LG Optimus 3D MAX Pro Reviews

The LG Optimus 3D Max and the original Optimus 3D are so much alike you may have trouble figuring out the differences. Minor changes can sometimes make a big difference but one particular difference is not so hard to notice and, to us, it may as well be the decider in favor of the 3D Max. The sequel is notably slimmer and lighter than the original, so there's proof that handheld 3D viewing can come in a compact package. This is not to say that NFC and more processing power are useless but, by the looks of it at this point, they just aren't the emphatic advantages that will spur potential upgraders. In fact, the 3D Max should not be construed as an upgrade to the Optimus 3D - it is rather a testimonial of LG's commitment to handheld 3D. Considering that the other major player, HTC,is not nearly as interested in the technology, the 3D Max may prove its worth regardless of its shortcomings. LG can only benefit from HTC's reluctance to follow up on their Evo 3D. We don't mean tangible profits, as in LG stealing market off HTC, but the Koreans will establish themselves as the unchallenged leader in smartphone 3D.

As a standalone product, the LG Optimus 3D Max is a reliable handset. The camera quality is satisfactory, the swift dual-core CPU makes it a breeze to handle, and the NFC-enabled chip is a welcome new technology on any phone. But if you're looking for an outstanding user experience from the device's 3D feature, it may help to wait for the technology's bumps to get smoothed out. Although the 3D camera works well, the apps are buggy, the viewing angle is too narrow, and if you're on a slow data network, you can forget about accessing 3D features on the Web altogether.

The LG Optimus 3D Max is a strange phone. It’s a step up from the Optimus 3D (LG Thrill 4G) in many ways, but misses the mark in some of the most vital. This phone has a great 3D effect that’s fun to show your friends and has a fast processor and enough RAM, but it runs on an outdated version of Android (version 2.3), has poor battery life, features a camera that doesn’t hold up despite being 3D, and its screen is low resolution by today’s standards. Since it’s not available in the US, we don’t have a price or carrier to refer you to, but the European version costs €500, which is about $638 today. For a premium price like this, you’d expect a few more improvements. Perhaps the 3D screen and camera cost too much? Either way, if you really need 3D, the original Optimus 3D is almost the same phone but for as little as half the price.

LG makes one of the very few phones for 3D shenanigans with the Optimus 3D and now the Optimus 3D MAX. If we leave the 3D aspect aside, the 3D MAX it is a bit heavy mid-range device with run-of-the mill dual-core processor and WVGA screen resolution. On top of that it takes mediocre pictures, regardless if 2D or 3D, and has a substandard battery life when it comes to talk time. However, we do have the 3D aspect, plus the phone has received a spec bump compared to its predecessor, sports a good call quality, and has a thing going for it designwise with the metal buttons and port lids. Thus if you are into the whole 3D thing, the LG Optimus 3D MAX is a decent choice. Most people wouldn't bother with 3D on their phone, though, and then there are some way nicer upstream alternatives , like the HTC One X or the Sony Xperia S, and more capable phones for less, like the Galaxy S II, so it might be a hard sell. The HTC EVO 3D also offers 3D capabilities, but has a nicer screen and better design, and even if you get last year's LG Optimus 3D, you'll get the third dimension at a discount compared to the 3D MAX, barely sacrificing anything on specs.