The G Flex runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, but an update to 4.4 KitKat is rolling out in Korea and should make its way overseas soon.
We've upgraded our LG G2 to the latest version and there are minimal changes. LG has put a lot of work into its Android user interface, adding lots of additional features that will come in handy.
The interface is stylish and comes with some decent wallpapers and useful widgets such as the task manager. We're not so keen on the cartoon-style app icons, though. The notification bar has plenty going on and can get pretty messy with a few things toggled on.
With Quick Remote and QSlide switched on, any notifications are ofg the bottom of the screen. That's the price for features, though, but it's easy enough to have them there only when you're using them. We love the useful sliders for screen brightness and volume.
There are plenty of customisation options, which you'll find in the Display tab of the Settings menu. These include screen-o e ect (retro TV is the best), screen swipe e ect, font type, font size, smart screen (keeps the screen on as long as you're looking at it) and more.
There's even di fferent screen modes and the ability to adjust the screen capture area for screenshots. Good work LG. As with the G2, the G Flex has a Guest mode so others can't access your personal content and apps which you might not want children to access.
This is accessed by an alternative lock pattern. You can also switch on and o the screen with a double tap, although it doesn't work every time.
Since the screen is so big, an advantage is the ability to use Dual Window to simultaneously view two apps. If this doesn't tickle your fancy perhaps Slide Aside will, which lets you save up to three favourite apps with a three-finger gesture, making it an alternative to the regular Android multi-tasking.
The list goes on with QSlide, which allows you to run certain apps in a pop-out window and adjust the transparency so you see what's behind.
LG seems to have realised that no-one will be able to reach the top of the G Flex's screen, so it's added an optional button to the navigation bar that will pull down the bar and fl ing it back up for you. You can also bunch the navigations to one side for easier onehanded operation.
Furthermore, you can adjust the position of the LG G Flex's dial keypad, lockscreen PIN and keyboard. The slight problem is that you wouldn't necessarily know these features were there unless you explore the settings menu.
We love the amount of extra features LG o ers with its Android overlay and, although they can be a little hard to fi nd, the tutorial would be far too long if the fi rm highlighted them all.
Battery life
A physically large smartphone such as the G Flex gives the manufacturer the opportunity to install a large battery. The G Flex has a 3500mAh capacity, which is a fair amount larger than most handsets.
The G Flex has a standard battery saving mode and, after 24 hours of regular usage, a little over 50 per8cent remained. This is one advantage of the low-resolution screen.
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LG G Flex curved-screen smartphone review
