Rumor: LG Optimus G2 to have Home button and volume keys on the back

A new report from a South Korean publication says that the LG Optimus G2 will come with new design features when it comes to button placement.

According to etnews, the Home button and volume keys will be found on the back of the LG Optimus G2, with the volume rockers placed next to the camera module, “in order to maximize user convenience and make the body even slimmer.”

LG has reportedly performed “tens of thousands of simulation tests,” before making this decision. Images that would showcase the new button placement for the Optimus G2 are not available at this time.

The first Optimus G has the power button on the right, and the volume rockers on the left. Under the display, you’ll find three capacitive keys: Back, Home and Menu. On the other hand, the newer Optimus G Pro has a physical Home button flanked by two capacitive keys (see following image). That said, it will definitely be interesting to see what LG has in mind for its second-generation Optimus G considering today’s report.

Will LG move capacitive buttons on the back of the display, or did the publication get things mixed up, confusing the Home button with the power switch? Or will the next Optimus G sport a Home button like its Optimus G Pro cousin only placed on the back? Whatever the case is, we’ll invite you to take a look at our LG Optimus G and LG Optimus G Pro review (videos below) to see for yourself the current button layout for these devices.

The same source provides additional details about the LG Optimus G2’s hardware. The phone is said to feature a 440ppi Full HD LCD display, 2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 13-megapixel camera and 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera.

Naturally, we’ll point out that this Korean report is still to be treated as a rumor, as LG has not made any Optimus G2 announcements yet. In fact, earlier today we heard that the Optimus G2 could be unveiled at IFA 2013 later this year, which means LG will probably keep quiet until the phone’s actual announcement.

Meanwhile, we’re going to remind you that on May 1, during a special media event that will take place in New York, LG will “share the genius” and announce new products for the U.S. market.

We will note, however, that this isn’t the first time we hear that an upcoming LG handset will use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800 processor. A few weeks ago, an LG D801 has been spotted in alleged GLBenchmark test results, sporting one such processor. The LG D801 has not been officially announced yet. Furthermore, that model number isn’t similar to the LG Optimus G (E97x) model number in a way to suggest the D801 is actually the code name for a successor.