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Unlocked Optimus G or Nexus 4
- Thread starter amattas
- Start date
kingdeeray
Member
I've never had a chance to play around with the Optimus G but I've been a Nexus user since the HTC days. I can't put the damn thing down. Its fast, GPU is amazing. And the camera is pretty decent upgrade from the galaxy nexus.
Here is a speed test from the hspa+ in my area. I was outside during this test
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Here is a speed test from the hspa+ in my area. I was outside during this test
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
kingdeeray
Member
This is on T-Mobile. I am currently thinking about switching to one of their mnvo networks
Sent from my Nexus 4
Sent from my Nexus 4
FillInThe_____
Newbie
Are you looking at the AT&T Optimus G (LG E970) or the LG Optimus G (LG E973)? I don't know if the E970 can be unlocked, and I don't know if there is a US version of the E973.
Off hand, though, I'd say get the Nexus 4 from the Google Play store. It will be much less expensive, it will most likely get better support and updates, and if your choices are the Optimus and the Nexus, the Nexus will certainly meet your needs. Note that you will be getting the 'Pure Android Experience'. It's your call as to whether that's a plus, a minus, or a null. Like the E973, and unlike the E970, it doesn't have LTE or a MicroSD slot. The other drawback it that it only has 8 or 16GB of memory. This is plenty for a typical user, and as many have pointed out, non-typical users always have access to the cloud.
If I had to choose between these two, I'd definitely get the Nexus. Still, it does matter which version of the Optimus you're looking at, because they do have different features, profiles, and limitations. Check PhoneArena for a good comparison: Google Nexus 4 vs LG Optimus G vs LG Optimus G AT&T - Phone specs comparison
Finally, according to The Verge, "Compared to the LG Optimus G, which shares many of the same components, it's no contest — the Nexus 4 is a far nicer piece of hardware." (The Nexus 4: Google's flagship phone lands November 13th for $299 | The Verge)
EDIT: I'm not sure how technical you want to get, but as far as HSPA+ vs LTE, HSPA+ is not, technically, a 4G technology. If I understand it right, HSPA+ 42 is as fast as the technology can go, whereas LTE has a lot of headroom to grow. Also, from what I understand, T-Mobile will be adding LTE service to their network. IIRC, they were saying something like 2013/2014 for the rollout. That's just information I gleaned while trying to pick out a phone for myself. I wasn't looking into this specifically, so a lot of that info may be off.
Off hand, though, I'd say get the Nexus 4 from the Google Play store. It will be much less expensive, it will most likely get better support and updates, and if your choices are the Optimus and the Nexus, the Nexus will certainly meet your needs. Note that you will be getting the 'Pure Android Experience'. It's your call as to whether that's a plus, a minus, or a null. Like the E973, and unlike the E970, it doesn't have LTE or a MicroSD slot. The other drawback it that it only has 8 or 16GB of memory. This is plenty for a typical user, and as many have pointed out, non-typical users always have access to the cloud.
If I had to choose between these two, I'd definitely get the Nexus. Still, it does matter which version of the Optimus you're looking at, because they do have different features, profiles, and limitations. Check PhoneArena for a good comparison: Google Nexus 4 vs LG Optimus G vs LG Optimus G AT&T - Phone specs comparison
Finally, according to The Verge, "Compared to the LG Optimus G, which shares many of the same components, it's no contest — the Nexus 4 is a far nicer piece of hardware." (The Nexus 4: Google's flagship phone lands November 13th for $299 | The Verge)
EDIT: I'm not sure how technical you want to get, but as far as HSPA+ vs LTE, HSPA+ is not, technically, a 4G technology. If I understand it right, HSPA+ 42 is as fast as the technology can go, whereas LTE has a lot of headroom to grow. Also, from what I understand, T-Mobile will be adding LTE service to their network. IIRC, they were saying something like 2013/2014 for the rollout. That's just information I gleaned while trying to pick out a phone for myself. I wasn't looking into this specifically, so a lot of that info may be off.
I've tried a few different LTE phones and I typically get between 11/3 and 18/5 on them, which HSPA+ should be able to come close to.
The only thing I don't know is if my lower LTE speeds are due to poor signal (which then I'll have slower HSPA+ speeds too) or if it's do to poor backhauls in my area.
You can unlock the E970, but part of me feels unlocking is more of a hassle than getting the Pure Android experience (not to mention there's more risk involved for Malware, etc).
The only thing I don't know is if my lower LTE speeds are due to poor signal (which then I'll have slower HSPA+ speeds too) or if it's do to poor backhauls in my area.
You can unlock the E970, but part of me feels unlocking is more of a hassle than getting the Pure Android experience (not to mention there's more risk involved for Malware, etc).