3D technology is starting to get everywhere now – we’re seeing it in the cinema, home televisions, games consoles and now smartphones. Two smartphone giants LG and HTC go head to head in the UK this month when they each release their first 3D smartphones.
The LG Optimus 3D and the HTC EVO 3D both feature dual 5 megapixel cameras and “auto stereoscopic” screen technology. Auto stereoscopic is a type of 3D screen which creates the 3D effect without the need for a pair of 3D glasses.
With both smartphones on test here you’ll be able to take 3D pictures and video and view it back on the phone’s screen in 3D, but which is the better phone? Read on to find out how well each handset fares in our test categories, and which is the overall winner – the best 3D smartphone.
- Processor
LG Optimus 3D: 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9, 512MB RAM
HTC EVO 3D: 1.2GHz Qualcomm MSM8660, 1GB RAM
WINNER: HTC EVO 3D
The EVO 3D is the clear winner in this category, boasting both a faster processor and double the RAM of the Optimus 3D. LG’s Optimus 3D is no slowcoach by any means; we’ve found it to be quick and very capable when playing back full HD video and switching between apps. However, that extra 512MB of RAM and 0.2GHZ processor speed means the EVO 3D should perform that bit quicker.
- Screen
LG Optimus 3D: 4.3 inches 3D LCD Capacitive Touchscreen, 480 x 800 pixels resolution, 256 pixels per inch
HTC EVO 3D: 4.3 inches 3D LCD Capacitive Touchscreen, 540 x 960 pixels resolution, 217 pixels per inch
WINNER: HTC EVO 3D
Both handsets feature auto-stereoscopic 3D screens, meaning you don’t have to wear 3D glasses to get the 3D experience. Both screens require you to hold them at a certain angle to obtain the “sweet spot” for perfect 3D viewing, so it’s a dead heat in that respect. Both screens are 4.3 inches in size, though the EVO 3D sports a higher display resolution of 540 x 960 pixels, compared to the Optimus 3D’s 480 x 800 pixels.
- Dimensions
LG Optimus 3D: 128.8 x 68 x 11.9 mm, 168 grams
HTC EVO 3D: 126 x 65 x 12.1 mm, 170 grams
WINNER: LG Optimus 3D
It’s a very close call here, with the Optimus 3D just nicking first place. It’s marginally (0.2mm) thinner and just 2 grams lighter, but in the smartphone market size and shape are everything and the thinner and lighter the phone, the better. LG’s Optimus 3D is a pretty big handset but thanks to the curved edges on the back of the handset it sits nicely in your hand and isn’t uncomfortable when making phone calls. The dual cameras used for 3D images and video also sit flush with the rear of the case on the Optimus 3D, whereas they protrude slightly on the EVO 3D, making it slightly uncomfortable to hold.
- Software
LG Optimus 3D: Android 2.2 (FroYo), upgradeable to 2.3, LG 3D UI
HTC EVO 3D: Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), HTC Sense 3.0
WINNER: LG Optimus 3D
In their rush to get the Optimus 3D to market, LG has had to resort to using an older version of Android, 2.2 (FroYo). However, the dedicated 3D Hub on the Optimus 3D is streets ahead of the 3D content on the EVO 3D. Press the 3D button on the Optimus and you’ll get a cool 3D carousel menu with options for 3D photos, 3D Youtube and three pre-loaded 3D games. HTC’s EVO 3D features a newer version of Android (2.3 Gingerbread) and the very good Sense 3.0 user interface, but as this is a clash of the 3D smartphones, it loses out from having no 3D software onboard.
- Imaging
LG Optimus 3D: Dual 5MP 2560×1920 cameras, autofocus, 1080p HD video (2D, 30fps), 720p HD Video (3D, 30fps), VGA front camera
HTC EVO 3D: Dual 5MP 2560×1920 cameras, autofocus, Dual LED flash, 1080p HD video (2D, 30fps), 720p HD Video (3D, 30fps), 1.3MP front camera
WINNER: HTC EVO 3D
Both smartphones have very similar specifications in the imaging department – both feature 5-megapixel stills and Full HD 1080p video recording at 30fps. The Optimus 3D just edges the 3D imaging category, but loses out in 2D imagining due to the inferior VGA front-facing camera. The EVO 3D’s 1.3MP offering provides a clearer, better quality image – ideal for video calling, or for taking pictures of yourself, if you’re that way inclined.
- Connectivity
LG Optimus 3D: HSDPA 14.4Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP, HDMI Out
HTC EVO 3D: HSDPA 14.4Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP, HDMI Out (via MHL – HDMI adaptor, purchased separately)
WINNER: LG Optimus 3D
Both phones have all the connectivity options you would come to expect from a top end smartphone these days – Fast mobile internet comes in the form of HSDPA at a top speed of 14.4Mbps, and the latest in Wi-Fi technology is available for both devices, including the ability to turn your smartphone into a Wi-Fi hotspot. Both phones are also capable of outputting HD video content to your TV, though the Optimus 3D has the more favourable full-sized HDMI port built in. The EVO 3D can use a separate USB MHL cable to HDMI adaptor in order to do the job, but it’s more stuff you have to buy.
- 3D Capabilities
LG Optimus 3D: 3D Video in 720p HD @ 30fps, Stereoscopic 3D Images (3MP), 3D Button which opens 3D Hub containing 3D games and movies
HTC EVO 3D: 3D Video in 720p HD @ 30fps, Stereoscopic 3D Images (2MP), some 3D movies available to download through HTC Watch
WINNER: LG Optimus 3D
Both phones will shoot auto-stereoscopic 3D videos at 720p HD quality, 30 frames per second and both look equally awesome, too. The LG Optimus 3D edges the victory thanks to the higher quality 3D still images that it can take. With the EVO 3D you’re limited to 2MP quality when shooting 3D stills, but the Optimus 3D is capable of 3MP, with the quality being fairly noticeable. As for 3D content, the EVO 3D offers a small amount of 3D movies to download through the HTC Watch app, whereas the Optimus 3D has a 3D Hub, 3D YouTube, Photo and Video Galleries and three pretty cool pre-loaded 3D games (Asphalt 6, Let’s Golf 2 and NOVA). For all-round best 3D features and functionality, the Optimus 3D takes the crown.
- Storage
LG Optimus 3D: 8GB onboard, MicroSD up to 32GB
HTC EVO 3D: 1GB onboard, MicroSD up to 32GB
WINNER:LG Optimus 3D
LG’s Optimus 3D is a clear winner here, offering 8 times the inbuilt storage compared to the EVO 3D. Both phones are of course expandable by 32GB using a MicroSD card, but it’s great that LG have offered so much inbuilt storage off the bat, especially given the amount of space a 3D video will take up!
- Conclusion
Despite rushing somewhat to get the Optimus 3D to market first, LG have done a pretty good job with it. They may have cut a corner and used Android 2.2 but that is now updatable to 2.3 (Gingerbread), and the 3D features outweigh those on the EVO 3D, which hasn’t even been released in Europe yet!
Both phones will be similarly priced on both contract and SIM-free schemes, though from our comparison we would strongly recommend opting for the LG Optimus 3D, especially if the main reason for buying the phone is the 3D capabilities!
Do you prefer the Optimus 3D or the EVO 3D? Let us know which is your favourite and why in the comments below, or via Twitter.