LG Optimus 2X coming to USA as T-Mobile G2x
by Brian Klug on March 22, 2011 1:59 AM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- LG
- Optimus 2X
- News
- CTIA
- G2x
- Mobile
- Trade Shows
When we reviewed the LG Optimus 2X a while ago, we weren't quite sure what carrier it would wind up on when it came stateside. T-Mobile seemed the most likely (and heavily rumored) suspect, but the picture wasn't entirely clear at that point. Today T-Mobile officially announced at CTIA 2011 that the LG Optimus 2X is coming to the soon-to-be-acquired carrier as the T-Mobile G2x.
Probably the only non-stock thing about this photo and screenshot is that 4G status indicator up top, which I don't belive is official Android 2.2.x iconography from the AOSP
Superficially it appears there's nothing physically different between the G2x and the Optimus 2X. The front side has the exact same button layout and subtly curved capacitive touchscreen. There's a T-Mobile logo up top instead of LG, but everything else remains the same. The backside appears to be the same earth-tone soft touch material, and likewise the sides retain the silver metallic texture. I didn't think anything needed changing with the Optimus 2X, it's nice to see that nothing is changed with the G2x.
| T-Mobile G2x - Network Support | |||||
| GSM/EDGE Support | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz | ||||
| UMTS Support | 1700 (AWS) / 2100 / 1900 / 850 MHz | ||||
| HSDPA/HSUPA Speeds | "HSPA+" 14.4 / 5.6 (?) | ||||
| Baseband Hardware | (?) | ||||
Unsurprisingly, the G2x also trades 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz UMTS support for some T-Mobile friendly AWS 1700 / 2100 MHz support, but interestingly keeps the 1900 / 850 MHz around. Maybe that isn't so surprising considering the imminent acquisition of T-Mobile by AT&T, who will likely repurpose nearly all the carrier's AWS 1700 / 2100 MHz spectrum for its LTE buildout, and transition T-Mobile customers to AT&T's existing 850 / 1900 MHz 3G UMTS/HSPA. That band support is according to the current T-Mobile specs page, at least. HSPA+ support is noted, but no specific HSDPA class or speed is given. I think that's a notable improvement from the HSDPA 7.2 kicking around in the Optimus 2X.
The G2x also differs from the Optimus 2X in that it foregoes the LG skin for a pure Android 2.2.x (Froyo) experience. I didn't find the LG theme nearly as claustrophobia-inducing as say motoblur, but it's definitely nice to see T-Mobile demanding unskinned Android on so many smartphones. The G2x still comes with a number of software preloads, including a trial version of N.O.V.A., full version of NFS Shift HD, T-Mobile TV and Qik video chat, Zinio eReader, and some DTS software audio enhancements. It's still not quite as stock as the Nexus line, but pretty close, and dual-core to boot. The G2x also will be the first smartphone to launch with NVIDIA's Tegra Zone preinstalled.
Along those lines, I guess it's worth noting that all the other hardware choices remain the same: it's still packing a Tegra 2 AP20H 1 GHz dual-core A9 SoC with GeForce GPU, 8 MP rear camera with LED flash and 1080P video capture, 1.3 MP front facing camera, 800x480 4" LCD capacitive touchscreen, 8 GB internal NAND, microSD card slot, and 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth 2.1.
The T-Mobile G2x will be available later this spring. Nvidia has a blog post up about the G2x and T-Mobile G-Slate as well.
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aryonoco - Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - link
I believe you can just call it WCDMA, which correctly identifies all of the members of the family, whether it's UMTS of HSUPDA, the supported frequencies is the same.Yes, nitpicking, but if everyone called things by their correct names, we wouldn't now be in a position where HSUPA is "4G" while HSPDA is "3G", according to T-Mobile.
jalexoid - Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - link
Actually UMTS is the correct common name.Brian Klug - Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - link
I imported this table from my Optimus 2X story and didn't think to simplify that field. I agree WCDMA makes more sense, the problem is that people then get confused between it and "CDMA" (colloquial term for CDMA2000).Ironically the problem is that people not being pedantic enough is what got us in this 3G/4G situation in the first place. Calling things out specifically stopped really with Verizon and Android both simplifying EV-DO to just "3G" and doing away with the 1x status indicator, and has led us to this point of insanity now where the Atrix/Inspire only shows H+ (even in just HSPA 7.2 markets) or E for EDGE. I think we're in agreement there.
-Brian
jalexoid - Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - link
"1700 / 2100 (AWS) / 1900 / 850 MHz"1700 is AWS. 2100 is IMT.
Brian Klug - Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - link
Fixed!-Brian
hfarberg - Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - link
If this is going to be a stock Android phone, I would love to be able to install this ROM on a European Optimus 2X.LostPassword - Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - link
About time manufacturers start supporting all bands. Sorry it had to take a merger. Knew I should of went with Nokia n8 for my current phone but all the nokia hate persuaded me to get a nexus. But Google selling unlocked phones with only one carriers bands. Arrrrghhh!!!1!. So mad. Only one GSM carrier in America now. So sad.dagamer34 - Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - link
So, if unlocked, it would run on AT&T? This would make it the first phone outside of Nokia's pentaband phones that support 3G data on both AT&T AND T-Mobile.welshy992 - Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - link
Wrong, the samsung vibrant also supports pentaband 3g.crayjay3 - Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - link
You are incorrect, however I don't blame you since the carrier's have confused everyone with their Galaxy S naming BS. Look at the names of the Galaxy S...i9000 - International version (?)
Vibrant - T-Mobile (UMTS AWS)
Fascinate - Verizon (CDMA2000)
Vibrant - Bell/Virgin (UMTS PCS)
Fascinate - Telus (UMTS PCS + IMT?)
...but wait! The Bell/Virgin Galaxy S is actually the i9000 with a different radio. But it gets even more confusing, the Telus Fascinate is the same model as T-Mobile Vibrant and has a different radio than either Vibrant or Fascinate in the US!
Back to the issue, 1700/2100 and 850/1900 isn't 3G pentaband anyway (only 4 frequencies). Its missing 900 which is used internationally.