Android phones are currently outselling the iphone in the US and this is due to many factors including the more affordable price tag, the ever-increasing number of apps and the wealth of quality Android handsets that are being released.

And LG are pleased to show off their second Android handset – the Optimus GT540. Following on from where the InTouch Max GW620 left off, the Optimus comes with Android 1.6, a 3mp camera and a whole host of other great features including a dedicated social network client.

I have been lucky enough to get my hands on one to try out and here are my thoughts.

Appearance

The design of the Optimus is a bit different from the norm, with a rounded top edge of what is essentially a straightforward rectangular phone on face appearance. The phone has an attractive brushed steel finish, which adds nicely to the overall aesthetic dominated by its 3” touchscreen.

Features

The built in dedicated social networking client is a good addition, allowing access to your Twitter, Facebook or Bebo via the Linkbook shortcut on your homescreen. The Linkbook widget also means you can view updates from Facebook, Twitter and Bebo on one screen, from which you can then go into the sites to see more details. Once your friends have been added to your phone book you can even view their real-time updates and be taken straight through to their sites directly from the phone’s contact list.

The Optimus also excels itself as a multimedia powerhouse, allowing you to scroll through your photos, music or films with a swift shake via the accelerometer. The camera is only 3mp, but offers good picture quality as well as face recognition and the chance to upload them to your social media sites via one touch uploading

Functionality

The Optimus uses a resistive touchscreen, undoubtedly chosen to keep the price of the handset down. Some resistive screens are not as responsive as capacative, but the touchscreen on the Optimus was pleasantly responsive and easy to use.

LG’s first Android powered phone was the InTouch Max, which was heavily praised for it’s slide-out QWERTY keyboard. The Optimus is QWERTY free, but the messaging has not suffered as a consequence. Turn the phone on its side and you get a well-spaced responsive touchscreen QWERTY keyboard that makes messaging a pleasure.

The menu system is easily navigable, even for newcomers of Android or LG, and all of the phones settings are easily accessible from the settings menu without over-complicating navigation through the menus and sub menus.

The Optimus GT450 also has a brand new ad for UK TV which can be viewed here

Full specifications for the Optimus are available here