LG took the wraps off its new flagship smartphone, the G Pro 2, which it will hope can reverse its fortunes after two consecutive loss-making periods for its mobile business.

The G Pro 2 has a 5.9-inch full HD screen, 2.26 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, runs Android 4.4 (KitKat) and supports LTE.

Arguably the most notable new feature of the G Pro 2 is Knock Code, which allows users to unlock their phone by tapping the screen in one of 86,367 combinations of two to eight taps.

The system, which is an evolution of the KnockOn feature seen in last year’s LG G2, works anywhere on the device screen and whether the display is turned on or off.

“Knock Code is an example of LG bringing simpler, more convenient solutions to consumers’ mobile lives,” said Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company.

The new smartphone also features a 13 megapixel rear-facing camera and 2.1 megapixel front-facing camera with sharing functionality. LG’s Optical Image Stabilizer Plus technology improves anti-shake capability while the phone features a flash for ‘selfie’ photos.

The video mode is capable of ULTRA HD recording, suitable to be played back on 4K-capable televisions.

Security has also been improved with a content lock providing the ability to lock files, photos, videos and memos using passwords.

The G Pro 2 will be displayed at Mobile World Congress but availability outside South Korea has not yet been announced.

The G Pro, the predecessor of the new device, won the award for the best smartphone at Mobile World Congress in 2013.

LG confirmed the upcoming launch of the G Pro 2 when it announced a second consecutive loss-making quarter for its Mobile Communications unit at the end of January.

It attributed the performance to higher marketing investments to strengthen its “brand equity”, and intensified price competition.

The loss was narrower than the previous quarter, however, and smartphone shipments increased 54 per cent year-on-year to reach 13.2 million units.