Furthermore, the G2 is the first globally available handset to boast Qualcomm's lightning-quick Snapdragon 800 processor for all models and providers, not just a select few. Along with an international launch, you'll also be able to pick up a G2 from four U.S. carriers: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint.
The G2 is without a doubt LG's most ambitious smartphone yet. And while it has what it takes to challenge its Android rivals, it isn't yet crystal clear if the G2 can topple them, especially if individuals find it hard to get past the phone's unusual back-panel controls.
Equipped with a massive 5.2-inch, 1080p IPS LCD display (and 423ppi density) that runs edge to edge against the bezel (thanks to a dual-routing touch-screen sensor technology), the LG G2 still manages to be remarkably thin and light. Indeed, its profile measures just over 0.3 inch (8mm) thick. You can still use the display with gloves on, and its softly rounded curves provide a comfortable grip. Its glossy surfaces slide into tight pockets easily, and altogether, the G2 measures 5.45 inches tall and 2.79 inches wide.
One big drawback to the black or white handset's smooth texture is that it easily accumulates fingerprints and smudges. As a matter of fact, we had to practically wipe down the device's screen and back plating every few minutes to eradicate streaks. We do like the iridescent highlights hidden under the G2's back skin. It's almost Nexus 4-like in styling and adds some flair to the otherwise drab black handset we handled.
The G2 also has interesting motion and button controls, starting with its volume rocker and sleep/power buttons, which have altogether moved to the rear of the device. These keys sit below the main camera and LED flash, and while LG touts their convenience for adjusting audio midcall, we found them small and tricky to locate without looking. In the grand scheme of things, this location change isn't that jarring, but forcing your hands and fingers to unlearn years of muscle memory takes time.
Core components
LG's G2 packs in a trove of choice hardware, including the aforementioned quad-core Snapdragon 800 CPU clocked at 2.26GHz with 4G LTE Advanced.
Yet, fancy quad-core Snapdragon silicon isn't the LG G2's only distinguishing feature. Backing up the phone's muscular processor are 2GB of RAM and a dedicated allotment of memory specifically meant for handling graphics chores (called GRAM). This is the first phone we've heard of that does that, an observation LG reps are eager to point out, and one that gets us drooling over the G2's potential for mobile gaming.
One of the phone's novel features is the fact that its volume rocker and the sleep/power button are now housed on the backside.
As for internal storage capacity, LG will release 16GB and 32GB versions of the G2. Unfortunately, neither model includes an expandable microSD card slot, so choose wisely lest you inadvertently run dry on room for apps, music, and other digital media.
Juicing the device with power is an embedded 3,000mAh battery that has a reported usage time of up to 1.2 days. That's a sizable power source considering that the long-lasting Motorola Droid Razr Maxx used a 3,300mAh battery and the upcoming Droid Maxx boasts a 3,500mAh unit.
Features, software and interface
Like the Moto X and the Galaxy S4, the G2 ships with Android 4.2.2. On top of your common stock of Google apps, you'll also get some interesting UI and gesture controls.
One such feature is Slide Aside, which lets you pull up and access the three most recently opened apps. On the surface this sounds like a really great feature but we found swiping three fingers across the display to engage the function a bit awkward. Perhaps the gesture will get easier to execute with practice, but then again maybe not.
Another tool called Cliptray can save chunks of text to use at a later time. The opposite of our experience with Slide Aside, we were skeptical of this trick on the outset but have to admit it began to grow on us. When we saw how easy it was to dump detailed data such as address and contact info into emails and texts, we quickly grasped Cliptray's appeal.
There are other interface actions all LG's own. To wake up the G2 from sleep mode, simply double tap its touch screen (this is called KnockOn). To lock it and put it back to sleep, tap the display again. The function was very intuitive and operated well when we tried it. We also acknowledge that KnockOn helps address the fact that when the G2 is resting on a table, you can't reach its power button on back (unless you pick up the phone of course).
Long-pressing the volume-down button on the back will launch the camera, while holding the volume-up key opens LG's note-taking app, QuickMemo. We could do this as well, given we could find the buttons. all three keys are small and hard to locate blindly. We also feel it's odd to press the back of the device to activate the camera. The twisting motion on Motorola' s Moto X, or even nabbing a button the side is more natural to us.
The G2's Answer Me function automatically lowers the ringer volume of an incoming call if it senses the handset is being picked up, and it'll also answer the call when you hold the phone against your face. The G2 executed this ability well when we tried it and even provides a short haptic burst of vibration when the line becomes active.
There's also QuickRemote (seen in the Optimus G Pro), which lets you use your G2 as a remote for other devices like TVs via an IR blaster on the top edge. Interestingly you can program multiple devices and merge them into one virtual universal remote. If you've got a wacky AV device not in LG's database of home theater gear, not to worry. The Quick Remote app also lets you train the G2 to control any gadget, just make sure you have its associated remote in reach.
Lastly, Guest Mode is a privacy protection setting that launches when a guest unlocks your phone with a different pattern than your own. With it you'll be able to lock down sensitive apps and other areas of the phone so you won't fear software damage when handing the G2 over to energetic toddlers. Physical destruction though is another issue all together.
Aside from dual-recording, the G2's 13-megapixel camera has several other photo features.
LG's first mature 13-megapixel debuted with Sprint's G Pro. Though that camera's photo quality didn't blow anyone away, its pictures ended up being largely sharp and colorful. The jury remains out on the G2's camera until we get to some serious testing.
What we do know is that this version of LG's 13-megapixel shooter comes with a bevy of features that include OIS (optical image stabilization,) an 8x digital zoom, and dual front- and back-camera modes for stills and videos. The camera also packs in several shooting modes, including panorama, beauty-shot mode, and burst shot.
As an aside, LG will sell Quick Window Cases for the G2, similar to the G Pro's case and Samsung's S View cover. Like the latter, the case will have a window so you can see some parts of your screen, which can include the date and time. It will come in several colors and will be sold separately. LG will also sell QuadBeat earphones to take advantage of the handset's hi-fi (24-bit, 192KHz) audio.
