LG debuts its Optimus Sol smartphone

SMILEY FACED FIRM LG has announced the latest addition to the Optimus smartphone family called the Sol.

Presented as an affordable Android smartphone, the Optimus Sol is the latest addition to the Optimus line-up, which has brought us the 2X, Black and 3D. The Optimus Sol will run Android 2.3 Gingerbread and have a 3.8in 'Ultra AMOLED' touchscreen display.

Dr Jong-seok Park, CEO of LG's mobile division said, "The Optimus Sol stands out from its competitors as the most affordable 1 GHz Android smartphone with an AMOLED display. By introducing a no-nonsense phone that boasts one of the best displays on the market, we think we have a real winner for consumers looking for a subtle but visually stunning phone."

LG has released limited specifications so far with just the 1GHz speed of an unknown CPU and no details of RAM or internal storage. We do know the Sol will have a 5MP rear facing camera, WiFi and DLNA technology.

The Ultra AMOLED screen supposedly has a two-fold advanced reflection rate compared to standard AMOLED. This reduces image quality degradation, according to LG.

The Sol will be sub-10mm in thickness at 9.8mm, 0.1mm thinner than the Optimus 2X but not as thin as the Optimus Black, which is 9.2mm thin.

LG has opted for a dark user interface to cut down on white light and therefore extend the battery life. LG said the handset uses an "enhanced idle-based power management system" that apparently boosts the battery life by 20 to 30 per cent.

The LG Optimus Sol is due to tip up next month in Europe with the US to follow and will be available in black, white or titan, whatever colour titan is. µ