LG G Flex review

The future of smartphones is here, but don't get too excited

LG G Flex review
Is the world ready for a slightly flexible smartphone?

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The LG G Flex comes equipped with the same 13MP rear facing camera that you'll find on the LG G2, while the front also sports the same 2.1MP snapper.

That puts the G Flex in pretty good stead from the off, as the G2 performed well during its in-depth review.

LG has stuffed the camera app full of features on the G Flex, but when you start it up everything is set to automatic, and to be honest for most photos these settings will be fine.

However for the more budding photographers out there the G Flex offers an array of options including various modes such as beauty shot, burst, panorama, night and sports.

LG G Flex review

There are also more advanced features such as "shot & clear", which allows you to cut an object out of a photo - such as a stray passer by - and "time catch shot" which can give your image a ghostly movement sequence.

Tap the settings cog to the side of the viewfinder and you'll find even more options to play with, such as ISO, white balance, brightness, focus and three simple colour effects (sepia, negative and mono).

With the LG G Flex being as large as it is, and with no dedicated shutter key down the side it's welcoming to see the option of using the rear volume keys as shutter buttons (or zoom controls).

This makes it easier to snap a picture as you're not attempting to hit an onscreen button - however their proximity to the lens on the back of the G Flex means my fingers strayed into shot every now and then.

Another frustration was the inability to silence the shutter tone without putting the whole phone on silent.

I don't want to have to change my volume settings every time I take a photo, I just don't want it to make a really loud "snap" every time I hit the shutter.

Shutter speed is rapid, with the G Flex focussing immediately and taking the picture - although I did find when I needed the flash things took longer as it sorted out the lighting.

For day to day snaps the LG G Flex won't let you down, providing shots with excellent detail and decent colour reproduction - plus the range of features on offer means you can tweak your pictures no end.

Low light shooting is still a little bit patchy, but we're yet to see a smartphone really nail this environment and once again the flash is always there to help you out - although it tends to over power the shot.

The LG G Flex doesn't hit the heights of the 41MP Nokia Lumia 1020, but it falls in line with the likes of the Galaxy S4, Xperia Z1 and G2 without issue.

As well as taking some decent photos, you can also use the LG G Flex to record UHD (ultra high definition) video - that's a 3840 x 2160 resolution which will play nicely with any 4K TV or monitor you have knocking about. Not so great though on the 720p display on the G Flex.

There are considerably fewer options available to you when you switch from camera to video mode, but you can still adjust brightness, white balance and anti-shake controls.

A couple of clever modes have been included here, including "tracking zoom" which allows you to film a whole scene and select a part of it to pull into a separate zoomed-in window.

Another is dual recording, which uses both the front and rear facing cameras to capture two video streams at once. I struggle to see when you'd actually want to use it, but it's a neat feature.

LG G Flex review

The LG G Flex performed well under floodlights

LG G Flex review

Images tend to have a good level of detail and colours are strong

LG G Flex review

The G Flex does struggle a little variable lighting conditions

LG G Flex review

The G Flex is able to get up close with a decent macro mode

LG G Flex review

The front facing camera is passable, but don't expect anything special
John McCann
Global Managing Editor

John joined TechRadar over a decade ago as Staff Writer for Phones, and over the years has built up a vast knowledge of the tech industry. He's interviewed CEOs from some of the world's biggest tech firms, visited their HQs and has appeared on live TV and radio, including Sky News, BBC News, BBC World News, Al Jazeera, LBC and BBC Radio 4. Originally specializing in phones, tablets and wearables, John is now TechRadar's resident automotive expert, reviewing the latest and greatest EVs and PHEVs on the market. John also looks after the day-to-day running of the site.