LG Optimus 3D Max

Like the newer LG Optimus 4X HD and the Optimus Vu, the stereoscopic Optimus 3D Max was made known a week before Mobile World Congress officially started. Like the first-generation Optimus 3D, the 3D Max (or Cube, as it is known in some markets) made its official debut at the tradeshow and features a glasses-free autostereoscopic display for viewing 3D.

Looks like the original Optimus 3D went on a diet and lost a lot of weight.(Credit: Aloysius Low/CNET Asia)

Upside

Instead of retaining the Texas Instruments OMAP4430 and its "dual-channel and dual-memory architecture", LG has decided to equip the Optimus 3D Max with a speed bump in the form of a dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. The original handset was snappy enough, so the slightly faster processor should help somewhat.

The most noticeable thing about the Optimus 3D Max is its new thinner form factor--let's face it, the older handset was usable, but chunky. The updated design makes the handset as thin as other mainstream smartphones, which removes one of the drawbacks of the previous design. NFC has also been added.

Slim from the side, too! (Credit: Aloysius Low/CNET Asia)

As a newer model, the Optimus 3D Max gets all the updates previously available on the original handset--including the Gingerbread (Android 2.3) OS and the 3D game converter engine that upscales compatible 2D games into 3D. Future software updates include Ice Cream Sandwich and HD conversion as well as a rangefinder mode.

Converting 2D games into 3D is really quite cool.(Credit: Aloysius Low/CNET Asia)

Downside

Let's face it, apart from the thinner design and faster processor, there's really nothing new about this handset. The 4.3-inch display still has a WVGA (800 x 480 pixels) resolution, which lags behind other newly announced smartphones. 

Let's also not forget that the handset is running Gingerbread, which was last year's version of the Android OS. An update to ICS has been announced, but knowing LG, this could take a while to arrive.

Still the same old dual 5-megapixel cameras--note that in 3D mode, both cameras operate at 3-megapixels.(Credit: Aloysius Low/CNET Asia)

Outlook

If you gave the original Optimus 3D a miss due to certain factors like its thickness and dated OS (it launched with Android 2.2), the Optimus 3D Max may appeal to you. However, we do advise waiting for the ICS update first before taking the plunge. Pricing is not yet available, but LG has announced that the Optimus 3D Max will launch in Korea in March first, followed by Europe and the rest of the world after.

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