While most smartphone manufacturers are waiting to unveil their newest offerings at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona later this month, LG is already revealing details about their new G Pro 2 smartphone. Here are all the facts you need to know before you buy one!
1. Specs
LG's G Pro 2 sports a bigger screen, but goes light on the new features http://t.co/u9h54rUVX3 pic.twitter.com/H9Q6PaIqCz
— The Verge (@verge) February 13, 2014
After months of speculation, the official announcement from LG has clarified what this phone’s specs will actually be. The Next Web breaks it down:
“It comes with the latest Android 4.4 (KitKat) operating system [and] is powered by a 2.26 GHz quad-core processor from Qualcomm. It is slightly wider and features a 5.9-inch full-HD display — larger than the G Pro’s 5.5 inches — with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. There’s a 13 megapixel camera on the back, while the front-facing snapper comes in at 2.1 megapixels and has its own flash. Under the hood is 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage — naturally there’s space for a micro SD card to boost that.”
The Next Web notes that the phone will be available in three different colors: red, white, or “titan grey.”
2. The Phone is Korea-Only For Now
LG G Pro 2 will not get released in the U.S or European markets before April 2014 – http://t.co/TijZlYa0no
— Talk Android (@TalkAndroid) February 13, 2014
CNET notes that the phone will definitely be sold in South Korea, home to LG’s headquarters. However, pricing and availability for the international market have yet to be revealed.
The new phone will be on display at Mobile World Congress at the end of the month, so more information is likely to be revealed at that point. Some sources say that the very earliest the phone might be available in Europe and America is April.
3. Packed With Cool Features
#LGGPro2 is now official, boasts #4K, 120fps and slow motion video recording Chops – http://t.co/kQYUQ9g5DY pic.twitter.com/sMDOUG6B7y
— AndroidSPIN (@AndroidSPIN) February 13, 2014
Beyond its powerful specs, the G Pro 2 has some interesting and exciting features. According to TechCrunch, one of the most noteworthy features is the so-called “Knock Code.” This allows you to use a series of taps or “knocks” to create a unique percussive code that unlocks the device. The code can consist of between 2 and 8 knocks, resulting in 86,367 possible combinations.
Another cool feature is the phone’s camera. You will be able to record 4K video, take 20 continuous photos in “burst mode,” and there will even be an improved flash that’s better for taking selfies.
4. Technically, It’s a Phablet
Phablet war! LG G Pro 2's screen is slightly bigger than Galaxy Note 3's: http://t.co/RhXuFiat0p pic.twitter.com/Q525TYdjAh
— Wilson Rothman (@wjrothman) February 13, 2014
The G Pro 2 is a pretty beefy phone. In fact, it’s large enough to technically qualify as a “phablet,” at least according to some definitions of the word. In their recent findings that 120 million phablets would ship globally by 2018, Juniper Research defined a phablet as a smartphone device with at least a 5.6 inch display. At 5.9 inches, the G Pro 2 definitely qualifies.
5. The G Pro 2 Has Controversial Button Placement
'Knock to unlock' sounds like something out of 50 Shades Of Grey. But it's actually a feature on the LG G Pro 2. http://t.co/Ow4sJoVOcv
— TechRadar (@techradar) February 13, 2014
In a somewhat controversial move, the G Pro 2’s control buttons for volume and power will be placed on the rear of the phone. This frees up the entire front of the phone for the display. LG has released devices with these rear control buttons in the past, most notably the G Flex.
This rear key placement is helpful when holding the phone up to your ear, but some users find the key placement potentially problematic for situations where the phone is placed flat on a table. The user comments on Droid Life‘s article about the G Pro 2 seem split when it comes to the rear button issue. Only time will tell as to whether these rear keys are accepted by consumers, or actively disliked.
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LG’s G Pro 2 Smartphone: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know