What's good
- Excellent battery life
- Self-healing coat repairs minor scuffs and dings
- Curved design offer excellent viewing angles
- Incredibly fast performance speed
What's bad
- Display is not full HD
- Camera doesn't offer image stabilization
- No significant benefit for curved screen in media viewing
- Rigid flex screen
LG understands that in order to really make an impact in today's smartphone market, they need to be the first to offer a new feature. The LG G Flex is one of the first smartphones to offer a curved, flexible display along with the Samsung Galaxy Round.
LG explains that the contoured shape of the phone provides a better handling, viewing and sound experience, though some experts are a bit skeptical about these claims. Gizmag reviewers did not notice a significant change in visual effect on the 6" P-OLED screen and find that the viewing experience is further limited by the 1280x720 resolution.
Experts do howver point out that the curves improve viewing angles and the screen is bright enough to view outdoors. Plus, according to CNET, "the curved shape is more than a party trick, it greatly improves the media experience and feels more comfortable to hold”. It also improves speakerphone call quality according to Techradar, which said that speakerphone calls "are excellent thanks to its curved design, which allows the speaker to be raised from the table just enough to bounce the noise off of it."
The G Flex isn't just a curved phone however; it is also flexible. According to Engadget reviewers, it can be flattened with the right amount of pressure and holds up well to abuse without any damage to the chassis or screen. With that being said, experts note that the flexibility is rather limited as the case itself is quite rigid.
In addition to the flex feature, the handset also offers a self-healing. According to LG, this self-healing coating's molecular structure allows the phone to recover from superficial scratches. When tested in practice, however, there were mixed results. Techradar did not notice any recovery from light scratches they created on the phone and also noticed that it attracts dust and dirt. On the other hand critics from CNET note that their several attempts to damage the surface disappeared after several moments. All reviewers do agree that the self-healing ability only works with everyday scuffs and scratches, not for more serious damage.
In terms of hardware, the phone has a quad-core 2.26GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, up to 32GB of internal storage and a curved 3,500mAh battery. The Verge states that the phone scored near the top of its class in nearly every benchmark test and can handle graphics intensive apps and running numerous apps simultaneously without a hitch. In addition, all experts agree that it offered excellent battery life ranking among the longest-lasting smartphones in the market.
When it comes to the camera, there is a 13 megapixel rear-facing camera with autofocus and an LED flash. Unlike the LG G2, there is no optical image stabilization which Slashgear notes as a problem in low light settings.
Most reviewers find the LG G Flex to be an interesting piece of technology; however its starting price point is too high for most to recommend to the general public especially when considering the screen doesn't offer full HD. CNET said, “despite a novel construction and scuff-proof exterior, the LG G Flex's doesn't flex enough muscle against the Samsung Galaxy Round or the Note 3.”
With that being said, GSM Arena notes that, "there's better value for money to be had elsewhere but it's impossible to put a price tag on imagining the future."
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Aatif Sumar, UnleashThePhonesIt's marginally more comfortable to carry in your pocket, provided you put it in the right way. It also feels a bit more comfortable on your cheek while talking.
- Ershad Kaleebullah, NDTVWe like the LG G Flex but there is a caveat - its price. Even for early adopters the price is prohibitively expensive. The argument is that you're is paying for exclusivity - but it still seems as though you're not getting enough of it to justify the price premium over other phones with similar...
- Chris Martin, Tech AdvisorThe LG G Flex has some decent hardware including a great camera and more storage than usual. Excellent software is also a lure but its main feature, the curved screen, is too big, only 720p and offers no real benefits. This phablet is too gimmicky so you're much better off saving some money and goin...
- Dragan Petric , BrighthandEven with its odd appearance, the LG G Flex brings its highly up-to-date chipset to the phablet, which ensures supreme performance. Even with its drawbacks, the G Flex is one of the most attractive and powerful phablets currently available on the market. Still, its display is full of flaws and it is...
- Daniel Bader, Mobile SyrupThe G Flex is a successful experiment from a company that likely never expected it to expand far beyond its Korean borders. While it’s hard to recommend on the hardware differentiation alone — the curve is interesting but not that useful — the device is a great all-round performer,...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the LG G Flex user manual here.
LG backs up the G Flex with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your G Flex has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact LG support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find LG's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- LG G Flex Quick Start Guide (PDF)
- LG G Flex Manual (PDF)
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