South Korean smartphone maker LG has wasted no time in bringing the G Flex 2 smartphone to India. Announced at CES 2015, two months ago, LG today launched it in India at the LG Tech Show in Delhi. The device will start selling from this month, at a price point of Rs. 55,000. The G Flex 2 is one of the first smartphones to be running on the Snapdragon 810 SoC but instead of 3GB RAM, LG is launching the 2GB version of the device in India. We go our hands on the G Flex 2 and played around with it for a while. Here are the first impressions.
Where do I start?
The G Flex 2 is one of the most unique devices you will find in the market today, right up their with Samsung's Note Edge and S6 Edge. The earlier G Flex was a unreasonably big and bulky device, while the 5.5 inch FHD display on the G Flex 2 fits nicely. It's got amazing viewing angles and feels really good in the hand.
Build..
The back of the G Flex 2 is visibly glossy, but unlike many other phones, it doesn't bother you as much. LG's 'self healing' back is functional and gives the device a rubbery feel on the back, which makes it easier to grip.
The Curve..
The G Flex 2, like its predecessor, can actually take a lot of pressure on it. The phone can be pressed down into a straight shape, only to return to its orignal state when the pressure is removed. I literally threw the device around on the carpeted floor at the launch, but couldn't see one scratch on it, that includes the display and the back.
Display
Why is LG going for a FHD display in a world being ruled by 2K displays? Because it works. The viewing angles are good, thanks to the curve, and the display is as sharp as any flagship you can find today. I would have liked the bezels a little shorter, but that's just my personal opinion.
Performance..
The UI on the G Flex 2 is as snappy as the Note 4 Edge and the phone seems to be dealing with things very easily. The Snapdragon 810 inside seems to be providing ample power to the device, but that's something that only a full review can decide.
Rear Camera..
The 13MP rear camera on the G Flex 2 has the laser autofocus system introduced with the LG G3. The camera is fast and shows no significant shutter lag. The images look good on the phone's own display, but that's another area where I'll hold my judgement for the time being.
Front camera..
The Moto X (2nd Gen) is a glowing example of what a 2.1 MP front camera can do, but I would have liked the G Flex 2 to have at least a 5MP shooter here. Yes, the megapixel count doesn't mattery, but at this price point, the specs war is rampant. A good 5MP camera may have given this device a huge advantage over competitors.
OS and UI..
The G Flex 2 runs on Android 5.0.1, which is good, but I'm not a big fan of the UI. While LG's UI is quite simple, it looks a little childish. It's too boxy for my taste and gives the G Flex a toy-like feel.
That's all folks..
In its second generation, the G Flex 2 is a true flagship smartphone. The original version of this device remained a gimmick, but LG has corrected each of its flaws. LG may want to consider making this its flagship range and doing away with the LG G4 altogether.
It costs about 10k less than the Note Edge and about 3k less than the Galaxy Note 4. A curved phone is not something we need, it's something we want and the LG G Flex 2 may just push people to fulfill that want.