ako naka xperia play papatol ulit ako ng LG.
galing ako sa Optimus One, tuwang tuwa ako sa phone na un, nawala ko lang pero tulad nung sinabi nung sa taas, mahina ang support. sa Optimus one kasi ang inasahan ko ung mga community. may ics na rin ata un. panalong panalo for the price. GPS was perfect. ginagamit ko ung offline na included ng LG.
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Thomie Jose says:

13 years ago

I second the motion. No to LG Phones. The first to produce but the last to update. And sometimes the first to hang in my benchmarks.
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Danny Ching says:

13 years ago

NEVER buy LG phones! I had a really bad experience with my Optimus Black:

1. They promise OS upgrades wich are always late (while waiting for the 2.2->2.3 upgrade, LG had the gall to announce that ICS will be available ‘someday’) 2.3 finally arrived after three postponements spanning 9 months, by that time, ICS was already standard. Still waiting for the ICS update.

2. The Camera always makes the phone hang. Taking out the battery is the only solution.

3. GPS never worked.

4. They do not respond to user comments and queries. (FB page pa man din)

Sir Abe, don’t recommend phones from this company. I’ve gotten tired of waiting, I’ve moved on to HTC One V.

Imagine the surprise of my friends when I brag about the fact that the HTC One V knows my position via GPS, the camera actually takes pictures and does not hang, and I actually have ICS.

My friends would say -di ba dapat lang ganyan ang phone?-

sobra akong natuwa sa HTC kasi ganoon ka bulok yung LG Optimus Black. -sigh-
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