Srsly guise?! This thread has some pretty bad advice and wrong facts.
The HTC S is much better than the V. While they are both awesome and do have maaany similarities, HTC S excels in several specs.
HTC Advantages:
- Android 2.3 Gingerbread vs 2.2 Froyo on LG (2.3 has waaay more features + more optimized and faster)
- CPU: same core speed as LG but it's ARM 11, meaning it can ****ing play FLASH unlike all Optimus V devices (and make a lot more apps available on the market due to this)
- Waaaay more internal memory: ~512mb compared to the shitty ~140mb of optimus V (I keep running out of damn internal memory!!!)
- HTC LED notification light (trust me it helps a lot, used to own a Droid)
- Far superior camera (5.0mpixel WITH FLASH compared the 3.2mpixel on the V)
- Gorilla Glass! pretty much un-scractchable by common methods (again based on experience Droid)
- Slightly longer battery life (according to the VMobile specs site)
- HTC phones in general seem to be in better preference with the modding community.
- MIUI (a gorgeous and my favorite ROM, which will look even better on the white colors of the HTC) will most likey be available for it soon (they seem to love HTC products, unlike the LG, grrr there is no MIUI on the Optimus V)
- Light Sensor (for appropriate dimming to save battery) vs no senor on the LG V.
- Gesture control vs no gesture control on the LG V. (flip to shut off alarm or ringtone, etc)
- Radio Stereo FM radio on the HTC vs no radio on the LG V)
LG V Advantages:
- Thinner.
- No lame Sense UI (although that's subjective, I personally really like Sense UI, plus on the HTC it's easily removable if you don't want it)
- Feels more solid, possibly due to superior build quality. LG is awesome that way. (but then again HTC has awesome build quality as well based on experience from older Android phones.)
- Solid push buttons vs capacitvie keys on HTC S (personally I like the feel of pushing buttons better on the LG but most people prefer the capacitive keys.)
- More easily accessible microSD slot, unlike the HTC S where you have to remove the battery cover.
All specs taken from:
HTC Wildfire S - Full phone specifications
In conclusion, HTC and LG both make for awesome low-end phones, but I recommend the HTC S. However it is a bit overpriced for the advantages you get. If the HTC S goes on sale for BF, definitely get it.
Also, like bigvandal said, they're both 'kaka' compared to the Triumph...so if it goes on sale as well, I recommend getting that over both.
~ LG Optimus V owner and love it. Soon to be HTC S (possibly Triumph) owner.