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Been going through a lot of smartphones in the past few weeks doing the old "craigslist shuffle" - buy one, toy around with it, realize it's not quite everything I want, list it, sell it, take the proceeds and buy another, repeat ad nauseum and now I'm at it again. Here's my situation:
I currently have a Galaxy Note (I717 AT&T model), unlocked, in use with T-Mobile on that oh-so-awesome $30/month plan, and while I like this phone quite a bit, I have an opportunity to trade it (and all the accessories I have for it: 2 batteries, 2 cases, original box/cable/charger/manuals/etc) for an LG Optimus G + cable/charger + case.
Now, I need to point out that a) I'm well versed in ROMs and flashing having been doing so for nearly a decade now, and b) I made the offer to trade (straight up mine w/accessories for the LGOG as noted) with the intent - mind you, the intent of possibly putting that LGOG -> Nexus 4 hack to work, but I just spent the better part of 2 hours reading that Nexus 4 conversion thread and was saddened to see that even in spite of the hack working if it's done right, there are aspects to doing it that I'm not willing to tend with at this point: no microSD card usefulness, the 8GB storage limitation is not good (I don't keep stuff "in the cloud" unless I have no other alternatives), NFC is still useless with the conversion (and I do tend to use Google Wallet actually, and other reasons I find NFC useful), and potentially other things that, again, I need to have working.
So, considering the LGOG is a quad "beast," even at about 1 year old the fact that it's more powerful overall than the Galaxy Note I have makes it a potential device even in spite of not being able to do that Nexus 4 conversion I was interested in. And yes, I know I could probably find someone willing to dump their Nexus 4 for this Galaxy Note pretty fast but, the actual Nexus 4 has more limitations natively than the LGOG does, pretty obviously.
I suppose what I'm asking at this moment is if anyone else in this situation would consider the LGOG for the Galaxy Note a good trade. I use T-Mobile as noted so, I'll have to carrier unlock the LGOG if I do this, not really a big issue since I can buy an unlock code - I will attempt to get one from AT&T first (have a few friends that are AT&T customers and they can give it a shot for me) so using it with T-Mobile is a no brainer.
I know the bootloader is unlockable, that's a big plus of course, and yes there are custom ROMs applenty nowadays - I tend to prefer pure stock as much as possible with as little bloatware as can be stripped or gutted out. And of course with it being a newer device than the Galaxy Note it's considerably better in terms of battery life as well which is a big thing for me especially since the LGOG has a non-removable battery (it can be removed but it's not like the Galaxy Note of course, and I would be looking at getting a brand new battery for it since it's been in use most of this year according to the current owner).
I don't use the stylus aka S-Pen on the Galaxy Note that much; I do like that it's there as an option but the only time I take it out is usually just to show someone that it's got one and can be used for a variety of purposes.
Seems like the LGOG is better than a Nexus 4 in most respects; it's what the Nexus 4 should have been all along is what I see mentioned quite often, and aside from being able to just load pure Android factory images on it, I can't see why the Nexus 4 itself would be considered better in any respects aside from that one thing (it's a Nexus device).
So, if anyone has read this far I appreciate it, but the basic question remains: is the LGOG worthy of me trading away my Galaxy Note? Would any of you - if you had the Note and didn't make full use of everything it offers (S-Pen, etc) - go for this trade and then make the very best of what the LGOG has to offer?
Thanks for any advice, input, or opinions, they are appreciated.
Just as an update, I went ahead and took a chance on the LGOG and did the trade, got an unlock code from the freemyblackberry.com website in about 8 minutes for $4, can't beat that.
Now to get to some experimentin'...
I bought an LGOG a few months ago while I was looking for something to use on T-Mobile. Got it unlocked in a similar fashion and it works fairly well now. I love the speed thanks to the quad core and 2GB of RAM. The Micro SD slot is great as well. I think the previous owner had done the Nexus 4 conversion to the phone, but I went ahead and undid it so I could use the mSD slot. I've been using Houstonn's Rootbox rom for quite a while and it works well for the most part. My only complaints are that my Wifi MAC address randomizes on every boot (probably due to something not getting fixed properly when going back from the Nexus 4 conversion), the battery life isn't spectacular, and the phone doesn't support T-Mobile's 1700MHz 3G band or their Wifi Calling feature. But other than that, everything is great! Screen is beautiful, camera is good, everything is smooth, phone is sized well for your hand, etc.
I would recommend you give his ParanoidAndroid or Carbon ROM a try here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2228880
Paranoid seemed to work very well for me, but for some reason the mic and earpiece on my phone don't work during calls with that ROM.
Edit: The mic and earpiece work now after applying the LTEhybrid33-84.zip modem.
Good luck!
My new job is getting my whole department the verizon phone of our choice. What's the most hackable? Which runs CM the best? Etc?
Thanks in advance!
Rhy
crhylove said:
My new job is getting my whole department the verizon phone of our choice. What's the most hackable? Which runs CM the best? Etc?
Thanks in advance!
Rhy
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Depends on what your options are... The best would be to get a Developer Edition of any of the premium phones. However, these are typically only available online and/or at full retail, so probably not gonna be much of an option there. Otherwise, most of the phones from VZW are gonna have a much smaller dev community for a couple reasons: they are still mostly CDMA and much of the development goes for the GSM versions because they share much more with worldwide phones so it is easier to port or use different mods across the carriers AND VZW specifically asks the manufacturers to lock the bootloader, which creates all kinds of trouble for those wanting custom recoveries and kernels. All of the newer Android flagships are great phones in some manner or another. Everyone has different likes and dislikes. You just have to figure out which features are most important because no phone does everything perfectly and everyone uses their phone differently. Things to consider:
Battery life - Do you HAVE to have your phone make it all day?
Prefer something with a removable battery?
Screen / phone size - How big is too big?
Do you need external storage?
Camera quality / speed
Are you being given a budget or just carte blanche?
Is AOSP / CM a MUST...? Because with the locked bootloader situation for most VZW phones, you'll have to research that for feasibility (and stablity)...
Do you need any other special features like Miracast, DLNA, USB OTG, etc?
Are you an accessories fan? Not all phones have that many aftermarket accessories.
So, that's a good starting point at least to start weighing pros and cons.
In NO particular order, here are the best phones from VZW to consider:
Samsung Galaxy S4 / S5
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
HTC One M7 / Max / M8
LG G2
Moto X
Moto Droid Ultra / Maxx
Are you sure you want to hack a company phone?
Planterz said:
Are you sure you want to hack a company phone?
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Two words: hell yes. I'm leading towards the note 3 at the moment. Seems like the community is in good shape for that one.
www.LeperKhanz.com
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
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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.
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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 come in peace...
Greetings. Chris aka Tophie here from Jamaica.
[I know there is an "introduce yourself first b4 spam...I mean posting" around here somewhere but...I'm skipping a bit].
I'm planning to purchase a new device from my current AT&T 2GB RAM S3 with CM13 - I had a Note 2 before that but it was stolen (the sadness ).
Long story short... I really like the G4 (cuz camera) and the V10 (cuz camera and video controls) but at the moment I'm not sure which one to choose. As a amateur/semi pro photog junkie I want either of these.
1. I read something about "international" version of the V10 won't be compatible with LTE (thinking long term for traveling reasons).
2. Still waiting on news about it being modded...because it's a thing to do.
3. The G4 is less expensive and pretty much does what the V10 does...minus the extra beef...and fingerprint reader.
I just need help in choosing. Personally I'm hell bent on getting the V10 just because it's odd and weird...and powerful, but the G4 gives me a sense of security [minus that bootloop thing I also read about here...sigh]
And yes, I'm talking about off-contract devices here.
Hope that gives some picture of my 'dilemma' - any hel/advice would be appreciated.
Thank you!
I have the LG V10, and the need for a custom recovery and bootloader unlock is not really required, custom ROMs are not really necessary either, the stock ROMs keep getting better and better each year, and any features, or UI changes you want to make can just be done with root (which we have already accomplished for all variants, correct me if im wrong. I am happily rooted and have Xposed, Greenify, and G4TweaksBox so I can theme it. Just whatever you do not buy from Verizon, not that I don't like them or anything but it is possible they updated all their phones in their store to Marshmallow which is unrootable atm. The AT&T variant should be fine, they have not sent me a Marshmallow OTA yet, so that should be good. And also, btw personally I was really considering the G4, because of its curved form factor, and amazing development support and great skins, cases, etc. In a nutshell the LG V10 is a LG G4 Pro edition, although the LG G4 should run just fine. The only real advantages the LG V10 has is 1GB more of RAM that really is not that necessary, nice, but not necessary. The G4 also has a much more established XDA forum, with development for every model, here we just got root like a few weeks ago, and we are still scrambling around. Who knows what the future might hold for the LG V10? We don't know. We already know whats in stock for the LG G4 so if you want a more secure option, that you might not regret, the G4 might be for you. The LG V10 is for the adventurous.
Side note, T-Mobile has unlocked bootloader support for the LG V10, so maybe try considering them if your not on a grandfathered plan, I hear they are working on CM 13 for it. The development over there is great as well. Good luck!
ZVNexus said:
... We already know whats in stock for the LG G4 so if you want a more secure option, that you might not regret, the G4 might be for you. The LG V10 is for the adventurous.
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THIS is all too true.
I'm much more confident in a G4 purchase even with the V10's bells and extra beef to be honest...yet there's something that craves the V10 that I can't explain.
Must be all that power maybe... I've never owned a 4GB mobile device before so I'm rather curious.
All these issues with the different versions however leave me at a bit of a standstill [unless I get the AT&T version and somehow unlock it for use here in Jamaica...or get the Korean variant] - while the G4's international version works all around [yay support!]
All in all I may just get the G4 anyway [the G5 can pass...as awesome as it looks, I'm secretly more interested in the upcoming Note 6].
Thanks for your input
Any other comments are appreciated.
v10 has DAC. G4 has locked down equalizer. v10.
tophiekai said:
THIS is all too true.
I'm much more confident in a G4 purchase even with the V10's bells and extra beef to be honest...yet there's something that craves the V10 that I can't explain.
Must be all that power maybe... I've never owned a 4GB mobile device before so I'm rather curious.
All these issues with the different versions however leave me at a bit of a standstill [unless I get the AT&T version and somehow unlock it for use here in Jamaica...or get the Korean variant] - while the G4's international version works all around [yay support!]
All in all I may just get the G4 anyway [the G5 can pass...as awesome as it looks, I'm secretly more interested in the upcoming Note 6].
Thanks for your input
Any other comments are appreciated.
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And to be completely honest, if the system is well optimized, 4GB wont do much for you 3GB is fine.
Still 50/50 :/
No purchases just yet - waiting on some funds specifically for it.
However I'm still going back and forth (can you blame me?).
Waiting on V10 price drops...and also eyeing it for manual video mode [the audio output on the G4 sounds rather...tinny... I'm a vocalist so I pat attention to these things for overall presentation].
The same confusion with the 4G band for the "international version' bugs me - is there a way to get the AT&T version and "cheat"?
LOL smh
ZVNexus said:
And to be completely honest, if the system is well optimized, 4GB wont do much for you 3GB is fine.
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My S9+ has been a GREAT phone and I like it but.... it's getting a bit long in the tooth.
I'd like to update to a latest, greatest, most amazing phone but I don't know what to get?
I must have a smart phone that will work on Verizon and:
1. has a removable storage card. That eliminates a later Samsung Galaxy.
2. removable battery would be nice but I think it's not possible now?
3. I'd like a phone that can be bootloader unlocked and rooted, my G965UU1 apparently cannot unlock the boot loader.
4. I'm very anti Apple anything, please don't recommend, thanks.
Any comments appreciated, TIA.
Samsung Galaxy xCover Pro has all of that, including removable battery, and even rugged/waterproof out of the box. It's usable on Verizon.
baldybill said:
Samsung Galaxy xCover Pro has all of that, including removable battery, and even rugged/waterproof out of the box. It's usable on Verizon.
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Thanks, I'll check it out! I don't think I ever heard of it before, thanks again.
Hmm, nice phone, good price but sorta old now. I'll keep looking. Any more recommendations? I'm not stuck on Samsung.
Got Galaxy S20+, last Galaxy with an SD card. It should last for a couple of years....
I'm a similar boat as xs11e, although I'm not in a huge hurry to upgrade (the front camera seems to be shot... but eh)
I currently have a LG V20, which is a solid phone to be sure but is getting old.
My phone wishlist rules out most options, although the aforementioned xCover Pro has potential....
Requirements:
1) Removable battery. This rules out most phones. (Really, I'd accept user replaceable but not easily accessible... but I don't know of any phones like that. For most phones, replacing the battery can cost as much as a used phone)
2) TWRP and Root/Magisk compatible. Nandroid backups are SO useful, and root is life. This is where the Xcover Pro fails... so far. Fingers crossed.
3) Needs to work on Verizon. This usually means international variants, or variants that have exploitable bootloaders, because Verizon likes to lock bootloaders. Sadly, Verizon towers are the only service around these parts, so I have to deal. (I don't actually use Verizon I use a MNVO, but that's besides the point.)
4) Removable MicroSD card. I could be swayed on this, but being able to plug in large amounts of storage is very useful, not to mention a easy way to transfer data on/off the phone without dealing with the issues of getting windows and android to play nice.
So far the V20 is still the best bet, but if the Xcover Pro gets TWRP running, I might just switch. I doubt I have the programming chops to port it myself though.
Not sure if anyone's still looking, but definitely give XCover Pro serious consideration:
Pros:
Ruggedized phone out of the box
Waterproof
Replaceable Battery
add-in memory card slot
long battery life - I go 2-3 days
DUAL SIM Card capable for multi-carrier (dual phone #'s)
Designed to work with gloves on
POGO Pin charging support for docks/cradles
fingerprint reader on side where your thumb normally goes for fast biometric access
seems to be rootable based on other XDA posts now
Cons:
Currently no 5G
front camera in-screen makes for odd little black circle in upper left of your screen
limited cases/accessories available
must buy direct from Samsung or online- can't find in retail stores
retail associates don't know anything about it, told me it wasn't supported on TMobile, which obviously wasn't true.
camera apps keeps asking me to change storage location to memory card? Which I want, but not sure why it KEEPS asking me...
I've had the XCover Pro for about 3 months and I love it. It checks all the boxes I wanted and the cons are not dealbreakers. I do miss my IR blaster from my Galaxy S5, I didn't realize how often I used it when kids/wife lose remote in the couch!
The lack of 5g is unfortunate. I used to consider it, but I didn't see how it was rootable or see any ROMs for it. Can you share a link to a method that actually works? Thanks!