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Considering the G2 vs. newer options

P

pootyash

Newbie
Hi folks,
I'm about to sign a new 2 year agreement with Big Red and am debating between the G2, New HTC One, or Galaxy S5. (I wish I could hold out for the G3 but can't wait much longer!) Obviously, the G2 is cheaper and half a year older, but I'm wondering whether these newer options will be THAT MUCH BETTER ($150-200 better) than the G2. Factors such as usability, call quality, battery life, durability, and being "future-proof" are important to me.
Any input from actual G2 users would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
P
 
If you want facts, those are easy to look up. HTC One (2014 edition) is a bigger phone with a smaller screen, smaller battery, fewer megapixel camera, it does have an aluminum case but no scratch resistant glass on either the screen for back camera cover, it does boast 2300 MHz snapdragon vs G2's 2260MHz, the screen does boast a higher pixel density but most say the human eye can only process around 400 ppi anyway. The S4's hardware does not compare so I will leave it out. If you ask me, the G2 only falls behind in the processor max MHz but really what difference is 40MHz going to make?!?

As far as personal preference, I do like the Galaxy operating system and am furious with LG for not including Touchless Gestures in the G2!!! That being said I like the Optimus UI over the Galaxy. G2 is very customizable. The battery and storage are not removable but with so many charging and storage options available there is no need for removable stuff that only causes more grief. I personally know nothing about the HTC One operating system and have only played with it in stores. I will leave it alone.

Ultimately, you decide but I actually have but one hold up on the G2 and that is touchless gestures which is an amazing and simple technology overlooked for some reason by G2 but I seem to be the only one with this issue. Outside of that, I love my G2!
 
I think the HTC One has stereo speakers, but the LG G2 on VZW does not. Other than that, it's going to come down to what is important to you. I recommend you go to one of the stores and actually try the devices if that is possible.
 
pootyash said:
Hi folks,
I'm about to sign a new 2 year agreement with Big Red and am debating between the G2, New HTC One, or Galaxy S5. (I wish I could hold out for the G3 but can't wait much longer!) Obviously, the G2 is cheaper and half a year older, but I'm wondering whether these newer options will be THAT MUCH BETTER ($150-200 better) than the G2. Factors such as usability, call quality, battery life, durability, and being "future-proof" are important to me.
Any input from actual G2 users would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
P
Click to expand...

At this point in the smartphone cycle the difference in processor speed is quickly becoming negligible. You won't notice any difference unless you have the two devices side by side and even then the difference is very small. The processor in both the S5 and the HTC ONE are slightly faster. The HTC ONE has better construction and better speakers than the LG G2. However, both the HTC ONE and the S5 have inferior battery life. Much more important in my opinion than any gimmick heart beat monitor. The only thing I like better from the S5 is the fingerprint sensor and the fact that it is water proof.

At the end of the day you are the one that will have to decide whether it is really worth it to spend an extra $200 dollars. Honestly if you are considering the S5 why not simply go with the Note 3. Much more versatile device in my opinion. I could be sounding a little bit biased but that is only because the S5 left me underwhelmed. Maybe I was expecting too much.

If I were you I would either get the LG G2, the Note 3 or simply wait for the LG G3.
 
My T-Mobile G2 has stereo speakers.

If I had to choose now, I would wait for G2 Pro. It has all the advantages of G2 w/o its "by design" features, such as no SD slot, non-removable battery etc. And 5.9" screen, lol :D
 
All the flagship phones are great. It's all about what you prefer. The processors are virtually identical, same with the screen sizes/resolutions, and memory. There are a few key differences I'll point quickly point, mind you these are just a few but the ones I view as the most enticing or appealing:

LG G2 - best battery life, knock-on features, OIS for camera

SGS5 - fingerprint scanner, removable battery, microSD slot, water-resistant

HTC One (M8) - Duo rear camera, 5MP front camera (I love this!), stereo front facing speakers (love this too!), microSD slot

Sony Xperia Z1/Z1s - Waterproof (not just resistant), 20MP rear camera, microSD slot

I personally am tempted to try out the new HTC One (M8) but I think I'll hold off for the LG G3, just because I love the G2 so much. I've had the HTC One and the SGS4, to me, the G2 is superior in most aspects. The only thing I wish it had is the same with most people, lack of a removable battery and microSD slot. I also miss the front facing speakers from the One. Other than that, it's a great phone overall.
 
dportal makes a good point. If you go Galaxy you should definitely go with the Note 3 it absolutely BLOWS the S4 out of the water!!! I have used the G2 and Note 3 side by side and as far as performance is concerned the difference is small if any. As far as the speakers are concerned, sure the speakers on the phone are loud but the One is not capable of playing truly high quality audio like the G2. G2 can output 24bit/192kHz audio which is literally studio quality while the One only has 48kHz ability. I also still don't understand why a microSD slot is even an issue. They are essentially useless on the G2 since they integrated USB On-the-Go, you could LITERALLY have TERABYTES of data plugged directly into the G2 (even the largest possible SD card ever created is only 128GB which is tiny considering the possible capacity with USB On-the-Go) or have it accessible through Cloud storage?!?!?!

Don't forget about the new Nokia Lumia Icon: 20MP camera, 2420mAh battery (THE best battery!), 2.2GHz Snapdragon 800, 4 mics for awesome audio/video recording... Thing is a BEAST!!!

Fun fact: I read 90-95% of ALL Japanese cell phones are waterproof?!?! Why isn't this a thing?!?!?!
 
Maine Coon said:
My T-Mobile G2 has stereo speakers.

If I had to choose now, I would wait for G2 Pro. It has all the advantages of G2 w/o its "by design" features, such as no SD slot, non-removable battery etc. And 5.9" screen, lol :D
Click to expand...

Sorry to break it to you, but TMo G2 does not have stereo speakers (and most likely none of the other G2 models). Cover one at a time with your finger to prove it to yourself. ;) One of the grill is for microphone :)
 
doboy said:
Sorry to break it to you, but TMo G2 does not have stereo speakers (and most likely none of the other G2 models). Cover one at a time with your finger to prove it to yourself. ;) One of the grill is for microphone :)
Click to expand...

Thanks, did not know this.

Original design decision:rolleyes:
 
Thanks all for the feedback! It doesn't look like I'll be able to hold out even for the SGS5, as I'm down to my old Droid Incredible after busting my RAZR a couple weeks ago... and now my DInc is taking a dump! So it looks like it's between the G2 and the New One. Note 3 is just too freaking big.

My main concern with the G2, I suppose, is whether it's going to hold up for 2 years (from now). I'd heard that LG software support was questionable and that the device was of mediocre build quality. Also, the way Verizon shrunk the buttons on the back is of concern. Anybody have any insight about these issues?
 
Verizon hasn't released KitKat for the G2 yet so that may be an issue. The small back buttons are so the device has wireless charging stock.
 
"Mediocre build quality "… I heartily disagree. Mine has withstood a couple of falls(yes, it's in a case), dampness, cold weather, etc. It's the best phone I've ever owned. The camera is outstanding too.
 
Agreed. I'm using an UltraSlim TPU case, and I can't feel the plastic nature of the phone's back, nor the mechanical compliance in the back of the device when you press on it, which I think is where this comment comes from.

I've also dropped mine a few times, and no issues... but it's got the case on it.

The more one uses it, the more one appreciates just how good it is.

"Newer" hardly means "better"... Anyone getting this phone will realize just how fantastic it is, even though it's about 1/2yr old (which I guess is a long time in the business).

Ha.
 
stef7 said:
Agreed. I'm using an UltraSlim TPU case, and I can't feel the plastic nature of the phone's back, nor the mechanical compliance in the back of the device when you press on it, which I think is where this comment comes from.

I've also dropped mine a few times, and no issues... but it's got the case on it.

The more one uses it, the more one appreciates just how good it is.

"Newer" hardly means "better"... Anyone getting this phone will realize just how fantastic it is, even though it's about 1/2yr old (which I guess is a long time in the business).

Ha.
Click to expand...

I have used my LG G2 with the Incipio Dual Pro case. I have dropped the phone between 10-15 times in 6 months. Not a single scratch or crack. If you put the phone on a decent case there is no need to worry about build quality. Even the HTC One will break if you drop it without a case.
 
We all already know the details of these devices. Personally, after owning the G2 since release and having had played around with the S3/4... I would still buy a G2 over even the S5. I do not like the buttons at all. I love my G2 in immersive mode. All screen, no buttons. Just a super clean look.
 
Having owned the G2 for a few months, I still love it... the device caters more to my style of using a device. I like to think of it as a mini-phablet because it has some unique capabilities that other similar phones dont have but that Phablets do have.

The camera, battery life and performance of this device (especially after kik kat) makes it fly.

I really love the new M8 and I was dead set on selling off my G2 for one, but as I did my homework, I'm now on the fence. I have the luxury of playing with both devices currently and they both have their pros and cons. The speakers and the clean UI are just phenomenal. But I do wish HTC would stop this stupid trend of skinny screens...wish the device wasn't as long either.
 
toomuchgame441 said:
Having owned the G2 for a few months, I still love it... the device caters more to my style of using a device. I like to think of it as a mini-phablet because it has some unique capabilities that other similar phones dont have but that Phablets do have.

The camera, battery life and performance of this device (especially after kik kat) makes it fly.

I really love the new M8 and I was dead set on selling off my G2 for one, but as I did my homework, I'm now on the fence. I have the luxury of playing with both devices currently and they both have their pros and cons. The speakers and the clean UI are just phenomenal. But I do wish HTC would stop this stupid trend of skinny screens...wish the device wasn't as long either.
Click to expand...

The G2 holds its own quite well.I've looked @ the M8 & S5.

G2 vs S5: Hands-down the G2,not to mention the potential $ savings (YMMV depending on carrier,etc...)

G2 vs M8: Just as you,both are different,but equallly appealing as a daily driver.

I'm 99% sure I'm picking up the M8 Friday (contingent upon B/T-call quality).Just trying to decide if I'm gonna let go of the G2 or FLEX for JUMP Trade-In.......

But,to (as objectively as possible) recommend to the OP,get the G2.
Even an i-Phone enthusiast would be hard-pressed to not give it a look.
As for the PROS/CONS w/the G2,the PROS overwhelmingly outweigh the CONS.
Quick decider:If you don't need external storage,get the G2.If so,look elsewhere,or wait for the G PRO 2 or G3 to come out later this year,if you're an LG enthusiast.
 
Got my LG G2 for $0 at BestBuy.
I am liking this phone. FAST and long battery.
Going to sit for a few hours and configure it all up this weekend.
Also ordered the Incipio case and some screen film.
 
Thanks all for the feedback. I wound up getting the M8. I love it so far and believe that it will just be a little more future-proof (especially on VZW). Wish I could have held out for the G3, though!
 
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