Introduction

Do we have a good one for you today – a battle of epic proportions between the new curved device, the LG G Flex 2 and the curved display edge of the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge.  Two deliciously designed devices that look classy and with a lot of technology whipped in – when you look at either one, you just cannot wait to get your hands wrapped around them.

Another factor that makes this just a great comparison is that these devices have two VERY loyal camps of believers – LG has gained a huge following and within that, a special fraction of LG G Flex lovers, and on the other side we have the loyal Samsung Galaxy Note lovers that cannot do without their S-Pen and Note features.

Surprisingly, these two devices do have a few things in common that start with almost the same size display, same brand of processor, same amount of RAM, same amount of internal storage, and they both have a microSD slot to expand that storage.  The 3000mAh batteries are identical and they both have the usual Dual-Band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC capability, and a microUSB connector for charging or data transfer.  They both sport an IR Blaster, Quick Charge 2.0 and they both have a ‘curve’ in their displays.

Check out the detailed Specifications below and really compare them side-by-side…then we will look at each device on an individual basis and point out their strengths and weaknesses.  After that, I will pick the winner based on specs and execution.

Specifications

LG G Flex 2

The newest LG G Flex 2 will not even be available for purchase until probably February, but it really turned a lot of heads at the CES show in Las Vegas.  The original G Flex had a very loyal band of followers, and LG did nothing but improve upon its original design to reward that loyalty.  They reduced the display size from 6-inches to a more likable 5.5-inches and upped the dismal 720p display up to a respectable 1080p.  While they were at it, they also threw in the latest 64-bit octa-core processor, increased the RAM, increased the camera specs and improved the self-healing back – LG listened and responded very nicely to its customers.

The 5.5-inch FHD curved P-OLED – top-to-bottom – display comes with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels with 403 pixels-per-inch (PPI).  It is a much needed upgrade from the 720p display on the original G Flex, but still not up to snuff of the 524 PPI of the QHD display on the Galaxy Note Edge.  The processor is one spot that the G Flex 2 really shines – one of the benefits of coming out a couple of months later – it has the newest Qualcomm Snapdragon 810.  It is a 64-bit, octa-core processor clocked at 2GHz and 1.5GHz and is certainly an upgrade over the Snapdragon 805 quad-core found in the US version of the Note Edge.  They both sport 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage and room to expand that storage via a microSD card.

The camera in the LG G Flex 2 is a nice upgrade over the original – it now has a 13MP sensor, dual-tone LED flash, OIS+ and LG’s Laser autofocus.  It also has a 2.1MP front-facing camera (FFC) for social selfies and video chatting.  Both cameras on the Galaxy Note Edge should take better pictures, although the Laser autofocus is definitely a plus.  The batteries work out to be identical in size and both devices should get you through a full day of work.

Extra parts and pieces – the LG G Flex 2 does have a cool self-healing backside, an FM Stereo radio and Dolby Mobile for better sound.  It is running the newest Android 5.0.1 Lollipop with LG’s UI running on top.  It is available on AT&T, Sprint and US Cellular for about $300 on a two-year contract and approximately $650 off-contract.

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge

When Samsung introduced the Galaxy Note Edge, many people were surprised – rumors were that Samsung would show a curved edge device, but nobody was prepared for the finished product.  It gives users the chance to enjoy the usual Galaxy Note niceties – S-Pen, large display and a premium metal design – but also to enjoy a touch of innovation with the curved display on the right hand side.  It not only makes the Galaxy Note Edge look awesome, but it truly does add a real practical use for developers to create options, buttons or whatever they feel will add to their application.

It sports a 5.6-inch Super AMOLED QHD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 x 160 (curved part) pixels and a great 524 PPI – quite a bit above the 403 PPI found on the LG G Flex 2.  The US version of the Galaxy Note Edge uses a Snapdragon 805 quad-core processor clocked at 2.7GHz and other countries could see an Exynos 5433 (64-bit) octa-core processor clocked at 1.9GHz and 1.3GHz.  Either processor is blazing fast, although a slight step down from the Snapdragon 810 in the G Flex 2.  Both devices have the same 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage and the ability to expand that via a microSD card.

Samsung really upped the camera this year in their Note series.  We find a 16MP sensor, autofocus, LED flash and finally, OIS.  It also sports Samsung’s ISOCELL technology for better low-light shots and the ability to take live HDR photos.  The 3.7MP FFC offers a 120-degree wide-angle lens for better group selfies and video chats.  The LG G Flex 2 may have Laser autofocus, but the rest all goes the Galaxy Note Edge’s way.  The batteries are equal in size, will get you through a day and the both offer Quick Charge 2.0 – the Note Edge also adds Samsung’s UPSM (Ultra Power Saving Mode) in case you really need to stretch your battery.

As far as any special features – the Galaxy Note Edge is VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling enabled, is LTE Cat-6 ready, it has a full metal frame and trim, three microphones for noise cancellation, is equipped with download booster and of course, the S-Pen and its software and added capabilities.  It also sports a fingerprint scanner, heart rate sensor, UV and Oxygen saturation sensor, and last, but not least, the curved display ‘edge’ with the added usability that it offers.  It is currently running Android 4.4.4 KitKat and is due for its 5.0.1 Lollipop update soon.  It is available on all major US Carriers for $399 on a two-year contract or about $850 off-contract.

…And The Winner Is…

Summary

This was really a tough one for me – I like the looks of the LG G Flex 2, but I simply see no use for the curved phone/display unless you watch a lot of movies or videos on your device.  I like the idea of the self-healing back, but it still is not quite there and if you get a case for the device, it is a moot point.  It is running the latest Android 5.0, but so will the Galaxy Note Edge in a couple of months.  It does have the newer 64-bit processor, and this is the most important feature to me, but not enough, taking everything else, to persuade me to pick the LG G Flex 2.

I just believe that the combination of a main flat, QHD no less, display to work on and the curved side display to enhance your app experience is a better combination that offers you many more options.  I do like the Laser autofocus on the LG G Flex 2, but at the end of the day, you should get better photos from the Galaxy Note Edge and the wide-angled FFC is a great idea for group selfies or having more than one person in a video chat.  The Galaxy Note Edge also offers LTE Cat-6, full metal frame, download booster and three microphones for added noise cancellation and a better sounding phone call.  The S-Pen, multitasking, and multi-windows make the Galaxy Note series the best in the business for those types of chores.  Not to mention the fingerprint scanner, heart rate sensor, UV and Oxygen saturation sensor are also available.

The price difference is not that much on a two-year contract – so if you are a huge LG G Flex 2 fan and just have to have that curved phone and display and that’s what turns you on, then buy the G Flex 2 and I am sure that you will be very happy…it’s a solid device.  However, if the S-Pen is your thing, then the Galaxy Note Edge is on the leading ‘edge’ of that technology and you will love owning one…to me, the Note Edge just offers more functionality than the G Flex 2.

Please hit us up on our Google+ Page and let me know which one of these great devices you would pick as the winner and WHY…as always, we would love to hear from you.