The LG Optimus G smartphone is available now, exclusively through Telstra.
LG has admitted its new flagship Optimus G Android smartphone will be a tough sell in the Australian market but is confident it will be a success once consumers learn about its features and capabilities.
Speaking at the official Australian launch of the Optimus G in Sydney today, LG Australia's General Marketing Manager, Lambro Skropidis, said the company's main challenge will be educating potential consumers about the software features available on the device, which the company has labelled a "superphone".
"There's some genuinely useful and innovative software overlays coupled with some hardware advancements that are sure to get some attention," explained Skropidis. "I think our main challenge is just going to be to let people know about all of these advancements."
Skropidis said LG is "confident and comfortable" with the Optimus G despite the Australian launch being delayed by several months due to network testing requirements Down Under.
The 4G-capable smartphone, which is available exclusively through Telstra in Australia, went on sale in Korea last September and launched in most other global markets late in 2012.
"We feel confident and comfortable that the Optimus G is going to stack up favourably with owners of high end phones that are likely to be coming off contract over the next few months," said Skropidis. "To answer the challenge we are embarking on delivering our most comprehensive mobile phone launch ever."
Among the launch and promotional initiatives for the Optimus G include a television commercial that will air on mainstream Australian programming, an LG sponsorship of the Australian Formula 1 grand prix in Melbourne, trade centres and merchandising at store level, along with "in depth" and tailored training sessions and point of sale materials for retailers.
The Optimus G comes with a number of LG-specific software features including a QSlide function that can display up to three apps on the screen simultaneously, and a dual screen/dual play feature that allows wireless mirroring to a compatible television and the ability to display different content on the TV and the phone screen.
It also includes the ability to capture photos before and after the button is pressed and allows users to take photos using specific voice commands.
The Optimus G has a 4.7in IPS screen and is powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor. It also has 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 of 2013, including the Sony Xperia Z and the upcoming HTC One, feature full HD 1080p displays, a feature the Optimus G lacks.
The LG Optimus G is available today through Telstra, Fone Zone, Leading Edge and JB Hi-Fi stores across Australia. The phone sells for $0 upfront on Telstra's $60 "Every Day Connect" plan over 24 months, which includes $600 worth of calls, unlimited SMS messages and 1GB of data.
The Optimus G is also available on a range of other Telstra plans including $80, $100 and $130 plans, all over 24 months.
Are you coming off contract and looking for a new smartphone? Are you interested in the LG Optimus G? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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