Check out our review of the LG G Pro 2 smartphone.
LG has officially launched the G Pro 2 in Korea, a device it will properly show off to the world during Mobile World Congress at the end of the month. To make sure we’re fully prepared before the Barcelona show, LG has revealed all the technical specs for its new flagship smartphone/tablet hybrid, so here’s what it’s all about.
First, let’s settle the argument over the G Pro 2’s screen resolution. Speculation before its announcement was split between the device retaining a 1080p pixel count, or it becoming LG’s first 1440p device, with a 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution. It turns out the former is correct, and the G Pro 2 is equipped with a Full HD, 1920 x 1080 resolution. The screen size has been increased over its predecessor, and the IPS display now measures a giant 5.9-inches.
The G Pro 2 has a quad-core, 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 processor inside, along with 3GB of RAM. This matches the Galaxy Note 3 and should make the G Pro 2 a seriously fast device. A choice of 16GB or 32GB of internal memory is provided, plus a MicroSD card slot will let you increase this amount when the time comes. Interestingly, the large capacity 3200mAh battery is removable from the 172 gram chassis, another Note 3-matching feature. LG has also added the same rear-mounted controls from the G2 to the G Pro 2.
LG already revealed the phone would have a 13-megapixel camera, but what about the mysterious OIS+ feature? According to the press release, OIS+ combines both software and hardware image stabilization, and operates in both still and video modes. It’s not the only new camera feature. The G Pro 2 has a Lytro-like Magic Focus setting, where depth of field can be set after you’ve snapped a picture, plus on the video side, a 120fps slow motion setting and 4K resolution video recording features have been added.
With Knock Code, you can tap a personal code, Morse-style, on the screen to turn on and unlock the G Pro 2
Now, if you’re wondering why LG quoted Bob Dylan on its event invitation, it has to do with a new feature called Knock Code. Previously, certain LG phones could be woken up by tapping on the screen. Knock Code is an evolution of that feature. With it, you can tap a personal code, Morse-style, on the screen to turn on and unlock the G Pro 2. LG says there are more than 83,000 possible combinations, and codes can contain up to eight separate taps.
Android 4.4 KitKat has been installed on the G Pro 2, and to it, LG has added a selection of new software features. Look out for a password protected file system to lock photos, memos and files away safely, plus the option to shrink on-screen content down to the equivalent of a 3.4-inch or 4.7-inch display, making one-handed use much easier. The spec list concludes with 4G LTE connectivity, a 2.1-megapixel front camera, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, and a high-power 1W speaker.
This early launch only confirms the G Pro 2’s release in Korea, and although LG says it hasn’t finalized an international release, we’re hoping to hear more at Mobile World Congress, where the phone will be on display.
