2012 Year In Review: LG

LG Electronics has quite a following in Kenya and remains a favourite of many in their choice of consumer electronics manufacturer. In the local mobile scene, LG has given it a go several times and seems to be doing well with its entry level Droid, the LG Optimus L3 (if the queries on availability of its custom ROMs from my readers is anything to go by). I am a college student and I still spot comrades with the Huawei IDEOS and the Galaxy Pocket. The L3’s cost could be an inhibiting factor so someone at LG still has some homework to do.

LG’s 2012 flagship, the Optimus G.

Apart from the release of the L3 locally, LG has also pushed the L5and the L7 for the mid-range market. They are good devices though I can’t explain why they aren’t as popular locally. Personally I loathe the slab appearance of LG Droids. Sorry but like every man out there I love rounded corners (even though Apple claims ownership of rounded corners). LG devices pack some of the best hardware you’ll find anywhere. That was the trend in 2012. However, I always seem to have issues as far as their design is concerned. Still, the efforts LG has done in customizing the Android experience on its devices is yet to measure up (the only part of the UI that wins me over is the camera interface, it is awesome).  Maybe it is because I don’t use LG devices for longer than 48 hours but the UI could do better with some work. I see that work happening in 2013 since hardware wise LG already has a footing and if the indications as the year is ending are anything to go by, LG wants to be taken seriously.

Even after what I’ve said earlier, I still find the LG Optimus G a nice device. I’ve had short run-ins with the Optimus Vu and though not yet there, it is a commendable effort.

Apart from the Optimus G which has been LG’s international flagship, Google chose it to make the flagship Android device of 2012, the Nexus 4. I don’t know why I have taken long to ay this but the Nexus 4 is one hell of a beautiful Droid. Yes I know most people have quarrels with the glass back but is not what you want when you go all thermonuclear on Samsung or using what you call “cheap plastic” on its devices? Besides you don’t buy a phone so that you can drop it at will.

With the same zeal that LG markets its microwaves and fridges locally, I hope it markets its smartphones along those lines. 2013 could be a big year for LG locally. They already have the supply network, just get the devices right and they’ll be good to go.

On the global stage, the Nexus 4 has set the stage for LG to take on Samsung and other manufacturers. With its rumoured LG Optimus G2, LG could as well have the secret weapon that will steal the thunder from the traditional powerhouses.