Verizon Wireless launched the Spectrum 2 by LG, ready for wireless charging, for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. It has a screen almost as big as the Samsung Galaxy S III and half the processing power of the LG Optimus G/Nexus 4.
The Spectrum 2 by LG comes with battery cover that allows wireless charging, you can buy the wireless charging pad separately to make it work. It also features NFC for Contacts, maps and websites can be shared wirelessly.
Features of the LG Spectrum 2 include an 8MP camera with video editing software, 4G LTE, front camera, Gorilla Glass, NFC, world roaming, Wi-Fi hotspots, Bluetooth, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor.
NFC can also be used with LG Tag+ stickers to create special smartphone modes for the office, home or car by tapping the stickers with the Spectrum 2 by LG. SmartShare also makes it possible to wirelessly view pictures and watch videos on a DLNA-enabled device such as an HDTV. The Samsung Galaxy S III has a higher level of sharing features and more sharing software.
Additional camera features include 1080p HD video recording, Intelligent Panorama Shot and Time Catch Shot to take photos before pressing the shutter button.
You can buy the LG Premium Sleeve with Smart Display for protection and displays notifications on the screen to show the number of missed calls, text messages, emails and voicemails for $24.99.
QuickMemo allows users to capture screenshots and add their own personalized commentary or drawings with a finger. This software appears to be a new LG staple and comes on the LG Optimus G and the phablet LG Intuition.
As many reviewers have noted it is getting more difficult to figure out which smartphone to buy. In many ways the LG Spectrum 2 seems like a Samsung Galaxy S III with some of the same features. The Samsung Galaxy S III, will be updated to shortly (the Sprint model already has been updated see features) to Jelly Bean 4.1 with even more sharing features and can be only $50 more when you buy it from Amazon.com.
Note the LG Optimus G has not been announced, yet for Verizon Wireless and the Nexus 4 is an unlocked smartphone that can work in the United States with T-Mobile and AT&T. The current top-of-the-line smartphones are coming with quad-core processors.