G Flex features curved battery and 6-inch HD touch screen

CNET Editors' Take

October 28, 2013 11:34 AM PDT

The LG G Flex

(Credit: LG)

Not long after LG revealed that it had successfully developed curved smartphone batteries, the Korean-based company announced the G Flex, a 6-inch quad-core smartphone that features an arched touch screen and rear control buttons. Though US pricing and availability remain unknown, the device will hit Korea in November, with more markets announced afterward.

Usually, LG suits up its high-end devices with IPS LCD displays, but the OLED screen is bendable, which lends to the G Flex's vertically bowed design. In addition, the 6-inch HD display has a 1,280x720-pixel resolution.Like the name suggests, the G Flex sports a curved, 0.34-inch-thick construction, partly thanks to its plastic OLED screen.

The handset also includes the aforementioned curved battery inside. According to LG, the 3,500mAh battery uses patented technology that takes advantage of its unique shape to perform more reliably.

Another novel aspect is the G Flex's back side, which features an elastic "self-healing" coating. This coat reportedly mends and protects the phone from day-to-day scuffs and scratches.

Another look at the LG G Flex.

(Credit: LG)

Powering the device is a 2.26GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor (the same blazing fast CPU that's seen in the LG G2 flagship) and a 450MHz Adreno 330 GPU for ultra-smooth gameplay.

For shutterbugs, the phone is equipped with a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera and a 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera. It runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and is LTE enabled.

Other features include 2GB of RAM, 32GB of internal memory, and NFC.

As previously mentioned, the G Flex houses its key control buttons on its backside, just like the G2. As such, it will feature the KnockOn functionality, which allows you to wake up the handset by tapping on the touch screen twice.

Additional new features to LG's Optimus 3.0 user interface include Q Theater. This lets you view photos and videos directly from the lock screen. There's also an urgent call alert, which flashes the LED notification light when you miss several calls in a row from the same number, and swing lock screen, which changes the lock screen image depending on how you hold the phone.

The G Flex follows news of Samsung releasing its own, albeit horizontally curved, smartphone, known as the Galaxy Round. What do you guys think of this new trend of concave displays, is it neat or ridiculous? Be sure to tell us in the comments below.