LG Optimus 3D is Slick, But 3D is Gimmicky: Hands On

One of the most buzzed about phones here at Mobile World Congress is LG's Optimus 3D, the first phone to use 3D display technology. Like the Optimus Black and the Optimus 2X, which we saw at Mobile World Congress, the Optimus 3D is powered by a dual-core processor and a 4.3-inch display. So how does 3D look on a mobile phone? Well, I'm honestly not all that impressed.

3D is slowly becoming more prevalent in other categories, like TVs and cameras, but it certainly isn't a mainstream technology. Fortunately, you don't have to wear goofy glasses to see up to 720p 3D video on the Optimus 3D. The effect, however, is disappointing. Images don't exactly leap out at you from the display and the quality is a bit grainy and odd looking.

I do like the fact that you can create and share 3D content. The Optimus 3D has a dual 5-megapixel camera so you can capture 3D video, upload it to YouTube 3D (LG also announced a partnership with Google's video sharing service) and share with other 3D devices. You can also hook up the phone to a 3D TV via the HDMI port. Again, though, how many people have 3D TVs?

Unfortunately the phone will not ship with the latest version of Android, otherwise known as Gingerbread. It also is not a 4G phone, which is disappointing.

Another strange-and possibly irregular-thing I experienced in my hands-on is that the phone repeatedly crashed. I'd try and open an app, like the 3D gallery for example, and the phone would completely freeze. I'm not sure if this is due to the fact that this was a demo device and a lot of hands were on it or if it was preproduction and unstable. I tried to use another phone, but that one wouldn't even turn on. When LG's booth is less of a madhouse, I'll give it another shot.