By Patrick Avenell
SYDNEY, NSW: LG has done a deal with Harvey Norman for the exclusive first rights to its new Optimus 2X smartphone. This Android handset is marketed as the world’s first dual-core processor smartphone.
Unlike most high end smartphones, which are released through the mature telco channel, often exclusively with one provider for a few months, the Optimus 2X is being sold unlocked for RRP $649 at Harvey Norman stores.
According to an LG spokesperson, the phone will eventually be made available to open distribution “in the near future”.
Harvey Norman GM for computers and communication, Ben McIntosh said this was a natural expansion of LG’s close relationship with the listed technology retailer.
“Harvey Norman is excited to be working with LG to bring this great new device to the Australian market,” he said. “The Optimus 2X, with its dual-core processor and range of cutting edge features, is very appealing to our customers who are always looking for the latest and best in technology.”
“The LG Electronics/Harvey Norman relationship spans many different product areas and we are now looking at how we jointly deliver great smartphone products to market and take advantage of the growing consumer demand in this area.”
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Features of this smartphone are quite good. Although it is only running off Android 2.2 (Froyo), there will be a upgrade available shortly. The screen is 4-inch capacitive touch (WVGA), whilst the rear camera is 8 megapixels and the front camera is 1.3 megapixels. There is an LED flash for the rear camera.
Internal memory is on the lighter side for smartphones at 8GB, though this is expandable through microSD up to 32GB. There’s Micro HDMI and USB and Full HD video recording and playback.
The Optimus 2X’s runs off an NVIDIA Tegra 2 chipset with 1Ghz Dual-core Processor, which LG claims as a world first.
The new LG Optimus 2X is exclusive to Harvey Norman.