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LG Spectrum 2 Review

LG Spectrum 2 Review

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Posted: 19 Nov 2012, 08:01, by FAUguy

Categories: Verizon Verizon LG LG Android Android

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Introduction:

With the Holiday Season fast approaching, Verizon has introduced the new LG Spectrum 2, which is a follow-up to the original LG Spectrum that was released earlier this year. This time around, the device is more in line to compete with other mid-level smartphones, as it comes running Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich and features a 4.7” 720p display, a Qualcomm 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor with 1GB of RAM, and an 8MP rear camera. But what makes the LG Spectrum 2 most attractive is its reasonable price, coming in at $100 with a 2-year contract.

Included in the retail package is the LG Spectrum 2 VS930 smartphone, 2150mAh battery, two NFC Tags, wall charger with detachable microUSB cable, and user guides.

Design:

Calling on elements of the LG Optimus line, the LG Spectrum 2 is a bit more refined than the original Spectrum phone, though it looks like the “monolith” from 2001 A Space Odyssey. Despite this, the Spectrum 2 feels solid and well made (almost brick-like), with black on the front and back being framed by chrome accents around the edges. We welcome the textured soft-touch battery cover on the rear, as it provides a firm grip.


The LG Spectrum 2 feels solid and well made

You can compare the LG Spectrum 2 with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.

The front of the Spectrum 2 is mostly occupied by the display, above it is a 1.3MP camera, and below it are four capacitive buttons with blue LED backlight. Around the sides we find the microUSB port, 3.5mm headset jack, as well as the volume and power/lock buttons – which have a distinctive feel to them since they are raised from the surrounding edges. While on back is the 8MP autofocus camera with LED Flash. The microSD memory card slot and SIM slot are hidden by the battery cover.


The front facing camera	Capacitive buttons	Left side

Top	The 8-megapixel camera	Battery compartment

Built into the battery cover is NFC (near field communication) and wireless inductive charging. To make use of the NFC, the Spectrum 2 includes two LG Tag+ stickers, one for the car and one for the office. The car tag will active the Google Maps app on the phone, while the office tag will place the phone in vibrate mode and turn on Bluetooth. But in order to use the wireless charging, you have to purchase the wireless pad separately, which still requires a wall outlet connection.

Display:

One nice improvement with the LG Spectrum 2 is that it is using a larger 4.7” True HD IPS display, up from 4.5” on the original model. It comes with a 1280x720 pixel resolution, and uses the more favorable RGB arrangement instead of PenTile. Overall, the True HD display on the Spectrum 2 is sharp and crisp, with text and images having fine detailed edges, and color accuracy is spot-on, though not as eye-catching as AMOLED displays.

We’re also pleased by the brightness of the display, using LED backlighting, which makes it plenty bright enough to view in sunny conditions. However, it is unfortunate that the display suffers from poor viewing angles; as when not viewed from the dead center, there is noticeable loss in contract and color saturation.


LG Spectrum 2 is on the left and on the right is the Samsung Galaxy S III

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LG Spectrum 2

Specifications
News (8)
Review 8/10
User Reviews (4) 9.8/10

Discussions (0)
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1. Nathan_ingx posted on 19 Nov 2012, 09:17 1 4

Kind of boring going through the review on this one!
And the set of four capacitive buttons now looks cramped since we've seen phones donning the lesser 3 buttons...

2. KingKurogiii posted on 19 Nov 2012, 13:57 0 0

nice phone, well designed although it's a little too large. i love the Thor theme that it comes loaded with. o:

3. OptimusOne posted on 19 Nov 2012, 14:21 1 0

is it me, or does this seem on par with the galaxy s III minus the camera.
I know the UI's are different but you could easily get it in a custom rom.

personally, I would prefer the droid DNA even for the extra 100 dollars
I wish LG would add a stock ics theme with stock ics icons and other stuff. that would be pretty awesome. it would be like stock aosp without the aosp custom rom

4. NOLEFTHERE posted on 19 Nov 2012, 14:43 0 0

The Spec 2 DOES support MHL

5. FAUguy posted on 19 Nov 2012, 18:53 0 0

The specs listed on the LG site and their PDF does not list MHL for the Spectrum 2, but they do list it for the original Spectrum. Have you been able to try the Spectrum 2 with a MHL HDMI cable?

6. NOLEFTHERE posted on 20 Nov 2012, 09:17 0 0

Yes, I tested my Spec 2 and MHL works perfectly. Why its not listed, I dont know. But i do wish the reviewer tried it out instead of just stating that it does not have the featurell

7. FAUguy posted on 20 Nov 2012, 13:34 0 0

We have corrected that section, thank you.

I asked LG about it last week, but never heard back. Since I don't have an MHL adapter or cable here, I wasn't able to test that part, but relied on the specs that LG had posted, which doesn't list MHL.

8. NOLEFTHERE posted on 20 Nov 2012, 23:01 0 0

Not sure why myself, but I got curious and plugged it up anyway to see that it works. :)

Thanks!

9. AplhaMale posted on 11 Dec 2012, 05:42 1 0

Why are these clowns still making phones? LG should stick to tv's and fridges!

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