LG G2 review: the 5.2-inch flagship with rear-mounted buttons
The LG G2 was one of the most distinctive Android phones of 2013. Its defining feature was not simply the 5.2-inch display, Snapdragon processor, or large battery, but the decision to move the volume rocker and power key from the frame to the back. LG called this arrangement Rear Key, and it changed how the phone was held, unlocked, and controlled. Learn more about Nokia Lumia 535 The First Lumia With A 5 Inch Display And Glance Screen.
At a time when manufacturers were competing to make phones thinner, faster, and easier to use with one hand, the G2 offered a different interpretation of ergonomic design. The rear buttons sat beneath the camera, where an index finger naturally rested while holding the handset. The idea was unusual, but it gave the phone a clean, almost uninterrupted side profile.
The device arrived as a high-end alternative to the Samsung Galaxy S4, Sony Xperia Z1, HTC One, and Apple’s iPhone 5s. It combined a bright Full HD panel with a powerful Qualcomm chip, optical image stabilisation, and a 3,000mAh battery. For Indian buyers in 2013, it represented a premium phone with specifications that remained competitive well beyond its launch season.
A bold design built around the display
The LG G2 used a 5.2-inch True HD-IPS+ LCD with a 1,920 × 1,080 resolution. That worked out to roughly 423 pixels per inch, producing sharp text, detailed photographs, and clean video playback. Colours were generally vivid without the exaggerated saturation associated with some AMOLED rivals, while viewing angles were wide enough for comfortable use.
LG kept the bezels remarkably narrow for the period. The screen occupied most of the front panel, making the phone feel closer in size to a conventional 5-inch handset than its diagonal measurement suggested. The dimensions were approximately 138.5 × 70.9 × 8.9mm, and the weight was around 143 grams, so the G2 remained relatively manageable despite its large display.
The rear cover was curved toward the edges, helping the phone sit securely in the palm. Glossy plastic made the handset look polished in photographs, though it also attracted fingerprints and could feel less luxurious than the glass and metal construction of the HTC One or Xperia Z1. Still, the rounded body and narrow frame created a comfortable balance between screen area and portability.
Rear buttons and everyday handling
LG placed the power key and volume controls directly below the camera module. This was the central design statement of the G2. The index finger could reach the controls without shifting the phone, making volume adjustments especially convenient during calls, music playback, or video viewing.
The arrangement also supported KnockOn, a double-tap gesture that woke the display. Since the power button was no longer on the top or side, tapping the screen became an important part of the daily experience. Double-tapping the status bar or an empty area of the home screen could also turn the display off, reducing the need to search for the rear key.
There was an adjustment period. Users accustomed to side-mounted buttons sometimes pressed the camera lens by mistake or searched the edges of the phone before remembering where the controls were. A raised central button and textured surface helped with identification by touch, but the rear placement was not equally comfortable for every hand size.
The rear controls did provide a visual advantage. With no power key interrupting either side, the phone looked unusually clean, and the narrow bezels remained the focus. The feature later appeared in other LG models, showing that the G2’s unusual layout was more than a short-lived experiment.
Flagship performance for 2013
Inside, the international LG G2 used Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800 platform, with a quad-core Krait 400 CPU clocked at up to 2.26GHz and an Adreno 330 GPU. Paired with 2GB of RAM, it delivered excellent performance for its generation. Menus were fast, applications opened quickly, and demanding 3D games ran with a level of smoothness that budget and mid-range phones could not match.
The phone launched with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and LG’s Optimus UI. The software added several useful features, including Guest Mode, Slide Aside multitasking, QuickMemo, and floating application windows. Some interface elements were more heavily customised than stock Android, but the G2’s hardware kept the experience responsive.
Storage options varied by market, commonly including 16GB and 32GB versions. There was no microSD card slot on the widely sold international model, so buyers had to choose capacity carefully. The 16GB edition provided less usable space than its label suggested after Android and preinstalled software were accounted for.
Connectivity covered 4G LTE on compatible networks, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, NFC, and a micro-USB port. Indian network support and retail configurations differed from imported versions, so buyers needed to check the exact model number before purchasing. Those comparing older releases can browse the broader smartphone archive for context on how the G2 fit into the wider market.
Camera quality and multimedia strengths
The G2 featured a 13-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilisation. OIS was a valuable addition in 2013 because it helped reduce blur from hand movement, particularly in indoor photographs and evening scenes. The sensor could capture detailed images in good light, and the camera application offered several shooting modes for users who wanted more control.
Image quality was not flawless. Fine details could appear over-processed, and low-light shots often showed noise when the phone pushed sensitivity higher. Autofocus performance was generally competent, though it could hesitate in difficult lighting. The camera remained a strong part of the package, especially when compared with phones that lacked stabilisation.
The 2.1-megapixel front camera supported video calls and self-portraits, with Full HD video recording available on the rear camera. Video playback benefited from the sharp IPS display and strong audio output. The rear speaker was reasonably loud, although its position meant it could be covered when the device was held in landscape orientation.
LG also included a useful infrared blaster on many versions, allowing the G2 to control televisions and other home entertainment equipment. That feature was becoming popular among flagship Android devices, and it added practical value for users who preferred a single remote-control application.
Battery life and software experience
A 3,000mAh battery was one of the G2’s strongest specifications. The capacity was generous for a phone this thin, and the efficient Snapdragon 800 platform helped it deliver reliable full-day use. Moderate users could often reach the evening with charge remaining, while heavy gaming, LTE browsing, and video recording naturally reduced endurance.
The battery was sealed inside the handset, which allowed LG to maintain the curved design but prevented users from carrying a spare cell. Wireless charging was available on certain regional versions rather than universally, so this capability depended on the model purchased. The Indian retail unit and imported variants should therefore be checked separately before buying.
LG’s software included practical shortcuts. A double tap could wake the screen, the volume-down key could launch the camera while the display was off, and the volume-up key could activate QuickMemo. These features made the rear key placement feel more purposeful instead of merely unconventional.
Software updates were less consistent than the hardware. The G2 eventually received Android 4.4 KitKat in several markets, bringing performance refinements and interface changes, but update timing varied by carrier and region. Anyone assessing the phone today should view it as a capable historical device rather than a modern Android handset with current security support.
How the G2 compared with rivals
The handset entered a crowded premium market. Samsung offered a removable battery and microSD expansion on the Galaxy S4, HTC promoted its aluminium body and excellent front-facing speakers, and Sony focused on water resistance with the Xperia Z1. LG’s response was a large battery, slim bezels, a stabilised camera, and controls that felt unlike anything else.
Its display was one of the most convincing reasons to choose it. The 5.2-inch panel provided a larger viewing area than the Galaxy S4’s 5-inch screen, while the compact body avoided the bulk associated with some large Android phones. The Snapdragon 800 processor also gave the G2 a clear speed advantage over many early-2013 devices.
| Feature | LG G2 | Samsung Galaxy S4 | HTC One |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.2-inch Full HD IPS LCD | 5-inch Full HD Super AMOLED | 4.7-inch Full HD Super LCD 3 |
| Processor class | Snapdragon 800 | Snapdragon 600 or Exynos, market dependent | Snapdragon 600 |
| Main camera | 13MP with OIS | 13MP | 4MP UltraPixel |
| Battery | 3,000mAh, sealed | 2,600mAh, removable | 2,300mAh, sealed |
| Expandable storage | No microSD on international model | Yes | No |
| Distinctive feature | Rear-mounted controls and KnockOn | Removable battery and microSD | Metal body and front speakers |
The trade-offs were clear. LG’s phone offered stronger battery capacity and newer processing hardware, but the lack of expandable storage could matter to users who stored music, films, or high-resolution photographs. Its plastic construction also lacked the premium feel associated with HTC’s metal design.
For Indian consumers, the launch price was another consideration. The G2 entered the market at a premium level, but competition and later price reductions made it increasingly attractive. Buyers seeking a high-performance Android phone at a reduced cost could find the older flagship more compelling than a newer mid-range model.
Where it stands in the Indian market
The G2 was especially interesting in India because it occupied the space between imported flagship technology and increasingly competitive local pricing. LG had established recognition in the country, and the phone’s bright display, dual-band connectivity, camera stabilisation, and large battery gave retailers clear features to highlight.
Network compatibility remained important. The phone supported LTE in markets where the relevant bands were available, but Indian 4G coverage was still developing in 2013. For many owners, the immediate benefit came from the fast processor and efficient browsing rather than LTE speeds. A later budget phone such as the Lenovo A6000 story shows how 4G eventually became a more prominent selling point in affordable devices.
The G2 was generally a single-SIM flagship in the Indian market, unlike the dual-SIM phones that were increasingly popular among value-conscious buyers. That limitation could influence shoppers who used separate personal and work numbers. The phone’s premium positioning also meant accessories and repairs could cost more than those for mainstream budget models.
Even so, its combination of display quality, speed, and battery endurance aged well. The design also remained recognisable in a market filled with phones that placed every control on the side. The rear-button layout was a genuine attempt to make a large-screen handset easier to operate rather than a decorative novelty.
Strengths, limitations, and buying advice
The LG G2 remains a useful example of how smartphone design briefly moved in a different direction. Its display was spacious without making the body unwieldy, its processor delivered flagship performance, and the 3,000mAh battery offered dependable endurance. Optical image stabilisation and KnockOn added practical value to a handset already strong on core specifications.
Its weaknesses were equally specific. The glossy plastic rear could feel slippery, storage could not be expanded on the international model, and the unusual controls required practice. The sealed battery and ageing software also matter when evaluating a used unit today. Screen burn-in is less of a concern with its LCD panel than with some AMOLED phones, but battery wear and charging-port condition deserve close inspection.
For readers researching classic releases, the phone makes the most sense as a landmark 2013 flagship rather than a current daily driver. It demonstrates the priorities of its era: large Full HD screens, quad-core performance, increasingly capable cameras, and experiments with physical ergonomics.
Points to check before buying
- Confirm the exact model number, LTE bands, storage capacity, and SIM configuration before purchasing an imported unit.
- Test the rear power and volume buttons, KnockOn gesture, touchscreen, camera autofocus, and infrared functionality.
- Inspect battery health, charging behaviour, the micro-USB port, and the rear cover for signs of heavy use.
- Prefer a 32GB version when possible because the international model does not provide microSD expansion.
- Treat Android update support as limited and avoid relying on the phone for sensitive tasks without appropriate precautions.
The LG G2 earned attention because it solved familiar problems in an unfamiliar way. Its 5.2-inch screen delivered a modern viewing experience, the rear-mounted buttons gave the body a distinctive identity, and its Snapdragon 800 hardware made it one of the fastest Android phones of its launch year. For anyone tracking the evolution of mobile design, it remains a memorable flagship worth revisiting.