Images from LG & HTC
Two of the latest smartphones are the LG Optimus 3D Vs HTC Desire HD. Both of them use their unique media capabilities to try to create a unique selling point to set themselves apart from the other smartphones.
The LG Optimus 3D is an improved version of the 2X, sporting a dual core 1 GHz processor, 512 MB of RAM with 8 GB of flash storage and dual 5 megapixel cameras with LED flashes. These cameras allow it to take 3D images and video in addition to normal 1080p video. It has standard connectivity options up to the 3G mobile data level, though the lack of 4G or LTE is a little disappointing and Wireless-N along with Bluetooth and USB 2.0. The unique selling point along with the dual cameras is the 3D screen. It is a 16 million colour, 800 by 480 pixel touchscreen LCD which can display 3D images without the need for 3D glasses, viewable in games, for 3D photos and video but the screen can also display normal images in 2D. At 4.3 inches across, it is the largest size of smart phone screen so far making, it ideal for watching films and web browsing.
HTC’s Desire HD takes a different route, it also has a 4.3 inch screen at the same 800 by 480 resolution and though it doesn’t offer 3D the colours are higher quality as the display is WVGA. Unlike the Optimus 3D the Desire HD only has a single core processor running at 1 GHz, for many apps this will not matter as smartphones apps are single threaded but for any kind of multitasking such as listening to music while surfing the web the advantages of having two cores are soon apparent. It has more RAM than the 3D at 768 MB though very limited storage at 1.5 GB, given the marketing of the Desire HD as a media smartphones this seems like far too little though it has a microSD card slot allowing you to expand the storage by up to 32 GB. Connectivity is also standard 3G and Bluetooth with a superior 8 megapixel camera complete with flash, face detection and geo-tagging. Where the Desire HD tries to be different is its use of simulated surround sound using Dolby Mobile and SRS virtual surround sound to improve the sound quality as much as possible.
The LG phone is comparable to other top smartphones while the Desire HD is half-way between the top and the last generations. This difference is reflected in the price with the Optimus 3D available for £500 and on top contracts while the Desire HD is a highly competitive mid-tier phone at £380. The screen size and quality, camera and processing power of the HTC Desire HD are extremely impressive for a mid/top tier phone, making it a good choice compared to the Optimus 3D. The 3D smartphones are for those who like 3D as it is £40 more expensive than the 2X model which is very similar save for the 3D capabilities. With many consumers finding 3D irritates or makes them feel ill the Desire seems like the superior phone, especially with the price difference and lack of uses for dual core at the moment.
