LG's G2 photos and video leaked before launch

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

LG's big smartphone release of 2013 is the G2 which is the successor to last year's accomplished but tepid LG Optimus G. The device is slated to be revealed tomorrow in New York but the video above gives away what the device looks like and some of the features and functionality. Hit jump for more photos of the LG G2.

We also know from a leaked manual that the G2 will sport a nanoSIM slot, just like the iPhone 5.

Speculation point to a large 5.2-inch full HD 1080p display, a 2.26GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM and a 13-megapixel rear camera.

The device looks to feature a unique volume rocker in the rear, right under the camera and the LED flash. We'll have to wait and see if there is any other functionality attached to the rocker.

The G2 is interesting in more ways than one because it will likely provide the blueprint or at least 80 per cent of the features and functionality of Google Nexus 5.

Just like the Optimus G and Nexus 4 shared most of the specs and features (save for the Pure Google OS on the Nexus 4 and 4G-LTE on the Optimus G), a variant of the G2 will likely be branded as the next flagship Google smartphone.

Looking at the leaked pictures from Twitter tipster @Evleaks, the LG G2 looks very Nexus-ey in shape. LG is expected to release the next Nexus phone since OEM partners are tapped by Google to do them in two year/ two model cycles. HTC did two, Samsung did two as well so LG is up to bat again.

I owned the LG Optimus G and chose it as my main smartphone from TELUS when I renewed my contract. It presented a great feature set, not so obtrusive OS overlay and was a great Android smartphone, but it didn't get too many people excited or steer anyone away from Samsung or HTC's offerings.

The Nexus 4 was a runaway success, even after a botched launch and some attempts to cripple it by supressing the built-in 4G-LTE function in certain markets. 

Funny how two smartphones that are really so similar experience such a vast difference in market demand just because one is carrier-dependent and the other is cheaper and unlocked.

So the LG G2 will finally be revealed tomorrow and I suspect we'll hear about the Nexus 5 shortly after that. Can LG finally get its groove back with this product or will interest die out just like it did for the Optimus G? We'll have to wait and see what happens. In the meantime, below is the seizure-inducing trailer for the launch event tomorrow at the Big Apple. 

Source: Photos via @Evleaks on Twitter

             Video courtesy of 4Leakz on YouTube