By Keri Algar

SYDNEY, NSW: In a global online launch LG last night unveiled two new Optimus smartphones with especially entry level price points, which the Korean company hopes will become a part of a “flagship range”.

The Optimus One and Optimus Chic are among the earliest smartphones on the market to use the Android 2.2 (Froyo) platform, which combined with a 600Mhz processor, allows for high-speed web browsing, according to the virtual news conference conducted from Seoul.

LG said they aimed to sell over 10 million Android phones this year and were prepared for the aggressive Australian market.

Optimus One will be released shortly in the fourth quarter and can be bought outright for RRP $349, presenting a very entry level price point.

Both phones offer WiFi connectivity and have been optimised for Google mobile services including Google voice search, voice actions, and maps with navigation. Other software highlights include voice to text capability and the ability to sync with Microsoft Outlook.

LG is currently in discussions with commercial carriers for the Optimus Chic, which will likely reach retailers after Christmas. The Chic features a slightly higher resolution camera of 5 megapixels as well as DNLA for sharing multimedia content.

LG is looking to expand its technological portfolio as part of an overall brand awareness strategy, said Brad Reed, LG mobile marketing manager, to Current.com.au.

Reed, who presented the Sydney based conference last night, said the two smarthphones were critical to the LG range as they are the first Android 2.2 smartphones to hit the market at multiple price points.