LG G2 Smartphone Review: Snapdragon 800 Powered

In the ever-intensifying smartphone war, clear lines are being drawn. The only two mobile phone manufacturers making any notable profits at present are Apple (with iOS) and Samsung (with Android). Despite the fact that Android as a whole is dominating from a global market share perspective, players such as LG, HTC, Pantech, and Sony are scrapping for market share. The point? Competing with the heralded Galaxy line of phones and phablets is difficult. Crosstown rival LG has historically had something of a quiet battle going with Samsung, and recent moves by the company's mobile division demonstrate that it's not content with playing second fiddle.


The LG G2 is the follow-up to the Optimus G Pro -- which was an excellent phone in its own right. The G2 is part brawn and part brain, and it's actually a nice balance of the two. Qualcomm's 2.26GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 is the star of the show, offering more raw horsepower than most other Android phones on the market right now. On paper, it's clear that LG cut virtually no corners in getting the absolute best components within the G2. But they didn't stop there. LG also thought outside of the proverbial box a bit, rethinking where the commonplace volume rocker and power button should be located, considering the ergonomics in a different way than any other phone maker.


Let's take a look at what makes the G2 tick:

LG G2 Specifications & Features

Processor and memory	2.26GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 CPU 2 GB RAM 16GB or 32 GB internal memory
Operating System	Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
Connectivity	UMTS: Band I (2100);UMTS: Band IV (AWS) UMTS: Band IV (1700/2100);Band II (1900);Quad Band GSM;LTE  802.11a/b/g/n (Dual-Band) Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspot Bluetooth 4.0 LE+EDR aGPS USB 2.0
Ports and expansion	3.5 mm audio jack micro-SIM micro-USB 2.0
Display	5.2-inch Full HD IPS (1,920 x 1,080) Display
Size and weight	5.45 x 2.79 x 0.35 inches (HxWxD) 5.04 ounces
Cameras and multimedia	2.4 MP HD Front-Facing Camera 13 MP Rear-Facing Autofocus Camera, Full HD Video Recording Other features: Rear Volume + Power Toggles; Google Now; QSlide
Battery	3,000 mAh Li-Polymer
Availability	AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile - $149.99 on contract

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On paper, it's obvious that the G2 is a monster. This phone is markedly faster than some desktops were just few years ago. Just let that factoid simmer a bit. But the reality is that the G2 is entering an incredibly crowded and diverse market. Is a re-thought exterior and a top-tier component spec sheet enough to place the G2 atop the current Android pile? Read on in our full review to find out.