LG doesn't have a good track record when it comes to being in Samsung's shadow. The company claims that its phones are terrific, but if you've seen the latest G5, which takes Google's Project Ara and tries to consumerize it (though unsuccessfully), you understand that when LG copies a company or “borrows” an idea, it doesn’t implement it very well.
The LG V20 has “MultiWindow Mode” (see, LG didn’t rename this feature), but there's one other feature Samsung brought to market all on its own that has been shamelessly copied by LG – with the feature's name remaining. Yes, I'm afraid so, but LG decided to borrow the concept but steal the name.
What is this Galaxy Note 5 debut feature I'm speaking of? The feature is called Screen-Off Memo, and it debuted on the Galaxy Note 5. Screen-Off Memo allows users to turn off the display, pull out the S Pen, and start taking notes on a “black” digital notepad. It's a great feature that has a lot of support (even among those who usually deem Samsung features “gimmicks”), and it's an attractive feature to have, no doubt.
LG took the Galaxy Note 5 Screen-Off Memo and decided to place the feature (with the same name, mind you) in an obscure phone called the LG Stylus 2 Plus. The Stylus 2 Plus is LG's follow-up successor to the LG Stylus 2, featuring specs that many Samsung fans would recognize as being specific to the Galaxy Note 5: a 5.7-inch display with an LCD screen (the Note 5 has a 5.7-inch display, though using AMOLED instead of LCD), 1.4Ghz, octa-core processor (unnamed at the LG Stylus 2 Plus announcement; Samsung used an Exynos 7420 SoC for its Note 5, but it too, was an octa-core chip), 3GB of RAM and 32GB ROM (the Note 5 had these, too), 5MP front camera and 16MP back camera (the Note 5's camera precisely), with a 3,000mAh battery (which matches the exact battery capacity of the Note 5). Some of these specs, such as the 3GB RAM and 32GB ROM, are dependent upon region; those in unfortunate regions may only see 2GB RAM and 16GB ROM, according to LG.
Of course, LG maintains the removable battery, though Samsung did not in the Note 5, but that aside, you can bet that LG designed the Stylus 2 and Stylus 2 Plus to “rival” Samsung's Galaxy Note 5. In fact, the stylus is just a dead giveaway to LG's intent with these handsets, though LG forgot to copy Samsung's S Pen quality while copying nearly all other specs regarding the handset.
And the best part of it all? LG kept the name of this feature, too, as can be seen below in the LG Stylus 2 Plus screenshot.
Screen-Off Memo is a feature Samsung introduced, and Samsung should get credit for it. Anyone can say that LG's latest action doesn't matter and is insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but if the shoe was on the other foot (proverbially speaking, of course), you can be sure that Samsung would be held responsible to no end. LG likely kept the name because consumers have accepted the feature and the name as commonplace.
The LG Stylus 2 Plus is a phone that often gets little attention, but you can be sure that LG is hoping to change that with Screen-Off Memo. Imitation may be the highest form of flattery, but LG customers should know that there's little need to buy from LG when they can get the better (and original) concept from Samsung in the Galaxy Note 5.
