LG G2: The 5.2-Inch Phone with Rear Buttons and a 13MP Camera
The LG G2 was one of the most distinctive Android phones of 2013. It combined a large 5.2-inch Full HD display with unusually narrow bezels, a powerful Snapdragon processor, and a 13MP camera with optical image stabilisation. Its most recognisable feature was placed on the back: the volume and power controls sat beneath the camera instead of along the side.
That layout made the handset instantly different from the Samsung Galaxy and HTC models competing for attention at the time. LG argued that rear controls suited the way people naturally held a phone, with an index finger resting behind the device. The design also helped the Korean manufacturer keep the sides clean and reduce the surrounding frame.
For readers interested in the history of smartphones, the G2 represents an important stage before fingerprint sensors, edge-to-edge screens and computational photography became standard. The mobile arrivals archive provides useful context for comparing it with other devices from the same period, including compact flagships and early 4G Android handsets.
A Flagship Designed Around The Hand
The LG G2 measured 138.5mm tall, 70.9mm wide and about 8.9mm thick. Those dimensions were relatively manageable for a phone with a 5.2-inch screen because LG reduced the bezels around the display. At a time when many large-screen phones felt bulky, the G2 offered a higher screen-to-body ratio without adopting a physically enormous chassis.
Its back cover had a gently curved shape that fitted the palm. The plastic construction was less luxurious than the glass and metal used by some rivals, although it kept the weight down to roughly 143 grams. The glossy finish attracted fingerprints and could feel slippery, so a protective case was sensible for daily use.
The rear key arrangement was the defining feature. A central power button was flanked by volume controls, with the camera module positioned just above them. This made it possible to wake the phone, adjust volume or take a screenshot while holding it naturally. The placement also freed both side edges from conventional buttons, reinforcing the phone’s minimalist appearance.
Display Quality And Everyday Performance
The 5.2-inch IPS LCD panel offered a 1920-by-1080 resolution, producing a sharp 423 pixels per inch. Text looked clean, photos appeared detailed and high-definition video benefited from the generous screen area. Colours were generally pleasing, with viewing angles that suited browsing, gaming and navigation.
LCD technology meant the G2 did not deliver the deep blacks of an AMOLED display, but it often produced a bright and balanced picture. In Australian conditions, that mattered when checking maps or messages outdoors in places such as Sydney, Brisbane or Perth. Direct summer sunlight could still make any glossy screen difficult to read, but the panel was competitive for its era.
Inside was Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800 chipset, featuring a quad-core 2.26GHz Krait processor and Adreno 330 graphics. With 2GB of RAM, the phone handled Android navigation, demanding games and high-resolution video comfortably. Applications opened quickly by 2013 standards, and the hardware gave the G2 enough headroom to remain responsive after several software updates.
Camera Hardware And Battery Strength
The rear camera used a 13MP sensor and optical image stabilisation, a feature still uncommon in mainstream smartphones at launch. OIS helped compensate for small hand movements, especially in low light or when recording video. The camera app also included touch focus, panorama capture and several scene modes, giving casual photographers more control than basic point-and-shoot phone cameras.
Image quality was strongest in daylight, where the G2 could produce detailed pictures with pleasing colour. Night shots were more complicated: stabilisation reduced blur, but small smartphone sensors still struggled with noise and limited dynamic range. The 2.1MP front camera was adequate for video calls and simple self-portraits, though it lacked the sharpness expected from modern selfie cameras.
| Feature | LG G2 specification | What it meant in daily use |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.2-inch Full HD IPS LCD | Sharp text, video and web pages |
| Processor | Snapdragon 800, quad-core 2.26GHz | Strong performance for 2013 apps and games |
| Rear camera | 13MP with optical image stabilisation | Better detail and steadier handheld shots |
| Battery | 3000mAh | A full day was realistic for moderate users |
| Storage | 16GB or 32GB, generally without microSD | Careful management of photos and apps was needed |
| Operating system | Android 4.2.2 at launch | Familiar Android features with LG customisation |
| Network | 3G and selected 4G LTE versions | Australian buyers needed to check model bands |
The 3000mAh battery was another major strength. It supported a full day of calls, web browsing, music and occasional photography for many moderate users. Heavy gaming, constant 4G use and maximum screen brightness reduced endurance, yet the capacity compared well with other 2013 flagships.
Rear Buttons And LG Software
Rear controls were clever in some situations and awkward in others. When making a call or reading with the phone in one hand, the index finger could reach the power key without shifting grip. The buttons were also convenient for taking screenshots by pressing power and volume down together.
The arrangement required an adjustment period for anyone accustomed to side-mounted keys. When the phone was lying flat on a desk, reaching the power button was less convenient. Users also needed to find the controls by touch, although the central button and raised volume keys made them easier to identify after a few days.
LG added software features intended to make the design more useful. KnockOn allowed users to double-tap the screen to wake or lock the phone, avoiding the need to reach for the rear power key. The notification shade, QSlide tools and custom Android interface added flexibility, although the manufacturer’s software skin was busier than Google’s cleaner stock Android experience.
The launch version ran Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, with later updates bringing Android 4.4 KitKat to supported models. Software support varied by market and carrier, so an Australian owner buying an imported handset needed to verify the exact model and update availability rather than relying on the global specifications alone.
Australian Network And Buying Considerations
Australia’s mobile market made model selection particularly important. The local G2 variant and imported versions could differ in LTE band support, and compatibility with Telstra, Optus or Vodafone depended on the frequencies included in the handset. A buyer in Melbourne or Adelaide might receive a different practical experience from someone using the phone in a regional area, where coverage bands and carrier infrastructure mattered even more.
The G2 was sold through Australian retailers and carriers, while grey-import stock later appeared at lower prices. Cheap listings were attractive, but warranty coverage, charger compatibility and network support needed checking. An Australian wall charger or a suitable travel adaptor was important for imported units, and the advertised price did not always communicate whether GST or local consumer protections applied.
The Australian Consumer Law gives buyers rights when products are faulty or do not match their description. Those protections can be harder to enforce with overseas marketplace sellers, particularly when the seller is not established in Australia. Paying a little more through a reputable local retailer could therefore provide meaningful value, even if the handset itself was several years old.
Battery use also reflected local habits. A commuter travelling by train in Sydney or Melbourne might spend the day streaming music, browsing social media and navigating unfamiliar streets. Someone driving long distances through regional New South Wales or Queensland would care more about standby time, car charging and reliable coverage than about the G2’s benchmark score.
How It Compared With Other Flagships
The G2 competed most directly with the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One and Sony Xperia Z1. Each offered a different interpretation of the premium Android phone: Samsung emphasised a removable battery and expandable storage, HTC focused on metal construction and front-facing speakers, while Sony promoted water resistance and a high-resolution camera sensor.
LG’s advantage was the balance between screen size, compact dimensions, processing power and battery capacity. Its 13MP camera was more practical than a specification sheet alone suggested because optical stabilisation helped with handheld photography. The trade-offs included a non-removable battery, a lack of microSD expansion on many versions and software that some users found visually cluttered.
Sony’s smaller Xperia Z1 Compact later showed how much flagship hardware could fit into a more compact body; a detailed Xperia Z1 Compact comparison highlights a different approach to size and camera resolution. The G2, by contrast, aimed to make a large display feel manageable rather than placing flagship components in a genuinely small phone.
For video and gaming, the Snapdragon 800 was highly capable. For storage-heavy users, however, 16GB could become restrictive after the operating system, apps, music and photographs occupied space. The 32GB model was the safer choice, especially because the handset generally lacked a microSD slot.
Is The LG G2 Still Worth Remembering
The LG G2 deserves attention because its design decisions were purposeful rather than decorative. Rear buttons, double-tap wake, narrow bezels, OIS and a large battery addressed practical frustrations that users experienced with ordinary slab phones. Some of those ideas influenced later LG models, while gesture-based unlocking and stabilised cameras became common across the wider industry.
As a modern purchase, the handset has serious limitations. Its Android software is outdated, security updates are no longer current, battery cells in surviving examples may be worn, and Australian network compatibility can be uncertain as carriers retire older technologies. App support, camera processing and charging speeds also fall far behind current budget phones.
As a historical device, though, it remains compelling. It demonstrated that a 5.2-inch phone could be comfortable to hold, that a 13MP camera could benefit substantially from stabilisation, and that button placement could become a genuine part of a phone’s identity. For collectors and technology enthusiasts, a clean, locally compatible example can still tell an important story about the direction smartphones took in the early 4G era.
The LG G2 marked a moment when manufacturers were experimenting boldly with ergonomics instead of simply enlarging screens and increasing processor counts. Its rear controls will not suit everyone, but the combination of a sharp display, fast chipset, capable camera and 3000mAh battery made it one of the more memorable Android flagships of its generation. Explore the surrounding launch history and compare its specifications with other classic handsets to see how quickly mobile design evolved.