LG Optimus Black at PHP 19,990.00

LG has been in the habit of churning out decent Android devices the past couple of months. The new Optimus Black P970 is no exception. Running on Android OS 2.2 (upgradable to 2.3) the Optimus Black can be defined as a decent looking smartphone that gets the job done. It’s main selling point is the NOVA display technology making this smartphone shine the brightest while saving power. LG claims that this NOVA tech is more efficient than AMOLED / LED screens which is an obvious stab at Samsung’s Galaxy line.

The Optimus Black comes with four soft keys — a home key, menu, back and a nifty search key that’s common with HTC devices. I’m glad it’s on LG. I can say that there’s a lot of benefit to making the search button a soft key rather than integrated into the UI. The only odd thing with the soft buttons is the placement of the menu key on the leftmost side of the phone when traditionally, this is the slot reserved for the home button. So it might be disorienting at first. Small thing, really.

The Optimus Black comes with a decent 5MP camera. Not the best. But decent.

My favorite feature? The closing dock to protect the USB slot. Brilliant idea. I wish more smartphones would incorporate this into their designs. You never know when that single drop of water can get into your phone’s innards.

So how’s the battery life? LG claims that this phone can save battery. My personal experience: it drains with games, like any other smartphone. Average battery life lasted me about 8 hours. Not bad. This phone won’t win first place awards but it sure gets a consistent number 2 on everything. With that attractive price point, you can’t go wrong.

Unsolicited advice: If you don’t to shell out the extra cash for a Samsung Galaxy S II, the LG Optimus Black comes next in line with its killer price point.

BONUS: And now, photos of my dog.