The LG Optimus One is described by LG as a great choice for first-time smartphone users. In this writer's opinion, the Optimus One deserves a better lead than that. Let's break it down.

Build Quality and Ergonomics Solidly built, the phone has a hefty feel at 129 grams - slightly on the heavier side looking at its size. The black rubberized plastic body has metal trimming along the edge, which also comprises the microUSB port at the bottom of the phone, the volume rocker on the...

Responsive touchscreen; Value for money (Froyo out of the box; Surprisingly speedy

Low sunlight legibility; No flash; Poor loudspeaker quality (esp.

Time was when smartphones were always high-end handsets. But as economies of scale help bring prices down, Android's open option has made it appealing to a wide variety of manufacturers and it's adding smartphone goodies to some very modestly priced handsets.

A budget smartphone that offers some great features, the LG Optimus One P500 is well worth a second look. Unlike some other cheap handsets, it runs Android 2.2 Froyo rather than 2.1 Eclair.

LG claims that its new Optimus One is the perfect entry level phone for prospective smartphone owners, but just how good is it? We take this $349 Android smartphone for a spin.

: Running on Android 2.2; Responsive screen; Packed with a lot of 3rd party applications like Swype and NDrive; Minimal slowdown when running multiple apps; Great battery life; Attractive price : Plain design; Flash Player missing on the phone; LG App Advisor not as helpful as expected; Only USB

: Plain design; Flash Player missing on the phone; LG App Advisor not as helpful as expected; Only USB charger included

After a whole lot of research on android phones, I finally decided to go for the Optimus One last May (May 2011). Back then, there was not much to choose from in the $200 budget. So this phone seemed to me as the best bet back then, and I'm very satisfied with it even now!

3G; good battery; vibrant screen; good camera; compatibility

Lack of a front facing camera; lack of flash

Overall, good budget smartphone for the price, just beware if you want to play games, this phone has a sluggish processor and little internal memory.

Unique design: physical keys mean less accidental "go homes"; soft touch finish on back; metal under battery cover; Features: 3.2 inch touch screen is bright and colourful; speakers were at the least; audible; camera takes good pics for the price; Android 2.3 update brings more colour to the lack

Sluggish processor; no Flash; no HD vidoe recording; wish battery life was a bit longer; no Camera Flash; not upgradeale to 4.0 or 4.1; very little internal memory

Good first mobile. If you want a simple android handset that fits in your pocket is this good. Are you looking for good camera or big screen so do not choose this. I enjoyed it but me during the time I owned it.

lovely phone but now that i have an xperia z it kinda brings back memories of me using it and see all my other friends tease me about having an old phone but i still have but i don't use it.

small fits in hand; soft touch plastic(feels good to hold; okay pixel density 180 ppi; buttons placed well and easy to press; microsd card slot; removable battery; nice colours

poopoo camera/ tolerable; small screen; singlecore (slow start; only up to 2.3.3 :

I've had the Optimus One for over a year now.. I'm still running Froyo on the device. It's a great budget phone for 10k. Screen is great, touch is very smooth. Battery lasts a little more than a day but thats how all smartphones are. Looks aren't too great, basic apps run smoothly.