Related
Sorry I know if everyone asked these general questions about what to buy the forums would be flooded. Hopefully posting in the general section I'm not getting in the way of any important development threads or anything. I wouldn't ask if I weren't really struggling with some indecision here.
I'm a Verizon customer, still have unlimited. Using a Droid Bionic with Carbon Rom. I'm planning to buy at full retail price to leave my data plan in tact.
LG wasn't really even on my radar. HTC One was originally what caught my eye for the styling and great reviews, then the new wave of Droids came out, and now the G2. I think I'm fairly decided in terms of currently available devices and don't need help there, I would get the G2 if it came down to what's on store shelves right now. I've seen comments on the HTC One camera ranging from amazing to garbage, and not sure I would like Blinkfeed. The One speakers would be nice but can't say I really need internal audio from my phone that much. Doesn't sound like the Droid Maxx battery is really thrilling anyone, plus with upgrading at full retail price it kinda isn't all that interesting to jump from one Moto Droid to another, it'll just feel like a differently shaped Bionic. Moto X seems interesting everyone keeps saying it's the best all around form factor and the most refined that an Android device has ever felt, but I think I'm ready for a bigger screen and battery.
I'm more a bit hesitant that I'll get the G2 and then the Nexus 5 or Note 3 is going to be amazing. Although I'm well aware of the crop of Nexus 5 rumors, apparently not having Verizon's LTE band (then counteracted by a newer rumor saying there may have been an FCC filing for a separate Verizon LG device that wasn't the G2 and could be their variant of the Nexus 5). Plus a rumored smaller battery for the Nexus compared to the G2 which would lower my interest in it. Note 3... I'm not really dying to own my first Samsung but it seems it might outdo the G2 in a few ways, more Ram, SD card slot, etc. Obviously anything compared to the Bionic I have will seem nice, 32GB (or the 20-whatever that's actually available after system install) on the G2 will be plenty, I am used to working with the 16gb I have on my Bionic and am used to having to send stuff to my PC harddrive if my phone gets too full.
I've owned LG in my cell phone history, had an LG Dare and then an Ally for my first Android phone. Their hardware is alright but if I recall correctly they are pretty iffy about timely updates and then just stop supporting devices once they hit a certain age. But then Motorola pulled the same stunt during my Bionic ownership and most of you will know about how long it took Bionic to get system updates. I don't think I ever really saw myself going back to LG as I've felt the same indifference towards them as the rest of the community for a while now, although it kinda says something about them that they're still good enough to keep getting contracted for the Nexus devices. And then this G2 landed on my radar out of nowhere.
G2 camera sounds great with a few reviews sprinkled in that suddenly didn't think it was all that amazing, but I take pictures like crazy, camera is important, I think I may even sell my Sony Nex 3 full size camera as a way to help pay for a phone upgrade, the big camera just sits here and collects dust when I can have a camera in my pocket all day in a phone.
Important aspects to me, battery life (sick of charging my Bionic constantly, I think my extended battery is wearing out because I can just watch the percentage drop like a rock as I use it), quality display would be nice after settling for the Bionic with it's blah pentile screen, camera as I mentioned above, other than that I browse, text message, need Tethering, and use Pandora in my car. And I do care about developer support, I like messing with Roms, but if the factory Rom is decent once you get it set up, I can live with not having as large of a dev community as S4 might have or whatever. So yeah with that said it seems like a no brainer saying display-battery-camera, G2 sounds to be the best at all of that right now, I'm just worried about what else is coming out this holiday season. I know the Nexus announcement is rumored for next month but I just hate to wait just to find out it's not coming to Verizon or is definitely going to have some lame 2300mah battery. You know how it is when you're ready to upgrade...
-I suppose we'd all be guessing, but how good are people feeling about the G2 getting a KitKat update in a reasonable time window? This is the LG flagship so I would hope for good support, but the LG skin and addons are so overwhelming and heavily skinned devices always take longer to get their updates out. I'd be thrilled to get this phone but that would quickly turn to disappointment if we're waiting for 4.4 longer than anyone else.
-How is developer support looking? Have any big names pledged to add the G2 to their supported devices? I really like Carbon Rom on Bionic. I suppose it's a good sign that root and loki happened right away but so far Rom releases, especially for VZW, looks slow.
-Speaking of ROMs, do we have any idea if any of the stock stuff like knock-on etc will ever be able to be pulled and applied to a custom ROM, or is it pretty much a guarantee that if you switch to anything but stock you're going to be sacrificing a lot of the factory features?
-I noticed the G2 doesn't even come up on the Top Devices window at the first XDA forum portal, is that a bad sign for community interest in the device? HTC One, Note 3, etc all show up as the top devices on XDA right now. Is there a community behind this device or not really? Does everyone dig the specs but shy away from LG with their heavy skin?
-It WiFi tethering working with the current root exploit? I use my Bionic as my home internet access, on the stock ROM it seems like FoxFi will stop working after a couple of days like it's detecting that I'm tethering, on Carbon ROM I can tether for gig after gig of data and no issue.
-I've seen more than one person gripe about thermal throttling and the G2 starting to run like utter garbage in certain conditions. That would certainly suck to spend 600 on. Is this widespread?
I don't think I'd regret buying it immediately but I see the potential that only a few weeks into ownership the "oh crap why did I go with LG" feeling will start.
For the awesome specs...yes. Its a great deal for what you get. I don't know if tethering is working yet but I do know pda net works. Top be honest with my wife and I we were concerned about going share everything but I got a music unlimited service for 50 a year and downloaded everything instead of streaming. We went from using 6+ gb a month to under 2. And almost all the music is ultra high quality which works perfect with the 24 bit DAC. I stopped using Pandora because of this...I can skip all I want no commercials and choose weekday I want. I am very happy with the lg UI MINUS the giant size. So fast there had been a fantastic dev community modding the stock rom. Coming from a GNex I am ecstatic to get TWRP already. I wouldn't be too sure that anything coming out from Samsung will be crackle since the S4 is locked down now. Battery is about 9-10 hours of straight screen and 24+ with normal usage including hours on and off of heavy use. The only thing I don't like is the weak out of the box speaker but they have already modded ATT gain to make it better. The Btooth audio and head phone quality makes for this Times a million. I don't see anything else coming close unless you are Andre the Giant and like the phablet Note type. The one is bigger with a smaller washed out color LCD. The speakers rock but it's not worth the lack of general power. Grey a quick window case it's s fantastic.
Sent from my VS980 4G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Wow. There's about 5 minutes I can't get back.
Nexus5 will most likely never hit Verizon.
Big name devs? This phone is like a week old. Time will tell.
Wi-Fi tethering not currently working.
Buy it. If you don't like it inside of 14 days, return it. By that time, news of the nexus 5 should be out.
Thank you Devs. From my LG G2.
Wifi tether wasn't working on the S4 or One, I just had both phones on Sprint and T-Mobile with various roms and kernels. The only other phone I considered was the Note 3 but I can't stand the home button, would have liked the extra real estate but the G2 is still manageable for me to use one handed and a stylus would have been wasted on me.
This phone doesn't even need roms tbh.
I'd buy this phone all over again. No other phone feels like this one a atm.
LG G2
I was following every phone to come down the pipe for the last six months or more. I had an LG Nitro HD for my last phone and my first was the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10. The nitro was terrible. The only time that phone ran right was on stock gingerbread. The development was fairly slow and the community small because it was att only and wasn't popular at that. I was about as put off by LG as they come.
Two days ago, I bought the G2, and I absolutely love it. The battery life really is phenomenal. I say this because it had kept up with my initial high usage love for a new phone. I plugged in last night with 34% left after having almost six hours of screen on time at 80% brightness. The note 3 might be great,but then again it might not. Only 100mah larger battery with a .5in larger screen concerns me a bit. The processor is already insane in the G2 so that will likely not make a difference for a bit. The ram shouldn't be an issue for at least an upgrade cycle at minimum.
Honestly, the biggest difference between this and the nexus is battery and screen. Nexus is 5 in and only had 2300mah so unless Kit Kat has major battery improvements that phone was no longer a option for me. The tipping point for this phone over the moto x in my case? Development and community. This phone already has a larger forum Than the moto x. That's not the only determinant but helps significantly. Go check the nitro forum, this phone is already almost as large... this phone had root on day one I think it was and boot loader bypass within a week of launch. And a Rom 2days later. It may not be as fast some devices but that is still damn fast. Will this be a great dev phone? Too early to tell but it looks promising. And with the nexus being nearly identical hardware wise, that could help too.
Hope that helps.
Sent from my LG-D801 using xda app-developers app
I hope moderators leave this here because I certainly would have liked to have known this information before I made the move and it is directed for M9 owners.
It is not meant to say the G4 is a clear winner it just describes the trade-offs between the two.
I was having network reliability issues with my M9. I was running the very historically reliable Bad Boys ROM and tried reverting back to Stock Rooted. It greatly improved reliability. But I lost Tether.
I go to so much trouble to get tether it might be cheaper to just buy it
One thing that has also nagged me is if you look at M9 reviews on Sprint.Com you'll see a ton of folks saying under cons "Camera and Dropped Calls" (like 1 out of every 3 reviews, even on positive reviews).
Anyway I thought I'd try a G4. Ever since browsing a Sprint Store once all the phones were out I was rather drooling over the Larger Screen phones with razor thin bezels.
I was gonna buy a G4 on Swappa or Ebay for around $420.00 (I'd only buy sealed new phone). But I was worried it would be no better reliability wise and would not be able to return it.
There was also an issue with Bad Screens on early batches of G4's and I was concerned about quick swap with 14 days or warranty swap after and if I bought on swappa or ebay it may be part of that early batch.
If I could get it for $420.00-ish (some have bought them for under $400) and sell M9 for $350.00-ish it would cost me under $100.00 to swap.
So I need to value time and headaches and went to bestbuy. They had it for $650.00 (gulp). They matched Sprint $600.00 (no contract of course).
Then I said fine and then they hand me a $100.00 bestbuy giftcard, great. I also qualify for 2nd Battery, External Battery Charger and Leather Back Cover promotion (don't care that much about any of those things except maybe for resale later).
They also let me cherry pick the latest build date they had and there was quite a wide range.
Now to the phone comparison.
The G4 Screen is FANTASTIC. I don't know why so many reviews say you won't see a difference. It is drop dead gorgeous. The difference between M9 and G4 is about the same as the difference between the M8 and M7.
It's only a fraction taller and fraction wider and weight about the same. It feels much lighter. I think it's because it's curved and weight is over a larger area (i.e. less dense).
I was VERY worried about the G4 speaker. But is VERY good. I mostly care for speaker when using it to Navigate. It cuts through much better. Samsung S5 speaker was muffled compared to M8.
The buttons on the back of the G4 are GREAT. It is so nice having no buttons on any edge. I can't tell you how many times I've picked up the M9/M8 or took it out of the ProClip holder or out of my pocket and did something to it, I didn't want to do.
No buttons get hit on G4 either while in my pocket (no case).
I could care less about the leather backs for G4. They are not grippy enough. I added egrip to the hard shell back and it feels great (as I did my M8/M9/M7).
I have a hunch the hard shell cover helps with the speak and acts as speaker itself where the leather would absorb sound.
By default G4 maps double click volume down to take a picture. And I mapped double click up to turn on flashlight (I'd never map that on M9, it would get accidently turned on in my pocket, guaranteed).
There is no "S-Off" and no unlocked bootloader (and there might never be) on G4. But there is root on the G4 and you need a Dev to reroot each release and that vulnerability may get closed !! You must use ADB each time.
I think GSM versions have bootloader unlocked. Overall very little development.
Network reliability wise I think it is better than the M9. But it has not solved all my issues. Some of them are just plain Sprint and the new modes these modern devices run in.
Battery might be slightly worse on G4. Hard to say because I'm still fiddling with it a lot.
LG does screen brightness right. ON all other phones I've tried have to choose between fixed desired setting and auto.
On the G4 you can choose Auto AND choose how bright you want auto to be. DUH, why can't anyone else get that right !!
OMJ has tweaked his roms for a lower auto setting. But I can choose what ever I want when I want.
It still fits in my ProClip I bought for the M7 (has small width adjustment). Now at Max.
I was using my wifes M8 last night and I can't believe how quickly you get used to a wider keyboard. M8 really felt old generation.
Tether. There is a hack being used on S5/S6/G3/G4 to simply add ",dun" to your APN's to get Native tether (much easier than HTC phones that store this in SQLite).
You don't even need root on the G4 (you usually do). This does not work when roaming though !! Or more correctly does not work on EV-Do (which sprint no longer uses). It only works on eHRPD or LTE.
both Native and Wifi Tether Router work on G4 (no roaming). Roaming tether works on Bad Boys M9.
I really miss M8/M9 blinkfeed (my wife is hooked too). Yes I know about the port but I don't want to hack up the phone (Especially with no TWRP ;( ) and it is still limited functionality.
HTC could probably make more money just selling Blinkfeed as a standalone App than selling phones
I don't miss Sense 7. LG is much better than Samsung Touch Wise. LG is a little like Samsung with less Business look and feel and more Cartoon Kiddie look and feel like their dialer.
The Camera in the G4 is AMAZING. The M9 an absolute joke (in comparison). Optical Stabilization with Laser Focusing (no, not laser precise, but actually uses a laser to focus).
I don't understand why the 20 mega pixel camera in the M9 is so bad (in comparison). It must just have a crappy lens on it.
One big let down is G4 has no UMS (USB Mass Storage) mode for the USB SD Card access. M9 does. That really stinks. For example if you rename say a ROM from the PC over MTP it copies the file down to the PC renames it and copies it back.
There are references to "Mess Storage" in G4 specs but it does not have "USB Mass Storage" mode (it does not come up as a disk drive like a USB Stick would).
One annoyance on Sense is the mysterious missing widget. It happens to me and my wife on M8. Somehow it gets dragged off. Even with a lock pattern on the phone.
Problem is when a call comes in and you have Bluetooth the phone is unlocked in your pocket (or pocket book).
Can't tell you how many times I pull M8/M9 out of my pocket and the camera is running or getting hot in my pocket because something started up.
I have very few widgets and no special apps that start things up.
One really nice thing on LG is you can drag an Icon to Remove or Uninstall, Iove this. Don't have to dig through settings Apps or Play Store to clean up.
Given that my network issues are mostly Sprint my justification has diminished to get the G4 in the first place. But I just don't think I can give up the Camera and the Screen.
I have a wireless backcover (3rd party) and charger coming for the G4 (LG only makes a wireless case at the moment). All phones should have built in wireless charging, period.
G4 has a split screen but it's limited to only some apps. Not sure how useful it will be.
G4 soft navigation buttons work betterthan M9. By default they do not AutoHide and you can choose which apps will invoke AutoHide. You can also customize it a bit.
There are a couple apps that always autohide you can't turn off like camera.
The Quick Drag down menus are little better on HTC.
The Notification LED is much better on G4 (much larger). M9/M8 is too small and sometimes you need to be on top of it to see it.
It comes down to Unlocked Bootloader/S-Off, Blinkfeed, USM on M9 vs Camera, Screen, Rear Buttons, Wireless Charge on G4.
The lack of unlocked bootloader implies a loss of community as well
Probably gonna sell the M9 but there will be features I really miss.
HTC will have to have a hell of phone next year to pull me back. I would have considered Samsung again, but the lack of SD Card was a deal breaker and I need a min of 64GB and have 128GB now. That would be a $900 phone from Samsung with 128GB and no UMS mode either. But Samsung does include wireless charging in their phones now. Screens are great too. But the "Edge" versions seem fragile. I don't think the speakers are as good from what I've read.
I hope this helps some folks in future choices and future feature requests from any phone manufacturer. Sure would be nice to have the best of both. And they are both good phones. But the needle is leaning towards G4 at the moment.
We'll see where the needle is come next spring. I will definitely wait for all the phones to come out before buying. I will surely buy another come spring, I always do and if this phone is still that good I'll give it to my wife and get a G5.
Update 9/24/2015:
The root world outside of HTC is getting pretty ugly.
After going through one update and getting root back on G4, I sure do miss HTC Unlocked Bootloader (and S-Off Bonus).
It went smooth and did it dirty. I was lucky and it was a fair amount of work (involves booting Linux off a USB stick).
I have learned that G4's DO record they have been rooted, but it is not visible in Recovery or Bootloader. You have to dig for it in a file (that cannot be modified easily \persist\rct.cfg)
So I was incorrect above of saying you can restore back to factory on G4 being undetectable.
But it gets worse, a few people have tripped a Security Alert. Sometimes by seeming innocent changes while rooted (one person changed their DPI setting and tripped it).
It is unknown for sure, but even a factory reset (even if unrooted) might trip Security Alert. And it's very difficult to fix.
There are things like the RUU (called TOT), but much more difficult to apply.
Rooting from scratch yourself is, pretty complex, compared to TWRP doing it for you.
I still love the G4 hardware. But I do miss the Unlocked Bootloader of HTC's.
Had I known the risks on G4, I may have elected to go no root at all (since it can get tether without root non-roaming) or go with a Samsung (tons of developers over there)
I'm glad my wife will be keeping one HTC phone in the family and the Ut-Oh replacement M9 is running excellent (root only).
I hope HTC releases a more competitive piece of hardware next spring.
Also I've had my eye on Samsung Forums. Even though they successfully run TWRP. It is not safe to Factory Reset (not sure if this is true on all models or carriers).
They may lose Data/Voice if they do.
There is some sort of Key stored in Data and that Key cannot be regenerated once Rooted (that's my understanding/guess).
G4 does have an official unlocked bootloader in European models, hope is USA will be added. A lot of folks are doubtful though.
If you really value root, stick with HTC for now.
Root is not critical for me, but it sure is uneasy not having a Nandroid backup.
man...I really hate long winded posts, usually will skim but I did read it all
sorry to see ya go, maybe another time on another awesome HTC yes I am a HTC fanboy...from reading your post, nothing looks alluring to me. I do believe HTC needs to step it up or they will fold. This new A9 they are about to announce will be a joke. Hopefully M10 or whatever it's called will wow everyone. If I wasn't such a fan, I'd go w/ the Nexus 6.
good luck!
OMJ said:
man...I really hate long winded posts, usually will skim but I did read it all
sorry to see ya go, maybe another time on another awesome HTC yes I am a HTC fanboy...from reading your post, nothing looks alluring to me. I do believe HTC needs to step it up or they will fold. This new A9 they are about to announce will be a joke. Hopefully M10 or whatever it's called will wow everyone. If I wasn't such a fan, I'd go w/ the Nexus 6.
good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your comments.
Not being on the M9 hurts most because of not being in the same community as folks like you.
Sooner or later we will hopefully converge on the same device again. I tried Samsung last year after initial M8 and came back to M8 (which my wife has now) and then M9.
The lack of unlocked bootloader might eat at me overtime. I keep thinking I really don't even need root. But just yesterday I received a Bose Souchtouch Speaker and found an "AirPlay" emulator in PlayStore that requires root !
The risk of losing root or not being on latest android because devs were not able to reroot make me uneasy. If a boot loader unlock is not found we may eventually lose root (assuming you want to be on latest Android because developers will move on).
One thing I have figured out networking wise. When on LTE the phone must switch to eHRPD to take the call. If you are on marginal signal switching can take a long time. It takes so long to switch the call goes to Voice Mail before it's done switching. If I leave the phone in CDMA mode it does not have to switch and fights to maintain a compatible voice connection even on a weak connection. And will always ring within couple of rings (usually immediately). When on weak LTE/eHRPD it's a crap shoot on how long it takes (it will eventually switch). This is not sprints fault due coverage. It's just some rooms at work are weak signal on all carriers.
The lack of Voice over LTE is a good part of the problem that might be fixed say in 5 years. I have not tried WIFI Calling yet. It was dreadful on M8/M9 (switching from Cell to WIFI or WIFI to Cell was sloppy and slow enough to not be reliable, I'm not expecting G4 to be better, it's mostly the same tech under the hood).
I work in a phone store, so I am always always always researching the best "best" phone. Usually I rely on a few factors, root, bootloader unlocking ease, rom development and lastly features. You can have a crappy phone, but it has a great deal of development, or have an iphone with IOS.
The M8 and M9 are my current devices since my G3 crapped out on me. I feel that the G4 is not my go to phone since LG is gutting the G4 to make the nexus. The biggest question I can ask you is, do you want a development scene that will last the lifetime of the device or do you want a device with building development?
LG, in my experience has had a really slow development process. Now a quick disclaimer, I am not judging any developer, nor saying you should or should not get a particular device, but generally, HTC, moto and all nexus branded devices have the quickest root/unlock and development. You can essentially consider CM nightlies a "farm" status for minor bug fixes and flavored AOSP roms and stock alternatives. As for moving to the G4, it is stupidly close to the new nexus from LG, which I am very much waiting for. My M9 has been a disappointment not by development, but by a crappy radio and piss poor firmware not fully tested.
I want my M9 to be awesome. And I really have OMJ and Viper Rom devs for all their hard work to support the rom. As of right now, we're struggling to find a cure for no camera for the HTC CM12.1 rom. I am stuck waiting for the phone I want to have cm12, for my older one which has better service, and generally a 100% perfect rom. (Sprint HTC M8 on Candy5 is truly amazing).
While I agree the M9 is a failure, the future device you would want to get if you want quick and easy, go nexus, if you want moderately fast, go HTC. Samsung has proven to be extremely hard to root these days. The S5 had a $13k bounty just for root. Good luck in whatever you do end up getting.
Coming from another M9er with radio issues, I have considered this same jump to the Nexus but I just don't want something that big. I wish they'd have just made a new Nexus 5.
If the new Nexus is 5/5.5" then I'd likely move as while I like Sense, I have no love for Blinkfeed (it's far left homescreen and gets used max once or twice every few days) and I HATE that HTC is now updating everything in the Play Store, including crap I don't want updated (like Sense Home) so I have to be careful to never "update all" and am forced to go one by one.
GL with the G4 @mswlogo sincerely hope it works out for you
I have been loyal to HTC for years starting with the TP1 running Windows Mobile with MightyRom which was the bomb at the time. Then TP2, evo 4G, evo 3d, evo LTE, M7, M8 & now M9. The m9 is my 8th consecutive HTC phone. Part of me wanted to try something new this year especially since Samsung upped it's build quality on the S6 (was thinking about getting an S6 edge) or a G4 maybe a note 5. The M9 was not ready for release it was plagued with radio issues on release to the point where LTE was pretty much useless as apps were firewalled and 3G would dump to 1X make your data experience almost non-usable.
While I can understand your reasons for changing, I don't see the point of coming here to rant. Most of what you were stating is already well known. HTC has never been strong in the radio department and on the hardware level signals were always a little lower than than most of the Samsung devices from my personal testing. The camera HTC dropped the ball 2 years in a row starting with the M7 so when they decided to ditch ultrapixel they were behind and I'm sure they had to scramble since the previous 2 years were scrapped and they had to start over.
It really comes down to opinion and if you wanna go with a G4 good for you, I think it's a great phone. That said my M9 has the best speakers, best build quality, arguably best UI (sense is well liked for me), full control of bootloader with s-off, SD card support (I don't use), Two-Tone metal which I really like and keeps me from switching since all these things are important to me especially the speakers. All winners in my book. Sure the camera isn't the best but I don't really care, it's good enough for me I don't take that many pictures anyway. You could get into things like this on any phone it's just an opinion.
To me the M9 is a good phone, that said HTC could have done a better job this year since really this phone is nothing more than an M8 with better specs and new camera. Other than that there isn't much difference. I don't know why people got so up in arms this year, no different than apple releasing a iphone 5 and then an iphone 5s. If you didn't like the M9 I don't know why you got one for, the only thing that was not documented before release was the half-baked radio causing data issues which we all know Sprint's network still struggles vs some of the others in most areas. The latest software update fixed most the issues and I haven't had too many problems with mine since.
In this day and age with leaks and so many well written reviews with videos there is just no reason you can't make a good decision before hand. Most the things you mentioned were well covered before release, so to act surprised once you get it I just don't understand. This RF comparison was done well over a year ago so when the M9 came out I never expected it to have an awesome radio. Now if you actually have a defective radio, that is another issue and of course is frustrating.
I'm sure if I got a Galaxy S6 edge, a note 5 or a G4 I would come here as well and tell you things I like better and of course things I miss about HTC but this is an M9 section of the forum to discuss the M9, not glorify LG or really any other phone. Enjoy your G4, it's a great phone maybe we will see you next year if the M10 turns out to be a winner.
Bad Boyz rom is awesome btw which is another reason I want to keep this phone. Thanks OMJ
I've had HTC phones since about 5 models before the one you listed. So don't tell me what should know before hand. I also I said it turns out to not be the radio. Also in testing the M9 radio is technically supposed to be top dog compared to other top brands. Many of these phones have the same radio and firmware and only difference is antenna implementation.
I was fine with first year of ultra pixel. It was a reasonable choice. Since then it's a joke. I use the camera a lot. M9/M8 is just bad compared to competition. It's usable but no comparison. When I saw 20mega pixel, I thought finally we'll be back with of the rest, no we are NOT and didn't know that really until now.
What really stinks is the photo files are so big they often won't send over mms.
Because I wanted to see if it was the radio causing issues I tried the G4. But it turns out the screen and camera are the main reasons I'm keeping it, not the radio.
I love the htc speakers, but the G4 speaker surprises me.
I don't consider my post a rant. Just sharing my experience with long time fellow htc owners and I've been an HTC owner longer than most here, including you and I upgrade every year.
HTC had to drop the ball big time to make me even look. The long term prospects for HTC are also a factor. we may all be looking for another brand soon. It will take miracle to save them in my opinion.
So I was giving a preview
By the way a lot of former hard core developers are in the samsung forums.
Yes HTC is king of unlocked boot loader. But with carriers and apps watching for root and tether, unlocking isn't all that will be need in the future. So HTC's nitch is becoming less of a make break deal.
That's what I hate about people wanting 20+ Mb cameras. I just don't get it, its a camera on a phone which you may upload to social media and send through MMS. You are not going to make a poster size print from a phone camera. Nowadays you need to edit the picture to reduce the size of the file just to send. I personally think the M9 takes great pictures.
schmeggy929 said:
That's what I hate about people wanting 20+ Mb cameras. I just don't get it, its a camera on a phone which you may upload to social media and send through MMS. You are not going to make a poster size print from a phone camera. Nowadays you need to edit the picture to reduce the size of the file just to send. I personally think the M9 takes great pictures.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
M9 takes ok pictures. But it's really not even close to Samsung or LG or Apple. Not even in the same ball park.
One huge issue is the M9 is a slow lens. So if your subject isn't moving or you can hold steady and you have enough light, you can get an ok shot (I've had 3 M8's, M9, M7, S5 and G4).
But with the G4 or S5/S6/etc. you just snap it and you get the shot WAY more often than an M9.
And occasionally it is worth cropping a smartphone photo. But M9 photos really look like crap if you zoom them.
And sometimes you do snag a special moment with a smartphone and it's so nice if it's decent Often M9 is ONLY good enough to view on an M9 screen.
Well I like to save photos for viewing on large screen computer (e.g. Flickr).
This is a sample, and this is still severely down sampled. The quality is frame-able at 8x10.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/701/20556046883_d99e7aea8e_h_d.jpg
schmeggy929 said:
That's what I hate about people wanting 20+ Mb cameras. I just don't get it, its a camera on a phone which you may upload to social media and send through MMS. You are not going to make a poster size print from a phone camera. Nowadays you need to edit the picture to reduce the size of the file just to send. I personally think the M9 takes great pictures.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My pictures turn out just fine as well, I really don't understand why people complain. My M8 took great low light shots, sure the resolution was too low but they were fine for social media or MMS like you said. If you are doing professional photos you won't be using a phone camera anyway. The G4 has a better camera, whooohoooo! Who cares, not like you are posting raw image format when sharing on facebook or wherever you are sharing. I like my M9 for several reasons, if you don't like it there is a million other great phones to pick from. Camera quality for all the flagship phones is very well documented, so to get a flagship phone only to complain about the camera when none of this is new information makes no sense.
Sim-X said:
My pictures turn out just fine as well, I really don't understand why people complain. My M8 took great low light shots, sure the resolution was too low but they were fine for social media or MMS like you said. If you are doing professional photos you won't be using a phone camera anyway. The G4 has a better camera, whooohoooo! Who cares, not like you are posting raw image format when sharing on facebook or wherever you are sharing. I like my M9 for several reasons, if you don't like it there is a million other great phones to pick from. Camera quality for all the flagship phones is very well documented, so to get a flagship phone only to complain about the camera when none of this is new information makes no sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The M9 was SUPPOSED to have a decent camera. Then the software update was SUPPOSED to fix it. Never happened in my opinion. So it was NOT known "up front" the camera was gonna remain a dud of a camera. Much lower resolution cameras do much better. I prefer the M7 camera to the M8 or M9 camera. At least it could do something in low light other cameras can struggle with. M7 also had OIS (yes that was known when announced, that should have been a hint that something is not quite right with HTC and cameras). The dual mics in the M7 for large dynamic range were also fantastic (later removed due to patent infringements) .
Many folks don't just MMS pics. They like to share them and often end up on a larger screen. M9 pics always look dull and look like they came from a flip phone (often because of blur due to slow lens) when you view them on a large computer screen, the G4's do not.
Deleted
mswlogo said:
The M9 was SUPPOSED to have a decent camera. Then the software update was SUPPOSED to fix it. Never happened in my opinion. So it was NOT known "up front" the camera was gonna remain a dud of a camera. Much lower resolution cameras do much better. I prefer the M7 camera to the M8 or M9 camera. At least it could do something in low light other cameras can struggle with. M7 also had OIS (yes that was known when announced, that should have been a hint that something is not quite right with HTC and cameras). The dual mics in the M7 for large dynamic range were also fantastic (later removed due to patent infringements) .
Many folks don't just MMS pics. They like to share them and often end up on a larger screen. M9 pics always look dull and look like they came from a flip phone (often because of blur due to slow lens) when you view them on a large computer screen, the G4's do not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't call it a dud...IMO, it is a decent camera, not the best, but decent...and that's all I care about when it comes to a camera on a smartphone. All phones have their pros & cons (same w/ carriers)...the M9 (and all HTC devices) pros far out weight the cons.
I've been a loooong time HTC fan, they are the ONLY manufacturer I've used...I don't plan to switch unless they fold or stop innovating...
-Apache, Touch, Diamond, EVO 4G, EVO 3D, EVO LTE, M7, M8, M9
OMJ said:
I wouldn't call it a dud...IMO, it is a decent camera, not the best, but decent...and that's all I care about when it comes to a camera on a smartphone. All phones have their pros & cons (same w/ carriers)...the M9 (and all HTC devices) pros far out weight the cons.
I've been a loooong time HTC fan, they are the ONLY manufacturer I've used...I don't plan to switch unless they fold or stop innovating...
-Apache, Touch, Diamond, EVO 4G, EVO 3D, EVO LTE, M7, M8, M9
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel the same the way. Decent camera I agree. I have set up a couple of GS6 for friends and although better camera I still just don't like touchwiz. Yes the GS6 got a better camera this year, who cares. The 0.69 megapixel facebook timeline pictures I don't think people are going to be comparing. If you take pictures for a living, I don't think it will be with an LG phone my goodness.
Not sure how anyone could have expected a "wow" camera this year to beat out Sammy or Apple. If you prefer a G4 good for you, have yourself a cookie. I'm not going to head over to the G4 forum anytime soon why I like my M9 better than the G4.
OMJ said:
I wouldn't call it a dud...IMO, it is a decent camera, not the best, but decent...and that's all I care about when it comes to a camera on a smartphone. All phones have their pros & cons (same w/ carriers)...the M9 (and all HTC devices) pros far out weight the cons.
I've been a loooong time HTC fan, they are the ONLY manufacturer I've used...I don't plan to switch unless they fold or stop innovating...
-Apache, Touch, Diamond, EVO 4G, EVO 3D, EVO LTE, M7, M8, M9
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seriously. I've been on HTC for a eons (for long time they were the only choice) I thought the camera was "ok" too. Until I gave the G4 a real spin.
I still have the M9. And I was playing around with both cameras (M9 and G4).
See the attach photo. It's decorative wall switch plate. The room is not brightly lit and neither camera had the flash on full automatic.
The G4 allows 8x Digital Zoom but the M9 is capped lower (I think 4x digital zoom).
So I "zoomed" the M9 on computer to match field of view of the G4 so that it is also at 8x.
Granted this is an extreme stress test. But it shows how massively different the cameras are. Note the M9 is supposed to 20 mega pixel, the G4 is 16.
I pay a good chunk of change for the upgrade every year. And I expect incremental improvements (including the camera). HTC is just not keeping pace.
I LOVE many features of the M9. USM mode of an SD Card is huge for me. Unlocked bootloader is huge. Good development is sometime more important than I admit sometimes (i.e. closet flash-holic)
So it is torture giving those things up. It's also torture seeing HTC tank, because if they were ok financially, I'm sure they would catch up on some the things they are lacking in.
For some snaps I really don't care that much. But for some, I think, oh I wish I had my real camera with me (a Sony Nex 7 formally a Canon 5D-II but I downgraded to the Nex-7 for weight).
For those moments the M9 is often so disappointing. For the G4, it's a pleasant surprise (so was the Samsung S5).
By the way M7,M8,M9 actually do fine on Video. Because that it's only about 1-2 mega pixel per frame (it's down sampled). And HTC has had good Mics, especially early M7's.
There is other times I'm trying to take a macro shot for a circuit board or mechanical issue at work. The higher the quality the better. Most of the time the M9 will get the job done. But higher quality is a real bonus and sometimes can make the difference of capturing what I need or not. So the camera has a wide range applications for me. I knew I was going backwards on camera going back to M8 from S5, but forward on many other things I missed. One huge issue on Samsung's is you trip Knox on Rooting and you are screwed on warranty. And I have been turned away by sprint techs for a rooted phone (that had issues nothing to do with root).
The picture below is just trying to show you the DIFFERENCE. I'm sure part of it is due to OIS on one vs the other.
I'll try M7,M8,M9,G4 soon with it hand held vs tripod-ish and see the difference. I'm curious to see myself. I bet the M7 camera looks similar to M9 (hand held). This test has probably been done. But I'm not sure is M7,M8,M9 has been done in one sitting.
That photo below is telling the M9 is doing about equivalent of 1/4 the mega pixel the G4 is doing (about 4 mega pixel - i.e. at least half the resolution in x and y).
The lens on the M9 is 2 stops slower. The M9 lacks OIS and that accounts for around another stop. 3 Stops is huge on a lot of shots. That's mostly what we are seeing here.
mswlogo said:
Seriously. I've been on HTC for a eons (for long time they were the only choice) I thought the camera was "ok" too. Until I gave the G4 a real spin.
I still have the M9. And I was playing around with both cameras (M9 and G4).
See the attach photo. It's decorative wall switch plate. The room is not brightly lit and neither camera had the flash on full automatic.
The G4 allows 8x Digital Zoom but the M9 is capped lower (I think 4x digital zoom).
So I "zoomed" the M9 on computer to match field of view of the G4 so that it is also at 8x.
Granted this is an extreme stress test. But it shows how massively different the cameras are. Note the M9 is supposed to 20 mega pixel, the G4 is 16.
I pay a good chunk of change for the upgrade every year. And I expect incremental improvements (including the camera). HTC is just not keeping pace.
I LOVE many features of the M9. USM mode of an SD Card is huge for me. Unlocked bootloader is huge. Good development is sometime more important than I admit sometimes (i.e. closet flash-holic)
So it is torture giving those things up. It's also torture seeing HTC tank, because if they were ok financially, I'm sure they would catch up on some the things they are lacking in.
For some snaps I really don't care that much. But for some, I think, oh I wish I had my real camera with me (a Sony Nex 7 formally a Canon 5D-II but I downgraded to the Nex-7 for weight).
For those moments the M9 is often so disappointing. For the G4, it's a pleasant surprise (so was the Samsung S5).
By the way M7,M8,M9 actually do fine on Video. Because that it's only about 1-2 mega pixel per frame (it's down sampled). And HTC has had good Mics, especially early M7's.
There is other times I'm trying to take a macro shot for a circuit board or mechanical issue at work. The higher the quality the better. Most of the time the M9 will get the job done. But higher quality is a real bonus and sometimes can make the difference of capturing what I need or not. So the camera has a wide range applications for me. I knew I was going backwards on camera going back to M8 from S5, but forward on many other things I missed. One huge issue on Samsung's is you trip Knox on Rooting and you are screwed on warranty. And I have been turned away by sprint techs for a rooted phone (that had issues nothing to do with root).
The picture below is just trying to show you the DIFFERENCE. I'm sure part of it is due to OIS on one vs the other.
I'll try M7,M8,M9,G4 soon with it hand held vs tripod-ish and see the difference. I'm curious to see myself. I bet the M7 camera looks similar to M9 (hand held). This test has probably been done. But I'm not sure is M7,M8,M9 has been done in one sitting.
That photo below is telling the M9 is doing about equivalent of 1/4 the mega pixel the G4 is doing (about 4 mega pixel - i.e. at least half the resolution in x and y).
The lens on the M9 is 2 stops slower. The M9 lacks OIS and that accounts for around another stop. 3 Stops is huge on a lot of shots. That's mostly what we are seeing here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must have some serious shake going on there buddy. I have never seen my M9 take a picture that blurry even zoomed.
Thats maxed zoomed focused on cisco boxes about 30 feet away
schmeggy929 said:
You must have some serious shake going on there buddy. I have never seen my M9 take a picture that blurry even zoomed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'd don't even know what I'm taking about that. That is Zoomed 8x so you can SEE the difference !! I zoomed it enough to show (exaggerate if you want) the difference in the cameras.
You skipped the text and just looked at the picture or you didn't understand what I did.
All photos will look like Sh$t if you zoom them enough.
All photos will look "ok" if you zoom them out enough. HTC counts on you never looking at the photo off the phone and never cropping it (and they are often right and you are proof).
The reason the HTC looks like crap is, it bumped the ISO up to 1000 because of the F/2.2 lens. The G4 bumped up to 300.
Turns out they both exposed at 1/10 sec.
schmeggy929 said:
Thats maxed zoomed focused on cisco boxes about 30 feet away
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because the HTC caps the Max Zoom at half (4x) of what G4 does.
I zoomed the HTC photo on the computer to match the Max zoom on the G4 (8x).
I zoomed the HTC photo another 2x for a EQUAL comparison.
G4 isn't afraid for the user to see 8x zoom on their 16 mega pixel sensor. HTC is afraid for you too see beyond 4x on their 20 mega pixel.
There is absolutely no comparison between the two. We are not talking close or even trade-offs.
I'm NOT suggesting every one needs 8x. I'm just using it as a tool to show the difference on the SAME playing field.
On normal photos the difference will end up being a burry shot or extremely grainy (i.e. dull).
With EXCESS light. The difference in lens and OIS becomes moot.
So outdoors during the day the M9 might be a closer match (I doubt it but it will be closer).
As soon as you go above ISO-200 and/or slower than 1/60 exposer (which is extremely often) the difference becomes huge.
I have spent thousands on lens to gain 1-2 stops.
mswlogo said:
You'd don't even know what I'm taking about that. That is Zoomed 8x so you can SEE the difference !! I zoomed it enough to show (exaggerate if you want) the difference in the cameras.
You skipped the text and just looked at the picture or you didn't understand what I did.
All photos will look like Sh$t if you zoom them enough.
All photos will look "ok" if you zoom them out enough. HTC counts on you never looking at the photo off the phone and never cropping it (and they are often right and you are proof).
The reason the HTC looks like crap is, it bumped the ISO up to 1000 because of the F/2.2 lens. The G4 bumped up to 300.
Turns out they both exposed at 1/10 sec.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I did read what you did and understand you zoomed to to show the equivalent to the G4. Im sure you are correct and the camera is way better than the M9. Its just weird you zoomed out the M9 4 more times and wall switch plate is so blurry with no pixelating.
OK, I'm on a Nexus 6, running Chroma ROM, loving the rooted Marshmallow life on Project Fi. I was looking forward to more of the same with the 128GB 6P. Then I started checking into the V10.
Here is what is *almost* making me hit the cancel button on my N6P order: 2nd screen, ESS Sabre DAC/AMP (the main reason is this actually), and I personally prefer the LG displays vs Amoled. (Color and white accuracy > saturated pop.) The V10 looks a bit better IMO too, but looks are pretty far down my list of considerations. Until proven otherwise, I'll consider cameras on the 6p vs v10 to be a wash. I also don't think the 808 vs 810 thing will be a huge deal for me either.
I've owned the G2 and G3 and liked it, but don't at all care for LG's UI customizations vs stock android. It's worse than touch wiz in some ways. Not as bad in others.
I'm an audiophile and I'd love to ditch my external headphone DAC/AMP. I'd really like to enjoy the V10, but not sure I can give up the freedom of a Nexus. So... Convince me!
Don't forget the removable SD (up to 1TB of music for you) and removable battery.
Nobody can convince you but yourself. I cancelled my 6P order for several reasons. IR Blaster (yes I use it all the time), V10 is the first phone using Qualcomm's TruSignal radio, second screen, IPS vs OLED, video features, the LG camera are already among the finest in cellphones, serious drop protection, among others. I'm one of the few maybe? Who actually likes the features that LG has added to their phones as opposed to vanilla Android. 4GB RAM, 808 is a fine processor. Qi charging backs available, removable battery and SD card slots. Those are the reasons I hit the cancel button.
I've sort of thought about getting myself the V10.
I want the Nexus 6P very bad, however unless AT&T picks it up wihtin the next two months I am more than likely going to have to find another phone or jump through a lot of hoops to get it.
That said, I have had my G3 since a month after it was released, this is the longest time I have ever held onto a phone.. Without rooting it, I might add.
I have used plenty of android devices, all were rooted. I love root, but I feel as Android is evolving I have had less of a need to root, though I would really like to hear that the bootloader on the V10 will be easily unlocked...
I sort of thought the second screen was going to be a gimmick. Now I am rethinking that. I absolutely love my G3 camera. I don't mind the LG UI in fact and that is one of the biggest reasons I have kept the phone this long. Unlike TouchWiz which will keep me from buying another Samsung phone for years to come, or Sense which I will not try again in the foreseeable future, the UI is not over bearing, almost keeps the vanilla android look perfectly.. It doesn't eat up a ton of RAM, and is pretty darn snappy.
I think I may end up with this device, I will wait until reviews of the N6P and this device come out to make a final decision, as well as wait and see if carriers in the US are allowed/decide to carry the Nexus.
You have to make the decision yourself, OP. I'll say this much - I don't need root at this point, sure it's a bonus, but not needed - so I lean toward this device.
Stainless steel, rubber, 2 gorilla glass coverings, sd card, removable battery, 2nd screen, 2 selfie cams and the video record features.
I can re-skin the UI, all but the system menu, with Nova - which I'd probably be doing on the nexus as well. I guess the big question is how much ROM support will the V10 have to keep me happy like the nexus will. Having to code a ROM to handle that second display is probably going to be rough, but I'm just guessing.
Elnrik said:
I can re-skin the UI, all but the system menu, with Nova - which I'd probably be doing on the nexus as well. I guess the big question is how much ROM support will the V10 have to keep me happy like the nexus will. Having to code a ROM to handle that second display is probably going to be rough, but I'm just guessing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to say a few things here, and all my opinion.
First. I am only up to speed on the way the G3 development progressed. Boatloader was hard to crack for most carrier variants and I believe the V10 will more than likely follow suit.
If you are buying a new phone to go flash-a-holic on your best bet will always be the newest Nexus device, hands down. The way phone manufacturers are trending they want their phones to be super secure, and in Samsung's case want it secure enough to make government contracts possible.
With that said. The next thing is the second screen. If there happens to be a fair development area for this phone I will assume that all stock based roms will have no issues with the second screen as it is already in the software code.
However, MIUI, AOSP, CM based roms will likely have issues unless LG makes that code available. So, again if you want to flash every ROM in the XDA database the Nexus is your phone.
I look at the V10 and I see stability, amazing hardware, software for the camera second to none, and above all else the one thing all these manufacturers are losing people for lacking - MICRO SD and removable battery!
Matt
I used to be a flash crazy person. I tried everything and constantly switched. That was also during the time when Android wasn't mature like it is now. Now, I'm content with just root. I hate flashing ROM's now, it takes up too much time restoring everything, and a lot of the features added to ROM's are not very useful to me. I do like to flash kernels, though and find them useful.
1) I understand the benefits of USB C but I have a significant investment in Qualcomm Quickcharge 2.0 wall, and car, and power bank, and cables. So I actually prefer at this time to stay with micro USB for compatibility with my other devices. USB C might make more sense in a couple years.
2) Removable battery. Not because I intend to swap it but rather because I hope to stay with this phone for many years and when the battery get tired I can buy a new one.
3) Micro SD. My current phone is small so I use it for audio only and my tablet for video only. I am hoping by switching to a big phone I can use one device for both audio and video. This means I want lots of storage and the max 128GB of the 6P is not enough for me.
4) I do not like the wasted bezel space at the top of the 6P. I'm thinking the V10 2nd display with be useful for me.
5) I like the combined power and finger print sensor on the back.
6) I think a camera with OIS is better than one without. And I like manual camera controls.
7) I don't play games but I like to multitask. So more ram and lower power cpu is a plus for me.
What might change my mind?
If upcoming 6P camera reviews demonstrate it is a lot better than the V10 camera. If the V10 pricing is not competitive. If I see some serious flaws reported in V10 reviews.
Elnrik said:
OK, I'm on a Nexus 6, running Chroma ROM, loving the rooted Marshmallow life on Project Fi. I was looking forward to more of the same with the 128GB 6P. Then I started checking into the V10.
Here is what is *almost* making me hit the cancel button on my N6P order: 2nd screen, ESS Sabre DAC/AMP (the main reason is this actually), and I personally prefer the LG displays vs Amoled. (Color and white accuracy > saturated pop.) The V10 looks a bit better IMO too, but looks are pretty far down my list of considerations. Until proven otherwise, I'll consider cameras on the 6p vs v10 to be a wash. I also don't think the 808 vs 810 thing will be a huge deal for me either.
I've owned the G2 and G3 and liked it, but don't at all care for LG's UI customizations vs stock android. It's worse than touch wiz in some ways. Not as bad in others.
I'm an audiophile and I'd love to ditch my external headphone DAC/AMP. I'd really like to enjoy the V10, but not sure I can give up the freedom of a Nexus. So... Convince me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you were really an audiophile than you wouldn't need convincing. The superb ESS DAC/AMP in the LG V10 should have been enough to tip the scale quite easily.
Oh, kind of like the ESS DAC and amp in this? https://www.oppodigital.com/headphone-amplifier-ha-2/
Carrying around that has been just fine for quite a while. Not having to carry that and still having all of the features I want in a smartphone is my goal. If you read my post, maybe you would have understood.
You'll never be able to convince me that you'd rather carry around a stack if you don't have to. That's absurd. Choice is easy. LG V10.
jamor414 said:
You'll never be able to convince me that you'd rather carry around a stack if you don't have to. That's absurd. Choice is easy. LG V10.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd rather carry it than go without the smartphone features I want. Many people do.
You have yet to post a logical argument as to why the V10 is better.
Elnrik said:
I'd rather carry it than go without the smartphone features I want. Many people do.
You have yet to post a logical argument as to why the V10 is better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stacks are bulky and annoying. Nobody wants to carry that around if they dont have to and the v10 eliminates that need. I never said the LG is "better". I said the v10 has a superior dac/amp that would make the decision easy for a true audiophile. Not to mention the 6p doesn't even have an sd card slot for more music.
Bottom line for me looks like I'm going with the V10 over the Nexus 6P. Very excited for it. Might be a month but I am going to get myself a little "early" Christmas present
No need to convince. Don't get it. It doesn't meet your needs/wants.
I got my 6p in the mail today. Really nice phone, but something makes me want to try the v10, (the promo helps) camera is probably just as good maybe better. I ordered from ATT in Opal Blue, I figure if it doesn't compare I can return it. Or if Its better, keep it and sell the 6p.
Samsung.Galaxy.S3 said:
No need to convince. Don't get it. It doesn't meet your needs/wants.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. I think I'll be sticking with the N6P.
Craleb said:
I got my 6p in the mail today. Really nice phone, but something makes me want to try the v10, (the promo helps) camera is probably just as good maybe better. I ordered from ATT in Opal Blue, I figure if it doesn't compare I can return it. Or if Its better, keep it and sell the 6p.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mind giving us a comparison once you've had the chance to test drive both? I'm still interested in the V10, I'm just thinking the N6P better suits me at this point.
I thought I was going to prefer the Nexus 6P over the LG V10 but that was ruined when I learned Nexus was going AMOLED again. It was a disaster the first time around and doesn't sound all that great this time. I'm reading a lot of complaints on brightness and a pink/blue hue to the screen.
I just don't trust AMOLED. I'm a moderate to heavy user and don't need a screen that can suffer image retention, burn in, and/or color degradation anywhere from a week to a year after purchase.
All in all, though, I'll be sticking with my G4 as the V10 isn't worth the upgrade.
Elnrik said:
I agree. I think I'll be sticking with the N6P.
Mind giving us a comparison once you've had the chance to test drive both? I'm still interested in the V10, I'm just thinking the N6P better suits me at this point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really like the 6p, its beautiful, the camera is amazing, and its fast and clean. My v10 comes tomorrow, I will gladly share my opinion.
The V10 is an awesome device. I've been going through all reviews (Youtube & Forums alike), and I'm pretty much okay with it more than any flagship currently on the market. However, the October release of the V10 is kind of awkward and untimely considering (rumors) that they plan to announce the LG G5 in the first quarter of 2016. As a keen tech-savvy consumer / power user, I am aware that flagships grow exponentially every year offering the same premium price (i.e. S6 is an improvement of the Note 4, and probably the S7 will be an improvement of the Note 5). So it is highly likely that the LG G5 will be an improved version of the V10, and the V11 will be obviously a step up higher than the G5.
While I am not in a hurry to buy a new phone, despite my very crappy/laggy cheap Lenovo A536, I am still occasionally tempted to get the V10 (especially when my current phone freezes to eternity). On the other hand, it keeps me from doing that as I am anticipating LG's announcement at CES 2016 in a month or two from now, which will be readily available on the market by March or April, offering it at an introductory price that would be the same with the V10 right now.
Also, another thing that keeps me from getting the V10 is the massive size of it, when the G5 will very likely inherit its features with a 5.5-inch display and slightly better specs + ergonomics.
Well if there's no hurry then there's no harm in waiting to see what is out there. New phones are always coming out
Sent from my LG-H900 using Tapatalk
If you have a barely usable phone now - get a new phone soon as possible.
As for waiting for the next best thing ... what are you going to do in March when that edition comes out and they announce they'll be another phone coming.
The differences in the phones is somewhat minimal.
Go to the stores, spend time with each model you like and get the one that feels right. Its far more productive to have a useful tool than it is to have a tool that doesn't work. Waiting for the 'bigger-better-deal' in the next 3 to 4 months is keeping you from being productive today.
This is just my opinion. Good luck in your choice.
I voted no, wait for the G5. Or go a different route.
I'm actively trying to trade out of my v10. I like aspects of the phone, but if and until certain software changes are made there are better options out there now.
I love having a SD card and removable battery, but the fingerprint scanner sucks. The DPI on this phone is ridiculous. I mean, when the phone is in landscape you can't even see all the options in the sound menu.
I'm on Verizon, so I can't (yet, if ever) root and fix these issues myself. If that changes, my opinion would. Just a few tweaks could fix this phone. The outlook is dim, however, and as it stands currently I can't recommend it.
I got the v10 for the free stuff. My mom is enjoying her free tablet from T-Mobile and I love having the 200gb sd card, extra battery and charging cradle. It has its issue but honestly it is a very solid phone that works well overall. It's not bleeding edge but that has its advantages of being more stable overall. I agree with the other posters, if your phone is on its last legs like my note 2 was get the v10 you'll enjoy it, if your current phone is chugging along fine just wait for the next model.
So it REALLY depends on what you want to do with the device.
If you're interested in having the "latest and greatest" or are doing thing that might require a device that has the highest possible components, then I'd wait. If you're looking for a REALLY good device, then I'd go with the V10.
Coming from the Note III, I LOVE my V10. It's a great device
I wouldn't consider going to the V10 settling!
There will always be a latest and greatest. Once the G5 comes around, there will be rumors of a newer device. If you don't know what you want yet, and your current phone is at its end, buy a used nexus 6 or g4 for cheap until you make up your mind.
Sent from my LG-H901 using Tapatalk
Yep.. If you feel like you are settling you shouldn't get it.
Depends on what you want. G5 might have a better camera, but probably a smaller display, no 2nd screen, no HiFi DAC/amp, etc. Unless it comes with an OLED screen, maintains microSD & battery swap, and immensely better camera - I probably won't care.
blackhemi4x4 said:
I wouldn't consider going to the V10 settling!
There will always be a latest and greatest. Once the G5 comes around, there will be rumors of a newer device. If you don't know what you want yet, and your current phone is at its end, buy a used nexus 6 or g4 for cheap until you make up your mind.
Sent from my LG-H901 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! One of the things I also need is the Dual-SIM feature. While I know that some have the H961 available, I still do not see it on my trusted seller's offerings yet. I really need that Dual-SIM as I live in Asia. I currently have an unlimited data sim separate from my daily calling and texting sim card. I do understand though that LG G5 will offer that as well but a month after the official model is released, same was with the LG G4.
Nitemare3219 said:
Depends on what you want. G5 might have a better camera, but probably a smaller display, no 2nd screen, no HiFi DAC/amp, etc. Unless it comes with an OLED screen, maintains microSD & battery swap, and immensely better camera - I probably won't care.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rumors say that it will have a 5.6-inch QHD display? Either way, 5.5-inch is enough for my needs, and a .1 inch difference from a V10 is negligible to me. Wouldn't care much about the 2nd screen.
I'm waiting for the G5 personally. Its only a few months around the corner most likely.
I would trade V10 with G5 IF the G5 have front facing speaker,sd card, removable battery and a camera that even better than G4 and V10 (since i got no. 3 in photograph contest while most people using a DSLR camera )
So far i really like my V10 right now, so far a really great device imo and i would stay with V10 if G5 doesnt meet my requirement
LG 5 rumors suggest the battery won't be removable so that may be a deal breaker for some. The rumored specs don't seem much superior over the v10
Oh really thats a bummer, i heard it use SD 820 chip i dont know if it worth a trade
But removable battery kinda a huge deal for me
I wrote this on someone's YouTube video on problems that are coming on pixl3, xl.
I'm really considering canceling my order of the XL.
From what I've seen and read so far on pixel 3, it's scary. This is coming from note7 user who kept the phone for years. I love note 9 but I don't want it, or any other Sammy, or lg or another phone. I want Google, seams like a perfect fit, and something new. I've been with Samsung for a long time. Apple is way too expensive and after these pixel issues I'd love to own XS but I'm just not an ios guy.
These Google problems are scary because I did place an order of $1275 cnd. I was ok with notch and 4gb ram but now seeing all this crap, do I really want to deal with all that? I feel Ike google did not give a sh.. One of those students instead of studying for an exam they just said fcuk it, I'll go with what I know...
Sucks, truly sucks. I wanted the phone so bad.
Anyone else in the same boat? Thinking of canceling or worried about buying an expensive phone and then regretting it.
Own31 said:
I wrote this on someone's YouTube video on problems that are coming on pixl3, xl.
I'm really considering canceling my order of the XL.
From what I've seen and read so far on pixel 3, it's scary. This is coming from note7 user who kept the phone for years. I love note 9 but I don't want it, or any other Sammy, or lg or another phone. I want Google, seams like a perfect fit, and something new. I've been with Samsung for a long time. Apple is way too expensive and after these pixel issues I'd love to own XS but I'm just not an ios guy.
These Google problems are scary because I did place an order of $1275 cnd. I was ok with notch and 4gb ram but now seeing all this crap, do I really want to deal with all that? I feel Ike google did not give a sh.. One of those students instead of studying for an exam they just said fcuk it, I'll go with what I know...
Sucks, truly sucks. I wanted the phone so bad.
Anyone else in the same boat? Thinking of canceling or worried about buying an expensive phone and then regretting it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was a bit worried about regretting it after spending a lot. Considered cancelling my order a few times. Went with the Pixel 3 after 3 years of a Nexus 5X. I know this isn't the experience everyone has had but I love it. I haven't had any of the issues people have been talking about or noticed any kind of lag or hiccup yet. I honestly think that in a few months all the negative comments and concerns will blow over and it will be regarded as one of the best phones available but maybe I'm wrong.
Own31 said:
I wrote this on someone's YouTube video on problems that are coming on pixl3, xl.
I'm really considering canceling my order of the XL.
From what I've seen and read so far on pixel 3, it's scary. This is coming from note7 user who kept the phone for years. I love note 9 but I don't want it, or any other Sammy, or lg or another phone. I want Google, seams like a perfect fit, and something new. I've been with Samsung for a long time. Apple is way too expensive and after these pixel issues I'd love to own XS but I'm just not an ios guy.
These Google problems are scary because I did place an order of $1275 cnd. I was ok with notch and 4gb ram but now seeing all this crap, do I really want to deal with all that? I feel Ike google did not give a sh.. One of those students instead of studying for an exam they just said fcuk it, I'll go with what I know...
Sucks, truly sucks. I wanted the phone so bad.
Anyone else in the same boat? Thinking of canceling or worried about buying an expensive phone and then regretting it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're brought up two issues:
1. If you're wanting to know if you'll be happy using a Pixel after using Samsung for so long, the answer depends on how much you value all the extra software features that are built into Samsung devices. If you love them and use them all the time, the Pixel will disappoint because it is bare bones Android. If you don't care about those features and just want a simple UI with fast updates, then you'll love the Pixel.
2. If you're wanting to know if these early "issues" are deal breakers, then it really comes down to hardware vs software. If the issues you are concerned about are hardware related, then there's nothing that can be done and you would be better served by a different device. If the issues you are concerned about are software related, then buy the phone with confidence. You may never see these issues because they don't affect everyone, and if you do, they will likely be fixed in the updates that Google pushes every month. So you won't even have to wait long.
Either way, life is too short to regret a phone purchase.
Thank you both for your input. Make me feel better.
My biggest and I mean the biggest concern with any phone is phone lag.
Pixel fits my bill.
I love s8 s9, etc but I'm okay with not having the best display, curve screen, no notch. I'm even okay rocking p3Xl even when if baseless s10 with In display finger print and camera comes out. I'll be okay. Because smooth experience is above it all. Ofc I'm basing my desision on p3, with wireless charging, water proving etc.. Stuff which phone already has. Took Google apple a while but they got there.
It's hard to pay $1275 for a phone and hear speakers sound different, speakers make vibration, lines on display but could be replacement, worranty work etc.
More importantly is software.
Apps getting shut down, glitches, ram management fiasco.
I started to think, well if p3 xl shuts down all apps to save ram and I find a way around it to keep apps running in the background and that will cause the phone to glitch or think more than that really takes me away from smooth Android experience. Ofc apps automatically closing and me have to restart Netflix or YouTube isn't a smooth experience either.
I don't care bout battery life, or memory space. I also don't play games. I'm worried bout basic options of use now being compromised.
May be I'm paranoid...
Own31 said:
I started to think, well if p3 xl shuts down all apps to save ram
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
P3 is killing apps because Google sloppy optimization /buggy software not because of lack of RAM. P1 and P2 don't have these issues and all have 4GB.
The strongest recommendation I can think of is wait until Google gets it together. Google has a dubtious track of fixing bugs even on Pixel.
Yea, even I'm having thoughts of regretting to pre-order Pixel 3 64GB Clearly White, haven't received it yet tho. Indian users will get it after Oct 31st(official release date).
My concerns are that will it be worth it to spend Rs. 66k (approx 900 USD) for a phone when I can get OnePlus 6T for around Rs. 38k-40k (approx 530 USD) with better specs like 8GB RAM and 3700 mAh battery. Though I really like the way Pixel looks and it's software is also great with AI. And the camera is the best part.
BTW I'm jumping from a 5yr old Moto G to this so any new phone would feel great to me. Currently I get the option to cancel my Pixel 3 order. So I'll wait and see the 6T, then decide to cancel the order or not.
OkayGK said:
Thank you both for your input. Make me feel better.
My biggest and I mean the biggest concern with any phone is phone lag.
Pixel fits my bill.
I love s8 s9, etc but I'm okay with not having the best display, curve screen, no notch. I'm even okay rocking p3Xl even when if baseless s10 with In display finger print and camera comes out. I'll be okay. Because smooth experience is above it all. Ofc I'm basing my desision on p3, with wireless charging, water proving etc.. Stuff which phone already has. Took Google apple a while but they got there.
It's hard to pay $1275 for a phone and hear speakers sound different, speakers make vibration, lines on display but could be replacement, worranty work etc.
More importantly is software.
Apps getting shut down, glitches, ram management fiasco.
I started to think, well if p3 xl shuts down all apps to save ram and I find a way around it to keep apps running in the background and that will cause the phone to glitch or think more than that really takes me away from smooth Android experience. Ofc apps automatically closing and me have to restart Netflix or YouTube isn't a smooth experience either.
I don't care bout battery life, or memory space. I also don't play games. I'm worried bout basic options of use now being compromised.
May be I'm paranoid...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the pixel 3 forum for the smaller version. If you want feedback about the 3XL, please check the 3XL forum.
I did not realize there were two separate forums for the phone.
I canceled. It's still the phone I want, but approaching the end of 2018 this is not an $800 phone. It'll probably be priced correctly come Thanksgiving.
Been using mine since the 18th. I too, was a bit worried, however I've not experienced any of the issues.. I'm surprised really.
After using the P1 & P2, I know that they'll squash these issues in coming updates, by December's update all of these little bugs will probably be worked out. Just like with the P2.
I'm sticking with it. I love it. I didn't think it would be a big upgrade over the P2, but it really is IMO.
-Michael_ said:
Been using mine since the 18th. I too, was a bit worried, however I've not experienced any of the issues.. I'm surprised really.
After using the P1 & P2, I know that they'll squash these issues in coming updates, by December's update all of these little bugs will probably be worked out. Just like with the P2.
I'm sticking with it. I love it. I didn't think it would be a big upgrade over the P2, but it really is IMO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great to hear. So far I haven't cancelled
Just another data point - I got the Pixel 3, came over from Samsung and LG phones (S7 and V30), and I'm happier with this phone than any phone I've previously owned (maybe a bit of hyperbole, but I am very impressed with the phone!). I haven't had any of the problems others have mentioned, and the UI and smoothness of operation are wonderful. I've only snapped a handful of photos so far, but the results are amazing to me. Battery life hasn't been as great as the V30, but it still gets me through a full day and evening, so I'm cool with that.
I was constantly frustrated with waiting for Samsung or LG to release updates, so I'm eager to see how rapidly Google iterates.
I definitely wouldn't cancel.
I've had mine for a week, been back and forth a dozen times a day, got an rma, packed it up, unpacked, packed, unpacked, used for the weekend. Right this minute I'm thinking it goes back tomorrow, but the camera is almost worth keeping it.
My biggest thought is that any camera would blow me away coming from a oneplus 3, and the camera on the 6t might be plenty good enough.
The $50 pre-order credit helps, and it sounds like the 6t won't have wireless charging. My op3 port is almost worn out, have to hold it just right, so I'm wary of another phone without wireless.
I have a camping trip with my daughter in a couple weeks, so if I return, I'm not getting anything new in time for that,with the back orders on the pixel and the shipping time on the 6t, unless tmo has them on the shelf within a week of launch.
So now I'm thinking I'll keep it.
Another positive review for the Pixel 3. Coming from the Samsung S7, the Pixel is a big step up. Really like the minimalist, elegant look, smaller bezels, lightning responsiveness, feel in the hand, unbloated Android, great camera, first in line for updates, and Project Fi. I've had a couple of quirks with some features, but none of the issues getting so much attention. Battery life has significantly improved over the last week (adaptive power management?), and is much better than the S7 even with AOD and bluetooth on all the time. Easily the best phone I've owned by a wide margin. Understand people have different priorities and usage patterns, but I'd advise not bailing without trying it.