The LG Optimus G will be sold exclusively through Telstra in Australia.
Telstra has today announced pricing and availability details for LG's upcoming flagship Android phone, the Optimus G. The device will be available in Telstra stores and online from Tuesday 12 March.
The 4G-capable smartphone, which is described by LG as a "premium flagship device", went on sale in Korea last September and launched in most other global markets late in 2012. However, the Australian launch has been delayed due to local network testing requirements.
Telstra will begin taking pre-orders for the Optimus G online from today. The phone will be available for $0 upfront on Telstra's $60 "Every Day Connect" plan over 24 months. The plan includes $600 worth of calls, unlimited SMS messages and 1GB of data.
The LG Optimus G is also available on a range of other Telstra plans including $80, $100 and $130 plans, all over 24 months.
The Optimus G has a 4.7in IPS screen and is powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor. It also has a 13-megapixel camera, 32GB of internal memory, 2GB of RAM and a large 2100mAh battery.
The Optimus G's specifications make it a high end device but most flagship smartphones set for release in 2013, including the Sony Xperia Z, will feature full HD 1080p displays, a feature the Optimus G can't boast.
LG unveiled an Optimus G Pro model in Japan last month which features a 5in, full HD screen. However, a company spokesperson told PC World Australia that device will not be sold Down Under.
"The Optimus G Pro is a Japanese model for the Japanese market and is different from the Optimus G Pro that will soon be launched in Korea, despite the same name.""However, the Optimus G Pro is not planned for release in the Australian market."
The Optimus G forms part of LG's plan to release at least four LTE smartphones in Australia by the early part of 2013. In May last year, LG told PC World Australia it had "dropped the ball" in smartphones but planned to make up for that with 4G devices.
Telstra has also revealed that all customers who pre-order the Optimus G online from Telstra between Monday 25 February and Monday 4 March will go into the draw to win an Australian F1 Grand Prix experience valued at $25,000.
Related articles
• Telstra 'exclusive' Optimus G not landing Down Under until March
• No Optimus G Pro for Australia, confirms LG
• LG Optimus G preview
• 4G-capable Optimus G won't see light of day Down Under until 2013
• LG: We "dropped the ball" in smartphones
