LG Optimus L7 2 review

The Optimus L7 2 is an update to LG’s mid-range Android Optimus L7 smartphone, and is an attempt to address some of the criticisms levelled at the original model.

First up is the processor. While the original L7 had only a single-core 1GHz processor, and was criticised in our review for its sluggish performance, the L7 2 rectifies this with its dual-core 1GHz chip.

This certainly makes a difference – Android runs smoothly on the new handset’s hardware. Some of this speed improvement can also be put down to the interface speed improvements present in Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. There was a slight hesitation when opening apps, compared to the instantaneous response we’ve seen on high-end quad-core phones, but this is to be expected on a lower-mid-range handset.

Like the original model, the Optimus L7 2 has a 4.7in screen with an 800×480 resolution. This isn’t a bad display, and it flattered LG’s colourful custom Android icons, but the screen does suffer badly from reflections from overhead light sources. The show floor at MWC is pretty much a worst-case scenario for mobile phone screens, but this doesn’t bode well for how the phone will cope with being used in bright daylight.

The screen also felt like it had a slightly rougher surface than that of LG’s posher phones such as the Optimus G Pro, which seemed to make it attract more greasy fingerprints during use.

The final upgrade from the original Optimus L7 is in the camera; there’s now an 8-megapixel model rather than the five megapixels of the previous phone. We haven’t been able to do a proper test of the new handset’s camera, but hopefully it will be an improvement on the Optimus L7’s underwhelming sensor.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the way the phone looks; white plastic with chrome touches isn’t really our cup of tea. Nonetheless, this is a competent smartphone that should be available for around £150; not bad for an Android handset with such a large screen.