Review of LG Optimus 2x (P990) GSM/UMTS smartphone
In 2010 Samsung chose Android models as their priority and paid special attention to its flagship Galaxy S. After its sales started the model became extremely popular and around 10 million items were shipped rather quickly, which is a sensation for the price segment. We do not take Apple iPhone into equation as it is unique and follows other rules with constant demand on the market. LG could not offer a single model to rival Samsung Galaxy S in 2010. As far as the company targeted Android as well and managed to become successful in mid-price segment with its Optimus line the absence of a flagship was a problem. Every company needs not only millions of sold phones, but the revenues too. Flagship models offer maximum margins and provide considerable profits even if you don't sell many items. Apple shows that by controlling a mere 3% of the market you can earn more than the big three (Nokia, Samsung, LG) who can boast of combined 70% of the market.
In 2011 LG will target the increase of its average model price, which is impossible without expensive flagships. LG understood it well before the reorganization started and quarter results went down. The development of Optimus 2x began in the first part of 2010 being aware that Samsung will launch Galaxy S soon and would dedicate all resources to the model LG decided to come out later, but be prepared for this tough competition.
The main issue is the absence of strong departments developing components for its models, for example screens, processors or memory. Many years ago LG decided not to concentrate on processors and memory, but they do make their own screens. LG even sells them to others and its screens can be found in some Apple devices. The quality is high, but LG could not compete with Samsung in terms of processors, so they needed an external partner in the shape of Nvidia, which was always popular as the manufacturer of graphic solutions. Two years ago Nvidia tried to enter the segment with Tegra and banked on the resurrection of Windows Mobile. It was a mistake as Microsoft started from scratch and Nvidia products were never released. Nvidia lost two years, but changed its priorities to Android. LG and Motorola became first and strategic partners. Both companies rely on SOC Tegra2 to compete with Samsung, which had different plans. At the same time Samsung started developing its own system named Onion. Qualcomm and Texas Instruments could not produce the goods in time and by choosing Nvidia LG and Motorola successfully won half a year of leadership.
LG use a better solution and they do it first. Huge sales of Optimus 2x are not an absolute priority. Consumers must understand that LG models can offer the latest technology. Optimus 2x will help other models in the Optimus line and showcase know-how available for LG. It is a win-win situation.
Surprisingly LG found a small segment of techies ready to pay premium prices for a revolutionary model boasting some cutting-edge features, for example, a dual core processor. Around 5 years ago the same approach helped Sony Ericsson make a breakthrough and increase its market share. Flagship models are expensive, but they advertise other solutions. This simple trick works every time and LG is not an exception here.
Mass market audiences are still not familiar with LG and even Samsung can be suspicious for some. People looking for flagship models are happy to buy Apple iPhone and see no alternatives. That is why the rest of the pack (Motorola, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson) get only the consumers who somehow failed to buy an iPhone. It is still a large slice of the pie though.
Optimus 2x is positioned as the leader not only for LG, but for the segment of flagships as well. LG can only emphasize its technological advantages, while the ease of use and other features will not be prominent. Mass market audiences will not pay attention to the handset despite the omnipresent advertisements. On the other hand the image of Android as the leading OS marries well with the LG flagship. The target was be hit well. Motorola helped LG too by retreating from the majority of European markets. ATRIX 4G will be available in USA, UK, Germany, Canada and may be Spain with Poland. Optimus 2x will do well in Korea and the rest of Europe.
Another question is the relations of this flagship with Optimus 3D. This is a variation of the original Optimus with two cameras for 3D video recording. I think this exotic product is far from the mass market. It is too much even for the techies. The same can be said about Samsung Android smartphones with in-built projectors. The sales have already started, but they failed to capture the imagination even in Korea. Optimus 3D will follow suit due to its features and the price.
In 2011 LG will target the increase of its average model price, which is impossible without expensive flagships. LG understood it well before the reorganization started and quarter results went down. The development of Optimus 2x began in the first part of 2010 being aware that Samsung will launch Galaxy S soon and would dedicate all resources to the model LG decided to come out later, but be prepared for this tough competition.
The main issue is the absence of strong departments developing components for its models, for example screens, processors or memory. Many years ago LG decided not to concentrate on processors and memory, but they do make their own screens. LG even sells them to others and its screens can be found in some Apple devices. The quality is high, but LG could not compete with Samsung in terms of processors, so they needed an external partner in the shape of Nvidia, which was always popular as the manufacturer of graphic solutions. Two years ago Nvidia tried to enter the segment with Tegra and banked on the resurrection of Windows Mobile. It was a mistake as Microsoft started from scratch and Nvidia products were never released. Nvidia lost two years, but changed its priorities to Android. LG and Motorola became first and strategic partners. Both companies rely on SOC Tegra2 to compete with Samsung, which had different plans. At the same time Samsung started developing its own system named Onion. Qualcomm and Texas Instruments could not produce the goods in time and by choosing Nvidia LG and Motorola successfully won half a year of leadership.
LG use a better solution and they do it first. Huge sales of Optimus 2x are not an absolute priority. Consumers must understand that LG models can offer the latest technology. Optimus 2x will help other models in the Optimus line and showcase know-how available for LG. It is a win-win situation.
Surprisingly LG found a small segment of techies ready to pay premium prices for a revolutionary model boasting some cutting-edge features, for example, a dual core processor. Around 5 years ago the same approach helped Sony Ericsson make a breakthrough and increase its market share. Flagship models are expensive, but they advertise other solutions. This simple trick works every time and LG is not an exception here.
Mass market audiences are still not familiar with LG and even Samsung can be suspicious for some. People looking for flagship models are happy to buy Apple iPhone and see no alternatives. That is why the rest of the pack (Motorola, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson) get only the consumers who somehow failed to buy an iPhone. It is still a large slice of the pie though.
Optimus 2x is positioned as the leader not only for LG, but for the segment of flagships as well. LG can only emphasize its technological advantages, while the ease of use and other features will not be prominent. Mass market audiences will not pay attention to the handset despite the omnipresent advertisements. On the other hand the image of Android as the leading OS marries well with the LG flagship. The target was be hit well. Motorola helped LG too by retreating from the majority of European markets. ATRIX 4G will be available in USA, UK, Germany, Canada and may be Spain with Poland. Optimus 2x will do well in Korea and the rest of Europe.
Another question is the relations of this flagship with Optimus 3D. This is a variation of the original Optimus with two cameras for 3D video recording. I think this exotic product is far from the mass market. It is too much even for the techies. The same can be said about Samsung Android smartphones with in-built projectors. The sales have already started, but they failed to capture the imagination even in Korea. Optimus 3D will follow suit due to its features and the price.