LG Electronics will have its first Android handset, the Optimus One, on local shelves by mid-November.
The new phone will be the first on the South African market with the latest version of Google's mobile operating system, version 2.2 (codenamed Froyo).
LG says the Optimus One will launch at a retail price of R2 499. This makes it one of the cheapest smartphones in the country, with the only cheaper model being Vodacom's VF845 which sells for R1 399.
Compared to the Vodacom device, LG's new model has a larger display with a higher resolution, 3.2-inch (320x480) versus 2.8-inch (320x240). Other standard features on the Optimus one include a 3MP camera, Bluetooth, WiFi, FM radio, HSDPA data and a claimed 550-hour standby time on 3G networks.
The Optimus One marks the Korean company's return to the smartphone arena, with its previous devices having run Microsoft's Windows Mobile operating system.
Steven Ambrose, MD of WWW Strategy, says: “LG has always had a fairly good reputation for quality handsets, but as of late they've not had a lot of compelling devices.”
“The first issue is that smartphones are fairly data-intensive, which means they cost quite a bit of money to run.
“Mobile data costs are fairly expensive,” he continues. “For the lower end of the market it's a significant cost.”
Ambrose predicts that LG does have a great offering for those who want a new smartphone.
“We hope that LG has hit the sweet spot of price and quality,” he says. “It would be cheap enough for those who want one, but not too cheap for others to not consider it.”
He also points out that it is important to have the latest version of the Android operating system. While Sony Ericsson is launching the upgrade for its Xperia phones, from 1.6 to 2.1, LG's device ships with version 2.2.
“It might not sound like much going from 2.1 to 2.2 but it's a significant update.”
The Optimus One will go on sale from 15 November.
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