LG Optimus Vu now official: 5-inch smartphone or mini tablet?

The Gadget Show  Monday 20 February 2012

LG has officially unveiled the odd-looking Optimus VU we first reported on earlier this month. We can confirm that the LG Optimus VU does indeed have a 4:3 aspect ratio display that LG says offers tablet-like viewing with smartphone portability. It’s also a powerful device – sporting a 1.5GHz processor, along with some impressive specs. But would you buy a 4:3 ratio smartphone?

The LG Optimus VU was originally teased in an trailer two weeks ago, suggesting a peculiar 4:3 form. It appeared a strange decision, and even then it was to be taken with a pinch of salt, but lo and behold, here the LG Optimus VU is, in all its 4:3 glory.

LG Optimus VU odd shaped handset teased

As confirmed earlier, the LG Optimus VU has a1.5GHz processor, accompanied by an 8-megapixel camera and up to 32GB of storage. The Android operating system is not the latest Android 4.0 (aka Ice Cream Sandwich). Owners will instead have to make do with Android 2.3. An update to Android 4.0 is planned, LG says.

A 5-inch 4:3 ratio display may not be the ideal design choice for viewing movies, but LG says says that the Optimus VU was designed to make “viewing documents, books, internet and multimedia contents easier and more comfortable.” A QuickClip hotkey acts as shortcut to your memos – while a “Rubbersium” pen (or stylus) is also supplied with taking notes in mind.

The LG Optimus Vu is a phone first and foremost, but one with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note and smaller tablets in its crosshairs, combining phone calls with tablet and quick web-browsing skills.

The LG Optimus VU will be one of the many handsets shown off at MWC 2012 from 27 February to 1 March. We’ll know then when, or if the LG Optimus VU will be coming to the UK. Would you buy one?

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