LG G Pro 2 review

Rich retail package that we probably aren't getting

Our LG G Pro 2 review unit came in a very rich retail package, containing a spare battery and even a tabletop battery charger in addition to the usual set of accessories. While those are quite welcome add-ons, we're not sure they will be available outside of Korea.

The retail package is richer than usual

LG G Pro 2 360-degree spin

At 157.9 x 81.9 x 8.3mm, the LG G Pro 2 is about as compact as a device could possibly have been, accommodating a 5.9" screen. LG has done a great job of minimizing the bezels and the device is barely wider than the Note 3 (151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm) despite having a slightly bigger screen diagonal.

Compared to the HTC One Max (164.5 x 82.5 x 10.3 mm), which has the same size display, the G Pro 2 is far slimmer and slightly narrower, which both result in better pocketability and handling.

The LG G Pro 2 next to the LG G2 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Design, build quality and handling

The different finish aside, the LG G Pro 2 looks like an upsized G2 and that's actually quite the compliment. The slim-bezel buttonless front is about as neat as it can get with smartphones and the gorgeous screen really makes this one a stunner.

The slim profile helps the overall looks too, and the buttons on the back, while unusual are made to fit nicely with the surrounding plastic. All in all, the G Pro 2 has all the right shapes in all the right places to get great marks for design.

We do have our reservations about the choice of materials LG has used however. The glossy plastic of the original G Pro wasn't ideal and the change is welcome, but on this particular occasion we are not sure it's for the better.

The G Pro 2 is said to have a non-slip metal mesh finish on the back cover for a comfortable and firm grip. The polycarbonate back is impressively lightweight and resistant to cracks too, which are both important attributes of a removable cover. The only thing that doesn't quite match the description is "non-slip" - as much as we liked the texture. The back of the phablet just has a slippery feel to it.

The design is great, but the materials chosen could be better

The brocade look of the front isn't the best choice - tiny light-reflecting dots are a bit too much for our taste and perhaps at odds with the clean and minimal design. This is not an issue on the white unit as there's less bling there, but the slippery feel is something to consider.

Overall, the LG G Pro 2 is a handset we wouldn't mind being seen with, but just short of perfect. Oh well, maybe the third generation.

In terms of handling the G Pro 2 does fairly well for the class. The slippery plastic does take away some from the market-leading 77.2% screen to surface ratio, but you can still perform certain tasks with one hand.

Of course, making full use of a phablet without getting both hands involved is out of the question unless you activate the dedicated one-hand mode, which shrinks the UI so it only uses about 4" of the screen, placing the furthest corners within reach. The activation of the feature (once turned on in the settings) is pretty simple too - just swipe across the on-screen Android keys.