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LG Editor's Choice 2013

G2

LG G2 — Rear Key Innovation & Slim Bezel Flagship Review

Display 1080 x 1920 pixels 16:9 ratio (~423 ppi density)
Performance Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800...
Battery Standard wired charging support
Size 5.2 inches
Expert Score
4.5
92% Confidence
Community Score
3.8
0% Confidence
AI Score
4.5
91% Confidence
Final Score
4.3
93% Confidence
Storage
RAM
Color
Regional
In Stock
$599 – $629

Lowest $40 Best: Amazon Refurbished

Read Reviews

Category Scores

Overall hardware score: 91/100 — ultra-slim bezels, innovative rear-mounted physical buttons, powerful Snapdragon 800 execution speed, and high-resolution 24-bit audio.

85
89
Performance Great

Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor delivers blis...

93
Display Excellent

Gorgeous 5.2-inch Full HD IPS display with remar...

86
Camera Great

13MP rear camera featuring optical image stabili...

88
Battery Great

High-density 3000 mAh battery offers phenomenal...

88
Gaming Great

Adreno 330 graphics handle demanding mobile game...

78
AI Great

Standard LG software assistant routines and Knoc...

80
Security Great

Standard PIN, pattern, and Knock Code pattern un...

94
Value for Money Excellent

Exceptional flagship value that undercut major c...

92
Design Excellent

Pioneering bezel-slim chassis featuring unique r...

70
Repairability Good

Relatively straightforward screen and battery re...

82
Software Support Great

Officially upgraded up to Android 5.0.2 (Lollipo...

88
Connectivity Great

4G LTE, Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, infrared b...

90
Audio Excellent

Studio-grade 24-bit/192kHz audio playback capabi...

84
Durability Great

Glossy plastic unibody construction.

78
Charging Great

Standard wired charging support via microUSB.

Specifications

Display 4
Size 5.2 inches
Type IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen
Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~423 ppi density)
Protection Corning Gorilla Glass 2
Processor 3
Chipset Key Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm)
CPU Quad-core 2.26 GHz Krait 400
GPU Key Adreno 330
Memory 2
RAM Key 2GB
Type LPDDR3
Storage 3
Internal 16GB / 32GB
Expandable No
Standard eMMC 4.5
Battery 2
Capacity 3000 mAh non-removable
Wired charging Standard wired charging support
Camera 1
Main 13 MP, f/2.4, 28mm, 1/3.06", AF, OIS
Front Camera 1
Sensor 2.1 MP, f/2.4, 1080p at 30fps video
Video 1
Max resolution 1080p at 60fps, HDR, stereo sound recording, 24-bit/192kHz audio
Connectivity 4
Network 4G LTE, HSPA, GSM
Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Bluetooth 4.0, A2DP, LE, aptX
USB microUSB 2.0 (SlimPort TV-out), USB Host
Sensors 2
Design Rear-mounted power and volume keys beneath camera
IR Infrared control port (QuickRemote functionality)
Dimensions 3
Height 138.5 mm
Width 70.9 mm
Depth 8.9 mm
Weight 1
Weight 143 g
Materials 3
Frame Key Glossy plastic unibody frame
Back Glossy plastic unibody back
Water resistance No official IP rating
Colors 1
Options Black, White
Operating System 1
OS Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, upgradable to Android 5.0.2 (Lollipop)

Expert Review

By Mutwassim

Design

The LG G2 introduced a radical bezel-slim industrial design by eliminating side buttons entirely, relocating the power and volume keys to the rear back panel beneath the camera.

Display

It packs an immersive 5.2-inch IPS LCD display with Full HD resolution (1080 x 1920 pixels) and remarkably thin side bezels.

Performance

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor and 2GB RAM, delivering snappy, highly responsive daily execution speeds.

Gaming

Adreno 330 graphics handle demanding mobile games smoothly.

Camera

Equipped with a 13MP rear camera featuring optical image stabilization (OIS) and 1080p video recording at 60fps.

Battery

The high-density 3000 mAh battery delivers phenomenal day-and-a-half working endurance.

Software

Runs LG Optimus UI on top of Android, featuring KnockOn gesture waking and officially upgradable up to Android 5.0.2 (Lollipop).

Ai

KnockOn double-tap screen gestures and slide-aside multitasking shortcuts.

Pros

  • Remarkably thin side bezels surrounding a vibrant 5.2-inch Full HD display
  • Innovative rear-mounted button layout that makes one-handed usage effortless
  • Phenomenal day-and-a-half battery endurance from the 3000 mAh cell
  • Snappy Snapdragon 800 processor performance with OIS camera stabilization
  • Studio-grade 24-bit/192kHz audio playback and retained headphone jack

Cons

  • Glossy plastic unibody easily attracts fingerprints and scratches
  • Rear key placement requires a brief adaptation period
  • No microSD card slot or removable battery in international variants
The LG G2 redefined industrial design by eliminating side buttons entirely, consolidating power and volume keys onto the rear back panel beneath the camera while minimizing front bezels around an immersive 5.2-inch 1080p IPS display. Powered by the Snapdragon 800 processor, it introduced optical image stabilization (OIS) to LG's camera lineup, studio-grade 24-bit/192kHz audio playback, and a high-density 3000 mAh battery.

Verdict

The LG G2 stands out as an all-time design innovator that pushed bezel-slim screens and rear button layouts into the mainstream consciousness.

Final: 4.3/10 Best for: Value seekers Segment: Mid-range

Product Intelligence

Innovative Rear-Mounted Power and Volume Key Layout Ultra-Slim Front Bezels Surrounding a 5.2-inch Full HD IPS Display Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Processor with 2GB RAM 13MP Main Camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) High-Density 3000 mAh Battery with Exceptional Endurance

Who Should Buy

Android historians, custom ROM enthusiasts, and users looking for ultra-slim bezels, incredible battery life, and a headphone jack in a compact form factor.

Who Should Avoid

Buyers requiring modern app compatibility, expandable microSD storage, or removable batteries.

Key Takeaways

  • A monumental design trendsetter that popularized ultra-slim side bezels and rear-mounted buttons
  • Boasted incredible battery endurance that regularly outperformed competing 2013 flagships
  • Legendary custom ROM community support that extended its lifespan for years

Buying Recommendation

A revered classic milestone in Android history and an exceptional budget vintage device for custom ROM tinkerers.

Competitor Comparison

DeviceScorePriceNotes
Samsung Galaxy S4

Upgrade Path

Upgrade From LG Optimus G
Benefits
  • Massive jump to ultra-slim bezels
  • 5.2-inch Full HD screen
  • Snapdragon 800 processor
  • OIS camera
  • and 3000 mAh battery

Downgrade Path

Downgrade To Nexus 4
Benefits
  • Classic glass-backed alternative with pure stock software

Pricing & Price Intelligence

In Stock
Current $599 – $629
Lowest $40
Highest $629
Historical Low $599
Launch $599
Average $90
Confidence 40%
Trend Stable

Price Analytics

Best Deal Amazon Refurbished $75
Best Value Amazon Refurbished
Stability High
Buy Timing Fair market price

Pricing is stable. Shop Amazon Refurbished for the lowest listed price and set a price alert for drops.

Regional Pricing

US $599 EU €549

Store Comparison

Store Price Shipping Availability Rating
Amazon Refurbished $75 In Stock Buy

Variant Pricing

Colors

  • Black $599 – $629
  • White $599 – $629

Storage

  • 16GB $599
  • 32GB $629

Ram

  • 2GB $599 – $629
Low: 599 High: 599 Avg: 599 Volatility: 0%

Historical data will populate as prices are tracked.

Track Price

Alternatives

Nexus 5

Google-partnered sibling built by LG featuring stock Android and similar Snapdragon 800 performance

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