LG jumps back after 'dropping the ball'

LG has launched its L-Style series of handsets in Australia after previously admitting it had “dropped the ball” on its smartphone strategy.

The range includes the flagship model Optimus L7, as well as the Optimus L5, Optimus L3 and Optimus L2-Dual SIM - a series which first debuted at February’s Mobile World Congress.

LG earlier this year promised to launch four 4G models to Australian customers by early 2013. None of the above models are compatible with local LTE networks.

LG Australia mobile head Ben Glimmerveen told PC World Australia in May the company had “dropped the ball” with its smartphone strategy over the past year, but would attempt to push ahead with a new 4G range. 

"We were behind the game in smartphones," Glimmerveen said. "That's a global admission and it's good that we've done that. What we've done now is we've been on the front foot with the next tier of where this telecommunications phase is going which is LTE."

LG confirmed to CRN it was on track to launch a 4G range in early 2013.

The L-Style series is being marketed to customers as an easy upgrade and fashionable Android device. 

The flagship Optimus L7 and its L5 sister run Android’s Ice Cream Sandwich OS, with the L3 and L2 on 3.2 Gingerbread.

The Optimus L7 runs on a 1GHz chip while its siblings all pack 800MHz processors. The L7 has a 4.3in display; the L5, 4in; the L3 and L2 both 3.2in.

The flagship L7 carries a 1700mAh SiO+ Li-Ion Battery while its three siblings offer 1500mAh batteries. 

Both the L7 and L5 include a 5MP camera; the L3 a 3MP snapper and its L2 sister, a 3.2MP camera.

The Optimus L7 is available now through Optus for $269 outright or on a $30 phone. Allphones is offering a white version of the black handset.

The Optimus L3 will retail in the coming weeks through Telstra for $99, while the L5 and L2 will launch in August via Boost Mobile, for $199 and $119 respectively.