LG Spectrum 2 packs nice features in a reasonably-priced smartphone [REVIEW]

When I first started using the LG Spectrum 2 smartphone, quite honestly it felt like every other Android-based smartphone I’ve tested. But when I started digging into some of its unique features I found some things I really liked.

But first things first. The LG Spectrum 2 is an Android-based (4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich) 4G LTE smartphone that runs on Verizon Wireless’s network. It has a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor which puts it right on par in terms of speed with other smartphones on the market. It has a 4.7″ display putting it in the larger range of smartphones. Internal memory is pretty decent, 16 GB internal, expandable up to 32 GB with a microSD card (although the microSD card slot is a little difficult to get to since you have to remove the back cover to access it).

What I like

Now that I have that out of the way, let me talk about the features I really like on the LG Spectrum 2. For starters, you can charge the Spectrum 2 wirelessly by placing it on a wireless charging pad. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the wireless charging pad has to be purchased separately. Of course, you can always skip this feature and charge the phone like any other smartphone using the included USB cable and power adapter.

I also liked the QuickMemo feature I’ve only seen previously on some of the phablets I have tested. QuickMemo allows you to screen capture any screen on your display and then annotate it by simply drawing (or doodling) on the screen with your finger. Your annotated screen shots can then be saved to your photo gallery, emailed or shared to any of your social networks.

Camera features shine

What stood out the most to me, however, on the Spectrum 2 is the camera. Specifically the ability to take a photo using the front-facing camera just by saying the word “cheese”. Anyone who has tried to master the art of the self-portrait, creating a normal-looking pose while trying to simultaneously press the shutter button, will love this feature.

The camera also has a very iPhone 5-like panoramic mode where you slowly slide the camera from left to right and let the phone stitch the final picture together. It also has a continuous shot mode which lets you take six pictures in quick succession after you press the shutter button.

Something new I hadn’t seen before is the Time Catch Shot feature which takes shots before and after you press the shutter button in case you missed the perfect shot. After you take your shot, the Spectrum 2 lets you review the shots it took so you can compare them against the shot you took.

Switch phone modes using NFC stickers

And finally, the Spectrum 2 is Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled meaning you can place stickers on the back of the phone and in other designated places (such as your car). Using these pairs of stickers you can switch your phone to certain modes just by touching the stickers together (like having your navigation app run when you get in your car).

You can also use the NFC features for touch-to-pay payments but because I was using a demo phone I elected not to try this out. But make no mistake about it, these types of payments are the future of our smartphones.

The LG Spectrum 2 is reasonably priced at right around $100 with a 2-year contract which makes it a great alternative for people who can’t afford (or don’t need the added features of) the pricier smartphones like the iPhone 5 or the Samsung Galaxy S III.