LG Spectrum 2 Pro Reviews

Were it not for the questionable hardware design choices made by LG, I'd call the Spectrum 2 an excellent effort. As it is, I don't like the feel of the hardware in my hand, nor do I like how it looks. That said, the hardware does in fact function well. The buttons and controls all do what they are supposed to do and don't get in the way of usability. The software tells a better story. LG has tuned its own user interface elements well to the base features of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Banking in the power of the native apps was a smart move on LG's part, as they all work well. The behavior of the Spectrum 2's phone and signal functions, which are among the best I've tested on Verizon's network in recent memory, go a long way to making the Spectrum 2 worth recommending. About the only real cautionary note I can offer pertains to the battery. It lasts a day, but barely. I fear that power-users might be left stranded before they call it a night.

For $100, the LG Spectrum 2 is an absolute deal. The only other devices Verizon offers at the same price are the dated Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the Motorola Droid Razr. I say dated not because they're bad handsets, but because their successors, the LG Nexus 4 and the Motorola Droid Razr HD have already been released. By comparison, the Spectrum 2 isn't just "newer," its specs are also on par with -- and in some regards better than -- these flagship phones of yesteryear. And, funnily enough, the $130 Samsung Galaxy Stratosphere II, which is the next phone up in terms of price, is more of a step back with its mere 5-megapixel camera, 4-inch 800x400-pixel screen, and 1,800mAh battery. If you're looking for an updated device but don't want to drop more than a bill, the Spectrum 2 is your best bet.

The LG Spectrum 2 for Verizon Wireless gets you a first-rate smartphone for about half the price as other top picks.

We feel that the $100 contract price of the LG Spectrum 2 is a bargain, as the original Spectrum was twice that when it was released earlier this year. This newest model not only includes a larger 4.7” True HD IPS display, but has a faster 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor and 16GB internal memory for storage. Combine that with the easy to use Optimus UI interface, good call quality and battery life, the LG Spectrum 2 is hard to beat in this price point.