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Flash me! Lenovo Vibe X2 Pro has plug-in flash for selfies (hands-on)

A funky phone design and camera accessory make this CES 2015 phone one to check out.

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Ok, so it isn't an embedded front-facing camera flash like that found in the HTC Desire Eye , but the Vibe Xtension Selfie Flash that Lenovo made specifically to pair with the Vibe X2 Pro is at least a step in the right direction -- and you don't even have to have a Vibe X2 to use it.

If you do, however, the plug-in accessory rewards you by automatically taking a photo three seconds after you illuminate its eight LED bulbs with a button press on the back. In other phones, you'll need to press the shutter button yourself (which isn't hard). The idea is that a flash will bump up lighting conditions for the notoriously poorly-lit and often unflattering self-shot.

The pocket-size Vibe Xtension Selfie Flash attachment snaps into the headset jack and charges with a 3.5mm-to-microSD extension.

Lenovo Vibe X2 Pro design and specs

The handset itself is hard to ignore. Lenovo does something different with a triple-tiered look that reminds me of Trident Layers gum. The electric blue model I saw sandwiches a white paint job between red and blue layers. Lenovo also makes the phone with either a champagne gold or "rock pink" outer layer.

Lenovo Vibe X2 Pro lights up your life at CES 2015 (pictures)

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Specs-wise, the Vibe X2 Pro swings to the upper-mid level deck. Let's start with the 5.3-inch 1080p HD screen and Android 4.4 KitKat OS. Then there's the 13-megapixel cameras for both the back and the front, and the 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon octa-core processor. Not too shabby on paper.

Like Lenovo's other phones, the Vibe X2 Pro is bound for Asian countries like China and India. Look for it there in April 2015.

In the meantime, check out all the news and hot new gadgets from CES 2015.