Skip to main content

LG announces G Flex with 6-inch curved OLED display and self-healing feature

Check out our review of the LG G Flex smartphone.

The G Flex’s fast-turning rumor mill finally came to a halt Sunday evening when Korean tech company LG officially announced its new device.

Recommended Videos

The handset comes with a 6-inch 720p OLED display that curves from top to bottom, differing from Samsung’s recently released Galaxy Round, which bends from side to side. LG says the curve has been “optimized for the average face” – is yours average enough? – to deliver superior voice and sound quality.

Weighing in at 177 grams, the new smartphone ranges in thickness from 7.9mm to 8.7mm along the curve. Under the hood you’ll find a 2.26GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel rear camera and 2.1-megapixel front one, and a curved 3,500 mAh battery.

LG_G_Flex_phoneThe G Flex incorporates dual-window app functionality and the KnockON tap-to-activate feature seen with its recently released G2 phone. It also comes with rear-located power and volume buttons, also found on the G2.

LG is pushing its new Android handset on the idea that the curved design will make for a more comfortable phone-calling experience. It also says it’s better suited for watching video compared to your run-of-the-mill flat phone, claiming it offers “an IMAX-like experience”. That’s a pretty lofty claim for a 6-inch display, but keep it held within a few inches of your face and you never know.

The G Flex’s top-to-bottom bend means it’ll fill out pockets a little more, which may put off some consumers who don’t want to look as if they’re pleased to see everyone they meet, though perhaps the curve is subtle enough to prevent it from becoming too much of an issue.

LG_G_Flex_curvedInterestingly, LG says the device incorporates “self-healing” technology comprising a special protective film capable of removing small marks and scratches on the back of the phone within just a few minutes. But take note, that’s small marks and scratches, so think twice before you drag your house key across the back to test out the claim.

Those keen to feel the G Flex’s gentle curvature will unfortunately have to wait – unless you live in South Korea. The new handset will launch on LG’s home turf in November, but the company is yet to offer any details on an international release.

[LG Newsroom pdf]

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
Topics
Act Fast! Google Pixel 9 phones are going to cost hundreds more soon
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, the Google Pixel 9 Pro, and Google Pixel 9 all next to each other.

The Google Pixel 9 series is just shy of a year old and we still prefer the base Pixel 9 phone over a ton of iPhones and Samsung favorites. It's a new, hot, and trendy phone in its peak era, but tech moves rapidly and we're already learning about the Google Pixel 10 series. That means that initial offers on Pixel 9 series phones are going to disappear soon. Google's Pixel deals now have a countdown, reading "5 days left" as I write this (tap the button below to check for yourself, but it should be around 3 days left when most readers get the article). With these deals you can save $100s on your new phone if you sign up with a Google phone plan. If you know you want to buy a Pixel 9 series phone, but have been procrastinating, this is the time to do so. As a quick reminder, three Pixel 9 phones appear in our best Android phones roundup, but if you need more info to jog your memory about why you wanted a Pixel 9 phone, read on — we'll help you find our reviews, give a quick summary of the phone, explain the offers, and help you find them.

BUY NOW

Read more
The US wants a wearable for all. Experts say it won’t fix the health crisis
Heart rate on the Apple Watch Series 7.

"My vision is that every American is wearing a wearable within four years," Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the 26th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, told the House Subcommittee on Health during a recent hearing.

When Congressman Troy Balderson asked whether consumers should have access to these tools, referencing wearable technology in light of the 21st Century Cures Act, the privacy risks, and the health benefits, Kennedy replied that they "absolutely" should.

Read more
I tested a smart ring with a display. I liked it more than I wanted to
Person wearing Pebble Halo smart ring.

I don’t need yet another screen in my life. Or at least that’s what I have been telling myself for years. I used to believe it was a pet peeve. But a quick look at Reddit and X shows a whole bunch of people who are experimenting with the “dumb phone” trend, or flaunting their “minimalist tech” stack. 

My attempts at less screen exposure have been somewhat of a mixed bag. There’s now a screen in my hand or pocket at all times. For work, there’s a 24-inch or bigger screen that I stare at, for roughly eight hours each day. On my wrist, a smartwatch screen keeps lighting up every now and then, vying for my attention to an important notification. 

Read more