The Spectrum Appreciation Thread

[Lightswarm]

Self-explanatory really, what aspect of the device do you really enjoy?
In fact, what was the main selling point for you to grab the device? Price? Screen Display? Processor Clock Speed? Unlocked Bootloader? Or perhaps its the compatibility to upgrade to Android 4.0?

The purpose is to move away from the update hating talk, but by all means if the update was the reason why you bought the device, then you can elaborate on that. But generally I find that alot of users bought the device for any reason but the update to Ice Cream Sandwhich. Every other thread is on that topic, hopefully it will have less on this one.

Just curiosity moved me to create this thread, so if its in the wrong place or contains inappropriate content (which I highly doubt), please terminate or move the thread. Thanks!

 

[badrsj]

Thanks for a well intended and needed thread. My spectrum is an under valued device which allowed me all features of Samsung galaxy s2 for half the price (this is not a specifications comparison but a user experience).

Running stock i've almost never spontaneously rebooted, after Holo launcher the whole 4.0 update is more of a nice to have than have to have feature.

Frankly I don't miss the countless hours spent doing roms and the instability, the insecurity and such. This is a good phone and that's that.

 

[IMUcarmen]

I say it's a good phone as well. Though I experienced reboots on all the ROMS I've been running stock for 2 weeks and haven't seen one. I even had it at 200+ hours of up time.

It is definitely a step up from my droid charge.

I mainly bought it because the specs impressed me and there was a BOGO deal at the time. Which was last March.

I'm still on my first one, and it still functions perfect.

I was happy about getting ics on it, and I did think it would be much sooner than this but it doesn't bother me because honestly it's not important and has absolutely zero effect on my life in the grand scheme of things. It's unbecoming a man of character to complain and cry over such trivial things.

All in all the spectrum is a solid device that does all I need it to and more.

 

[real0325]

And the spec it good for movie watching

 

[TheBigKahuna]

And the spec it good for movie watching

If you have it plugged into a good charger. Otherwise it will never last through a 1.5-2 hour movie. And if I have power, and enough time to watch a movie, I'm at home with my big plasma, or have my laptop.

 

[Parshooter]

My Spectrum is my first smart phone. I knew nothing about them really, and still don't know much, but with the buy one get one free deal it was a no brainer. I really like the size. I still know nothing about the different OSs: Gingerbread, ICS, Froyo..., hell, I don't even know which one I have. I just know it's fast enough for me, the screen is a nice size, and I've had very few minor problems. Would I buy another LG? Don't know, but I know I'll do some research next time.

 

[Corki2]

Hi, I'm new to the Specctrum thread. I bought mine off Ebay and it will be here in a couple days. I have the Rezound. I love my Rezound, but due to the fact that most bluetooth headsets don't work well on the Rezound (known issue), I decided it was time to swap out phones instead of buying every headset on the market to find one that works on the Rezound. I chose the Spectrum because of the screen, and the fact that it has the same specs. I played with it at the Verizon store and boy were they bashing it! "You won't like it, battery sucks, nobody likes the LG interface, etc". I told them I had an LG and didn't mind the interface (besides, I use ADW or some other launcher anyway) and the battery life on 4g phones is going to suck and I accept that. I always buy an extended battery and a spare regular battery so I can switch them out as needded. Verizon reps push people try to steer people to the phones they need to move. They did their best to make me go for the RAZR over the Rezound when I bought that phone. Turned out RAZR sales weren't where they needed to be. Not my problem.

My first Android phone was an LG Ally. I had a blast with it. Rooted it and ran a custom ROM on it. Loved it, but needed a bigger screen. Moved to the Droid X. Love it, but needed to move up to 4g speeds. Bought the Rezound, love it, but need one that works with BT headsets as I drive a lot in my work and although the Blue Parrott trucker style headset does work with the Rezound, it messes up my hair. So, I'm hoping the Spectrum can deliver what my Rezound does, and then some. The screen on the Spectrum is truly amazing. It looks like a great phone that gets a lot of undue bashing because LG made it. If they can deliver a fast 4g great running device that won't mess up my hair, I'll be a happy lady. I will probably root it since I have no warranty with it.

 

[stef7]

Screen is very nice. Like other prior posters, does everything I ask or throw at it and more. With Holo Launcher replacing the Optimus UI, and K9 Mail replacing the standard email client - it's been a pleasure to use on a daily basis. A plus was the pending update to ICS.

Price via AmazonWireless was too good to pass up. Actually, in my particular circumstance, I was actually paid to buy the phone, but I digress.

When mine died because I left it on the hood of my car and it eventually went airborne to be run-over - I went and purchased an exact replacement off eBay (I didn't have insurance, and wasn't going to pay $600 for a replacement... come on VZW and LG!). So averaging out what I paid for both of these Spectrums, I still paid less than others have for the device.

It's been a solid / dependable performer and I have work-arounds for the minor quirks I've experienced... The best Android phone I have owned yet.

 

[TheBigKahuna]

The Spec was my first Android phone. So I can only compare it to phones of friends and associates. I can also only comment on things I've experienced or noticed myself. Screen looks very good, but fingerprints up way too easily. I'm not very pleased with the touch screen sensitivity. Data speeds are very good IF you can get a signal and stay connected to it. I can't. The principal part of this PHONE, the phone, is OK, but very from from the best I've used. Voice quality is horrible. I rarely make a call when the person on the other end doesn't complain that they can't hear or understand me. Never had this issue with ANY previous phone.

 

[arlancam509]

i got this phone for several reasons. i will list them in some sort of order of preference:

1. the screen
2. the price
3. the processor
4. unlocked bootloader (had a samsung fascinate before with ICS - ICS was NOT even on the radar as a reason to purchase. i knew it would come eventually.)
5. removable MicroSD card (removable battery, too!)

i love this phone. i have no regrets.

 

[Lightswarm]

Hmm it seems like I haven't shared my $.02 yet.

Let's start off by Sharing that I owned a Samsung Fascinate prior to my Spectrum. At the time, its 4" screen was the largest at its time and I enjoyed it for multimedia purposes. The SAMOLED display was nice, vivid colors but I never really grew into it. However I bought it because people said that the screen was marvelous, at its time.

When it was time to make an upgrade, I figured I wanted a phone with decent specs, 4g LTE connectivity, and ultimately a screen that proves to be amazing. As a constant phone user, the screen specs mean everything to me. So when I read that the Spectrum has a near PPI to that of the retina display, I went for it hands down. Sure enough I wasn't disappointed. I watch lots of Movies on Netflix, videos on YouTube, and I take a few pics here and there that all look amazing on the screen.

Most importantly, I can use my device in direct sunlight! So much better than the SAMOLED, but that can be argued with SAMOLED HD Plus. Still the screen gives off warm colors and a realistic tone. All for $30, it was a steal.

 

[Corki2]

The Spec was my first Android phone. So I can only compare it to phones of friends and associates. I can also only comment on things I've experienced or noticed myself. Screen looks very good, but fingerprints up way too easily. I'm not very pleased with the touch screen sensitivity. Data speeds are very good IF you can get a signal and stay connected to it. I can't. The principal part of this PHONE, the phone, is OK, but very from from the best I've used. Voice quality is horrible. I rarely make a call when the person on the other end doesn't complain that they can't hear or understand me. Never had this issue with ANY previous phone.

I have read about the call quality issue. Some claim it's excellent, others claim it's horrible. It seems that due to the speaker placement you have to be holding the phone against your face or else the noise cancellation cancels your voice. I'm hoping the people who are claiming the call quality is bad are just not positioning it correctly against their faces. Of course I don't have the phone yet but I will be checking the call quality first thing when I get it because if it really doesn't work well as a phone first and foremost, I can't use it. My Droid X was tempermental as far as the position when talking in the handset. I couldn' t hear anyone. I hated it until I figured out how to position it and then it was great.

 

[TheBigKahuna]

I try to remember to cup my hand around the bottom of the phone, and create a "tunnel" from my hand to the mic. Sometimes this helps. When I don't do this, I get the "I can't hear a thing you're saying" comment practically every time. Having the mic on the back of the phone is not a great idea.

When I chose the Spec...I went off of a few reviews, and the specs. It looked like it would be one of the faster, more powerful phones on the market at the time, that wasn't $300! It also boasted the 2nd largest display, at that time, without going to one of those Nook sized monstrocities. I looked for one for a few weeks before finally finding one. No one had them, not even Verizon stores. HHGregg was the ONLY store in my area to get them....Best Buy never did...and I was told never would.

 

[IMUcarmen]

I try to remember to cup my hand around the bottom of the phone, and create a "tunnel" from my hand to the mic. Sometimes this helps. When I don't do this, I get the "I can't hear a thing you're saying" comment practically every time. Having the mic on the back of the phone is not a great idea.

When I chose the Spec...I went off of a few reviews, and the specs. It looked like it would be one of the faster, more powerful phones on the market at the time, that wasn't $300! It also boasted the 2nd largest display, at that time, without going to one of those Nook sized monstrocities. I looked for one for a few weeks before finally finding one. No one had them, not even Verizon stores. HHGregg was the ONLY store in my area to get them....Best Buy never did...and I was told never would.

Hey big. This is the spectrum appreciation thread; not the "I have a defective phone and need a replacement thread".

I don't think the spectrum has call quality issues. I use mine to run my business and have never had an issue hearing or being heard. I also think the "you need to hold it properly" theory isn't correct either. I use a thick case on my spec which buries the Mic even more and I did some testing one day to see if the person on the other end had problems hearing me while I moved the phone all over the place and they said I sounded good the whole time. I even held the Mic end of the phone over my head while I talked and they heard me fine. I use the speaker phone for basically every call I do and can sit my phone down and walk at least 8ft away and people say I sound fine.
I know you said you've replaced your phone big, so the only thing I can think of is you need to speak up. Put some bass and manliness behind that voice

 

[Corki2]

Hey big. This is the spectrum appreciation thread; not the "I have a defective phone and need a replacement thread".

I don't think the spectrum has call quality issues. I use mine to run my business and have never had an issue hearing or being heard. I also think the "you need to hold it properly" theory isn't correct either. I use a thick case on my spec which buries the Mic even more and I did some testing one day to see if the person on the other end had problems hearing me while I moved the phone all over the place and they said I sounded good the whole time. I even held the Mic end of the phone over my head while I talked and they heard me fine. I use the speaker phone for basically every call I do and can sit my phone down and walk at least 8ft away and people say I sound fine.
I know you said you've replaced your phone big, so the only thing I can think of is you need to speak up. Put some bass and manliness behind that voice

I run a business with my phone too, so I'm happy to hear this.

 

[savoxis]

I love the weight of the Spec, it does a great job holding papers down on my desk so they do not blow away when someone opens the door. I have tried numerous other things for this purpose, including other Android phones and the Spec beats the lighter, cd case, keys, lg ally and evo4g hands down!

I also love the home button, its nice to have my screen real estate taken up by such a spiffy little "window" to the home button with colors that contrast so well against the black.

It does a great job heating your pocket up as the battery winds down, a must have for those early morning trips to the car to scrape the ice off the window - it works great for this as well, both as a hand warmer and window scraper.

People often ask why I carry a spectrum around when I have other, arguably better devices (though none come close for these specific needs) - my best answer would be that having the spectrum around gives me a much greater appreciation for good hardware, hardware that has good build quality, and feels well thought out. Without the spec, who knows I might have gotten tired of my nexus' already


**EDIT
oh yes and you cannot ignore the absolute beauty of the giant VZW logo on the top bezel - CARRIER BRANDING FTW

 

[Lightswarm]

Hey big. This is the spectrum appreciation thread; not the "I have a defective phone and need a replacement thread".

Precisely what I was going to reply with.


On a side note, I've almost forgotten that the Spectrum is incredibly light. I know the hardware materials don't give it the premium feel, but the plastic gives it a more ergonomic friendly build by keeping it a lightweight. Sometimes as I walk, I feel as though my phone isn't in my pocket. Of course this may change soon when I receive my case.

 

[savoxis]

On a side note, I've almost forgotten that the Spectrum is incredibly light. I know the hardware materials don't give it the premium feel, but the plastic gives it a more ergonomic friendly build by keeping it a lightweight.

Lol if you couldnt tell I was joking XD... One thing I notice about the spec though is it is VERY topheavy, it feels like it wants to flip out of your hand if you dont have a sure enough grip.

I understand this is part of LGs new "acrobat" feature, and it is much appreciated

 

[Corki2]

I have read about the heat issues but they seem to be isolated to people running custom ROM's.

 

[IMUcarmen]

I don't have heat issues with mine.

And funny sav. You say it's top heavy yet I just balanced mine on my finger and it was almost dead center just slightly more towards the bottom. So not only is it not top heavy, it has slightly more weight on the bottom half.

 

[hollywoods14]

I don't have heat issues with mine.

And funny sav. You say it's top heavy yet I just balanced mine on my finger and it was almost dead center just slightly more towards the bottom. So not only is it not top heavy, it has slightly more weight on the bottom half. Really, you should take your unconstructive and hateful comments else where and stop trying to hi Jack this thread

And to think we originally donated to get him here.... Although his smart@$$ comments do make me laugh.

 

[savoxis]

...and this thread is so constructive as it sits...

Meh well Ill leave it alone, I didnt mean to hurt any feelings - just trying to be funny

 

[IMUcarmen]

No worries man. Definitely didn't hurt my feelings. I wouldn't lose one minute of sleep, nor would I have any concern whatsoever if LG, and all the other smartphone companies, and carriers, went out of business tomorrow. This phone, and all the others material things in this world mean absolutely nothing to me. I just don't see a point in what you did. But I guess our minds work differently.

 

[Lightswarm]

Lol if you couldnt tell I was joking XD... One thing I notice about the spec though is it is VERY topheavy, it feels like it wants to flip out of your hand if you dont have a sure enough grip.

I understand this is part of LGs new "acrobat" feature, and it is much appreciated

Woah you ninja'd me lol. You posted yours probably at the same time as me so I never read it haha.

Well I guess opinions vary on the prior phone to the spectrum lmao. For me its pretty light coming from a Samsung Fascinate, but it could be argued as always xD

 

[hollywoods14]

...and this thread is so constructive as it sits...

Meh well Ill leave it alone, I didnt mean to hurt any feelings - just trying to be funny

Love the humor... Thread jack approved... Lol