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Switched from the GS3 to the Optimus G... worth a read?

andyacecandy

Well-Known Member
Dec 7, 2009
193
37
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 a few months. I hope this doesn't come across as a bash fest... I'm a casual user, not all advanced and rooting (although I may one day). I know a lot of the comments will be about how LG sucks and blah blah, but I hope this is a worth a read to some. Expecting some snide remarks/comments, but that's okay...



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.
 
yeah, updates and support are my concern but I've read that since it's so closely resembles the LG Nexus 4, updates from that Google phone will be easy to transfer over to the OG.

I forgot to mention camera and battery and misc. items.

Battery is on par with the GS3 so far. I use my phone to just text throughout the day, check Facebook, surf the web, occasional YouTube video maybe. I definitely get through the day just fine.

I'm no photographer so I don't ever get picky with cameras (have owned an iphone 4s, GS3, and now the OG) and I think it takes just as good of pictures. Not better, not worse. I have the 13mp Sprint version. I would need to take more pictures, day/night, etc to comment with a more thorough response here... but all in all, I definitely don't notice anything bad about the camera. I've read that some people think it sucks... I wouldn't say that, but again I'm no photographer/nit-picker of any kind of really specific photography details.

Battery removal is never a big deal with me, but I can get why it would be for some (if your phone were to freeze or something, it'd be a pain). Although, there are 2 screws underneath... I feel like I could unscrew it and remove the back if I really HAD to.

SD slot hasn't ever been necessary for me, but again I can see why this would be a deal breaker for some. I don't use my phones as MP3 players (maybe some songs, but nothing more than what default storage can hold whether its 8gb, 16gb, or 32gb)

For what it's worth, I found the Optimus G on Craigslist for $350.... which was sick as most of them are $400 I think. And I can easily sell my GS3 for $350-$400.
I do think the GS3 will have better re-sell value in 2013 though... which says a lot about its prominence in the market.
 
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Ok, time for my "don't buy based on updates" speech. This was a good post and I too will look at this phone when I'm in the store next. One thing I would like to say to those worried about upgrades. Wanting to make sure you can get future updates is fine but do NOT base your decision on the idea that "the upgrade will have what you want so I'll buy it mentality." ONLY buy a phone if it has what you want (software wise) right now because you never know when/if that next update is coming. :rolleyes: Motorola showed me the folly in that long ago :(
 
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well nova only goes over the launcher. touchwiz has a lot of neat features. all the motion stuff, the multiple windows which is coming in the next update, the touchwiz camera app is the best one on android by a pretty long shot from what ive seen. and if lg is anything like the past, they dont update their phones for very long. eventhough it takes a while to get them sometimes, samsung gets theirs out
 
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well nova only goes over the launcher. touchwiz has a lot of neat features. all the motion stuff, the multiple windows which is coming in the next update, the touchwiz camera app is the best one on android by a pretty long shot from what ive seen. and if lg is anything like the past, they dont update their phones for very long. eventhough it takes a while to get them sometimes, samsung gets theirs out


yeah the motion stuff was cool, but i honestly never used it. maybe used that put the phone to your ear to call the person you're texting thing... once
i use camera zoom fx as my camera pp and love it

but yeah going back to my OP, i'm mostly concerned with updates. The phone itself is what I'm in love with most.
 
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well nova only goes over the launcher. touchwiz has a lot of neat features. all the motion stuff, the multiple windows which is coming in the next update, the touchwiz camera app is the best one on android by a pretty long shot from what ive seen. and if lg is anything like the past, they dont update their phones for very long. eventhough it takes a while to get them sometimes, samsung gets theirs out

I was going to say since I started using smartphones I haven't seen a great default camera app until the GS3.

And you bring up a good point. A phone that outsells an iPhone, even for a quarter will have a long life of updates because Samsung knows that this is their way to be the guy on top.

All that said I do think the hardware on the LG offering is pretty damn nice.
 
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yeah hardware is what won me over the most. over a week in, and i'm still very impressed every time i pick this OG up. Both phones are great, and it's just a matter of preference.

If I knew nothing about all the phones out right now and saw an iphone 5, GS3, and OG lined up side by side by side, I'd instantly be drawn to the OG without hesitance based on looks alone.

I just hope LG shuts up the critics and keeps updating this phone because it is one solid device they put together.
 
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