The Optimus range is just getting the Gingerbread update, but it’s the new Android 4.0 that has users of the platform excited. But as always with the platform there can be a lot of fragmentation with many versions of the operating system being used. There can be different versions running on the same model handset as carriers can also delay rolling out updates.

Android and Me recently reported on the lack of Ice Cream Sandwich for the LG Optimus 2X and the G2X. This led to LG contacting the site directly and stating that the company was currently testing the new software on both of the handsets. They continued that no decision has yet been made about the availability of the OS yet.

Any decision will depend on how the hardware copes with ICS, and also if the user experience will be a good one. So there is a small glimmer of hope that owners of the handsets will be able to experience Android 4.0 at some point in the future.

Update: LG have taken to Facebook and announced the news that they are already planning the Ice Cream Sandwich update for the device. The company said they will provide more updates once the OS has been publicly released by Google. So good news then for all you LG Optimus 2X owners out there.

The Optimus 2X, or T-Mobile G2X is not an old handset by any means, and it was even touted as the ‘world’s first dual-core smartphone’ if you remember back to when it was released at the start of this year.

With that in mind, you can imagine our surprise when we read that the device will NOT be getting an update to Android 4.0, which obviously didn’t go down too well with customers who are fuming that LG has robbed them of an update, as the company seemingly look to favor their newer handsets such as the Optimus 3D.

When a user asked the LG India Facebook page if the LG Optimus 2X would be getting an update to Ice Cream Sandwich or not, the electronics maker issued a reply, which has now been removed from the website. Thanks to Phandroid though who captured a screenshot, here it is below:

As you can see, that it pretty black and white and it is very disappointing to see LG take this stance especially since the handset was only released this year. The question on Facebook has now been filed with masses of complaints from disgruntled users, with most of them vowing to never buy an LG product again.

Are situations like this the sole reason that many Android users choose to root their devices and indulge in custom ROMs? If it was a matter of hardware restraints on the Optimus 2X we could understand, but since Google has already said that all Gingerbread devices could theoretically get an update to Ice Cream Sandwich, we find it very hard to believe that the Optimus 2X couldn’t run it.

We’ll let you know when LG issue a response on this, but if you have a 2X and are just finding out about the news, give us your thoughts on this. Life’s not too good at the moment for you is it?

According to a recent unwiredview.com article by Vlad Bobleanta, Videotron is asking $199.95 for the dual-core LG Optimus 2X smartphone on a ‘reduced price,’ which requires customers to fork out a monthly service fee of at least $40. The handset is also available at the full retail price of $529.95.

The LG Optimus 2X is the world’s first dual-core Android phone. The handset comes with a dual-core 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor under its hood, and features a 4-inch capacitive touch-screen display with Gorilla Glass and a resolution of 400 x 800, GPS and a 1500mAh battery.

It also boasts 512MB of RAM, HSPA, both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, an 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash, autofocus and 1080p video capture, and 8GB of internal memory. However, it does also include a microSD card slot for those that want a little more storage.

Will you buy the LG Optimus 2X Android smartphone?

Originally available for $199, leaked inventory screenshots suggested that T-Mobile were planning to bump up the price by an extra $50 to $249, as reported from Engadget. This move has now been confirmed on the official product page for the dual-core equipped smartphone, so how do you feel?

Perhaps what will be the most annoying aspect of this for consumers, is that T-Mobile states ‘inventory constraints’ as the primary reason for their actions. Obviously this move isn’t going to go down too well with everyone.

Luckily for you, it’s not the end of the world. You can still pick up the popular handset from places like Amazon for a measly $99. We definitely recommend doing that, since T-Mobile are sold out anyway online as seen on their product page.

If you were planning to pick up a G2X from T-Mobile, let us know your thoughts on the price increase? Is this not acceptable for you, or are you not too bothered about paying $50 extra for one?

Currently there are no US or UK carriers offering this dual-core powerhouse, however since its release in Asia we have seen other smartphone manufacturers follow suit, these include the Samsung Galaxy S II and the Motorola ATRIX 4G.

The actual date that the LG Optimus 2X became available was 25 January 2011 (shortly after CES 2011), since then we have not heard a great deal about the handset, however Engadget’s review back in early-February suggested that it was far from perfect.

You can check out the official record for yourself here, while we were on the site we found out some other interesting mobile phone-related World records. Did you know that the highest altitude which a land based mobile phone successfully called from is 8,848 metres? Also the world’s lightest hand-held mobile phone is manufactured by modu ltd and weighs just 40.1 grams. Finally the largest-ever functioning smartphone was a scaled-up Samsung SCH-r450, it measures in at a whopping 4.57 x 3.42 x .74 metres, now that’s what we call a brick.

Ben Sillis from Electricpig.co.uk has written an article comparing the devices in a head to head battle. Speed wise they are both fast handsets, but the Samsung Galaxy S2 breaks all records with a 3,166 score in Quadrant. The LG Optimus managed 2,391.

When it came to compare the devices software the Galaxy S2 home screens and launcher were found to be really fast. There were never any signs of stutter no matter how many apps were running in the background. While the LG experienced some notable lag and when switching screens you were sometimes left hanging.

The Galaxy screen was preferred as well with a sharper feel and more vivid colors. The LG did have better visibility in direct sunlight though. The S2 is the thinnest smartphone around for now but still feels pretty rugged, but the LG also felt nice and solid.

Smartphones often suffer from poor battery life, but both of these handsets ran all day with a variety of draining features left on. The Galaxy has a slightly bigger capacity but the handsets came out equal for battery performance. Being faster and thinner with a better display, meant the Galaxy S2 came out on top.

Which of the two devices do you prefer?

As it often happens in the industry, products are given different names depending on which carrier they go to in Europe or United States. The same thing applies here with these two. The G-Slate is coming to T-Mobile but you may also know it as the LG Optimus Pad.

The dual-core equipped Optimux 2X is already available in Korea, but it will be landing on T-Mobile as the G2X – not sure if we dig that name just yet. Anyway, the real news here is that we have a new rumored release date courtesy of BGR. That date is April 20th, and is apparently the date in which both devices will arrive.

Just to recap, the G2X features a Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor, 3D camera and 1080p video recording, while the G-Slate tablet which we’ve been really impressed with, runs on Android 3.0 Honeycomb, has the same 1Ghz Tegra 2 processor and also comes with a 5MP rear camera and 2MP front camera.

Are you going to be picking up either device on T-Mobile? We have a feeling that the G2X smartphone is going to be very popular, what with that dual-core processor and 3D camera combo.

Recently AndroidAndMe ran benchmark tests on both smartphones and the LG Optimus 2X wiped the floor with the Motorola Atrix 4G in every test but one, you can see all of the test results here.

The test results also compare these smartphones against the Samsung Nexus S, HTC G2, HTC Nexus One and the Motorola Droid, in the Neocore, Nenamark1, Smartbench 2011 Productivity, Smartbench 2011 Games and Sunspider Javascript 0.9.1 benchmarks the Optimus 2X and ATRIX 4G are head and shoulders above the competition, in fact they make the Motorola Droid and HTC Nexus One look sluggish.

There are a few things to remember, firstly benchmark results do not give us a “real-world” representation of smartphone performance, secondly the Optimus 2X outperforms the ATRIX 4G in a lot of the tests because it outputs at 800 x 480, whilst the ATRIX 4G outputs at 960 x 540, one thing that is for sure is that the Tegra 2 platform really sets new standards for other smartphones to follow.

Below we have embedded one of the benchmark results charts, doesn’t it just make you want to upgrade your handset?

As you may already know, the phone is freely available to buy now over in Korea, but the chances of finding the phone in the US or Europe at the moment is very slim indeed.

However, that’s all set to change as LG has just sent out a press release confirming that the LG Optimus 2X smartphone will be coming to the UK and rest of Europe at sometime during March, as reported by Engadget.

Key specs of the device include a 1Ghz Tegra 2 dual-core processor, a 4-inch display, 1080p playback and recording, 8 megapixel camera and 7.1 multi channel virtual surround sound.

The LG Optimus 2X is definitely one of the most desired handsets on the market right now, and we’re sure a few of you have already inquired about importing one over from Korea. There’s no need now though, as it will be available sometime this month – we’re guessing in a few weeks time.

Will you be picking up the LG Optimus 2X in Europe? We’ve added a video review below for you to watch.

As reported from Engadget, the handset is now available to buy for customers over in Korea. The handset is due for a release outside of Korea during February, but we’re not sure if this includes the sexy white version, which is pictured below.

The handset has gained quite a following, not only due to being the first Tegra 2 dual-core handset to hit the market, but also thanks to it’s impressive other list of specs, which includes 1080p HD video recording – another first for the mobile market.

The Optimus 2X is going to be one of, if not the fastest handset on the market, since it will be equipped with a dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 chip, with each chip offering 1Ghz of power. If the promised update to Android 2.3 Gingerbread happens shortly after release, then we predict that this phone may be the surprise package for 2011, well at least until the iPhone 5 comes around!

Have you been keeping an eye on the Optimus 2X from LG? Let us know your thoughts on the handset so far.