LG G Flex 2 Review: A great curved screen on a smartphone that won't let you down

March 2014 seems like light-years ago; that’s when we got our first brush with the G Flex at LG’s Tech Show in Delhi. It was a bold, almost outrageous, attempt to reimagine the smartphone. A curved device that aimed to break away from the pack, we really wanted to love the device but came back with mixed impressions. While the curved display was path breaking, the screen resolution and camera credentials didn’t justify the then steep price tag. Exactly a year later LG showcased the G Flex 2 at its 2015 India tech show. Has the second gen Flex device learned from the flaws of its predecessor and, more importantly is this form factor ready to go mainstream?

Not long ago the iPhone 6 Plus ‘Bendgate’ videos and images went viral. The G Flex 2 bends slightly and it’s by design; don’t expect it to flex a zillion degrees though. At a time when quite a few flagship devices are playing it safe, LG deserves praise for ‘bending’ the rules. Build-wise, the G Flex 2 is a big improvement over the G Flex. The G Flex 2 doesn’t just shed a few grams but is thinner and easier to clasp. LG has reduced the screen size from 6-inches to 5.5-inches on this device. It’s doesn’t just slip into those tight jeans with lesser effort but is also easier to press against your ear for phone calls. The screen resolution has improved dramatically from the underwhelming 245 PPI to 403 PPI on this device. On paper, 403 pixels per inch may certainly not be the best in class, but the curved display makes watching videos an absolute joy. A better speaker could have taken the entertainment capabilities of this device to a different zone.

Outdoor photography, bright lighting.

LG’s now trademark rear key works particularly well with the device’s curved shape. There’s no volume rocker or hot keys to disrupt the elegant lines around the device. The rear key takes some getting used to, but works without a fuss once you make the switch. We saw LG’s ‘self-heal’ technology in the G Flex and, not surprisingly, it makes an appearance on this device too. A unique ‘self-heal’ coat instantly smoothens scratches out. While it may work for unintended brushes with your car keys it’s not ready for an envious colleague’s scratches with a blade!  

Indoor photography. 

LG doesn’t skimp on the hardware front. The G Flex 2 is one of the first devices to be bundled with the new generation Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor (64 Bit, Octa-core). While there were some murmurs about the device overheating, we experienced no such issues after we ran the latest updates. The device clocked an impressive 53261 on our AnTuTu benchmark scores and an equally impressive 4711 (Work performance score) on our PC Mark test. The G Flex 2 comes with 16GB onboard and support for Micro SD cards up to 128GB. A large chunk of the 16GB is used by the device for its native apps, putting too much pressure for users without extendable memory.

Low-light outdoor photography.

If there’s one thing we love about LG’s flagship devices, it’s the incredible speed of the primary shooter. The 13MP camera stays in that zone. Image quality was reminiscent of the LG G3 with good results in low-light scenarios too. It’s the device’s front facing cam (2.1 MP) that’s not quite in the same league as devices in this price point. It comes with some selfie tricks - like gesture motions up to 1.5 metres, though. Although the G Flex 2 opts for a 3000 mAh battery (as opposed to the 3500 mAh battery on the G Flex), battery performance is actually better on this device.

The G Flex 2 is probably the first curved device LG would have liked to have unveiled. It does more than just address some of the G Flex’s inherent weaknesses; along with Samsung’s Edge devices (and their rolling screens) this is easily one of the most imaginative developments we have seen in the smartphone space in the last year or so. The display and the camera are top notch while the battery won’t let you down. If there are minor cribs, it’s the limited space available on the device memory and the front facing cam. LG’s other communication challenge is conveying the actual customer benefit in its bendable form factor given that its curved display makes a huge difference to gaming, browsing or watching videos. With a launch price tag of almost Rs 70,000, the G Flex was clearly overpriced. The G Flex 2 plays comparatively safe on the pricing front; that’s a good start to appeal to the adventurous user seeking a whole new smartphone experience. While the G Flex 2 makes a compelling case for the curved smartphone display we are not sure if it has enough to propel this form factor into the mainstream just yet.