LG finally launched their latest superphone, the phone that a lot of people from a recent PhoneArena.com poll are saying is currently the best in the market. The LG G2. This phone incorporates a lot of innovations based on what the consumer needs, keying on the message “œLearning from You”.
The LG G2 has a 5.2-inch Full HD IPS screen which LG claims is the optimal maximum size for a handset. Am not really a fan of phones having 5-inch and up displays but this one actually felt just right despite my not-so-overly huge hands. The side bezels on the LG G2 are the narrowest on a handset in the market today and makes it more compact even when compared to some 5-inch phones.
It’s not as slim as other phones with its 8.9mm-thin body but its arching design makes it really easy to grip despite its size.
It uses the latest quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chip clocking at 2.2GHz and supports LTE-Advanced, 2GB RAM, 32GB internal storage (no microSD), and a 3,000mAh SiO+ battery. It also boasts of the industry’s first 24bit/192KHz Hi-Fi sound playback for studio-quality audio.
At the back is the 13-megapixel camera protected with sapphire crystal glass to prevent smudges and scratches on the lens. This camera has an Optical Image Stabilization built into it instead of the usual software-based OIS making it much better when taking action shots especially with its 9 multi-point auto-focus. Video recording has this feature which lets you zoom in on a particular audio source made possible by three stereo mics so as to soften background noise.
One of the most talked about feature is the Rear Key setup, foregoing buttons on the sides as we’re accustomed to. The reason behind this is that as phones get bigger, drop accidents are most likely to happen when pressing buttons on the sides or on top. The Rear Key setup aims solves this problem and has the volume control as well as the Power/Sleep button. You can also use the volume buttons as your shutter making selfies easier to take don’t you think?
Having rear buttons make it more natural for your pointer finger to access them whether you’re right or left handed. It felt awkward for a bit but will easily feel more comfortable as you use it.
As for cool software features, I like KnockOn which will help you preserve that Power button from wear and tear. Just double tap the screen to wake the phone up. There’s also the AnswerMe which automatically takes a call simply by putting the phone over your ear. The range of Q-apps found on the Optimus series are also present including Q-Memo, Q-Translator, and Quick Remote among others.
There’s also Guest Mode, a useful feature if you have kids or other people who often use your phone. In guest mode, you can restrict the apps available to them to avoid things such as calling another person, or accessing sensitive information. I guess you can call it Wife Mode as well.
I also like the customizable Android button layout. I’m used to having the Back button on the right-most side of the layout so it’s nearer to my thumb and this phone lets me do just that even allowing for a 4-button layout. What I find peculiar is that LG still don’t have a dedicated button to launch the multitask window. You still have to press and hold the Home button for this task.
The included flip cover also interacts with the LG G2. The small window on the cover allows you to view and swipe miniature version of some screens such as time, notifications, music, photos, etc.
LG did a really great job with the G2 and it looks like one of the best (if not the best) Android phone out there today. The top-of-the-line specs, the comfortable size, the innovative Rear Key, KnockOn, its camera, and most of all, the reasonable price it has makes it a phone that’s very easy to like.
The LG G2 is already available in the market with a retail price of Php27,490 for straight cash payment, or you can opt for a 12-month 0% interest payment scheme which brings up the price to Php29,990. Or you can avail of it for free on Globe’s Plan 1799. Not a bad price for a superphone and you’ll also get the flip cover included in the package.
LG G2 Specs: |
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5.2″ Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) power-efficient IPS LCD screen, 424 ppi |
450 nit brightness, Gorilla Glass 3 |
2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 |
Adreno 330 GPU |
2GB RAM, 32GB internal storage, no microSD |
Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean |
13 MP optically-stabilized camera with LED flash |
9-point Auto-Focus, Sapphire Crystal Glass Lens |
Full HD (1080p) video recording at 60fps |
2.1 MP front-facing camera with FullHD video capture |
HSDPA, 42 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps; LTE |
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot |
Bluetooth 4.0 LE, MHL, NFC, Miracast, IR blaster |
24bit x 192kHz Hi-Fi Sound |
3,000mAh SiO+ battery |
Color: Black, White |
138.5 x 70.9 x 8.9 mm |
143 g |
SRP: Php29,990 |