LG G2 first take: Best LG smartphone raises the Android bar

Initial hardware thoughts

The LG G2 is the first device in the US to launch with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor and so far performance has been flawless. I have loaded up many of my apps and haven't seen any lag at all on the device.

The G2 also has a unique rear button design where the power button and two volume buttons are placed below the camera while all other sides remain void of buttons. It takes a bit to get used to the new button placement, but I think LG is on to something here as my fingers do naturally tend to rest on the back. It is nice not to have to reach all the way across a device to control the device. Even better is the "knock" function that allows you to double-tap on the display to turn the screen on and off. Nokia has had this for a while, but it sure is nice to finally see it coming to Android.

I took photos at the local fair with both the G2 and the Nokia Lumia 1020 and was very pleased by the accuracy of the colors in photos captured with the G2. The G2 has optical image stabilization, 13 megapixel resolution, and more.

The 5.2 inch 1080p display looks awesome with a minimal side bezel helping to keep the device to a comfortable size. I'm not a real fan of the glossy plastic back, it reminds me of a Samsung device and lately I have been spoiled by the fantastic HTC One design.

After using the IR port on my HTC One for my bedroom TV and while traveling for work, I have now elevated this functionality to a level where I need to see it on my new devices or I won't consider the device. The G2 has an IR port and remote control software included.

The G2 also has a stacked battery design that provides 3,000 mAh of capacity, which is one of the highest for a device of this size. So far battery life has been excellent, but more testing is required.

Initial software thoughts

I know it is kind of gimmicky, but it is fun to tap and slowly move your finger across the display to see your last app appear under the lock screen. As you can see in my screenshot gallery, there are a TON of customization options on the LG G2. After several days I am still discovering new settings and options that I will cover later in a full review.

LG includes a bit too much in the notification area, but some of these options can be toggled on and off. There are all sorts of LG utilities, such as QSlide 2.0, Quick Remote, Slide Aside, VuTalk, and more.