The device is going with the codename CX2 and is believed to be replacing the Optimus 3D, which was the company’s first 3D capable smartphone. As Pocket Now is reporting the new device will offer an improvement over the auto-stereoscopic screen found on its predecessor.

It will also sport a more powerful processor and will turn 2D material into stereoscopic footage. While the old model was powered with a 1.0GHz dual-core processor, the CX2 will have a 1.2GHz chip made by Texas Instruments. The screen size and resolution will remain the same, but it is thought the new device will have a NOVA display for better levels of brightness.

There is also believed to be quite a difference in brightness between the 2D and 3D modes on the device. The two cameras on the back of the device are thought to still be five megapixel units, but the handset will be around two mm slimmer than the older version, which will now put it at just under ten mm.

Other features are set to include 8GB of internal storage, DLNA capability, Bluetooth 3.0, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, and 21Mbps HSPA that is thought to be coming in the recently reported X3. Sources are also claiming the handset will come with NFC technology built in.

As with the X3 the handset it is thought to be making its debut at next month’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, before launching in early spring. Bizarrely it is thought the device will come running Android Gingerbread instead of ICS.

Would you like a 3D smartphone?

As with most next generation handsets the specs of the Optimus 3D 2 are expected to be improved and reports are also suggesting that it will be a lot thinner. According to the company this is to keep up with rival manufacturers’ smartphone designs. The news comes from an interview at Pocket-lint with Dr. Henry Noh, one of the Optimus 3D developers, who said this version of the device isn’t the ‘slimmest and sexiest phone on the market.’

He went on to explain that all smartphones these days are almost identical with only the odd feature standing out from the rest. He believes that next year all the smartphones will boast a similar OS, same camera, same thickness and same size screens, meaning the Optimus 3D 2 has the potential to stand out from the rest due to its support for the extra dimension.

In a previous article we brought you, the strengths and weaknesses of the Optimus 3D were pointed out. One of the weaknesses mentioned was the size of the device. It seems LG are to address this issue with the next model so it will be keeping up with the likes of Samsung’s Galaxy S II. Its biggest negative however is the battery life. Unless the issues mentioned are all addressed in the Optimus 3D 2, the manufacturers may find it difficult to compete in the market with the other handsets that are also going to be improved.

Would you buy an LG Optimus 3D if it was thinner, had a better display and longer battery life?

The device has a passive 3D screen and is capable of video-recording in 3D. the HTC EVO 3D is one of several high quality smartphones which are due for release next month and can reportedly be purchased now for £36 a month with a 2 year contract or can be bought outright, though it has a fairly expensive price at £599.

The EVO 3D is the first handset from HTC of the 3D variety. The company will be hoping to make more of an impact with it than the LG has with the Optimus 3D, because being as disappointing as it has with complaints over appalling battery life and being the only 3D smartphone released in the UK so far, it’s not giving the technology the justice it deserves.

For those that are not familiar with the EVO 3D, here’s a reminder of what the pre-order will get you. Firstly it has a large 4.3” display making it ideal for watching those 3D video-recordings, movies and other supported content and a resolution of 540 x 960. Also with the 3D support aside it is still a very powerful device with 1GB RAM and speedy 1.2GHz processor.

What sort of an impact do you think this device will have on the smartphone market? Will you be pre-ordering it?

There are three that come to mind quickly, endurance, not having Gingerbread and finally LG’s 3D handset being more of a gimmick. Now these are not fundamental flaws, as no matter what phone you buy there is always going to be one or two issues. The only reason why these are being pointed out, is because this is a 3D handset, and does not have that much competition, so LG should have upped their game.

So lets go through these weaknesses to see what we are up against. The first is the size of the thing, as it could do with going on a workout because it is a little on the heavy side as well. Having said that, if you like a phone that you do not fear breaking easily, then LG has solved that very issue for you. Compare this to the Galaxy S II and they are worlds apart, the latter is just waiting to be broken.

One would have thought that LG would’ve the Optimus 3D a better display, as it should be all about the visual experience, but Engadget are shocked that the it has just 480 x 800 resolution. The camera is not going to set any records for offering the best shots, but you would have expected them to look a little better because of 3D. However, this again comes down to that poor display.

The Achilles heal for this handset has to be its battery, it is just not made for endurance. By using it lightly you will get around 10 to 12 hours, but the moment that you start demanding more from it then you should expect around 7 hours of life. This is shocking for a handset that is not that powerful, as well as that poor display. The biggest letdown for now is Froyo, users want Gingerbread, but we cannot be certain how long they will have to wait for it?

Finally, the last issue with the Optimus 3D is that it is more of a gimmick than a serious phone – something that seems to be an LG trait of late.

The company said last night that it had begun shipments of the handset, and according to an article on electronista.com, Europe will be getting the handset first. In the UK Amazon have up for preorder with a shipping date of July 13 and priced at £499.99 SIM free, which is around $969.

Over the next few weeks the handset is due to arrive in sixty regions, and may mean that it arrives on AT&T by the end of the summer. The handset is powered by the TI OMAP4430 dual-core processor, and just like the HTC Evo 3D has a 4.3-inch glasses free 3D display. It can capture 3D video in 720p or 1080p using the twin rear cameras.

In the US there is the LG Thrill 4G which looks pretty similar to the Optimus 3D, and rumors are suggesting a release towards the end of July. Besides the device supporting AT&Ts HSPA+ network there doesn’t seem any other differences.

But not too long, as according to Amazon’s product-page, the LG Optimus 3D will be available for shipping on June 20th, that falls on a Monday just to let you know. Aside from that new release date, they have also listed a £599 price, which of course relates to the unlocked version of the device, as reported from Phandroid.

If you consider yourself to be a hardware gadget lover, then the LG Optimus may be able to tempt you into a purchase, as it will come with stereoscopic 3D capabilities, obviously without the need for a pair of glasses. Other features include a 1Ghz dual-core processor from TI, a 4.3-inch 3D display size, a 5 megapixel camera with 720p 3D video recording capabilities and much more.

Just how many of you are willing to take the plunge with the Optimus 3D though. £599 is not exactly cheap, and don’t forget the HTC EVO 3D may end up cheaper when it comes to the UK under a different name. You can pre-order over at Amazon now if you’re interested – let us know what you’re planning to do.

That is until now anyway! As recently noted over on the gsmarena.com website, the Android-run LG Optimus 3D smartphone is now available to pre-order on contract with a number of major carriers in the UK. However, it is also available to pre-order as a SIM-free handset.

BuyMobilePhones.com has now listed the LG Optimus 3D for pre-order, giving customers a choice of UK carriers including Orange, O2, T-Mobile UK and Vodafone. The cheapest price appears to be from T-Mobile, who is offering the phone for free with a £25.54 a month, 2-year contract.

Meanwhile, Vodafone has the LG Optimus 3D for £30 a month on an 18 month contract. Orange also has the phone for £30 a month, but they have it on a 24 month contract. As for O2, their 2-year contracts begin at £32 per month. There’s no word on when the handset will be available on these carriers.

Clove UK is also taking pre-orders for the LG Optimus 3D, although they have it as a SIM-free handset for £455 including VAT. They expect the first batch of handsets to arrive on June 6th. The LG Optimus 3D features a 4.3-inch glasses-free 3D display and stereoscopic 3D full HD video recording.

The impressive smartphone has been said to arrive June 6 and so the mobile will be available for pre-order up till this date. The price mentioned will be £454.80, however Intomobile also mention that if you are a resident outside of the UK you can claim the tax back and should receive the phone at a much nicer price of £379.

What makes the Optimus 3D unique is the fact that it is the first 3D capable smartphone, it will run Android 2.2 Froyo out of the box, however an update is expected in the future. You can find out all you need to know about this impressive LG handset by checking out Cnet’s review here.

When we hear of carrier-specific release dates and price we will keep you posted, now that we know that it will arrive in early June for roughly £450 we can pressume that UK carriers will offer it free of charge when you agree a 24-month contract (costing roughly £35 per month). Will you buy the LG Optimus 3D?

According to a recent article over at reghardware.com, UK mobile phone retailer Phones 4U has just announced that it will be offering an exclusive white version of the Android-running autostereoscopic 3D smartphone. However, there is no word on a price or release date at this stage.

The LG Optimus 3D phone will of course be available in the more traditional black as well. The handset incorporates a dual-core processor running at 1GHz and features a 1500 mAh battery, and a 4.3-inch touch screen display with a resolution of 480 x 800.

It also features a 5-megapixel dual-lens camera that’s capable of taking 3D pictures and videos, and a HDMI out that enables users to view content on their television screens if need be. Although the Optimus 3D handles 1080p 2D content, the resolution will drop to 720p for 3D material.

Are you thinking about getting the LG Optimus 3D smartphone? If you are, will you buy the black version or go for the white depending on the price?

According to Carly Page over at dialtosave.co.uk, LG has recently confirmed that the Optimus 3D handset will be released in the UK in “late May” instead of the predicted launch date of April 25th, which is the date that both Play.com and Expansys had expected it to arrive.

However, if you take the impressive specs into account as well as the fact that it’s the world’s first fully 3D capable smartphone, I’m pretty sure it will be worth the wait. The Optimus 3D features a 4.3-inch naked eye display, and dual 5MP stereoscopic cameras.

Besides the screen and the dual stereoscopic cameras, which are capable of recording three-dimensional footage, the Optimus 3D handset also comes with a dual-core 1GHz processor, 1080p video recording, DLNA and HDMI media sharing and a 1500mAh battery.

As Carly notes, although it is currently available to pre-order SIM free, it will also be available on pay monthly deals with Three, T-Mobile and Orange. Are you thinking of buying the LG Optimus 3D handset?