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LG G2x is great, if you're not worried about impending AT&T acquisitionMay 06, 2011 (The Dallas Morning News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Smartphones these days have pretty much all reached a basic level of competence, and the new LG G2x running Google's Android operating system is more than just competent. But this hot new 3G T-Mobile device poses a question for buyers: Do you want to sign a two-year contract with a carrier that will likely cease to exist well before that commitment ends? AT&T has said it will honor the contracts of existing T-Mobile subscribers if its acquisition of the company is completed in the next year or so. But AT&T has also made it clear it plans to eventually repurpose the wireless spectrum T-Mobile uses for its 3G airwaves to AT&T's 4G standard. But T-Mobile's 3G phones can't connect to that 4G signal, so they'll default down to slower 2G. When will that transition happen? AT&T isn't saying for sure, and might not even know, since it's not clear when the T-Mobile purchase will be approved by federal regulators. There's a good chance anyone signing up today for a two-year T-Mobile contract will still have the same wireless speeds when that contract ends in 2013. If you're willing to take a bit of a gamble with the $199 G2x, you won't be disappointed with the phone itself. The sharp 4-inch screen and dual-core processor are top notch. While Apple and its apologists like to gloat that Flash is unusable on mobile devices, Flash video ran smoothly on most websites I tested on the G2x. Picture quality with the 8-megapixel camera is also superb, and the phone looks and feels like a luxury product. One minor drawback of the G2x is that it comes pre-installed with version 2.2 of Google's Android software, rather than the latest 2.3 version. That update includes a better touchscreen keyboard, improved power management and other tweaks. Presumably that update will eventually be offered to G2x users, but it's been out long enough that it should be available out of the box. Internet speeds on T-Mobile's 3G HSPA+ network (which T-Mobile somewhat disingenuously calls 4G) are not as speedy as they are on the true 4G networks offered by Verizon Wireless and Sprint. But they're darn close, and the difference will be unnoticeable on anything but large file downloads. If the AT&T deal weren't hanging over everything T-Mobile does, I'd recommend the G2x without hesitation as the latest in a string of superb handsets that T-Mobile has launched in recent months. As it is, you're probably safe getting hitched for two more years with T-Mobile. But there are no guarantees. LG G2x Pros: Gorgeous screen, fast Internet speeds and snazzy design Cons: Runs version 2.2 of Google's Android, rather than the latest 2.3 Bottom line: A great phone, if you're willing to take a bit of a leap of faith To see more of The Dallas Morning News, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.dallasnews.com. Copyright (c) 2011, The Dallas Morning News Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. |