LG g3?

[Eggtastic]

Anyone check this phone out yet or actually have it?

I know their is a forum already discussing it, but I feel most macrumors members won't venture into it with the iphone 6 hype.

I went into a local best buy today to try it hands on. I wanted to feel what a 5.5" phone felt like as the rumors keep flying around about a bigger iphone. I have a Samsung Galaxy s3 (before I had an iphone, that got stolen). I loved the bigger display and it was refreshing to have a new UI since I had iphone for the past 3 years.

Impressions: great build quality, sharp display, and 5.5" is not that big for a phone, but the thin bezel and thin top and bottom helped to alleviate that issue. Of course, I've had some bad luck with samsung and android for that matter (phone died out of nowhere (something about a "software kill") and android rouge apps would make the phone hot and kill the battery life).

So at this point I am more than excited for an iphone 6 and to jump back into the apple ecosystem, but with what has been leaked so far, apple still hasn't done too much to impress with me with the design (for me, the top and bottom of the phone needs to be smaller, i understand the fingerprint home button accounts for that space, but felt that maybe a long thinner design would have helped cut the size down). Everything else they have done based off leaks has impressed me and the antenna bands don't even bother me.

Of course, the 5.5" argument is that it doesn't exist, but if apple were to release one, I would buy one (It would be nice for a release with the 4.7", I don't want my s3 anymore and want to upgrade asap).

With that said, any thoughts?

 

[CaptainCurd]

I've used the G3. I didn't find the size at all impeding or obscene, I rather liked it. It was snappy, bright and high res. But I'm an iOS guy so I just tested it for a week to get a feel for size. i loved everything about it but the OS. If there's an equivalent size from Apple, I'll buy it in a heartbeat.

 

[Agent OrangeZ]

LG G3 is a fantastic Android device. The 2K screen and 3GB of RAM make this phone stand out. LG's Skin/UI has gotten so much better this time around and is a refreshing change from Samsung's Touchwiz crap. The laser autofocus is quick and the camera takes nice shots... and can record 4K video. This phone also comes with 32GB storage and Micro SD support. If I am not impressed by Apple on Sept. 9th, I am going with LG G3. Verizon has it for $99 on contract too!

EDIT: And dem bezels doe!!!11

 

[JaySoul]

There is already a substantial thread on the G3, lots of useful info in there.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1715430/

 

[The Game 161]

It feel much different to the note?

 

[Fireblade]

It feel much different to the note?

Yes, it's noticeable smaller, especially it's width, with nearly the same display size...

 

[Lyn2012]

If I didn't want to stay with iOS due to the ease of (local) syncing calendars etc with my iMac, I would definitely buy the G3. I really wish Apple would make a phone with a 5"+ screen and very slim bezels - I would be more than happy to forego the fingerprint sensor. I know there's no hope of this though so am still researching reliable ways of syncing to Android without using any cloud storage.

 

[1Zach1]

I just wish it had those specs in a 4.7" screen version.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I just wish it had those specs in a 4.7" screen version.

Agreed. I don't see why LG, Samsung, et al. don't produce a 4.5-4.7" phone with the same internals as their phablet sized phones.

 

[severage]

I have it and I love it. Bright, colorful, ultra high res screen, snappy performance, excellent audio, and good-enough battery. And like others said, those bezels.

Also love the design, sure it's not aluminum, but the back is amazingly fingerprint resistant and feels great to the touch. And a removable back cover is wonderful to have, even if I don't plan to use it much. Microsd card slot expansion is very useful as well.

 

[Zwhaler]

My impressions:

Screen is way hi-res and nice in that category, but otherwise has poor contrast, rather uninteresting color vibrancy and the worst part is the software oversharpening that ruins the experience for me. If they didn't have software oversharpening I might have purchased one. Contrast and color wise the Samsung AMOLED screens are way better in my book. Seriously I like my Galaxy Note 2 screen better than the LG G3. It's lower res sure but has infinitely better contrast and increased color vibrancy.

Software wise I thought it was pretty good. I like the software home buttons and how they can hide while in certain apps you choose, and you can rearrange or customize the buttons. The apps were nice and the software was quick. If it was a Snapdragon 805 that would have been much better because the 801 is pretty much less than a month from being outdated at this point by other newer 805 based smartphones. If you don't care about that and just want a phone that is quick then this one is good.

The hardware design was very good. The bezels are slim, the profile is nice and curved for easy grip, and the button placement on the rear was kind of neat. The smaller size of the phone with still a 5.5 inch display was a big plus, that's why I wish it had an 805 and no oversharpening because that would make it hands down the best phone out right now. That's my mini review.

 

[TheMTtakeover]

How long do we think this phone will receive updates for? I don't know how good LG is for pushing out Android updates.

 

[Savor]

I've tried it out a few times inside one of the carrier stores and came away thinking the screen seems a bit dim but overall I find it the most beautiful smartphone that has a 5.5 inch screen. Only the HTC One M8 from this year looks better. G3 looks classier than every Samsung Galaxy and Sony Xperia ever released. Prefer it in steel gray. Might even be the best as of today among all Android devices. Very few weak points. I predicted it could be best smartphone of the year along with the GNote 4 or iPhone 6. My only qualm is I wished LG used the 1080p display instead for battery stamina. Less is more.

I actually was excited to hear Apple enter the phablet market. But since the dimensions of the iPhone 6 (5.5 model) follows the GNotes more than G3, I might have to reconsider. Even I have a limit to dimensions. Still, better specs is too enticing.

LG G3 - King of the Android hill 2014 until the GNote 4 gets released...

I doubt the Nexus 6 or Moto X+1 will be contenders and HTC had their time to shine last year only to rehash alot of it this year. Sony is a bit lost with their bi-yearly flagship releases and just confusing buyers. And they never had much of an impact when it comes to smartphones in the US market anyway.

 

[Dr McKay]

I have the G3, and while it's far from perfect, I have little niggles with it. Overall I am very happy with it.

 

[MrX8503]

The 2K display is nice, but it ain't free. You'll pay for it with the device overheating. There's been reports of the phone overheating.

 

[BlueGoldAce]

I have the device... Great phone. Was suppose to be my in between iphones device, but it's a great phone... So apple is really going to have to set up its game to pull me away (and I'll have to fight my urge to have an iphone).

That being said, the phone is great and by far the best Android I have used (even better than the nexus 5 or htc one). The battery for me is great and I have yet to have an overheating problem.

If your not on Verizon, Android run time (art) should work for you. It really makes the phone fly, and fixes any minor quibbles I may have had with the phone.

 

[bembol]

Except for the One+ One I've owned all the flagships and looking ahead with the Note 4 I can say the G3 wins hands down.

Why? LG squeezing 5.5" in this body is unbelievable. Also, the build quality is up there with hTc M8 and Sony Z2.

LG did a great job improving the UI.

My only complaint is the 2K, IMO it wasn't necessary and it did more harm than good because it affected the battery life. Don't get me wrong its great but it could've been much better.

 

[digitardy]

Loved my G2, G3 is great. Staying with my HTC M8 until I get hands on with the 6 once its out.

 

[TheMTtakeover]

Loved my G2, G3 is great. Staying with my HTC M8 until I get hands on with the 6 once its out.

Since you have had LG in the past, how are they about updating their phones? Does it take forever and how long do they support them for ?

 

[AppleScruff1]

I have only played with the G3 for a little while at the Verizon store. I know the phone was in demo mode, but it was noticeably slower changing screens, etc, than some of the other phones. Was this due to it running the demo? Even opening the phone app to make a test call was slow. Thoughts?

 

[Savor]

I was considering selling off my M7 to help pay off for a new G3. But my biggest concern is battery life. It seems like some say it isn't great and some it is great.

I saw someone on YouTube loop videos on the G3 with 50% brightness, Wi-Fi, and BT on, and it hit about 5.5 hrs screen time. Not really impressed. My Mi 3 can go 8-10 hrs video playback with similar settings. My M7 can go with a similar 5.5 hrs but it has only a 2300 mAh which probably degraded by more than 10% after 16 months. When I first got it, it could push 7+ hrs of video playback. What's great about the G3 is the curves and removable battery.

I'm still contemplating if I want to sell the 2013 smartphone of the year champ for the potential 2014 champ. I think once I move back to US, perhaps wait for the LG G4 to upgrade. Hopefully, the SD810 is out with 4 GB RAM and 64-bit. LG made the best phone for their company with the G3 but I think they can iron some things out next year with the 2nd gen of 2k smartphone displays.

It is true. LG G3's greatest strength is because it has the fewest weaknesses. That is why I believe it is sitting on the Android throne right now until the GNote 4 gets released. I don't see the Nexus X or X+1 to be threats. It is either LG G3 vs Sony Xperia Z2 fighting for the crown as of today.

 

[oVerboost]

The G3 has a removable battery anyway, so there's not really an issue to be had...

 

[Sensamic]

I almost bought one today for 390€ on a second hand shop.

I was looking for good offers. They also had the SGS5 for 350€ and the Z1 Compact for 260€. Note 3 was 370€ and iPhone 5S 16GB 390€.

Of all of them the first three look the most interesting to me.

I want to wait for the Moto X+1 announcement, but I don't want to pay almost 600€ for the phone when it's released, and also don't want to wait more months for the price to go down on the second hand market.

Right now it's between the G3, SGS5 (even thought I hate it the price is good and I really really want to have 4K video recording) and the Moto X+1 for me. Maybe even the Moto G2, but that wouldn't be such an upgrade from my SGS3.

 

[AustinIllini]

I honestly love it. My buddy has it.

I just wish it had vanilla android.

 

[Savor]

LG G3 might be the only Android worth getting right now.

Likes -

Design (in metallic gray, resistant to fingerprints)
Display
Sound
Best lockscreen UI
Very nice revamped skin
Removable battery
Laser quick focus shots

Dislikes -

Seeing the white and gold option disappointed me in person. LG was correct in choosing the dark gray as its main poster model.

Price is still too high

Battery life is suspect. 5.5 hrs during a video loop is not impressive.

Resell value is terrible if it isn't an iPhone or GNote

And one last thing is when I checked it out again for the 5th time today, I noticed while it feels comfortable for a 5.5 inch smartphone with the curved back, the sides were not rounded like my Nexus One or Xiaomi 3. It was one of my minor annoyances with the og HTC One as well. Great for pure aesthetics. Not the best for ergonomics. This is why I'm not as interested with the Mi 4 and losing interest for the Z2. I like it round similarly found on the Nokia N9/Lumia 900. I don't like flat sides digging into my palms. Rounded sides seems quite rare on many phones, past or present.

I think the Nexus One, BlackBerry Bold 9000 (faux leather back), and Xiaomi 3 might be three of the best phones I ever had the pleasure of holding for a long time.