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LG G Flex 2 unboxing and first impressions
There weren’t a lot of big Android announcements at CES 2015, save for one from LG, who introduced the successor to their unique curved smartphones, the LG G Flex. For the second iteration of the G Flex, LG listened to consumers and addressed a lot of the issues with the original, making for an incredibly compelling device that we couldn’t wait to get our hands on. We finally have it, but before we dive into a more in-depth review, we take a quick look at and give you our first impressions of the LG G Flex 2!
Unboxing
The box itself looks really good, with a nice design around the logo up top, and the curves along the sides, to hit home to the curved nature of this device. The red color is a good indication that we’ve received the flamenco red version of the G Flex 2, which is a pleasant departure from the usual white or black iterations that I generally get for reviews.
Contents inside the box are pretty standard fare, including some legal documentation and a Quick Start guide, a microUSB cable and an AC charging adapter, and of course, the device itself. One addition that we appreciate is the inclusion of a really good pair of headphones, the LG Quad Beat 2 earphones, which come standard with the G Flex 2. We think that’s a great move.
First Impressions
The first thing you’ll notice when you pick up the phone is the curved body and display of the device, with a significant curve from the top to bottom. In our time with the original G Flex, we noticed that the curve does somewhat help with the handling experience. That impression is reinforced with the smaller G Flex 2. The size was a point of contention with its predecessor, and its nice to see that LG did listen to the consumers, making the device a lot more accessible this time around.
The updated version of the G UI, running on top of Android 5.0.1 Lollipop, brings with it some of the material design goodness of the latest Android version, even if limited to elements like the notification dropdown, the new Overview screen, and the design of the on-screen navigation keys. If you’ve used a recent LG device before, the G UI will feel very familiar, with not a whole lot changing between iterations.
Don’t be alarmed with the somewhat stutter-y experience you may see on the video, as the device was installing all my applications and services in the background, a process that is now extremely easy with Lollipop. It’s certainly not because the G Flex 2 lacks for power, boasting the octa-core 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processing package under the hood. A close look at performance and thermal throttling is coming in the full review.
It has to be said that the handling experience has taken a very positive turn with the 5.5-inch screen. The G Flex 2 feels very much at home in one hand, and it’s easy to reach across the display to the top and from side to side. While the curve does contribute to this, another big factor is, of course, the ultra-thin bezels found on the sides of the display, a signature aspect of current LG smartphones that adds a lot to the overall handling.
The glossy plastic back cover is a bit of a fingerprint magnet, and has already picked up a few smudges. Speaking of the back cover, another feature of the G Flex line is the self healing nature of the back cover, which is expected to heal minor scratches and cuts very quickly. More on that in our full review.
On the camera front,the G Flex 2 features a very similar setup to the LG G3, with a 13 MP rear shooter with OIS+, a dual LED flash, and the laser auto focus system which is said to be faster this time around, along with a few software enhancements. The LG G3 was one of the best in terms of mobile photography last year, and we are certainly very excited to run the camera of the G Flex 2 through its paces, which you will be able to see in an upcoming camera shootout video.
Specifications
| Display | 5.5-inch Full HD Curved P-OLED 1080p, 403 ppi |
|---|---|
Processor | 2 GHz 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor Adreno 430 GPU |
RAM | 2 GB |
Storage | 16/32 GB, expandable up to 2 TB |
Network | 4G / LTE / HSPA+ 21/42 Mbps |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth Smart Ready (Apt-X) 4.1, NFC SlimPort, A-GPS / Glonass, USB 2.0 |
Camera | Rear 13.0MP with OIS+ with Laser Auto Focus Front 2.1MP |
Battery | 3,000 mAh |
Dimensions | 149.1 x 75.3 x 7.1-9.4mm 152 grams |
Color | Platinum Silver, Flamenco Red |
Gallery
If curved displays are not something you’re convinced of, LG, with the G Flex 2, is hoping to, at the very least, make you think about it. It’s not just about the curve either, with the G Flex 2 packing a lot of power under the hood, what should be a great camera experience, and flagship features, all in a package with a more accessible size. We are very excited to put this phone through the ringer, so stay tuned with Android Authority as we bring you the comprehensive review, and more, of the LG G Flex 2!