The LG Optimus G Pro was revealed at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Monday. It hits stores in South Korea this week, but it won't make it to the United States until the second quarter of 2013.
The Optimus G Pro is a massive, 5.5-inch phablet meant to compete with Samsung's Galaxy Note II.
"What's most noticeable about the G Pro is that 5.5-inch Full HD IPS screen. It has a 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution and 440ppi," writes CNET. "It sports a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is more standard on mobile phones than the Intuition's 4:3 ratio."
It ships with Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. Unlike the Note II, the Optimus G Pro won't come with a stylus, though it's possible one will be introduced later.
"Other key features of the device include the Dual Recording functionality that 'allows users to capture video with both the front and rear cameras simultaneously for a unique picture-in-picture experience,' and the Virtual Reality Panorama camera feature that 'allows shots of entire horizontal and vertical environments for a full 360o view,'" writes BGR.
The Optimus G line of phones has been well-received, but the larger dimensions of the Optimus G Pro are a gamble for LG, which is trying to increase its worldwide marketshare in the face of a near duopoly by Apple and Samsung.
American consumers have largely shied away from large phone/tablet hybrids, preferring one or the other -- or both -- instead. Those Americans who are interested have the Galaxy Note II available, and its stylus makes it potentially more useful for business-oriented customers.
Still, as high-speed, high-definition video becomes easier to access on mobile devices, larger screens may be more of a boon for casual users.
But HTC and Huawei will be eyeing LG's sales figures. If the Optimus G Pro does well, expect them to enter the American phablet market as well.
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