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LG Stylus 2 hands-on

We go hands on with LG's latest mid-range offering featuring a stylus experience, in this quick look at the LG Stylus 2!
By
February 29, 2016

The flagship G5 may have dominated the news cycles during MWC 2016, but LG brought quite a few other smartphones to showcase at the trade show as well, in an attempt to bolster their mid-range and entry-level device portfolios. One such device was the latest addition to LG’s series of mid-range stylus-toting smartphones, and we go to spend some time with it. Here’s our hands-on and first impressions with the LG Stylus 2!

LG Stylus 2 announced ahead of MWC 2016
News
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Taking a quick look at the specifications, the LG Stylus 2 is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor with 1.5GB RAM. 16GB is the only option for on-board storage that is available, but you do get expandable storage via microSD card to help alleviate any memory concerns. The device featues a 5.7-inch display with a 720p resolution, which provides pretty decent colors. A 13MP primary camera and 8MP front-facing unit is available, and keeping everything chugging along is a 3,000mAh battery.

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On the design front, the LG Stylus 2 retains the general design language of its predecessor, albeit with curves that aren’t as accentuated this time around. The design is in fact quite reminiscent of the LG G Pro series, and the unique button layout on the rear returns here. This is particularly nice to see given how that is no longer found with LG’s current flagship. The device does feel really nice in the hand with its textured back plate, and with its large overall footprint, the phone is quite substantial. However, with a 5.7-inch display, the 720p resolution is a touch disappointing.

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Of course, the main aspect of this device has to do with the stylus experience. While previous generations of the device haven’t really offered a whole lot when it comes to utilizing the stylus on the software side, things are different this time. A nice feature that is available, and something you may find familiar from other devices, is called Pen Pop. This is a shortcut menu that opens when the stylus is removed from its slot, and you have the option to add a few user-defined app shortcuts as well. There is also Pen Keeper, which notifies you if you are walking away from your stylus by detecting motion when the stylus isn’t in place.

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Apart from the added stylus capabilities, the LG Stylus 2 also comes with a new software package on top of Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which, like its flagship sibling, does not come with an app drawer. The general aesthetics and feature set of the software experience has been toned down significantly as well.

So there you have it for this quick look at the LG Stylus 2! This device certainly offers a lot more in terms of stylus capabilities than its predecessors, and if you’re looking for an affordable device with a stylus experience, this remains your best bet.