LG Optimus Vu: a 5-inch phablet with a 4:3 aspect ratio and stylus
When LG first unveiled the Optimus Vu in early 2012, it caught the tech press off guard with its unusual proportions. The device sported a 5-inch display with a 4:3 aspect ratio, making it look more like a small tablet than a typical smartphone. At a time when Samsung was pushing the Galaxy Note as the original phablet, LG offered a distinctly different take on the oversized handset category. The Optimus Vu wasn't just big for the sake of it; it was designed for productivity and media consumption in equal measure, aiming to bridge the gap between phones and tablets in a way that felt natural for reading and note-taking.
The standout feature was the integrated stylus, which LG marketed as the Rubberdium pen. Unlike the more advanced S Pen on the Note, the Rubberdium was a simple capacitive stylus, but it allowed for note-taking and sketching on the go without needing a special digitiser. Combined with the squarish 4:3 screen, the Optimus Vu became a favourite among users who preferred reading e-books or browsing documents over watching widescreen videos. This oddball device carved out a niche that mainstream smartphones couldn't quite fill, appealing to a specific subset of early adopters who valued screen real estate over pocketability.
In Australia, the Optimus Vu landed through importers and the grey market before eventually appearing on plans with Telstra and Optus. Priced around AUD $600 to $700 when new, it sat at the premium end of the market, competing with the Galaxy Note II and the iPhone 5. Australian shoppers at JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman would occasionally spot it on the shelves, though it never achieved the same mainstream traction as its Korean rival. The device's unique shape polarised buyers, with some loving the wide canvas for productivity and others finding it too bulky for a jeans pocket or too awkward for phone calls on the tram.
Design and display
The 4:3 aspect ratio was the defining characteristic of the Optimus Vu. While most phones used 16:9 or 16:10, LG opted for 4:3, similar to older iPad models and traditional print media. This made the device wider and shorter than the Galaxy Note, which measured 5.3 inches but in a more elongated form factor. The IPS LCD display offered a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels, delivering decent sharpness with around 256 pixels per inch, though it fell short of the Retina-class density seen on the iPhone 4S. Colours were vibrant, and viewing angles were solid, making it good for sharing photos with mates at a café.
The build quality featured a glossy white or black plastic back, which felt a bit cheap compared to the textured finish on the Galaxy Note. However, the device was remarkably thin at 8.5mm, which helped offset its wide footprint of 139.6mm. The stylus silo was integrated into the top right corner, making it easy to access without looking. Australian reviewers at the time noted that the wide form factor made one-handed use a stretch, particularly for users with smaller hands, though the thin profile meant it slipped into a jacket pocket reasonably well. The power button sat on the top edge, while the volume rocker was on the left side, both offering tactile feedback.
Hardware and performance
Under the hood, the Optimus Vu packed a Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor clocked at 1.5GHz, paired with 1GB of RAM. This was top-tier hardware for early 2012, capable of handling multitasking and gaming with relative ease. The Tegra 3 used a companion core for low-power tasks, which helped with battery efficiency. The device included 32GB of internal storage but lacked a microSD card slot, which was a point of contention for power users wanting to expand. In benchmark tests conducted by Australian tech blogs, the Optimus Vu performed admirably, though it fell slightly behind the Exynos-powered Galaxy Note in graphics-heavy tasks like 3D rendering.
Connectivity options included Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, and 4G LTE support on Australian bands. The battery was a sealed 2080mAh unit, which provided a full day of moderate use. Heavy users streaming video or navigating with GPS would need to top up before the arvo was out, especially if they were relying on Telstra's 4G network which was still rolling out across regional areas. The inclusion of LTE was a significant selling point in Australia, where 4G speeds were becoming a major selling point for new smartphones. The device also supported HDMI output via MHL, allowing users to connect to a telly for media playback.
Software and features
The Optimus Vu shipped with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, skinned with LG's custom Optimus UI. This overlay included a range of productivity apps designed to take advantage of the stylus, such as QuickMemo and Notebook. QuickMemo allowed users to jot down notes directly over screenshots, which was handy for sharing directions from Google Maps or saving recipes while brekkie was on the stove. The Notebook app provided a more structured environment for longer notes and sketches, with support for different pen types and colours. The UI also featured a customisable lock screen and a range of themes, though it lacked the polish of Samsung's TouchWiz.
Updates were a sore point for Australian buyers. The device eventually received an upgrade to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean in late 2012, but it never saw KitKat or later versions. This made the Optimus Vu feel outdated quickly, especially as newer apps required more recent OS features. For those invested in the Android ecosystem, the software limitations were a clear drawback compared to the Galaxy Note, which received more consistent updates and a richer feature set. You can explore more about the Android experience on various devices through dedicated Android phone coverage sections that track software support across different manufacturers and models.
Market position and competition
The Optimus Vu launched globally in mid-2012, with Australia getting the international version featuring 4G LTE. It competed directly with the Samsung Galaxy Note, which had established the phablet category a year earlier. While the Note offered a more refined stylus experience with pressure sensitivity and better software support, the Optimus Vu won on raw screen area and document handling. The 4:3 aspect ratio made reading PDFs and web pages a pleasure, as there was less scrolling required, and the wide canvas was ideal for viewing spreadsheets or side-by-side app multitasking.
At Australian launch, the Optimus Vu was priced competitively at around AUD $699 outright, or available on 24-month plans from Optus and Vodafone. Telstra initially focused on the Galaxy Note for its 4G lineup, but the Optimus Vu eventually appeared in stores as well, often locked to the network. The device found an audience among business users and students who valued the stylus and the productivity-focused form factor, particularly those who wanted a single device for both work and play. For those looking at other productivity-focused devices from the era, the affordable QWERTY BlackBerry offered a different approach with its physical keyboard and BlackBerry 10 OS, targeting similar niche markets.
Legacy and where to find one today
The Optimus Vu was succeeded by the Optimus Vu II in 2013, which improved upon the original with a faster Snapdragon 600 processor and better stylus integration. However, the 4:3 aspect ratio never caught on widely, and Samsung continued to dominate the phablet market with its Note series, eventually standardising the elongated 16:9 form factor. Today, the original Optimus Vu is a collector's item, often found on Australian classifieds like Gumtree or eBay for under $100, sometimes boxed with original accessories. It's a fascinating piece of smartphone history that shows how manufacturers experimented with form factors before settling on the elongated designs we use today.
For Australian retro tech enthusiasts, the Optimus Vu represents an interesting alternative to the more common Galaxy Note. Its wide screen and stylus make it surprisingly usable for reading, even by modern standards, though app support is limited as many modern apps assume a 16:9 or taller display. The device works well on Australian 3G networks, though 4G support is limited to specific bands, so buyers should check compatibility with their carrier before purchasing. If you're after a unique piece of 2012 tech, keep an eye on local auctions or second-hand stores in Melbourne's tech districts and Sydney's markets, where vintage electronics often pop up.
| Feature | LG Optimus Vu | Samsung Galaxy Note | BlackBerry Q5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display size | 5.0-inch | 5.3-inch | 3.1-inch |
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 16:10 | 1:1 |
| Resolution | 1024 x 768 | 1280 x 800 | 720 x 720 |
| Stylus | Yes (capacitive) | Yes (active digitiser) | No |
| Operating system | Android 4.0 | Android 4.0 | BlackBerry 10 |
| Processor | Nvidia Tegra 3 | Exynos 4210 | Snapdragon S4 |
| RAM | 1GB | 1GB | 2GB |
| Internal storage | 32GB | 16/32GB | 8GB |
| Expandable storage | No | Yes (microSD) | Yes (microSD) |
| Rear camera | 8MP | 8MP | 5MP |
| Battery | 2080mAh | 2500mAh | 2180mAh |
| 4G LTE | Yes | Yes (select models) | No |
| Launch price (AUD) | $699 | $799 | $399 |
Visit New Mobile Arrivals for more retro smartphone reviews, buying guides, and the latest tech deals relevant to the Australian market. If you're hunting for a unique phablet from the early 2010s or just curious about how phones have evolved, the Optimus Vu is a fascinating piece of tech history that deserves a second look. Drop us a comment with your experiences or check out our archive for more obscure device deep dives.