What we liked: The price point is right for new smartphone users and it’s plenty of hardware for the money. Even those who may have already spent time with Android will find the Optimus L9 offers decent bang for its buck.
Room for Improvement: A somewhat uninspired design even for a touch-only form factor. It might be a tough sell for buyers who could spend another $20 for a better device. Battery drained quicker than expected for a 2150mAh unit.
Review at a Glance: The Optimus L9 offers hardware and software that would have easily cost double just six months earlier, without trying to pass itself off as a top-tier device. Screen size and resolution are the first things you notice, both commendable for the money. A great experience for a first-ever smartphone.
Hardware
A 4.5-inch qHD (960×540) display, dual-core 1GHz processor, and 5-megapixel camera would have been mid-to-high-range specs just months prior. New smartphone buyers would likely not notice there are faster experiences available; seasoned users may feel underwhelmed.
The screen is larger than what first-time buyers typically got and the L9 doesn’t feel overly wide in hand. Sharp corners and a square-ish profile contrast with recent HTC and Samsung offerings, though the chrome trim adds some class. Colors are sharper than expected but noticeably behind LG’s 720p displays when compared directly. For $80 on contract, that’s forgivable.
Layout: front-facing camera, proximity sensor, and speaker above the display; physical home button and two capacitive hotkeys (Back, Menu) below. Volume rocker on the left, power button upper right.
Camera performance impressed, particularly outdoors: accurate detail, color, and white balance. Indoor results varied with lighting but were generally acceptable. Both cameras offer color effects, brightness settings, and geo-tagging; the rear also includes flash, face-tracking, scene modes, and Cheese Shot (voice shutter). Video handled color, contrast, and fast motion well, and simultaneous photo capture during video worked cleanly despite the modest processor.
Battery life averaged 6 to 8 hours under typical use (web, social, casual games), well short of expectations for a 2150mAh cell on Android 4.0. Particularly concerning for first-time smartphone users who may form negative impressions of Android battery life. The removable battery at least allows for third-party extended options.
Software
Android 4.0.4 with LG’s light custom layer. Quick Memo, previously reserved for larger-display LG devices, is a welcome addition for jotting notes or marking up maps. Preloaded apps: full Google suite, T-Mobile 411 & More, Game Base, T-Mobile Name ID, T-Mobile TV, Lookout Mobile Security, Amazon Kindle, Slacker Radio, and Polaris Office 4.0. LG’s UI touches are less intrusive than past iterations, though some widgets could use a visual refresh.
Wrap-up
For a first-time T-Mobile smartphone buyer, the Optimus L9 at $80 on contract is easy to recommend. The 4.5-inch qHD display is among the better screens available at that price, and the overall package outclasses many budget competitors still running Android 2.3. A good option for parents buying multiple phones this holiday season.
