Buttons!

The buttons were pretty easy for me to get used to. In my opinion, they're easier to use, especially with such a large phone. Reaching to the other side wouldn't be that much of a task but it's easier when the buttons are on the back.

I like it much better, especially for in call volume adjustment. With knock on, they never come into play for turning the phone on or off. Great solution.

Yeah, I had it sitting on its back on a table like "How do I turn it on like this?" And that's when I realized how innovative knock-on was.

It will take a little getting used to, but I agree one I shake the muscle memory in regards to my old phone I don't have a problem with the back buttons.

i got an lg g2 last year thought the button layout on the back was ment to be . so i had to try it.

used it for about a week and loved it.
my contracted was about to end this year and i got the g3. not for its display but for the button layout and screen size along with the better camera and ability to add sd card.

The only problem I have with the buttons being on the back is when I need to change the volume of something when the phone is sitting on the table. Small annoyance, but an annoyance none the less.

I like it on. Works well on a phone this size. Much better than having the power button on top like the One M8 has, that button is hard to reach.

I used my wife's G2 a fair amount. After using it, I always try to knock on my old GS3. The knock on is very natural.

I am still trying to unlock my G3 with the GS3 unlock on the side too though, but I only had it for a few hours.

Buttons on the back are better to the blind feel than G2. Miss the notification LED in the center button though.

I first started with only using knock on with my G2 but quickly got used to the back buttons (as knock on can be hit or miss when using custom ROMs/Launchers).
The only thing that frustrates me now is I use my Moto G a lot at work to stream music and going back and forth can be a pain.

im still getting used to the back buttons, but it won't take long i'm sure.

Oridus said:

The only problem I have with the buttons being on the back is when I need to change the volume of something when the phone is sitting on the table. Small annoyance, but an annoyance none the less.

Click to expand...

Well...that was a concern of mine as well. Not so much on the table but when in a GPS car mount. I don't need to change the volume much in that case but might every once in a while. What I found handy was that the volume slider in the notification drawer lets you jump into all volumes and control whatever volume setting you want (in call volume, BT volume, media, etc.). It made that a non issue for me.

As far as the button placement goes...some people are not even going to consider this phone because of it. My wife for example said "Ewwwe" when I told her what phone I was getting. All she can focus on is the buttons in a weird place. Mentally...she'd never get past that.

Me on the other hand...think it's genius. I had the Droid DNA prior to this and running CM11 with a kernel that supported the same kind of double tap to wake feature. Even though the DNA had the power button in a more traditional place (on top), it was a pain to have to reach it...and if you were using a case...then you really had to press hard if your case had the raised cover over the power button rather than a cutout for the button. It made my favorite case unusable for me until I got the double tap working. Now...with any case, the buttons will feel the same and are reachable if needed. But you could use this phone for the length of your contract and never actually need to use them. Changing volume while on a call...that's when the button placement is really at it's best. You'll never grab the phone and accidently press the volume rocker or power button with your fingers or thumb.

I did not like the buttons on the G2...on the Verizon variant (they just had to screw with it didn't they?)...and luckily they didn't change the ones on the G3 cause they work quite well.

My only issue is if I have an app open that I want to leave open, but want to turn the screen off temporarily. The double tap won't turn it off, so I have to use the button. Having the volume back there is fine, I actually prefer it because I was always accidentally adjusting the volume on my DNA. Not an issue with the G3.

It seems there is always a trade off with button placement. If they are on the same side as the volume rocker...people don't always press the correct button. If the power button is on the opposite side of the volume rocker (Galaxy Nexus...I'm looking at you LOL) then you seem to press one or the other inadvertently too. If the power button is on top, people complain that they have to modify their grip on the phone or use 2 hands to reach it. I think these back buttons are the best compromise for me anyways...