The new Optimus Black Handset is due to be released from LG very soon. Not content with being the thinnest and one of the lightest phones available, the screen also shines thanks to the incorporation of some new technology that makes it a cut above the rest. These three elements alone make this one of the must have handsets of 2011.

LG have implemented a new type of display into the Optimus Black. This new "Nova" panel displays an extremely bright display. One benefit of this is that it can be easily viewed in sunlight, an area where many of its competitors flounder. The brightness of the display can be partly attributed to the natural white colour that the screen produces, and this has a positive effect on all colours, resulting in an excellent contrast ratio and a total colour range of 16 million. The resolution of the panel is 480 x 800 and this is up there with the highest resolution handsets currently available. The Optimus includes an accelerometer chip in order to perform auto rotation, as well as a proximity sensor to enable auto shut off functions. The 4 inch screen sits nicely within the phones body, which is surprisingly small in dimensions. At 121 x 63.5 x 9.2mm, the appealing factor about this model is just how compact and manageable it is, despite the large screen. In fact this is currently the thinnest mobile handset available, coming in a fraction less in depth than the highly praised iPhone 4. The weight of the phone is just 109 grammes which further enhances its appeal. The handset runs on the popular Android operating system, meaning that users can benefit from the wealth of applications and games available on this format. The 2.2 Froyo version is accommodated, but there are provisions for downloading version 2.3 when available.

The LG Optimus Black features a great array of multi media functions, all of which boast great specification and produce good results. The phone doubles as a very good quality music player. A 3.5mm headphone jack allows a wide range of headphones to be used, whilst the large display is the perfect platform on which to display album cover art. Several audio file formats can be handled by the phone, including MP3 and WAV. An RDS FM radio offers a useful alternative to downloaded tracks. High Definition movie footage can be filmed, sadly though there is not HDMI port on the model, meaning it can not be easily transferred to a television in HD. Still shots look great thanks to two high end cameras being fitted on this phone. The Optimus Black keeps pace with other leading handset by offering a 5 mega pixel main camera, and also a 2 mega pixel front camera, which is currently better than what can be found on any other mobile phone.

The LG Optimus Black offers groundbreaking design with a mix of good quality and established features.