LG G Flex 2: A handy big-screen toughie

The curved phone turns heads but also induces sticker-price shock

I consciously avoid big phones. They're difficult to use one-handed (especially if you have small hands). And if you're a certified klutz, as in the case of yours truly, it is a recipe for disaster.

The LG G Flex 2, however, was a pleasant surprise. The curved structure frame and 5.5-inch screen makes for comfortable one-handed use. What's more, it was so comfortable carrying the phone in my trouser pocket that I ended up sitting on it a couple of times. And it escaped unscathed, though I'm a centurion by weight!

The curved/self-healing back panel, though, is only half the story. In its latest iteration of the curved device, LG has bumped the resolution of the curved plastic OLED screen to full HD. Thus, the screen shows deep blacks, great viewing angles and good performance outdoors. The curved screen also provides an immersive experience while watching videos outdoors. The curved form factor provides a snug fit while holding the phone to the face.

LG G FLEX 2

• Price: Rs 56,000
   
• Screen: 5.5-inch curved POLED 1,080x1,920p at 403 ppi
   
• Weight: 152g
   
• OS: Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop)
   
• RAM: 2GB
   
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core
   
• Memory: 32GB, expandable via microSD
   
• Camera (rear/front): 13MP with dual-LED flash/2.1MP

Powered by an octa-core processor, the G Flex 2, while not blowing away the benchmarks, provides decent gaming performance. Screens transition smoothly as well, though I did experience lags in opening an app on a couple of occasions in the three-week period I used the phone. The G Flex 2, though, tends to get warm when playing games with several windows kept open in the background, or after keeping the camera app open for an extended period.

The phone comes with a 13-megapixel (MP) main camera and a 2.1MP front camera. Images clicked with the main snapper, which features a laser-autofocus sensor (it focused well but seemed a tad slow) aren't oversaturated and give good colour reproduction both in well-lit places and in low-light conditions, where the images were a bit softer. The front camera is good for selfies (but they're only good as DPs) and features gesture control, that is, one can click a picture by clenching one's fist before the camera.

The phone runs Android Lollipop, with LG's interface on top. Present as usual are features such as double tap to wake and a tap code to lock/unlock the device. A feature I liked in the G Flex 2 is GlanceView, wherein one can pull down the top of the screen to reveal only the clock and the notification bar, without waking up the rest of the screen.

The battery lasts through the day (and then some more) with heavy calling, texting, email, browsing, moderate gaming and light use of multimedia. I had Bluetooth on all the time to sync the phone with my fitness band.

Returning to the self-healing back, it sailed through without any scratches while sharing pocket space with my wallet, keys and even a watch on one occasion. The back also has the speaker (which we found lacking in depth) and LG's signature combination of power/lock key and volume buttons. Opening the back cover reveals a non-removable battery and a combination slot for a microSIM and microSD card.

The LG G Flex 2 has made me change my mind about big phones and if I were to buy one, I would have probably bought this. But with a sticker price of Rs 56,000 it is way above my budget.