LG Optimus Pad vs iPad: Key Differences

The LG Optimus Pad and the Apple iPad are both early-2010s tablets, but they differ fundamentally in operating system, screen size, and hardware approach. The iPad runs Apple’s iOS with a 9.7-inch 4:3 display, while the Optimus Pad runs Android 3.0 Honeycomb with an 8.9-inch 15:9 screen and a unique dual-lens 3D camera. This article breaks down those differences in detail so you can see which one fits a specific need.

Background and Release Context

The Apple iPad launched in April 2010 and essentially created the modern tablet market. It used the same A4 chip found in the iPhone 4, had a 9.7-inch IPS display, and ran iOS 3.2, later upgraded to iOS 4 and 5. Apple positioned it as a device for web browsing, email, media consumption, and light productivity, with a heavy emphasis on the App Store’s growing library of tablet-optimized apps.

The LG Optimus Pad (also sold as the T-Mobile G-Slate in the US) arrived in early 2011. It was one of the first tablets to ship with Android 3.0 Honeycomb, the version Google specifically built for larger screens. LG’s pitch was different: a more portable 8.9-inch form factor, a 3D camera on the back, and a 4:3 aspect ratio that was closer to a sheet of paper than the iPad’s 4:3. It also had a 3D screen that could display 3D content without glasses, using a parallax barrier.

Operating System and App Ecosystem

The most significant difference is the OS. The iPad runs iOS, which at the time had over 65,000 native iPad apps by late 2011. Android Honeycomb had far fewer tablet-optimized apps, and many phone apps simply stretched or ran in a small window. This affected usability:

iPad: iOS was polished, with smooth scrolling, consistent gestures, and a unified App Store. Apps were designed for a 9.7-inch screen and worked reliably.
Optimus Pad: Android 3.0 introduced a system bar, notifications, and widgets that worked well, but third-party support lagged. Many popular apps were phone-only or poorly scaled.
Updates: The iPad received updates for years (up to iOS 5.1.1). The Optimus Pad was stuck on Android 3.0 for most of its life, with LG later offering a partial upgrade to 3.2 in some regions.

Display and Physical Dimensions

The two tablets have different screen sizes and aspect ratios, which changes how content looks.

iPad (1st gen): 9.7-inch, 1024×768 resolution, 4:3 aspect ratio. Great for reading PDFs, web pages, and magazines because it matches print proportions.
Optimus Pad: 8.9-inch, 1280×768 resolution, 15:9 aspect ratio. Wider for movies but shorter for documents. The pixel density is higher (approximately 168 ppi vs 132 ppi on the iPad), so text looks slightly sharper.

Physically, the Optimus Pad is lighter (about 1.5 pounds vs 1.6 for the iPad) and narrower, making it easier to hold one-handed. The iPad is taller and heavier but feels more solid due to its aluminum back. The Optimus Pad uses a plastic rear cover.

Camera and 3D Capabilities

The Optimus Pad had a headline feature the iPad lacked: a 5-megapixel rear camera with two lenses that could capture 3D photos and videos. It also had a 2-megapixel front camera. The iPad 1 had no rear camera at all, only a front VGA camera for FaceTime (added in a later iOS update).

The 3D camera worked by capturing two images simultaneously and storing them in a side-by-side format. You could view them on the tablet’s autostereoscopic screen (no glasses needed) or export them to a 3D TV via HDMI. The effect was a novelty, but the 3D screen reduced brightness and added a visible pixel grid. The iPad’s camera, when it existed, was simpler and more useful for video calls.

Performance and Battery Life

The iPad 1 used Apple’s A4 processor (single-core, 1 GHz) with 256 MB RAM. The Optimus Pad used NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 (dual-core, 1 GHz) with 1 GB RAM. In raw benchmarks, the Tegra 2 was faster, but real-world performance depended on software optimization. iOS was very efficient, so the iPad felt smooth for most tasks. Android 3.0 was heavier, and the Optimus Pad occasionally stuttered when scrolling or switching apps.

Battery life was a clear win for the iPad. Apple quoted 10 hours of web browsing on Wi-Fi; the Optimus Pad managed about 8 hours in real use. The iPad’s larger battery (25 Wh vs 22 Wh) and more efficient software gave it the edge. Both used proprietary chargers, but the iPad charged faster.

Connectivity and Ports

Both tablets offered Wi-Fi and optional 3G, but the Optimus Pad had more physical ports:

Optimus Pad: micro-HDMI out, a 30-pin-like dock connector (LG’s own), and a microSD slot (up to 32 GB).
iPad: a 30-pin dock connector, headphone jack, and no memory card slot. Storage was fixed at 16, 32, or 64 GB.

The microSD slot on the Optimus Pad was a practical advantage for media hoarders. The iPad’s lack of expandable storage forced users to buy a higher-capacity model upfront. However, the iPad’s 30-pin connector had a huge accessory ecosystem (keyboards, speakers, card readers), while LG’s connector was less supported.

Price and Value at Launch

At launch, the iPad 1 started at $499 for 16 GB Wi-Fi. The Optimus Pad launched at $799 in the US (via T-Mobile with a contract) or around $700 unlocked in Europe. That price difference was substantial, especially since the Optimus Pad had less storage (32 GB standard) and a smaller app library.

The iPad’s lower price and broader ecosystem made it the obvious choice for most consumers. The Optimus Pad’s 3D camera and expandable storage appealed to early adopters, but the high price and limited Android tablet apps hurt its value. Within a year, the iPad 2 dropped the price of the original, and the Optimus Pad was discontinued.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the LG Optimus Pad run iPad apps?

No. The Optimus Pad runs Android, so it can only run apps from the Google Play Store (then called Android Market). iPad apps are written for iOS and cannot be installed on Android devices.

Which one is better for watching movies?

For pure video playback, the Optimus Pad’s 15:9 screen is slightly wider, so movies with black bars appear smaller on the iPad. However, the iPad’s better color accuracy and longer battery life make it a more pleasant overall experience. The Optimus Pad also has a micro-HDMI port for connecting to a TV, which the iPad 1 lacks.

Is the 3D camera on the Optimus Pad worth it?

Not really, in hindsight. The 3D effect requires viewing on the tablet’s autostereoscopic screen or a 3D TV, and the quality is grainy in low light. It was a gimmick that added cost and complexity. The iPad’s lack of a rear camera was a limitation, but the 3D camera didn’t solve it in a practical way.

Can I still use either tablet today?

Both are obsolete. The iPad 1 cannot install apps beyond iOS 5.1.1, and many modern websites won’t load correctly. The Optimus Pad is stuck on Android 3.0, which has no modern browser support and no security updates. They can still play local video files and simple games, but they are not safe for online banking or shopping.

Which tablet had better build quality?

The iPad. Its aluminum unibody feels premium and durable. The Optimus Pad’s plastic back creaks under pressure and scratches easily. The iPad also has a better screen glass and a more rigid frame.

Why did the Optimus Pad fail?

Mainly because of price and app support. At $799, it cost $300 more than the iPad, yet had a smaller app library and worse battery life. The 3D camera was a differentiator, but it wasn’t enough to justify the premium. Android Honeycomb was also unfinished, and LG’s update support was poor.

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