LG Optimus Black official: super-bright NOVA display

LG has announced its latest Android smartphone, the 9.2mm-thick LG Optimus Black. Fronted by a 4-inch NOVA display, which LG reckon is 50-percent more frugal than the average LCD yet still offers 700nits of brightness, the Optimus Black has a 2-megapixel front-facing camera and runs Android 2.2.

However, there's an Android 2.3 Gingerbread update winging its way to the phone. On top is LG's own Optimus UI 2.0, which also recognizes lifting, shaking and tapping, for taking calls, entering camera mode, or loading the music player.

Inside is a 1,500mAh battery, which the company reckons is more than sufficient for a full day of use even at full brightness. LG expects the Optimus Black to be available globally in the first half of 2011. Pricing is yet to be confirmed.

Press Release:

LG introduces next generation smartphone design and display with LG Optimus Black

New LG Optimus Black Delivers Breakthrough NOVA Display Technology in the World's Slimmest Smartphone Device

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5, 2011 – LG Electronics (LG) announced today it will unveil a new Android smartphone, LG Optimus Black, at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) from January 6th in Las Vegas. Providing users with a dramatically brighter 4-inch NOVA display in the world's slimmest 9.2 mm mobile device, LG Optimus Black creates a one-of-a-kind user experience unlike anything before.

Available for the first time in the mobile market, LG Optimus Black's NOVA display is designed to be the brightest, clearest and most readable among mobile screens with 700 nits of brightness for optimal visibility. LG Optimus Black provides users with an easier and more natural experience when browsing the web, reading emails, or writing documents with higher levels of brightness and pure white tones that deliver true black and white colors for ideal handset viewing. NOVA technology featured on LG Optimus Black also enables users to maintain visibility whether indoors or outdoors under strong sunlight.

In addition to greater luminosity, the NOVA display on LG Optimus Black also radically reduces power consumption by 50 percent during general indoor use compared to a conventional LCD. Similarly, AMOLED consumes twice as much power as NOVA to display a full white screen, the most frequently used color scheme for web browsing. Combined with the 1500 mAh battery of the LG Optimus Black, users will have enough power for their daily needs, even at maximum brightness settings.

Users will never be out of style with the LG Optimus Black's ultra slim 9.2 mm design. Making a strong visual statement, LG Optimus Black weighs only 109g and offers sleek lines and smooth edges that improve handheld grip. Tapering down to the world's thinnest smartphone profile of 6.0 mm, LG Optimus Black's subtle back arch helps to create the illusion of even greater slimness. Unique to the LG Optimus Black, the flush and flawless finish of the front display is achieved by innovatively hiding the Invisible Receiver behind the edges of the phone.

"We are excited to introduce this stylish new Android smartphone and expect the LG Optimus Black to play a key role in the mobile market," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "LG Optimus Black reflects our core strengths of advanced technology, in both display and design, offering the world's brightest screen and the world's slimmest design in an attractive and smart package."

The LG Optimus Black also offers a set of smarter features designed for easy and faster access to important apps and content. Optimus UI 2.0 lets users directly access messages, emails and missed calls from the locked screen with just one single finger tap. The Gesture UI offers more intuitive commands, including lifting, shaking and tapping, for taking calls, entering camera mode, or enjoying music. LG Optimus Black also introduces the world's first Wi-Fi Direct™ for quick and high-quality data transfer between mobile devices and adopts the world's first 2MP front-facing camera.

All LG Optimus Black features are available on the Android 2.2 Froyo platform with Android 2.3 Gingerbread upgrade capability. Utilizing the 2MP front-facing camera, LG Optimus Black allows users to utilize video telephony functions of higher quality after upgrading to Android's Gingerbread.

The LG Optimus Black will be rolled out globally in the first half of 2011.