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LG’s next curved flagship Android smartphone is all but confirmed

Updated Jan 5th, 2015 7:15AM EST
LG G Flex 2

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One of the products LG will unveil at CES 2015 during its press event is surely going to be the G Flex 2, a second-generation smartphone featuring a curved display that was already spotted in marketing images in Las Vegas.

FROM EARLIER: Details emerge on the powerful smartphone LG will reportedly unveil at CES

Images showing the upcoming LG handset with a flexible display, as well as its official name, have been spotted at CES, revealing the South Korean company is far from done creating such devices. In fact, LG is apparently interested in “redefining the curve,” as the posters reveal.

Not many other details about the G Flex 2 have been shared at this time, but the company will surely announce everything there is to know about it during its media event later today. However, a recent report claimed that LG’s next flexible display smartphone will pack some high-end features, including a 5-inch to 5.5-inch display and Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor.

Images showing the G Flex 2 posters spotted in the main hallway outside the show floor, as captured by The Verge, follow below.

Looking for more coverage from CES? Be sure to check out our CES 2015 hub!

UPDATE: It looks like LG’s press materials for the G Flex 2 have already been leaked, hours before the handset should be unveiled, during the company’s CES 2015 event. Press renders of the handset, as well as the full press release, including specs and features have been seen by some online publications.

According to the materials obtained by TBreak.ae (via Phone Arena), the phone packs a 5.5-inch Full HD Curved P-OLED display (1920 x 1080 resolution and 403ppi), 2GHz 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16/32GB storage, microSD support, 13-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization, 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera, NFC, 3,000mAh battery and Android 5.0 Lollipop.

The full press release, as provided by the publication, follows below, alongside official renders of the handset, including the official posters spotted at CES.

The G Flex2 goes beyond its predecessor’s groundbreaking 700mm radius curved profile. The new smartphone harmoniously incorporates a symphony of curves ranging from a radius of 400mm to 700mm across the front, back, sides and top-to-bottom edges. The dynamically curved layers deliver a sleeker and more dynamic look to G Flex2.

However, the G Flex2’s curves are for more than looks. The phone’s ergonomic design brings the microphone closer to the mouth, for better sound pickup compared to conventional smartphones which allow much more outside noise to enter the phone through the microphone. The slimmed down 5.5 inches screen with curvatures makes the perfect fit for eyes and the grip. The display’s 700mm radius curvature delivers a truly immersive viewing experience from any angle, while the steeper 650mm radiuscurvature of the back is more comfortable to grip and fits easier in the pocket. The display’s resolution has also been bumped up to 1080p Full HD, which makes every UI detail appear crisp and alive. The P-OLED display, which gives the G Flex2 its unique shape and durability, is even more precise than in the original G Flex.

Turning the phone over reveals handcrafted details such as the Spin Hairline Pattern on the G Flex2’s curved rear, which showcases the subtle yet brilliant polish of the surface from every angle.

The G Flex2 is the first phone officially announced to feature Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor 64-bit Octa-Core CPU — the fastest mobile processor currently available optimized for Android 5.0. This makes the smartphone incredibly fast and efficient for multimedia and multi-tasking. What’s more, the G Flex2’s cover glass is approximately 20 percent more durable, thanks to a special chemical treatment technology developed by LG.

The Self Healing back, which keeps the phone looking new even through the nicks and scratches from normal everyday use, has also been improved with significantly faster healing time. LG reduced the healing time from about three minutes to just within ten seconds at room temperature.

Another innovative technology only available in LG smartphones is the amazingly fast Laser Auto Focus camera, first introduced in the popular LG G3. This technology enables the G Flex2 to capture the best moment — even in low light — by measuring the distance between the subject and the camera using a laser beam. Combined with LG’s proven OIS+ technology and dual LED flash, the G Flex2 delivers images that rival most standalone point and shoot cameras.

The G Flex2’s curve-enhanced user experience carries over to software as well. It comes fully loaded with the best of LG’s unique software features optimized for its curved form factor:

Ÿ Gesture Shot makes it easy to capture the perfect selfie with a simple hand gesture recognizable from up to 1.5 meters away.

Ÿ Gesture View makes it easy to check your last shot immediately after taking a photo or selfie.

Ÿ Glance View displays key information such as time, recent messages or missed calls with a downward swipe of the curved screen even while the display is off.

Ÿ Fast Charge allows the embedded 3,000mAh battery in the G Flex2 — the only curved mobile battery in the world to be charged up to 50 percent in under 40 minutes.

“The original G Flex demonstrated LG’s pioneering spirit and with the G Flex2 we have refined the curved form factor, staying true to our philosophy of innovation for a better life,” said Juno Cho, president and CEO of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “The G Flex2 not only has the stunning looks, it also has the powerful guts to be at the cutting edge of current smartphone technology. Simply put, it’s a true head-turner in every sense of the word.”

The LG G Flex2 will be available starting at the end of the month in Korea to be followed by additional global markets. The device will initially be available in two colors: Platinum Silver and Flamenco Red.

Key Specifications (may vary depending on market):

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor with 2.0GHz 64-bit Octa-Core CPU
Display: 5.5-inch Full HD Curved P-OLED (1080 x 1920 pixels / 403 ppi)
Memory: 16/32MB eMMC ROM / 2GB DDR4 RAM / microSD slot (up to 2TB)
Camera: Rear 13.0MP with OIS+ with Laser Auto Focus / Front 2.1MP
Battery: 3,000mAh (embedded)
Operating System: Android 5.0 Lollipop
Size: 149.1 x 75.3 x 7.1-9.4mm
Weight: 152g
Network: 4G / LTE / HSPA+ 21/42 Mbps
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth Smart Ready (Apt-X) 4.1, NFC, SlimPort, A-GPS / Glonass, USB 2.0
Color: Platinum Silver, Flamenco Red
Other: Gesture Shot, Gesture View, Glance View etc.

 

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.