Well Rounded Revolution Review

[GunnerJim]

Sir Kronan, I like your thoughts, I think I would rank them like you did as well... Revo, Charge, TB... I really wish the SGSII had the LTE radio in it and was available for VZW. I think VZW is hoping we all stay because of the "Superior Network", the other carriers do rock better phones. I am longing for the BLADE RUNNER Phone, that hunts down all the other Androids and is the definitive Champion... Dudes would line up for miles to rock the BLADE RUNNER, Some Specs we need VZW if you are listening:
BLADE RUNNER Specs for old Jimbo...
Dual Core Snap Dragons.. (I can wish right???)
1GB RAM
1GB ROM
512MB Video RAM
16 GB Internal Memory
32 GB External Memory
2000 MAH Battery
Wireless Qi Charging built in, only need to buy wireless docking pad
Stereo Bluetooth
Super AMOLED Plus 4.3" screen
Capacitive Buttons that rotate like the Incredible 2
HDMI Out
12MP Camera Back, dual LED Flash/5MP Camera Front w/ Front Flash
Ice Cream Sandwich pure VANILLA
Top/Bottom LED for notification
Gorilla Glass All the way or the new Asahi Glass... Even Better
Accessible SD Card port
3G SVDO/4G VoLTE/ (Throw in UMTS/GSM too, what the heck)
Am I missing something?

 

[jinwons]

I agree to your thoughts mostly. This first wave of new VZW phones in the first half of this year are all compromises one way or the other. Revolution got Binged. Charge got slow RFS file system, TW 3.0. Tbolt has horrible battery, dim screen. DX2 has no 4G, FFC, seems to suffer overheating, system bogging down.

Until next wave of super-phones like SGSII, Bionic drop on VZW, you have to choose one of these and what cons to live with. For me, it's Revolution because it's only con is Bing which can be minimized or removed in software. Hardware wise it's hard to find major fault in it unlike others and seems to be well balanced in hardware features. But I hope LG doesn't stop here and bring out dual core super-phone like SGSII soon.

 

[GunnerJim]

LG Revo Update:
Just used the 5MP Rear Camera, took photos of two checks depositing into my bank account, front and back of check using my Android Bank App.
Comparative:
HTC Droid Incredible 1: Usually took 5 attempts
HTC Droid Incredible 2: Usually took 3-4 attempts
Samsung Droid Charge: Took 8 attempts, and multiple rejects
LG Revo: 1st attempt on 2 separate checks... Very Happy
The Revolution auto focused and stabilized within 1 second of pressing on-screen button. I am digging the results and time saved.

 

[SirKronan]

LG Revo Update:
Just used the 5MP Rear Camera, took photos of two checks depositing into my bank account, front and back of check using my Android Bank App.
Comparative:
HTC Droid Incredible 1: Usually took 5 attempts
HTC Droid Incredible 2: Usually took 3-4 attempts
Samsung Droid Charge: Took 8 attempts, and multiple rejects
LG Revo: 1st attempt on 2 separate checks... Very Happy
The Revolution auto focused and stabilized within 1 second of pressing on-screen button. I am digging the results and time saved.

It surprises me that you had so much trouble with the Charge. I realize I don't have the charge myself, but I use my Fascinate to take pictures of documents, drawings, and even sometimes photos. I find it excellent for that. 1st or 2nd attempt is all that is ever necessary for me. When I'm reinstalling windows on a friend's computer, I snap the CD key off the side to make it easier. I take snapshots of client's schedules and calendars. I use pinch zoom to clearly read every word, every time, every appointment. I wonder if there were settings on the charge that needed tweaking, but I'm assuming you just shot in auto.

Perhaps last year's CPU simply can't handle the awesomeness of Samsung's new 8MP camera.

 

[GunnerJim]

Sir K, I was looking for every reason to keep the Samsung Droid Charge, I loved that display Super AMOLED Plus and the Battery Life, not to metion how light the phone was. The form factor was a little bulkier, but manageable. I fiddled with all of the Camera Settings, macro, auto, etc... Did not help much on close up shots needed to snap a picture of a check to deposit. The camera was good other than that. I wish the 328MB RAM and RFS was not the prevalent issues. I considered the Voodoo option to fix file system, but unsure on the fact that it maxed out the 328 all the time. If only this was the Galaxy S II... I read it had 1GB RAM, 1.3 Dual Core, one heck of a phone... And AT&T is getting it as the Attain.

But, all in all, I am really digging the LG Revolution, very fast, very snappy, clean form factor, I think this phone even with the "outdated" single core processor, is a sleeper! I want to rename it The Blade Runner, start an Android Revolution... Stetson is going to tweak a Theme to fit! LOL

 

[SirKronan]

Sir K, I was looking for every reason to keep the Samsung Droid Charge, I loved that display Super AMOLED Plus and the Battery Life, not to metion how light the phone was. The form factor was a little bulkier, but manageable. I fiddled with all of the Camera Settings, macro, auto, etc... Did not help much on close up shots needed to snap a picture of a check to deposit. The camera was good other than that. I wish the 328MB RAM and RFS was not the prevalent issues. I considered the Voodoo option to fix file system, but unsure on the fact that it maxed out the 328 all the time. If only this was the Galaxy S II... I read it had 1GB RAM, 1.3 Dual Core, one heck of a phone... And AT&T is getting it as the Attain.

But, all in all, I am really digging the LG Revolution, very fast, very snappy, clean form factor, I think this phone even with the "outdated" single core processor, is a sleeper! I want to rename it The Blade Runner, start an Android Revolution... Stetson is going to tweak a Theme to fit! LOL

Oh, that single core CPU on the Revolution is NOT outdated. It's one of the best single core CPU's you can get, on par with the refreshed Hummingbird found in the Infuse. The GPU is not quite as powerful in some games as the PowerGPU paired with the original hummingbird, but that CPU is definitely stronger than the CPU found in the Fascinate, even after fixing the RFS problems. It's a pretty modern and efficient CPU.

Edit: In fact, were that the only "flaw" in the Revolution (that it has a single core) I would be able to overlook it almost entirely. But I don't want any more of my money going to profit Microsoft on a collaboration that I absolutely do NOT support, that clearly reduces and degrades the end user experience on an expensive device, released in 2011 no less.

 

[rushmore]

Oh, that single core CPU on the Revolution is NOT outdated. It's one of the best single core CPU's you can get, on par with the refreshed Hummingbird found in the Infuse. The GPU is not quite as powerful in some games as the PowerGPU paired with the original hummingbird, but that CPU is definitely stronger than the CPU found in the Fascinate, even after fixing the RFS problems. It's a pretty modern and efficient CPU.

Edit: In fact, were that the only "flaw" in the Revolution (that it has a single core) I would be able to overlook it almost entirely. But I don't want any more of my money going to profit Microsoft on a collaboration that I absolutely do NOT support, that clearly reduces and degrades the end user experience on an expensive device, released in 2011 no less.

LG did not want it either, but VZW demanded it.

 

[GunnerJim]

Rushmore, Sir K, agree on the Microsoft Support, I do not want to support them either, and would prefer the Vanilla Android Experience. I like the LG Revo and like a whole lot of the Charge as well.

 

[jinwons]

It's quite harsh review by Aaron. Usually he does fair reviews and he even gave G2x winner in dogfight with SGSII though I don't agree. Honestly I didn't expect rave review of Revolution by him, but not this bad. It almost looks like he had agenda against it or his review unit was faulty.

LG Revolution First Impressions | PhoneDog

 

[aportable]

I tend to agree with what he said about the lag and unresponsiveness of the screen I mentioned the same thing in the battery life thread. He also had the same issues with the battery that I mentioned. I thought I was the only one noticing this stuff.

 

[Dogwalker]

Might want to get it checked out... maybe replace the phone. I don't have any lag at all and I'm getting decent usable battery life.

 

[jinwons]

I don't think he bothered to try out 3G mode to see how long it lasts. Battery life in 4G mode can vary greatly with location and usage, but Rev doesn't seem to be any worse than Tbolt. Also most other reviewers noted snappy, smooth UI with minimal lags.

 

[aportable]

I mentioned that l was on wi-fi at the time of my first post about the battery drain not on the 4g network.

 

[jinwons]

I mentioned that l was on wi-fi at the time of my first post about the battery drain not on the 4g network.

Don't know how long you had it. But assuming you conditioned battery with at least 3~4 cycles of full drain/recharge, if battery dies that fast even in WiFi then you must have gotten either defective battery or phone. You might need to replace batter or entire phone.

 

[rushmore]

It's quite harsh review by Aaron. Usually he does fair reviews and he even gave G2x winner in dogfight with SGSII though I don't agree. Honestly I didn't expect rave review of Revolution by him, but not this bad. It almost looks like he had agenda against it or his review unit was faulty.

LG Revolution First Impressions | PhoneDog

Who would he have an agenda with, since he liked the LG from Tmo and liked the other VZW LTE sets? Heck, he even liked the DX2.

The display does seem a little washed out, touch response slowish and the UI is a tad rough. Can not speak for the other stuff, since my longest Rev test was an hour and at a VZW.

Still, he may be using the Tmo device as a litmus, thus creating some comparitive bias.

 

[aportable]

I stated earlier the battery seems better today, but I have a thunderbolt and that battery has bad days and worse days. I actually think the screen is a bit better on the Revo. At the highest setting on both the revo is brighter and seems to pop more. On every other setting or automatic though the revo screen is darker and a bit dull in comparison.

 

[GunnerJim]

The battery is questionable... Better than TB or on par with TB??? Today was not great in my 4G test. Lost 60% charge in 4 hours outside, downtown Pike Place Market Seattle.

The screen is hard to see when taking pictures outside, even on brightest setting. The screen is nice and warm overall, still second to Samsung Charge, but slightly better than TB, IMO.

The responsiveness is better on the LG, it responds well to fingers lightly touching the glass, snaps to the task in good time.

 

[aportable]

Overall it seems to be a bit better than the TB. Everything about the phone seems to just be a bit better though. Nothing stands out like the screen on the Charge for instance. I also noticed it has that same issue of showing full signal strength but no data comes through like the TB tends to do on the LTE network even when it drops to 3g. I've had the reboot issues with the Bolt, and they have sent me 2 replacements which I think were just repackaged for the next sucker without being checked. That's why I got the Revo. To be honest though with Gingerbread coming for the TB sooner than later if I didn't have the reboot issue I would probably stick with the TB.

 

[rushmore]

I do think it is "case closed" as far as where the real issues are for 4G issues. This is the third radio chip to have problems.

Seems the issues are mainly NETWORK related and the chips/firmware are mainly "victims" of a beta-level LTE network.

 

[jinwons]

I stated earlier the battery seems better today, but I have a thunderbolt and that battery has bad days and worse days. I actually think the screen is a bit better on the Revo. At the highest setting on both the revo is brighter and seems to pop more. On every other setting or automatic though the revo screen is darker and a bit dull in comparison.

Glad that your battery is getting better. I didn't see where you stated that though. I don't have anything more to say on battery. Wish you and your Revolution well.

 

[jinwons]

Who would he have an agenda with, since he liked the LG from Tmo and liked the other VZW LTE sets? Heck, he even liked the DX2.

The display does seem a little washed out, touch response slowish and the UI is a tad rough. Can not speak for the other stuff, since my longest Rev test was an hour and at a VZW.

Still, he may be using the Tmo device as a litmus, thus creating some comparitive bias.

Well, I think the main reason why he liked G2x is pure vanilla android on it. That and pricing was the reason he gave it winner against SGSII. Otherwise SGSII crushes G2x in almost every way.

For revolution, it looks like he doesn't like LG skin on its UI and it gave negative bias to other stuffs in revo review. He doesn't seem to be familiar with it simply. Had it been stock android UI, I think he would have reviewed it more favorably. I forgot the source, the some reviewer compared Optimus 2X (LG skin) with G2x and found no difference in overall speed.

 

[GunnerJim]

To re-iterate what some have asked via other posts, I was doing the normal surf a couple of pages, 2 phone calls, couple of texts, speedtests, screen shots, a little camera action, and that was pretty much it. I would describe the 4 hour time period like this. 30 Minutes real usage, 3-1/2 hours in my pocket... 95% to 35% in 4 hours. I am half temped to return the LG. The Wireless Hotspot drops the attached devices all the time too.

4G service was not as good either compared to Charge. The kicker, I was testing the 3G browser speed in VZW today, side by side Charge vs LG Revo, had the salesperson touch MSN website bookmark at same time (I thought it would be funny-Bing Phone should smoke that right????). Well the Charge was there 10 Seconds before the other got finished loading. Both caches were clear, stock browser vs stock browser. It confirmed the same thing I saw on the 4G network, slower browser speeds. Today the phone kept dropping the VZW Tier 2 Tech in and out of call, but the call did not drop... It stayed connected but no voice either end... like a terminal mute.

 

[aportable]

Here's the full BGR review
LG Revolution review

 

[rushmore]

Here's the full BGR review
LG Revolution review

Though I agree with the display critique in general, the viewing angles seemed good. Besides that point, this is an awful review. It talks about superficial aspects of cosmetics and generalities and does not talk about actual performance of the device, camera, specs, audio, nothing.

The points about 4G are already known- the tech currently sucks battery life about three times faster than 3G (in general).

I give the REVIEW an F.

 

[jinwons]

Though I agree with the display critique in general, the viewing angles seemed good. Besides that point, this is an awful review. It talks about superficial aspects of cosmetics and generalities and does not talk about actual performance of the device, camera, specs, audio, nothing.

The points about 4G are already known- the tech currently sucks battery life about three times faster than 3G (in general).

I give the REVIEW an F.

I know you went with DX2 and you want to feel good about it. But your comment like is a bit stretch and scares some interested folks away from Revo. As much as DX2 users had reasons to choose it, Revo users have reasons to go with single core 4G phone. It's not like one side is absolutely right or smarter than other. I agree that there are some works to be done for 4G network tech, but it's work in progress. For me issues like overheating seems more serious as it's hardware component or design related.