LG press conference at CES 2015

LG will unveil its upcoming slate of TVs, home theater products, appliances, and other gadgets as it kicks off Press Day at CES 2015.

3rd & 7 37yd

Ben Fox Rubin 1/5/2015 4:38:59 PM
LG, the fifth largest smartphone maker in the world by units shipped, was expected to unveil a new smartphone at the event. Rumors were percolating that it will come out with a G Flex 2 phone -- the heir to the curved-screen G Flex the company launched in 2013.
David Katzmaier 1/5/2015 4:39:04 PM
True story: I stepped on our LG G Flex review sample (lightly) and it didn't break.
Ben Fox Rubin 1/5/2015 4:39:14 PM
The G Flex is one of a handful of experimental phones that veer away from the typical black rectangle look of smartphones, instead offering a curved phone that contours to the shape of your face.
Ben Fox Rubin 1/5/2015 4:39:31 PM
Other experimental designs include the Samsung Note Edge, with a screen that uses a curved display that drapes over one side of the phone, acting as a ticker or extra set of icons. Another is the Samsung Galaxy Round, which has a concave face.
Ben Fox Rubin 1/5/2015 4:39:41 PM
And here it is, gliding on stage.
Ben Fox Rubin 1/5/2015 4:39:54 PM
This glide tech is pretty sweet.
Ben Fox Rubin 1/5/2015 4:40:06 PM
LG G Flex 2 announced on stage.
David Katzmaier 1/5/2015 4:40:24 PM
The real question re: curved phones; should the contour follow your face/butt (horiz curve, LG) or your leg (vertical, Samsung)?
Ben Fox Rubin 1/5/2015 4:41:13 PM
So, Lee makes a good point that clamshell phones were curved, but smartphones usually aren't. LG is trying to get back to that old design with this device.
David Katzmaier 1/5/2015 4:41:21 PM
The answer: LG if you put your phone in your back pocket, Samsung if you put it in your front pocket.
Ben Fox Rubin 1/5/2015 4:41:55 PM
Curves are supposed to contour to face and make it easier to hold the phone, Lee said.
Ben Fox Rubin 1/5/2015 4:42:07 PM
It's a 5.5-inch display.
David Katzmaier 1/5/2015 4:42:08 PM
As a front-pocket guy, I can't get with LG's horiz curve, at least in the original version I tried.
Ben Fox Rubin 1/5/2015 4:42:19 PM
Bump up to 1080p from 720p in G Flex.
Ben Fox Rubin 1/5/2015 4:42:32 PM
That's a higher-resolution screen, by the way.
David Katzmaier 1/5/2015 4:42:44 PM
I'm a huge fan of OLED phone screens, BTW. Perfect black levels aren't just awesome for TVs.
Ben Fox Rubin 1/5/2015 4:42:57 PM
Lee repeats that this phone is like artwork.
Sarah Tew 1/5/2015 4:43:09 PM
Ben Fox Rubin 1/5/2015 4:43:21 PM
Phone to be offered in "flamenco red" as well.
Ben Fox Rubin 1/5/2015 4:43:45 PM
New chipset, better camera technology, Lee said.
Sarah Tew 1/5/2015 4:43:53 PM
Ben Fox Rubin 1/5/2015 4:44:13 PM
They added the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 to this phone. This is one of the first phones to announce using this new chip from Qualcomm.
Sarah Tew 1/5/2015 4:44:28 PM
Ben Fox Rubin 1/5/2015 4:44:47 PM
Snapdragon 810 is Qualcomm's newest high-end mobile chip, offering amped up processing power.
David Katzmaier 1/5/2015 4:44:54 PM
Looks like a high chance of precipitation in that drop-test simulation.
Sarah Tew 1/5/2015 4:45:11 PM
Ben Fox Rubin 1/5/2015 4:45:18 PM
Here's more on Snapdragon 810:
Qualcomm boosts the brains on its flagship Snapdragon 810 chip - CNET
CNETThe leading maker of mobile processors showcases the capabilities of its newest top-end chip, set to ship in devices starting early next year.
Sarah Tew 1/5/2015 4:45:27 PM
Sarah Tew 1/5/2015 4:45:44 PM
David Katzmaier 1/5/2015 4:45:47 PM
It's the Wolverine of phones.
Ben Fox Rubin 1/5/2015 4:46:09 PM
Yep, self-healing back plate and stronger display cover.
Sarah Tew 1/5/2015 4:46:25 PM
Ben Fox Rubin 1/5/2015 4:46:44 PM
Plus adamantium claws...OK, not really.
Sarah Tew 1/5/2015 4:46:46 PM
David Katzmaier 1/5/2015 4:47:03 PM
No new phone is complete without an improved selfie mode.