Review: The LG G2, Beware The Unexpected Power Lies Inside

LG is known for its displays (mobile, HDTV or other) and the one on the G2 is no different.  Offering a 5.2inch IPS screen w/ 1080p resolution + a super-high 423 ppi.  Super-sharp, precise colors, and superb viewing angles.  All of this means that everything in good quality will look like you are watching it on a 60inch HDTV in full HD but on your 5.2inch smartphone.  At the time being, LG created the perfect display.  

Underneath its non-removable back lies a 3200 mAh battery.  This is not an all-day battery, it will easily last you longer.  Even w/ my extensive usage of phone calls, constant Twitter refreshes, hours of YouTube streaming on device + on the Chromecast, chatting on Google Hangouts, and streaming hours of tunes on Google All Access Music – I got almost 14 hours of juice.  And I went a few days on standby and it was even longer.  I’m sure you will get even longer than I did on as your daily driver.  Cheers to you LG. 

LG’s real visual distinction here on the G2 is the Power & Volume rocker.  As weird as that may sound, I actually got used it to it rather quickly.  You can use the volume button to take a quick photo as well as wake up your device from sleep to go directly to the camera.  After a while, it felt quite natural to use on a regular basis.  A very different approach but I like it.  They even added an LED ring around the Power button to act as a second notification light when the phone is face down.

Joining the ranks of Samsung and Sony who decided to up the megapixels on G2 up from the standard 8.  And unlike the GS4, this feels like a real 13MP shooter as you get sharper images in great lighting and more decent results in low-light which a bit of over-processing occurs but you still can get a good decent to shot.  LG used a 13MP sensor armed w/ optical image stabilization instead of a digital one to get a steady shot and less shaky videos.  Also you get a 9-point auto focus for a DSLR-like fix on your subjects.  The G2 is probably the fast shutter I’ve tested on an Android device to date.  

On the video side of things, the 13MP shooter can record 1080p HD video at 60fps.  Offering great video results for anyone who does on-the-go capturing.  It has a new Audio Zoom feature that allows you to hone in on audio form specific subjects while recording video.  It surprisingly works pretty well.  The front-facing shooter works as any standard, grainy 2MP would.  Nothing truly noteworthy here.  

They also made sure to give a range of controls like ISO, types of focus: auto/manual/face-tracking, exposure, white balance, & image size along w/ settings like removing photo-bombers, burst mode, HDR, motion shot, dual camera (using both the front + rear cameras at the same time), & panorama.

More sample here.

LG did put a lot of thought and features into their latest Android software on their new flagship.  Running the latest Android 4.2.2 on top of LG’s super-customizable skin.  LG truly takes full advantage of giving its users choices of options to design the look of the phone for the most part.  

LG followed Samsung’s lead on the software feature side of things.  For example, you have the Quick Remote app that turns your G2 into a remote control courtesy of a built-in IR blaster, Voice Mate like S Voice, eye-tracking abilities w/ Smart Screen + Video, and QSlide gives a select handful of app the Pop-Up play feature along w/ the ability to control its transparency.  

Some of LG’s more original software features that stands out against the competition.  You have the option to choose from a few colors of your LED light and rear LED ring of your alerts.  The company took a different approach to multitasking where it stores your apps on the side and then pull them out when you are ready called Slide Aside.  You simply swipe away using three-fingers from the center to the left to store and swipe from the left to right to bring back.

You even have your choice of icon selection along w/ a Guest Mode to allow other users to gain partial access to your device.  Finally, there’s the Knock On feature that allows you to wake the device up from sleep by just tapping on the screen twice.  This also works to put it to sleep by tapping the display twice from any screen/apps.  Definitely the most creative approach to Android we’ve seen thus far.  

Congrats LG, you have a true hit on your hands.  The G2 should definitely help some consumers take notice to what LG is doing.  The company’s hard work definitely paid off w/ the G2.  A great 13MP shooter, the most powerful CPU in an Android device, rear controls, and a superior battery life.  Not only is this one of the fastest Android device, it also has one of the longest lasting batteries as well.  Anyone in the market for a new Android device should check out the G2 amongst the other top tier devices like the One and the Galaxy S4.  

Although we’ve never recommended an LG device previously, our tune has changed with the Optimus G Pro and now the G2.  This is an easy buy in our books.  This joins the ranks of the One and Galaxy S4 as one of the top Android devices to buy.