LG Optimus G Pro: A 5.5-Inch Full HD Phablet
When the LG Optimus G Pro arrived in 2013, it represented the moment when large-screen Android phones became practical alternatives to compact tablets. Its 5.5-inch display, powerful Snapdragon processor and generous battery placed it above ordinary smartphones, while its relatively slim body kept it manageable for everyday use. At a time when many rivals still used 720p panels, LG made Full HD resolution a central part of the experience. Learn more about Nokia Lumia 720 The Mid Range Windows Phone With Wireless Charging.
The phone also brought a 13-megapixel camera, expandable storage, dual-window multitasking and a polished version of Android Jelly Bean. It was aimed at buyers who wanted a premium handset for video, browsing, photography and productivity. For Australian readers looking back at this phablet, its appeal is easy to understand, although modern network support and battery condition now matter as much as the original specifications.
A large display built for media
The Optimus G Pro uses a 5.5-inch IPS LCD with a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution. That worked out to roughly 400 pixels per inch, producing sharp text, detailed photographs and clean high-definition video. Colours were generally vivid without the exaggerated saturation associated with some AMOLED screens of the period. Viewing angles were also strong, which helped when sharing a video or looking at maps with someone nearby.
The large panel made the handset useful for reading news, editing documents and browsing desktop-style websites. Watching films on a train from Melbourne to Sydney would have felt considerably more comfortable than using a four-inch phone. At the same time, the screen was not so large that it became a full tablet replacement. LG’s Retina display history offers a useful contrast: Apple popularised extreme pixel density on a smaller screen, while LG focused on spacious viewing.
The phone’s bezels were reasonably narrow for 2013, though the overall body was still broad. One-handed typing could be awkward, particularly for users with smaller hands. LG included software controls that could shift the keyboard and dialler closer to one side, making basic tasks less demanding.
Design, controls and storage
The handset has a plastic construction with a removable rear cover and a patterned finish intended to give it a more premium appearance. It was not as luxurious as an aluminium flagship, but the material helped keep the weight at about 172 grams. The curved edges made the phone less uncomfortable to hold during longer browsing sessions, even though its width was noticeable in a pocket.
Physical controls included a power button, volume keys and a dedicated shortcut key that could launch applications or perform custom actions. The removable rear panel gave users access to the large battery, microSD card slot and micro-SIM tray. Expandable storage was valuable because high-definition video and large games could quickly consume the internal memory.
The 3.5mm headphone jack, micro-USB port and notification light suited the habits of the time. A commuter could load music locally, connect wired earphones and keep a spare battery in a bag. That flexibility has largely disappeared from current flagship phones, which tend to use sealed batteries and wireless accessories.
Snapdragon performance and everyday use
Inside the Optimus G Pro is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 600 chipset, featuring a quad-core 1.7GHz Krait processor and Adreno 320 graphics. Its 2GB of RAM gave it a comfortable advantage over mid-range Android models, particularly when switching between a browser, email, music and messaging. Menus were usually responsive, and demanding 3D games ran well at the phone’s native Full HD resolution.
The hardware was especially suitable for multitasking. LG’s QSlide tools allowed selected apps, such as a video player, calculator or web browser, to float over another application with adjustable transparency. Dual Window functionality also enabled two compatible apps to share the display. These features were early attempts to make a large smartphone useful for work rather than simply entertainment.
Software updates were a less impressive part of the ownership story. The phone launched with Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean and received updates in some markets, but it did not enjoy the long support period expected from current iPhones and premium Android devices. Buyers comparing it with a compact tablet such as the Xiaomi Mi Pad should remember that the LG offered phone connectivity and a pocketable body, while a tablet provided a larger canvas for reading and games.
Camera features ahead of their time
The rear camera combines a 13-megapixel sensor with autofocus and an LED flash. In good daylight, it could capture detailed images with pleasing colour and enough resolution for cropping. The camera application included panorama, continuous shooting, HDR and several creative modes. Its Full HD video recording was useful for family events, travel footage and quick social uploads.
LG also promoted features such as Dual Camera, which used the front and rear cameras together to place the photographer into a scene. This was an early version of an idea that later became common through selfie overlays and picture-in-picture modes. The front-facing camera had a 2.1-megapixel sensor, making it suitable for video calls and reasonably clear self-portraits by the standards of 2013.
Low-light results were less consistent. Noise became visible as the sensitivity increased, autofocus could hesitate and the flash produced harsh illumination at close range. There was no computational night mode to rescue dark scenes, and the camera app offered less manual control than specialist photography apps. Even so, the 13MP sensor gave the phone strong marketing appeal when many affordable handsets still used cameras below eight megapixels.
Battery life and connectivity
A 3,140mAh removable battery was one of the Optimus G Pro’s strongest specifications. The capacity was large for its era, and moderate users could often reach the end of a full day with browsing, calls, music and occasional video. Heavy use of mobile data, gaming and maximum screen brightness reduced endurance, but the phone generally performed better than thin flagships with smaller cells.
The handset supported 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, NFC and 4G LTE in compatible regional versions. Australian buyers needed to check the exact model number and frequency support rather than rely on the Optimus G Pro name alone. LTE Band 3 at 1800MHz was particularly relevant for Australian networks, including services used by Telstra, Optus and Vodafone Hutchison Australia at the time.
A major modern concern is Australia’s 3G network shutdown, completed progressively by major carriers from late 2024. An old handset may display a 4G signal yet lack the required voice-over-LTE support, and Australian rules require mobile providers to prevent phones that cannot reliably reach emergency services from operating on their networks. Anyone considering a second-hand unit should verify IMEI status, carrier compatibility and emergency-call support before treating it as a daily phone.
Position in the Australian and Indian markets
LG positioned the model as a premium Android rival to the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and Sony Xperia Z. In India, the launch price was reported at approximately ₹42,500, putting it firmly in flagship territory. Its large Full HD screen and Snapdragon 600 chipset made it attractive to buyers who wanted specifications comparable with Samsung’s leading phablet without choosing an Apple device.
Australia presented a different retail environment. Consumers commonly purchased phones through Telstra, Optus or Vodafone plans, while unlocked stock was available through electronics retailers and online sellers. The Optimus G Pro was often compared with the Galaxy Note range, which had stronger brand recognition and a stylus advantage. LG’s model countered with a high-resolution display, a removable battery and a less expensive path into the large-screen category.
Australian Consumer Law remains relevant when buying an old handset from a business. A retailer may still have obligations concerning acceptable quality and accurate descriptions, but those protections differ from a private sale. Refurbished devices should be checked for battery replacement, charging-port wear, screen burn-in and proof that the phone is not network-blocked. A cheap purchase can become poor value if it cannot make normal voice calls on current Australian networks.
How it compares with other 2013 phones
The Optimus G Pro’s closest competitor was the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Samsung offered an S Pen, a mature multitasking system and a larger accessory ecosystem, while LG delivered a sharper Full HD screen and a higher-resolution rear camera. The Sony Xperia Z had a more distinctive glass-and-water-resistant design, but its battery was smaller and its viewing angles were less impressive.
Compared with the original LG Optimus G, the Pro version made substantial changes. It increased screen size and resolution, added a bigger battery, improved the processor and introduced more advanced camera tools. The trade-off was greater weight and a body that demanded two-handed use more often.
The following comparison shows how the device sat among several well-known large-screen and flagship phones from its era:
| Phone | Display | Processor | Rear camera | Battery | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG Optimus G Pro | 5.5-inch Full HD IPS LCD | Snapdragon 600 quad-core | 13MP | 3,140mAh removable | QSlide multitasking |
| Samsung Galaxy Note 2 | 5.5-inch HD Super AMOLED | Exynos 4412 quad-core | 8MP | 3,100mAh removable | S Pen |
| Sony Xperia Z | 5-inch Full HD LCD | Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core | 13MP | 2,330mAh | Water resistance |
| LG Optimus G | 4.7-inch HD IPS LCD | Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core | 13MP | 2,100mAh | Compact flagship design |
| Apple iPhone 5 | 4-inch Retina LCD | Apple A6 dual-core | 8MP | 1,440mAh | iOS ecosystem |
Is the Optimus G Pro still worth buying?
As a historical device, the Optimus G Pro remains interesting because it captures a turning point in mobile design. Large phones were moving from niche products to mainstream choices, Full HD displays were becoming standard in premium Android models, and manufacturers were experimenting with software multitasking. Its removable battery, microSD support and headphone jack also represent practical features that many modern flagships have abandoned.
As a current purchase, however, it should be treated as a collector’s item, spare media player or retro Android device rather than a dependable primary handset. Android 4-era software cannot provide modern security, app compatibility or banking support. Batteries may be several years past their useful life, and replacement parts can be difficult to source. The 3G shutdown adds another layer of uncertainty for Australian callers.
For photography, navigation and everyday communication in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth or regional areas, a newer budget Android phone is a safer option. It will offer better low-light images, longer software support, stronger 4G or 5G compatibility and more reliable battery health. The LG still makes sense for enthusiasts who value its design, want to study early phablet software or find a fully tested example at a very low price.
The LG Optimus G Pro deserves its place in the history of large-screen smartphones. Its sharp 5.5-inch panel, 13MP camera, Snapdragon 600 performance and 3,140mAh battery gave it a convincing flagship profile in 2013. Explore more launch-era phone reviews and buying guides on New Mobile Arrivals to compare the technology that shaped today’s mobile market.