LG Optimus G2 shown off in clearest photos yet [update: video]

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Svelte design, thin bezels and on-screen buttons coming to future LG flagship

Update: A video of the handset has also surfaced on Youtube, with a better view of the hardware and software. You can catch it after the break with the additional photos.

Original: A set of extremely clear photos has just leaked out of what is reportedly the LG Optimus G2, a successor flagship device to the original Optimus G from last year. The photos, obtained by Engadget, show a large plastic device with extremely small bezels all around the screen which is rumored to be a 5.2-inch 1080P panel. Helping the bezels remain small are on-screen navigation buttons, although it worries us a bit that a software "menu" key seems to be taking place of the traditional multitasking key.

On the inside we're looking at the (previously confirmed) Snapdragon 800 processor at 2.3GHz, with 2GB of RAM alongside it. Around back we're looking at a 13MP camera sensor, along with an interesting volume button configuration underneath the camera pod on the back of the device.

Stick around after the break for a couple more views of the front and back of the device, with a full picture gallery at the source link below.

Source: Engadget; The Verge

Andrew Martonik
Andrew Martonik

Andrew was an Executive Editor, U.S. at Android Central between 2012 and 2020.
79 Comments
  • On screen buttons from a non-Nexus device... finally.
  • Do Sony phones ring a bell? on the on screen buttons?
  • That's true, good point. Hopefully we'll see a trend starting here though.
  • Motorola too Posted via Android Central App
  • Huawei does it too.
  • Motorola's had them for at least a year. Posted via Android Central App
  • Sony and Motorola have had plenty of devices with on-screen buttons, as do several other manufacturers on various devices. Even Samsung has them on its Android camera devices. 
  • The Motorola Razr I had software buttons. Posted via Android Central App
  • here is a video of it, just found it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRtCJmcw-6A
  • Nice power button on the back too. Also I like the transparent navigation buttons. Posted via Android Central App
  • On-screen Navigation button bar is a waste of space. And not only that, but many apps use their own navigation buttons means 2 rows of navigation buttons, not only ugly, taking up too much space, and easy to hit the wrong one or confusing to a new user. LMT Pie App has a much better solution to swipe from bottom edge up to bring up a pop-up PIE button layout, that uses the full 5.2" inches and is quick, I use it on my Nexus 4 without bottom nav bar and am not going back.
  • Meh...you're kidding right? Software are fully customizable for starters. Everthing from their sensitivity, their design, their colors, the design and colors of the glow, their shortcuts, their location, etc. etc. Most apps you'd care to have full screen real estate hid them automatically and plenty of apps and roms have the ability to hide them via toggle and a gesture brings them back up anytime you want. Pie is cool though.
  • I'm liking it!
  • The front of that looks more Nexus 4 than Optimus G(1.)
  • Nexus 5?.... Based on?
  • I wouldn't object. I love my N4. Posted via Android Central App
  • Let's hope so! I love my nexus 4 too
  • Looks like the Galaxy Nexus and the Nexus 4 had a baby. Sexy. Posted via Android Central App
  • Menu button wtf? You're not Samsung LG STOP IT! They better make multitasking easy or I'm not getting it. Posted via Android Central App
  • What's the big deal....On my current OG I hold the home button down and it brings up my list of apps and I can switch between them....
  • You stole my comment! Big Nexus 4 with hopefully a better camera. Posted via Android Central App
  • Anyone else think the menu buttons are too big? Looks amazing btw.
  • Me likey
  • They couldn't at least just use the 3 dot overflow menu button? Come on LG Wtf. Posted via Android Central App
  • Onscreen menu button? Root + ROM = Problem solved. Posted via Android Central App
  • ...and void your warranty. I know some people don't care about the warranty but for me it matters. So I always stick with stock for at least 6 months before rooting. It's just me. But having these button right out of the box will help users (like me) who will not root.
  • The on-screen buttons here are exactly the same as the hard keys on the OG. All you do is hold the home button down to multi task.
  • This!!!
  • "...and void your warranty." FUD. Rooting in and of itself does not automatically void your warranty, I wish people would stop spouting that. Your warranty isn't voided, in most US jurisdictions, by user modifications unless the modification caused the failure. If you need warranty repair, de-root it, go back to stock. No biggie. I've had a couple of rooted devices repaired under warranty without issue.
  • More carriers please! Posted via Android Central App
  • Dayum!...LG is big time now for real...
  • I think Mr. Wolf would have something to say about that. I gotta say it is a good looking sgs3 (no physical button of course) I would consider it if there is something 'must have' about it Posted via
  • Super glossy back..meh
  • What? The back is matte, not glossy at all (although it looks like that could be some kind of film over the real back). EDIT: Saw some of the pictures. You're right. Blegh.
  • I'm probably the only one excited about the volume buttons being on the back of the phone. Kneeling down almost always results in full volume to my Bluetooth receiver. Plus I'll be able to change volume easily without taking the phone out of my pocket. (I have a special cellphone pocket in my work jeans) Posted via Android Central App
  • If they wanted the menu button so badly, couldn't they just stick a fourth button in there, instead of nixing the multitask button? I'm probably dreaming, but maybe it's customizable like some of the custom roms out there.
  • meh... who cares... That is a software issue, and will be VERY changeable. The hardware is what to look for in android devices, then you can custom rom and mod the hell out of it.
  • I'd imagine that long pressing the on screen home button to access multi-tasking wouldn't be that bad (I say this as someone very addicted to the mult-tasking button on my GNex). Having the menu button persistently at the button is actually very helpful for one-handed use of larger phones. The action overflow button is almost always at the top and very hard to reach one-handed.
  • O that looks good, and it is coming to sprint to boot Posted via Android Central App on nexus 7
  • Not for me. Next?
  • This looks a lot like a blown up Nexus 4, and that's not a bad thing! I like the way you're thinking LG!
  • Now that they aren't ripping off Samsung's hardware buttons, I can give them some credit. This is a good looking device.
  • If LG makes this the next Nexus (Nexus 5) and battery life doesn't suck and the back remains NOT glass I will be very happy. This device kind of screams Nexus design cues right?
  • Looks nice! Posted via Android Central App
  • Looks just like my nexus 4.. But if it's got 5.2" screen.. I'm all for it.. Posted via Android Central App
  • Damn. I'm really digging this phone. I'm even liking the volume/power button placement. If this is going to Sprint, I'm getting it for sure. Posted via Android Central App
  • I like it. Looks really sleek and tidy. Posted via Android Central App
  • software buttons? hate it. waste of screen space.
  • Screen not big enough for you?
  • If i'm buying a phone for the screen size, I want ALL OF IT. not a 5.2" screen that gets turned into a 4.7" screen with stupid software buttons.
  • Hence the transparent navigation buttons. Does feel like you lose anything. That's the best looking on screen buttons I have seen yet. Posted via Android Central App
  • I agree the transparent buttons look good. i'll have to play with it when it shows up in the Sprint store.
  • OP is right @ screen waste. My wife's S3 screen kills my GalNex screen even tho they are technically almost identical in size. The FIXED soft button area is a huge waste. Video apps like Netflix, Media and Youtube etc all override the buttons in full screen mode for an awesome screen size. Hopefully LG has the best of both worlds ... software buttons that are transparent and disappear when not needed.
  • You lose .2" not freaking .5" furthermore they are not stupid. I prefer them far more over hardware or capacitive.
  • You don't get it. If they put hardware or capacitive buttons in this, the screen would be 5' to make space of the buttons. Hence the 5.2' screen. Also, on-screen buttons are much more flexible, they can be easily replaced instead of long press alternatives to menu button, multi-task and google now by samsung and htc. On screen button disappears when watching movie and youtube, and some apps make it just small white dots.
  • That lock screen is just amazing.
  • I noticed the speakers on the bottom of the device as opposed to being on the back
  • Beautiful piece of hardware....Cool phone...
  • Do we know what carriers this will go to?
  • Probably all carriers but this one is on Sprint and that's a good thing as this is going to replace my Optimus G!!!
  • Nice! Posted via Android Central App
  • I'm really glad that LG is building awesome hardware and making headway into the Android ecosystem. LG's ui overlay is pretty nice as well. I love my S4 but LG is definitely a phone I will consider in the future.
  • That's looks cool Posted with Rootboxed N4 via Android Central App
  • I bet this phone is razor thin if the buttons are all on the back. Otherwise I'm liking this device. Doing my best to hold out for the Note 3, but this is looking mighty tempting though!
  • Hope a google edition version of this phone. I love on screen buttons!
  • That's called a Nexus 5 Posted via Android Central App
  • Transparent buttons? That's just awesome. I want transparent buttons on my Nexus 4. Posted via Android Central App
  • This UI reeks of Samsung influence.
  • SO DAMN SMEXY!!! Man, I'm already looking forward to this beast.
  • Really nice, hope Verizon gets a version it. Or this will be my son's N4 replacement after his LG G2X, LG has been good to him. Posted via Android Central App
  • Y does a phone need all that power Posted via Android Central App
  • I don't know, but I agree. I have the Optimus G and this phone has the specs to keep me going for years. Posted via Android Central App
  • Not for sale, lol.
  • Superb phone! Posted via Android Central App
  • And So,
    The 1st 2013 Superphone is unveiled.. Wow.. Sony Z Ultra, HTC Max, Nexus 5 & Note 3.. All coming with the Real Deal Snapdragon 800 SoC.. Aren't you glad you passed on the Appetizer phones of early 2013... This phone is beautiful in it's ground breaking design.. But I still have to give big props to HTC for their speaker placement on the One.
  • Yeah I installed full-screen toggle and lmt launcher so the software button only show when I hit a certain spot on the screen because I hate it that I get a 5inch phone but it is actually just an 4.7 4.8 inch screen because the software buttons take away precious screen real estate. Specially when playing games or using apps it is always that annoying black bar there taking away from the screen. But with android u always have solution for every problem. Posted via Android Central App
  • Wow phones are improving at such an astronomical rate that pretty soon they will become outdated after a month past purchase. There is such an extreme leap in power from year to year and even every 6 months it is still Kindve crazy. HTC one, S4 and now the new line up. Its Kindve disheartening to even buyback new phone when you know in a couple of months it will become obsolete. Its going to have to slow down, pretty soon there will be no reason for such extreme hardware improvement because the software will not keep up. It doesn't now by any means. Posted via Android Central App
  • @Fields3212 tell me about it. It is getting ridiculous already for a while. I mean Sprint even had that offer for a short moment that u could upgrade fully each year. They pretty shortly afterwards got rid of it because it is almost impossible to even keep up anymore. Posted via Android Central App
  • Word has it in a few dark seedy locations that this will launch on Sprint first and it could be Aug 9th! Man I hope that is true!!!