3D smartphones: HTC Evo 3D versus LG Optimus 3D

Watching and creating 3D content on a smartphone looks set to be the next big thing. And mobile phone heavyweights LG and HTC have both recently launched their first contenders: the
LG Optimus 3D and the HTC Evo 3D.

To help you decide which phone offers the best 3D experience and, of course, which is most worthy of your cash, we’ve assessed each on the four key components of a 3D smartphone.

How do 3D smartphones work?

The LG Optimus 3D and HTC Evo 3D both let you see 3D images without having to wear those silly 3D glasses - but how do they do it?

1. Dual cameras - By using two cameras the smartphone can mimic how your eyes see the world. The two cameras are roughly the same distance apart as your eyes and so see subjects - a flower, for example - from slightly different angles.
2. Parallax barrier - In the real world your brain merges the images from your left and right eyes together to form a 3D image. But it can’t do this from a smartphone picture, so a high-tech device known as a “Parallax barrier” ensures the two images are merged into one 3D image before they pass through the smartphone’s display.

1. Screen

Both smartphones have 4.3in 3D-capable touchscreen displays.

Yet while the LG Optimus 3D - officially the world’s first 3D smartphone - has an impressive 800 x 480 pixel resolution, the HTC Evo 3D nudges out ahead with a more impressive 960 x 540 pixel resolution.

It may be difficult to tell the difference in quality between the two screens when you’re watching a home-made movie, but if you’re going to splash out on the very latest in smartphone technology then you may as well opt for the best.

Winner: The HTC Evo 3D.

2. Camera

Both smartphones have dual 5Mp cameras. However, the full five megapixels are reserved for 2D pictures and videos, so both the smartphones can only capture 3D content in 2Mp quality.

When it comes to video resolution though, both smartphones can record 3D videos in 720p high-definition. The LG Optimus 3D can record 2D movies in full 1080p HD, but the HTC Evo 3D is limited to recording 2D in 720p.

Winner: The LG Optimus 3D.

3. Under the hood

The amount of power under the svelte bodies of both smartphones is essential because without a powerful processor both smartphones are likely to freeze-up or slow down when you try to, say, record in 3D and send emails simultaneously.

HTC’s Evo 3D is the clear winner because it has a mighty 1.2GHz dual-core processor inside - plenty of power. The Optimus 3D’s 1GHz dual-core processor is still powerful, it’s worth mentioning, but the Evo 3D’s extra 200MHz makes it the better choice.

Winner: The HTC Evo 3D.

4. Storage

3D pictures and videos are larger than the average files you save to your mobile’s memory, so it’s essential that both smartphones have plenty of available storage capacity - either built in or as an optional slide-in memory card.

HTC seems to have forgotten this, fitting its Evo 3D with a measly 1GB of internal storage space. The Optimus 3D offers more than double the capacity at 8GB.

However, both smartphones do have Micro SD slide-in memory card slots.

Winner: The LG Optimus 3D.

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