The LG G3 may have been around for quite some time, but it remains a strong competitor in the smartphone market thanks to a host of innovative features.

By Daniel Loy

The LG G3 comes in Metallic Black, Silk White, Shine Gold, Burgundy Red and Moon Violet

Korean electronics company LG was awarded Most Innovative Device Manufacturer of the Year at the Global Mobile Awards 2014, and it’s easy to see why. The brand prides itself on developing smartphones with advanced technology while simplifying user experience at the same time. The LG G3 is a fine example of this.

With a 5.5-inch Quad HD screen, the LG G3 shares the same display capability as the iPhone 6 Plus

Though it has been in the market for a couple of months, it proves it can hold its own even against the recently released crowd favorite, the iPhone 6 Plus. For starters, both phones have the same screen size of 5.5-inches, but the LG G3, despite being slightly thicker than the iPhone 6 Plus in width, is more compact in size. That makes it ideal for one-handed usage.

The LG G3 features a curved back that’s reminiscent of smartphones from HTC. Even though this unique shape usually makes the phone easier to hold, the metallic-looking plastic back cover doesn’t lend much grip.

Innovation is the name of the game, and LG can give itself a pat on the back for the clever positioning of the power and volume buttons just below the camera lens

That said, the LG G3 shows its true innovative side with the unique positioning of the power and volume buttons. Unlike other brands that place the buttons on the sides of the phone, LG has rocked the boat and put them on the rear of the phone, right below the camera lens. No more fumbling to adjust the speaker volume during a call; the buttons are built right where the user’s index finger would naturally be when holding a smartphone.

In an age where speed is key, waiting for the camera to focus on a subject could mean missing out on a perfect photo-worthy moment. The LG G3 uses a 13-megapixel camera that’s equipped with Laser Auto Focus, the first of its kind in the smartphone market which allows for quick auto-focusing. Coupled with Optical Image Stabilizer Plus technology, crisp photos can be taken in a shorter amount of time.

Running on the Android operating system, LG has also added in a useful feature that helps unlock the phone quickly. Known as Knock Code, users no longer have to turn on the phone display and enter a numeric code. All users have to do is set a customized pattern of two to eight taps on any four quarters of the screen and repeat that pattern to unlock the phone. Check out the video above for a hilarious ad on the Knock Code.

The LG G3 retails at S$898 for the 32GB model and supports microSD cards up to 128GB. If you’re looking for a smartphone with a big screen that rivals that of the iPhone 6 Plus, the LG G3 is your best bet.

The LG G3 is available at all three mobile operators – M1, SingTel and Starhub.