My impressions of the Optimus G after switching from the Galaxy S3

[andyacecandy]

Okay, I've had the Optimus G (OG) for about a week now, and I can honestly say I enjoy it more than the GS3 I owned for 2 months.


Hardware and build quality are A LOT better. I've already had a few comments from strangers when they see me playing with my phone (case-less for now, eek).. asking "hey what phone is that?" or "that looks sleek"
It feels more premium in your hand and the sleek black with a touch of chrome makes it look a lot better than the cheap plastic of the GS3 in my opinion. The front/bezel is purely black (and by this, I mean when the screen's off, the entire front is pure black) and for whatever reason, it just looks sexy with the rest of the black phone. Also, it feels better in your hand... like you're holding something of quality.

Software-wise, I'll be honest I didn't go default with either phone. I love Nova Prime launcher for the gestures. (I set up double tap screen for opening camera, swipe down to bring up navigation is clutch when driving, amongst other gestures). I can say though, I've used the quickmemo A LOT more than I thought I would. It's nice to just pull it up to scribble down a quick note... I mean that's the only kind of notes that I take on my cell phone anyway. Then, you can store it in your picture gallery or your notepad app. I haven't used Qslide at all... especially because it doesn't work on YouTube and I don't watch movies on my cell phone.

Speaking of software, you will definitely notice how faster, quicker, and instant everything is on the OG. It's a snappy phone. I never thought the GS3 had lag, but after using the OG, you definitely notice it. I've tried to slow/lag it down... opening up navigation, youtube videos, browser, texting, etc at once and everything is just fluid. VERY impressed with the quad core snap dragon.

The screen is noticeably more vibrant. I'm never too picky on screens though.

I really don't have any gripes on the phone itself. My only concern is the lack of exposure it has. Not many cases or accessories if you're into that and not really that much buzz... considering everything this phone has inside.
Having said that, it kind of makes me feel like I have something special in my hands with this phone. It makes it more unique and luxurious... if that makes sense.

As long as it gets software support, I am extremely happy with my decision so far. The GS3 is popular, will have great product support, and lots of people have it... so it has that sense of community (as Apple does). But all of that stuff really doesn't mean much to me in owning a phone besides the product support.

 

[Linx]

I just picked up this LG Optimus G coming from a EVO 3D. I'm so through with HTC I figured it's time to try something different. My first choice was the S3 but figured I'll give the OG the 14 day trial and then deciding. I've only had it for 2 days and not quite convinced yet, though I haven't tried the S3 either. I like the phone but experiencing some bugs.
With the Favorite contacts widget, it doesn't seem to default to one number. Each time I tap a contact it wants me to choose one of their numbers. That's a big deal breaker for me if that's how it works

Though I've turned WiFi off, it seems to randomly turn itself back on.

Everytime I tried voice command, it understands what I want almost flawlessly, but then tells me that contact has no entries. After playing around with it for some time, something I did fixed that. But now having the same problem when I use the" Send Text To xxxx" command--just tells me that person has no entries.

Another issue, and I would like to know if you're experiencing this, scrolling is nice and smooth. But every so often it gets extremely slow to where it's almost unresponsive. I'm not sure but I think this might only be happening when the charger is plugged in.

Hopefully these bugs will be fixed very soon, but as of now I'm considering trying out the S3.

BTW, Qslide works with YouTube if you do it from the browser and NOT the app.

 

[privet]

I encounter the Wi-Fi problem every now and then. The laggy scrolling happens every time the phone is plugged in to charge, and I noticed Sprint's display model doing this as well. Putting the phone to sleep and waking it up again fixes it, but then it starts all over again two minutes later.

I tried to switch to the S3 today but didn't realize that doing a previous exchange didn't restart the 14 day return window (in October I tried going with the iPhone 5). I'm rather disappointed, since, though I like the phone, a number of small issues have become outright grating for me after a week and a half of use. I'm now trying to find some solutions to these, might make a new thread on it.

 

[Linx]

I didn't bother with the OG any longer. Traded mine in for the S3 about an hour ago. These issues need to be fixed and you know ifs not gonna be done anytime soon. I feel why do we have to wait in vain for updates to make the phone work the way it shouldve been when purchased. Updates should be for newer and better things. Anyways while at Best Buy doing the exchange, the salesman told me i was the third person today to return the OG. From fhe first hour Ive been playing with the S3 I can already tell I like it way better.

 

[andyacecandy]

I didn't bother with the OG any longer. Traded mine in for the S3 about an hour ago. These issues need to be fixed and you know ifs not gonna be done anytime soon. I feel why do we have to wait in vain for updates to make the phone work the way it shouldve been when purchased. Updates should be for newer and better things. Anyways while at Best Buy doing the exchange, the salesman told me i was the third person today to return the OG. From fhe first hour Ive been playing with the S3 I can already tell I like it way better.

Wifi thing isn't an issue, it's a setting you turn off. The default setting is to always connect to wi-fi in range. You have to go turn it off in the settings, takes 2 seconds.

I have not had ANY problems with scrolling or anything. It's been extremely fast for me... weird... I do use Nova Prime Launcher though so maybe that's it?

 

[privet]

Wifi thing isn't an issue, it's a setting you turn off. The default setting is to always connect to wi-fi in range. You have to go turn it off in the settings, takes 2 seconds.

I have not had ANY problems with scrolling or anything. It's been extremely fast for me... weird... I do use Nova Prime Launcher though so maybe that's it?

The problem that they're referring to is that even when Wi-Fi is turned off, it comes back on later. I've run into this issue as well.

The scrolling issue isn't really lag per se...it's like the screen stops registering touch correctly once the phone is plugged in for charging. I might try to replicate it with a third-party launcher later, but the problem persists in third-party applications as well so it doesn't seem like that would be the problem.

 

[andyacecandy]

The problem that they're referring to is that even when Wi-Fi is turned off, it comes back on later. I've run into this issue as well.

The scrolling issue isn't really lag per se...it's like the screen stops registering touch correctly once the phone is plugged in for charging. I might try to replicate it with a third-party launcher later, but the problem persists in third-party applications as well so it doesn't seem like that would be the problem.

I know of the exact "issue" for this wi-fi thing. It's on GS3 as well... it's called Smart Connect. Whenever you're near a wireless connection you have used in the past, it will automatically reconnect even if wifi is turned off.

You have to turn off smart connect. I had to do this on my GS3 too

I rarely use my phone while its plugged in... so im not really familiar with that lag when plugged in thing

I think a lot of times people get phones and once one thing isn't to their liking, they just start to nit pick every little thing without really looking into the details.... because none of the problems mentioned here are anything I have faced... because I have taken the time to resolve these "issues"

 

[thunder18]

I can say that from the Instinct HD, to the original HTC Evo to my Epic 4G Touch, they all experience some initial lag when you plug them in and to go use them immediately thereafter. I just give it a second and then it's fine, but I've experienced it on several phones in the past.

 

[privet]

I know of the exact "issue" for this wi-fi thing. It's on GS3 as well... it's called Smart Connect. Whenever you're near a wireless connection you have used in the past, it will automatically reconnect even if wifi is turned off.

I don't know if this is the issue...I'm finding nothing on Smart Connect just through a quick Google search, and it's happened in places where I've never connected to a Wi-Fi network.

I think a lot of times people get phones and once one thing isn't to their liking, they just start to nit pick every little thing without really looking into the details.... because none of the problems mentioned here are anything I have faced... because I have taken the time to resolve these "issues"

Yes well, that's why I'm here. To get the opinions of people more knowledgeable than myself on this on how to resolve issues that I'm having trouble resolving on my own, however much time I put into it.

I can say that from the Instinct HD, to the original HTC Evo to my Epic 4G Touch, they all experience some initial lag when you plug them in and to go use them immediately thereafter. I just give it a second and then it's fine, but I've experienced it on several phones in the past.

This doesn't really go away unless you lock and unlock the phone, so I'm not sure if it's the same issue.

 

[popularbelief]

I don't know if this is the issue...I'm finding nothing on Smart Connect just through a quick Google search, and it's happened in places where I've never connected to a Wi-Fi network.Yes well, that's why I'm here. To get the opinions of people more knowledgeable than myself on this on how to resolve issues that I'm having trouble resolving on my own, however much time I put into it.

This doesn't really go away unless you lock and unlock the phone, so I'm not sure if it's the same issue.

It's actually called the Sprint Connection Optimizer and you access it via Menu>System Settings>Wireless & networks>More>Mobile Networks>Connections Optimizer>Back>Unclick>Home

 

[andyacecandy]

^ yup that's it

I had to turn it off on my GS3 as well

 

[Linx]

Andyacecandy you are correct as I am experiencing this with the GS3 as well. I tried your instructions but it's laid out a little different then what you explained. Do you remember how it's done with the GS3?

 

[Linx]

Oh I found it. Thanks you guys

 

[andyacecandy]

Any way, my main gripe with the GS3 was the hardware and built quality. All that plastic was just too cheap for me. I enjoy the premium look and feel of the OG... both phones are great and its really just a matter of preference.

Now if only LG can shut up their critics and provide this phone with support, then they could be back in the game with everyone else because this device is solid.

 

[privet]

Though the phone certainly feels of a higher quality than the S3 (and arguably looks it), I think the overheating issue is a pretty big knock against the build quality, or at least the software build quality if that's the problem.

 

[andyacecandy]

Yeah, I noticed the overheating issue the other day when I was doing A LOT on my phone while waiting in line for something. It wasn't unbearable, but definitely noticeable.

In other news, I sold my GS3 for $380 the other day on craigslist... I paid $300 for it. Soooooo I'm pretty happy with how everything has turned out haha

 

[WA_Bob]

I use the new ADW launcher (LG's UI doesn't turn my crank) and I haven't found anything that I can throw at this beast to slow it down! The only reason I might sell it off is due to the lack of decent cases and other accessories for it. I work outdoors and I need to have something better than the store bought AT&T Body Glove case or I'll have to just sell it off to avoid trashing it. :-(

I wrote both Seidio and Trident and they wrote back saying they have no plans to make cases for it right now. So I'm stuck loving the phone and hating that it's not appreciated but the accessory world. Rather annoying!

 

[thunder18]

I'm personally a big fan of tpu cases. If you're interested, check them out here:
LG Optimus G (Sprint) Skin Covers, LG LS970
They are kind of like a hard rubber. Not flimsy like silicone and not brittle like plastic.

 

[privet]

I use the new ADW launcher (LG's UI doesn't turn my crank) and I haven't found anything that I can throw at this beast to slow it down! The only reason I might sell it off is due to the lack of decent cases and other accessories for it. I work outdoors and I need to have something better than the store bought AT&T Body Glove case or I'll have to just sell it off to avoid trashing it. :-(

I wrote both Seidio and Trident and they wrote back saying they have no plans to make cases for it right now. So I'm stuck loving the phone and hating that it's not appreciated but the accessory world. Rather annoying!

Diztronic's website states that their case for the AT&T version will be out early next month (the Sprint version is out now). Not quite an A-list brand but their cases are pretty well made and always have great reviews on Amazon. On a related note, I emailed Case-Mate to see if they're planning on releasing a case for the Sprint version since I have a coupon for their website, but they haven't got back to me yet.

 

[andyacecandy]

I ordered this rubberized hard case (I prefer these many times), but might also order this TPU case

Amazon.com: For Sprint LG Optimus G LS970 Hard Cover Case Black: Cell Phones & Accessories

Amazon.com: Black Clear Hard Soft Tpu Cover Case for Lg Optimus G Eclipse 4G LTE LS970: Cell Phones & Accessories

 

[Nalej]

[Hyundai Hmall] LG Electronics Black Original Bumper Case for LG Optimus G | eBay

I just got the bumper for the phone. I like the look of the phone and wanted to leave as much of it revealed as possible.

 

[toomuchgame441]

Well I had the S3 for about 2 and a half months, it was a good performing phone for the most part. I did notice it stuttered a bit but the radios were great and it worked. But I too was very. ICS of the hardware on the S3. I hated the plastic and I HATED with passion the home button. The screen cracked on my S3 I figured instead of doing an insurance claim I should just sell it with a cracked screen on eBay and pick up a new device for cheap.

I was first going to pick up the Note 2 but even tho its a great device I was still sick of Samsungs design so I opted for the Optimus G.

I was so glad I did, I definitely prefer the hardware and the screen just gorgeous. Not only that but the way they shaped the screen is great, it's not skinny like what HtC is doing right now but not using that Pentile super amoled crap Samsung is using either. It's wide but not too wide where it looks awkward.

The performance is great on it, I already rooted it and flashed one of the stock ROMs available, it runs great. I love that a lot of the stock apps look so... Stock Android. The contacts app and the messaging app just look so clean and simple. Much better than the S3 stock apps. The only think I didn't care for too much was LGs launcher. But it wasn't too big a deal because I use Nova Prime anyway and my device is looking like a Nexus 4 now. I love it.

All I'm waiting for now is to get Jelly Bean and ill be set. Seriously folks, this is a fantastic device, My first LG but they nailed it this time around.

 

[Deleted User]

I wrote both Seidio and Trident and they wrote back saying they have no plans to make cases for it right now. So I'm stuck loving the phone and hating that it's not appreciated but the accessory world. Rather annoying!

I am with WA_Bob, I have the same concern. So far, I like this phone, it is very fast compared to my old broke-dick Evo 4g, but it really bugs me that I cannot get a decent protective case AND face-in holster! I loved the 3-layer Seidio case for the Evo with secure holster. In fact, I am still using the rubber skin and holster now with the G, although it is a stretch and the holster not as secure with the phone being about 1/2" longer than the Evo.

Does anyone know of any other phones that definitely fit the Sprint Optimus G specs that has better cases made for them?? The Nexus 4 is nearly identical, but slightly more rounded at the corners than the G, and it looks more like the needed openings are more like the AT&T Optimus G than the Sprint.