New LG Optimus Android Smartphones to be Released Soon

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Mobile phone makers have for long planned for this Christmas sales season, and LG is no exception. The manufacturer recently commented that two new Optimus Android smartphones will make their way into the South African market later this year.

One confirmed handset is the LG Optimus GT540, also known as the Swift or Loop, announced in the beginning of the year. It’s an entry-level handset set to appeal those who need a good smartphone, but it strays far from the likes of the HTC Evo 4G, regarded as belonging to the top of the Android devices’ line.

The handset features a 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus but no flash, it has Wi-Fi and HSDPA but no video call capabilities, supports microSD memory cards, and has a 3″ touchscreen display. The device runs on Google Android 1.6 for now, but LG says that it will bring Android 2.1 to the handset. It will retail in South Africa for R2 499 (US$338).

The manufacturer also said that another Android device will be released to the market before year-end, but there was no confirmation on whether it would be the LG Optimus One or the Optimus Chic.

The latter phone is more advanced than the GT540, bringing a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus, a 3.2″ touchscreen display, HSDPA and Wi-Fi connectivity, A-GPS, and a microSD memory card slot.

The Optimus One’s specs haven’t been confirmed yet by LG, but according to reports, it should bring a 3.8″ touchscreen display, a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus, Wi-Fi and HSDPA connectivity, A-GPS, and microSD memory card support.

Both LG Optimus Chic and Optimus One will run on Google Android 2.2 Froyo from release, but it is not known when the GT540 will receive its upgrade.

[ZAR1 = US$0.135423]