The first LG G Flex 2 was an interesting phone. Seen by most people as just a gimmick its curved design and “self-healing” case was an interesting move for LG. I have to say though, not only did I love the first generation Flex, I also appreciate the fact that LG tries to do things a bit differently.

The second Flex is another interesting phone, and I’m pleased to say that LG has really tried to address some of the complaints I had about the first generation model. The screen is a new model, with a much improved resolution of 1080×1920. That gives the handset a more high-end look, although it falls short of some of the other flagships with their quad-HD resolutions.

For me, the big question about the G Flex 2 is how good it is as a phone. The curve, scratch resistance and bendability is really a secondary issue.

You can bend it

Let’s be honest, who cares if you can bend a phone. There is no one who needs to bend a phone – beyond those who made iPhone 6 bendgate videos – and it’s unlikely to appeal on this basis. What is perhaps relevant is that the bendability of the G Flex 2 means that it does actually make for a pretty rugged phone. Put it in any pocket, sit on it, and it will almost certainly survive.

LG’s G Flex 2 is an odd idea, but it somehow does work – image credit: Ian Morris

In terms of flexing it, it is possible if you want to, and when I’ve done it there isn’t any major drama. It’s also not actually that easy to do, it requires quite a bit of force and it doesn’t also flex all that much either.

You can scratch it

LG has a unique technology that allows you to scratch the phone case, and for it to self-heal. I think this is pretty clever, but I also don’t really see why LG uses it on the G Flex, which has a removable back cover. Surely, if you scratch it then you could just replace it?

The screen is protected by a different technology, and uses Corning’s Gorilla Glass, but with a LG technology which gives the screen much more resilience to damage than Corning offers. That’s a much more useful thing to have on your cell phone in my opinion.

As a phone

Here’s where things start to get a lot more interesting, and honestly this part has a lot more relevance to most people. The good news is that the G Flex is a pretty marvellous phone.

For one thing the curve makes it a pleasant device to make calls on. LG also says that it gives a solid advantage to the volume that the microphone is able to pick up from your mouth. Because the phone curves toward you, it means that people you speak to should hear you more clearly, which is a good thing. There’s also a comfort factor, and the G Flex is a really nice device to use in calls because it just feels more natural. It might sound silly, but ergonomically it just feels really good. Add that to LG’s rear-mounted volume control and the G Flex 2 really feels like someone has thought about how to improve your current phone.

Scratch protection is interesting, but the back cover is also replaceable – image credit: Ian Morris

The reduction in size and the curve give the G Flex 2 an interesting dynamic in your hand. What’s more, the curve means that your thumb doesn’t have to travel quite as far to reach the corners. It sounds silly, perhaps, but actually the feeling of the G Flex 2 is one of the nicest things about the curved screen, it’s a very pleasing deign to use.