LG Optimus Regard Pro Reviews

LG has been criticized for diluting the Optimus brand with simple phones like Regard. Yet, the truth is that the Optimus One family -- the first in the Optimus series to really go big -- was pretty entry-level even in 2010 when it landed. It was only later that LG really turned up the volume with models like the Optimus 4X HD and even then it kept on giving us budget handsets like the Optimus L4. So while that charge has some relevancy -- just as it does for Samsung's Galaxy line -- it's not entirely fair. What handsets like the Optimus Regard really do is bring Android to the masses. Here you get a real smartphone with all the features that a less demanding user would need. It has a browser (two, actually), access to apps, a media player, and a touch screen. It also delivers reliable performance, and LTE (when you can get it) is the cherry on top. So while it can't compare with LG's best and brightest, it doesn't have to. For its price, I'd recommend the Optimus Regard to Cricket customers who want a starter smartphone with a little extra oomph -- provided, of course, that you're not a photographer. You can spend almost $400 for the Samsung Galaxy S3, but in that case I suspect that you're not really interested in the Optimus Regard. Alternatively, the $279 HTC One SV delivers a better design, but camera quality is just as poor. On the other end of the pricing scale, Cricket offers a few high-quality models that are cheaper, like the HTC One V, HTC Desire C, and Kyocera Hydro. They surpass the Optimus Regard in some areas, but I'd opt for them only if you don't need LTE or you can't get a reliable 4G connection from Cricket in your area. Similarly, the Optimus Regard is a much better choice than the slightly less expensive ZTE Engage.