What's the Best Deal on an LG G5 These Days? - LG G5 Questions & Answers

I would like to replace my Verizon flip phone with the LG G5.
Don't try to talk me out of it, I like the wide-angle camera and the native 16:9 camera sensor.
I also like the idea of getting my hands on one for under $300.
And yet I am very aware that over time this phone can develop problems with Wi-Fi, GPS, camera focusing, etc.
SO, my question is > What is the best way to get a deal on the LG G5 that will allow me to replace it or send it back to LG
for repair under warranty in case any major problems pop up during the next year or two?
Some background: I am on a Verizon unlimited plan with four lines (1 iPhone, 2 flip phones, and 1 tablet).
All devices are paid off, so no particular commitment to stay with Verizon, although it would be easier
not to have to replace each device if we moved over to T-Mobile (second choice).
The best deal I've seen was last month from Best Buy ($5 month/24 months - $120 total). I missed that,
so I keep checking Best Buy's site, hoping that same deal will be repeated. At the moment they list the Verizon LG G5
at $15/month, which is a better deal than Verizon themselves, who list it at $20/month.
>> Does getting a potentially troubled phone from a carrier offer more protection for replacement or repair
over buying one from Best Buy, Amazon, or even Swappa, or will LG's warranty be just as good from any of these options?
Just trying to get the best deal and protection on a new LG G5. Any thoughts?

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VonDrake2 said:
I would like to replace my Verizon flip phone with the LG G5.
Don't try to talk me out of it, I like the wide-angle camera and the native 16:9 camera sensor.
I also like the idea of getting my hands on one for under $300.
And yet I am very aware that over time this phone can develop problems with Wi-Fi, GPS, camera focusing, etc.
SO, my question is > What is the best way to get a deal on the LG G5 that will allow me to replace it or send it back to LG
for repair under warranty in case any major problems pop up during the next year or two?
Some background: I am on a Verizon unlimited plan with four lines (1 iPhone, 2 flip phones, and 1 tablet).
All devices are paid off, so no particular commitment to stay with Verizon, although it would be easier
not to have to replace each device if we moved over to T-Mobile (second choice).
The best deal I've seen was last month from Best Buy ($5 month/24 months - $120 total). I missed that,
so I keep checking Best Buy's site, hoping that same deal will be repeated. At the moment they list the Verizon LG G5
at $15/month, which is a better deal than Verizon themselves, who list it at $20/month.
>> Does getting a potentially troubled phone from a carrier offer more protection for replacement or repair
over buying one from Best Buy, Amazon, or even Swappa, or will LG's warranty be just as good from any of these options?
Just trying to get the best deal and protection on a new LG G5. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, overall the LG g5 is actually a good phone. Yes, there can be some issues, but overall if you get a decent one you'll be happy. Now, are you looking to be able to root and / or use custom ROMs? If so either get the T-Mobile h830 and switch to T-Mobile as it had root and custom ROMs available or the RS988 from b&h photo as it works on Verizon (just pop in an already activated Verizon sim card and it works without issues) if you're wanting to stay on Verizon and get root (only root is available currently for rs988). Also, b&h photo has a really decent warranty they they offer when you buy from them. Other benefit of RS988 is that if you decide to change to T-MOBILE​ or at&t at a later time, you can do that as it has the correct bands for all 3 carries. If you don't care about root / custom ROMs and are 100% sure you want to stay on Verizon you could go with Verizon itself although you would want to get insurance and that's a monthly charge and big deductible and you'll only get a refurbished version of they can't fix it instead of paying a one time fee for warranty and much smaller deductible with b&h. So, will depend on what you're truly looking for. I had the RS988 and used it on Verizon and T-MOBILE without any issues although I returned it as I really needed root and custom ROMs and at the time it wasn't possible except on international h850 and T-Mobile h830, so I got the T-Mobile version. Oh and other thing, as far as warranty goes, it's the same no matter if you go through Verizon, T-MOBILE, b&h or best buy as warranty is from LG for 1 year. Hopefully this helps

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Thanks jeffsga88 for all that info. It sounds like it's better to rely on LG's free year-long warranty
rather then paying a carrier an extra insurance fee.
Is it correct that if I got a used phone on Swappa, the warranty would only be good for a year from
when the phone was originally purchased?
For the LG G5, I am not particularly interested in rooting. I am fully aware that this is a rooting site,
but it seems people on XDA forums really know their stuff, which is why I'm seeking out help here.
I am mostly interested in getting a model that will work with Verizon here in the US,
and also work in Western Europe on their GSM network. T-Mobile works with GSM,
so no problem there, which I why I might consider switching.
However, my research shows that even an LG G5 Verizon CDMA model should work on
European GSM networks. I hope this is correct.

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VonDrake2 said:
Thanks jeffsga88 for all that info. It sounds like it's better to rely on LG's free year-long warranty
rather then paying a carrier an extra insurance fee.
Is it correct that if I got a used phone on Swappa, the warranty would only be good for a year from
when the phone was originally purchased?
For the LG G5, I am not particularly interested in rooting. I am fully aware that this is a rooting site,
but it seems people on XDA forums really know their stuff, which is why I'm seeking out help here.
I am mostly interested in getting a model that will work with Verizon here in the US,
and also work in Western Europe on their GSM network. T-Mobile works with GSM,
so no problem there, which I why I might consider switching.
However, my research shows that even an LG G5 Verizon CDMA model should work on
European GSM networks. I hope this is correct.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. If you buy off of swappa, you'll most likely not have warranty for two reasons. Number one is because the warranty is most likely past and number two is for warranty you need original proof of purchase which you probably won't get. I recommend getting from Best buy or b&h. As far as being able to use all the networks, I'd say you're better off getting the RS988 from b&h photo. It will have coverage on all the bands and will have a brand new 1 year warranty plus you could buy a warranty for $50 / 1 year or $80 / 2 year one time fee when you buy it and it covers spills and drops Oh, and you don't pay sales tax when you buy from them
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1239314-REG/lg_lgrs988_ausasv_g5_h850_32gb_smartphone.html
See attached screenshot for the bands this version has.

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jeffsga88 said:
No problem. If you buy off of swappa, you'll most likely not have warranty for two reasons. Number one is because the warranty is most likely past and number two is for warranty you need original proof of purchase which you probably won't get. I recommend getting from Best buy or b&h. As far as being able to use all the networks, I'd say you're better off getting the RS988 from b&h photo. It will have coverage on all the bands and will have a brand new 1 year warranty plus you could buy a warranty for $50 / 1 year or $80 / 2 year one time fee when you buy it and it covers spills and drops Oh, and you don't pay sales tax when you buy from them
See attached screenshot for the bands this version has.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again jeffsga88 - that B&H RS988 model seems like the one to get.
At the moment B&H's price is $399. I might wait until the price gets closer to $299.
Don't know if this sounds crazy or not, it's just that I know there's that $120 Best Buy deal out there,
(or was out there), so a lower price seems preferable.

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VonDrake2 said:
Thanks again jeffsga88 - that B&H RS988 model seems like the one to get.
At the moment B&H's price is $399. I might wait until the price gets closer to $299.
Don't know if this sounds crazy or not, it's just that I know there's that $120 Best Buy deal out there,
(or was out there), so a lower price seems preferable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, the price will drop eventually. Not sure how long it will take but it will eventually drop. Was checking best buy and they have the rs988 too for $375 with a free battery and charging dock, but even at $375 it will be more then b&h with tax. If you're ok waiting a couple months I'd guess price will drop. Especially as more flagships come out this year and as LG gets closer to V30 release time.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/lg-g5-4g-lte-with-32gb-memory-cell-phone-unlocked-silver/5199300.p?skuId=5199300#bonus-content
Edit: Also on b&h photo you can buy used for $249.95 with no tax. They say it won't be under manufacturer warranty but is covered by their warranty. You would need to email their support to get more details on what is covered and how long as I don't know. Here's the link for used one:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/801549589-USE/lg_lgrs988_ausatn_g5_rs988_32gb_smartphone.html

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jeffsga88 said:
Yeah, the price will drop eventually. Not sure how long it will take but it will eventually drop. Was checking best buy and they have the rs988 too for $375 with a free battery and charging dock, but even at $375 it will be more then b&h with tax. If you're ok waiting a couple months I'd guess price will drop. Especially as more flagships come out this year and as LG gets closer to V30 release time.
Edit: Also on b&h photo you can buy used for $249.95 with no tax. They say it won't be under manufacturer warranty but is covered by their warranty. You would need to email their support to get more details on what is covered and how long as I don't know. Here's the link for used one:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll wait as long as I can, which may not be very long.
However, according to comments on the B&H and Amazon pages, this unlocked model RS988 won't work with Verizon Wi-Fi calling,
which I suppose I could live without. Just hoping it works with European GSM networks.
It's seems my best choices are either this LG G5 RS988, or waiting to see if that $5/month Best Buy deal comes up again.

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VonDrake2 said:
I'll wait as long as I can, which may not be very long.
However, according to comments on the B&H and Amazon pages, this unlocked model RS988 won't work with Verizon Wi-Fi calling,
which I suppose I could live without. Just hoping it works with European GSM networks.
It's seems my best choices are either this LG G5 RS988, or waiting to see if that $5/month Best Buy deal comes up again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It may or may not, I never tested it while I had it As far as compatibility with EU GSM networks just Google search what network bands they use and check against the screenshot I posted earlier.

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I just picked up a used AT&T g5 unlocked for $230.oo. I love it.

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:highfive:
patrick73csun said:
I just picked up a used AT&T g5 unlocked for $230.oo. I love it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's good to hear Patrick - it gives one confidence in the LG G5 - Thanks!