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For those of you that have this phone, and have had it since close to it's release date, what are your opinions?
I am going to be purchasing a new phone, for use with WindMobile in Canada (i.e. it must be an AWS phone). As far as I can tell this is my best option because I use my phone mostly as a camera so my #1 interest is a camera that does not lag and will open quickly. I also am a fairly heavy user for NUMBER of apps. I have a lot installed and switch between them frequently. I don't play games or watch videos so graphics don't matter much.
The kicker here is I am REALLY hoping to keep this phone for 2 years at least. Do you think that this phone will last? Keeping in mind I don't care about being behind on new technology. I only care that it can handle my volume of use and won't sputter and choke to a slow after 6 months use like the one I have now.
I currently have an Optimus 2X but it is dying. It lags incredibly between tasks and the plastic covering the camera is poor quality and I had to rip it off so the lens is mostly unprotected now. I don't want to deal with stuff like this is I am going to buy a brand new phone. Do you think the Xperia ZL is the right choice?
p.s. I saw a review of the camera where the reviewer said that the photos look great on the BRAVIA screen but once on a computer screen are not very good. Has this been your experience? What about printing?
p.p.s. would appreciate comments about how rugged it is also as I work as a nanny with two 24 month old toddlers. Honestly I want the Z due to it's waterproof encasing but it's not sold new up here in Canada.
so my #1 interest is a camera that does not lag and will open quickly.
--> camera itself is the fastest I've seen. First thing you notice is the super smooth and responsive viewfinder.. even in low light. It always feels 60fps. I compared this to HTC ONE and it's a LOT slower..really.
About opening.. opening of the camera app isn't fastest i've seen (can take 3 secs) but because of the dedicated button you can still open it way faster than phones without button.
I also am a fairly heavy user for NUMBER of apps. I have a lot installed and switch between them frequently. I don't play games or watch videos so graphics don't matter much.
--> Ye as with all 2GB phones multitasking is almost instant and apps never really close.
The kicker here is I am REALLY hoping to keep this phone for 2 years at least. Do you think that this phone will last? Keeping in mind I don't care about being behind on new technology.
Then yes. I don't see why this phone wouldn't make it 2 years.
I only care that it can handle my volume of use and won't sputter and choke to a slow after 6 months use like the one I have now.
With 2GB ram it's pretty future proof IMO.
p.s. I saw a review of the camera where the reviewer said that the photos look great on the BRAVIA screen but once on a computer screen are not very good. Has this been your experience? What about printing?
Well, in my opinion, pictures look suberb on the 5" with bravia engine 2..really gives a wow-factor.
When you then watch them on the PC they look kinda normal/bland/boring..so its just the way you look at it
p.p.s. would appreciate comments about how rugged it is also as I work as a nanny with two 24 month old toddlers. Honestly I want the Z due to it's waterproof encasing but it's not sold new up here in Canada.
The back isn't made from glass but very grippy texture. I haven't dropped mine but the phones feels very sturdy and good quality, except for maybe the little flap on the back for sim/SD.
Honestly I think ZL is very underrated and still (even with new models like Z1) ZL is still my favorite.
Thanks for your quick quick reply!! One clarification I have to ask: I understand what you mean about quality depending on the screen. However when you look on your computer do you think the quality fits the price? Let's put this simply: I am tired of my boyfriend's iphone photos looking SOOOO much better than mine. Can I at least compete now? lol
earthabbey said:
Thanks for your quick quick reply!! One clarification I have to ask: I understand what you mean about quality depending on the screen. However when you look on your computer do you think the quality fits the price? Let's put this simply: I am tired of my boyfriend's iphone photos looking SOOOO much better than mine. Can I at least compete now? lol
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To be honest I really like the camera but the software app just doesn't do it justice. Pictures looked a bit washed out when looked at the computer. You can still install another camera app with less compression effects.
Also, for me the camera opens very quickly, less than 1 second with the latest 267 firmware update.
The phone looks gorgeous with the incredibly small bezel for a 5 inch phone. But if you want an awesome camera phone you really should go with the Galaxy S4. Still the best midrange camera phone I've seen so far is clearly the Nokia Lumia 920 but its a Win8 phone... both phone can be easily unlocked if not offered by Wind and are AWS versions.
Also, lots of people complain about the screen being TFT which is the cheapest technology you can use for a phone nowadays. So the viewing angles aren't good but I personally don't care much. But I think you will notice it right away.
Still, for a lot of other aspects, I prefer the Sony ZL
earthabbey said:
p.p.s. would appreciate comments about how rugged it is also as I work as a nanny with two 24 month old toddlers. Honestly I want the Z due to it's waterproof encasing but it's not sold new up here in Canada.
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the Z is available through Bell FYI.
I just traded it my s3 for an zl very disappointed in camera in dark places there is a ton of noise I have to also take multiple snaps before I can get a shot to have a properly focused pic if I use flash it works fine but using superior auto mode and in a well lit room it still doesn't compare anything to the s3 which had a very quick focus but other then that the phone is well worth it will last you 2 years if you do not abuse it only thing im concerned is the non removable battery... wonder how will it perform in 2 years from now....
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
shahkam said:
I just traded it my s3 for an zl very disappointed in camera in dark places there is a ton of noise I have to also take multiple snaps before I can get a shot to have a properly focused pic if I use flash it works fine but using superior auto mode and in a well lit room it still doesn't compare anything to the s3 which had a very quick focus but other then that the phone is well worth it will last you 2 years if you do not abuse it only thing im concerned is the non removable battery... wonder how will it perform in 2 years from now....
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
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Do you have the latest update? A lot of reviews I saw said that there were a lot of problems before the latest update.
shahkam said:
I just traded it my s3 for an zl very disappointed in camera in dark places there is a ton of noise I have to also take multiple snaps before I can get a shot to have a properly focused pic if I use flash it works fine but using superior auto mode and in a well lit room it still doesn't compare anything to the s3 which had a very quick focus but other then that the phone is well worth it will last you 2 years if you do not abuse it only thing im concerned is the non removable battery... wonder how will it perform in 2 years from now....
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
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Don't use superior auto by default, it adds way too much noise. Try using normal with some basic tweaks, you will see a major difference.
Especially with the latest update.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Well I kind of have the same problem. Own an Optimus 2x and now ordered Zl from an amazon offer (350 euros). I love the white version since - if the black back looks cheap - this is absolutely not the case with the white.
However, I am quite disappointed by the screen. You notice the viewing angles immediately and every time the phone is lying on a table in a darker room, it looks like it is showing a bright Grey picture although background is black. So I wanted to return it.
Then I thought of alternatives, but very successful.. I am looking for a phone with no amoled screen, wo no s4. I really want at least 32gb memory and would be happy if it had a working fm radio like XZL (tried Optimus G and thought that must be a bad joke). The Optimus G was nice, but fm radio crap, and due to non expendable storage, I was really missing USB otg. S4 active would be nice, but no fm radio, feels somehow big and is very overpriced. The new nexus 5 seems to only have 16gb.. LG G2 is very expensive with 32gb. And none of them has a dedicated camera button. So I guess xperia zl is a great package! If only they had included a IPS screen (which can be considered as standard today, even for cheap phones).
Today I looked at the screen in a bright room and then it looked way better than yesterday night when it was dark. So I am thinking of keeping the phone - seems like the package is quite good. Or does anyone of you habe a proposal?
Sent from my LG-P990 using xda app-developers app
My comments:
The poor viewing angles on the screen aren't as horrible as people make it out to be, the screen is still perfectly good and quite a joy to look at. (plus if you like to be private then it stops people from seeing what you're doing easily)
Picture quality is fine, I have an unlocked bootloader(which I did before TA backups were a thing ;_ and even still everything looks great on the screen. Video quality is pretty good in my opinion. In low light, yes the picture quality does tend to suffer but it's still acceptable for it being a phone, I personally haven't tried tweaking with the settings much besides installing the Z1 camera app port.
If you want to see the quality yourself, here are some photos/videos(mind you the outdoor greenery shots were taken a while ago so the latest updates might have improved things):
http://imgur.com/a/qoqg2#0
http://youtu.be/SXxN14HdeGU
Performance has been pretty good, there are a few things I've noticed which can make it a little laggy, like setting a smaller icon size in Apex and the app Twilight can make scrolling a little laggy, but otherwise performance is snappy.
Something that might be of concern is battery life, due to the non-removeable battery. I can usually get through a day before having to charge. I get about 4-5 hours of video watching, so if I only use the screen for a few hours sporadically(15 minutes here, 15 minutes there) then I can usually push it to 24 hours.
One thing I would really suggest is getting at least a decent screen cover, if not case as well, I have one of those meifeng cases from ebay, it's decent enough quality and it's pretty thin, I don't use it every day though. But the built in screen protector is an absolute lint electromagnet, it's like it's sole purpose was to collect lint, not cool. I picked up a skinomi screen protector, just put it on top of the built in one and it works/looks fine.
One thing I like about the skinomi is that it's slightly soft, so it doesn't scratch easily, but it still a good surface for fingering.
The speaker isn't loud enough to be heard over a concert or some power tools, but if you're just at home or in the car then it's quite adequate, the headphone out is also adequate, though it can be a tad quieter than some might like, depending on headphones used.
The microphones are pretty great, that youtube video? The music in person was ear-screeching, yet somehow the microphones managed to pick everything else up pretty well.
The IR Blaster is fun if you normally use multiple remotes for your home.
I can't really think of anything else at the moment, but feel free to ask and I'll try to answer.
Edit:
Shadowman19: Personally I find the viewing angles acceptable knowing that I'm probably never really going to be looking at my phone from these angles anyways, 99% of the time I'm looking at it is straight on.
Personally I don't own a ZL(I currently own an Ion), but i have seen a couple of Z's(the Z screen is similar to the ZL). Honestly, I don't see the difference when tilting the phone(I can definitely see it on my ion). The poor viewing angle claims are exaggerated.
Is the LG G5 as good-looking as you are (despite your receding hairline, adult-onset acne, and massive weight gain)? Rate this thread to express whether you think the LG G5 is attractive. A higher rating indicates that you would even go as far to say that the LG G5 is a beautiful phone.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
Not bad concept at all
Kind of awkward looking, but have to case it up anyway
not the best but it's been a while I haven't wanted a case to change the look of it.
What's driving me nuts about the hate of this device is how many think the G5 sucks solely based on looks. Has the mobile tech sphere really become this superficial and shallow? It's a phone (not a purse) that has its form follow its function. I'll take practicality over useless 'good looks' any day.
cpthornman said:
What's driving me nuts about the hate of this device is how many think the G5 sucks solely based on looks. Has the mobile tech sphere really become this superficial and shallow? It's a phone (not a purse) that has its form follow its function. I'll take practicality over useless 'good looks' any day.
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Yeah. It is unbelievable how people choose looking over effectiveness and functionality. LOL If no one likes the G5 im open to receive all your phones. Just send me a message and i will give the address hahaha. And my phone will arrive soon, but by seeing the reviews on youtube it seems to me like a very interesting design though. Not too sophisticated but also not too Simplistic. It looks smooth.
If you slap a bulky Otterbox case on your phone, why would "looks" ever really matter? lol with that said, I like the look of the G5. The metallic body isn't HTC awesome, but it's far from ugly.
I think it looks great/fine. I have a clear case (Poetic Affinity) to show off the phone a bit more, and a kickstand non-clear case (Spigen Thin Armor) for when I don't care as much. Honestly I'm starting to prefer the Poetic just because I like looking at the phone itself.
That said, I've found that I stop caring about looks about a week after I get it. Maybe that's just me.
I actually really like the lok of the g5.. I do always run a case though. I have my silver g5 in a spigen neo hybrid case I really dig the appearance with the case even more then the phone alone.
Okay the phone is understated, but its ergonomically great. It doesn't scream for attention like S7 nor is it super thin and slippery like iPhone. Since i don't like using cases, this phone is perfect for me.
Though I have to admit, when you buy a premium segment phone, looks do matter. And LG tbh does disappoint there. Its just an average looking phone. Nothing to go ga-ga over , but nothing to hate nonetheless. Its simply a boring looking phone.
It looks good ;D
Gonna be my next phone after the Galaxy S6
Dunno...it's like a renewed copy of the Lg G2...is not that bad...i like it.
Well you can't deny it's a huge improvement from the G4 and its horribly shaped back. I do wish the whole front panel was glass though. After the 6P I think it's the best looking droid so all in all, can't complain.
Love it
I don't see why people think its ugly.....to each his own.
I think it's not that pretty... The back is ugly with the camera bump (camera bumps should just not happen, put bigger battery to fill the gap). I hate the curved glass. I hate any curved glass on a phone, it makes it impossible to put a simple tempered glass protector which I think is a must.
But.... the phone is great. Not my choice for design but it's a solid performer! From performance to sound and camera. Everything is rocking solid. I like it a lot!
Is the OnePlus 3 as good-looking as you are (despite your receding hairline, adult-onset acne, and massive weight gain)? Rate this thread to express whether you think the OnePlus 3 is attractive. A higher rating indicates that you would even go as far to say that the OnePlus 3 is a beautiful phone.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
just got mine, its beautiful. great feel and a mix of a galaxy and htc.
Phone looks as premium as any other phone. Very quality look all around. It is surprisingly skinny, which I like a lot, and does resemble an HTC 10 or G5. Still, an amazing build. I will have a case on it, so it's really no big deal what it looks like. Lol
I like it a lot. Feels like an iPhone 6S plus an HTC had an affair and this is the bastard child lol. Love it.
Sent From My OnePlus 3
Premium design and quality, bad protruding camera.
I definitely agree - the phone does have very premium looks. Of course, somebody could say that the current Galaxy models are easily a class above this phone in looks. But, in and of itself, the OP3 is quite satisfying to look at. And, compared to others in its price range, it definitely holds it own. Overall, I would definitely give this a thumbs up in the looks department.
Abercrombie1234 said:
I definitely agree - the phone does have very premium looks. Of course, somebody could say that the current Galaxy models are easily a class above this phone in looks. But, in and of itself, the OP3 is quite satisfying to look at. And, compared to others in its price range, it definitely holds it own. Overall, I would definitely give this a thumbs up in the looks department.
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Metal>glass. It may not be as premium as the s7 edge, but it definitely is more premium than the standard s7 in looks
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk
All metal body, nice finish. Only qualms are the camera bump. Also because it is so thin and sleek it is quite slippery leading to usage of a case (sigh). But the phone looks very premium. I just don't get to show it lol
Z51 said:
I like it a lot. Feels like an iPhone 6S plus an HTC had an affair and this is the bastard child lol. Love it.
Sent From My OnePlus 3
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very well said it!!
the phone is extremely pleasing and premium to hold and look at. the only issue i personally feel is slippery ness of the device but i feel the same about pretty much every metal body phones. It's extremely well crafted as well. just love the plain beauty of this device.
Beautiful, but 'tis a slippery beast.
Oneplus 3 is love ?❤
Its definitely premium looking phone. For some reason I like the antenna bands wich most people seem to dislike. At least with the iPhone. They make the back a bit less boring looking. Although wish they had proper styleswap covers like in OPO and OP2.
I kind of dislike how the camera is big and bulky and has kind of a contrast against the thin metal body of the phone. In my opinion it doesnt fit that well. It isnt a deal breaker for me of course, I can always put a case.
+ All elements (speakers, buttons, SIM tray, microphone, etc) are in line
+ Good home button shape
+ Good detailing on the alert slider
+ Simple black bezel, not like those old tacky Samsung phones
+ Subtle chamfers
- Corners rounded with horizontal bias. WHY?
- The squircle camera shape
- The antenna lines are asymmetrical: not the same distance from the top/bottom of the phone
- The middle antenna line is thinner than the other two
- Both antenna lines are too close to the top/bottom of the phone
- The top and bottom bezels are not the same length
Overall, the OP3 is the most generic looking phone of 2016: pseudo-premium aluminium build, imperfect design and nothing crazy. It seems like OnePlus tried to make the phone look different by changing small things like the corner rounding and the slant of the top and bottom sides but to me it just makes the phone look worse. It doesn't look as matured, sophisticated or refined as the Note7, 10 or XZ but it's not an visual disaster like the G5 or the old Galaxy S3.
Bidiminished said:
+ All elements (speakers, buttons, SIM tray, microphone, etc) are in line
+ Good home button shape
+ Good detailing on the alert slider
+ Simple black bezel, not like those old tacky Samsung phones
+ Subtle chamfers
- Corners rounded with horizontal bias. WHY?
- The squircle camera shape
- The antenna lines are asymmetrical: not the same distance from the top/bottom of the phone
- The middle antenna line is thinner than the other two
- Both antenna lines are too close to the top/bottom of the phone
- The top and bottom bezels are not the same length
Overall, the OP3 is the most generic looking phone of 2016: pseudo-premium aluminium build, imperfect design and nothing crazy. It seems like OnePlus tried to make the phone look different by changing small things like the corner rounding and the slant of the top and bottom sides but to me it just makes the phone look worse. It doesn't look as matured, sophisticated or refined as the Note7, 10 or XZ but it's not an visual disaster like the G5 or the old Galaxy S3.
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I agree with some of what you said. I recently purchased the gold (white face) OnePlus 3, and it's really a thing to look at. Really nice looking phone, with some inspiration from Apple and Samsung, as well as HTC. The phone's design is nothing extra special I agree, but I wouldn't call it generic. That's being a tad picky. Every company has their style and OnePlus' is quite subtle. The reviews on xda forums are what I looked at as a customer before I purchased this phone. To anyone out there contemplating buying this phone, you won't be disappointed in the design. It's good. Durable and strong. The camera bump on the back protrudes a bit and the sides are kind of sharp (like the galaxy s6 edge), but I use a case so it's not bothersome at all ( I even remove the case sometimes to get a feel of that sexy beast directly in my hand).
I wanted HTC 10, but i got OnePlus 3 for 300 euro, almost new.
Metal case it's very nice, good build. I like the most, the square corners. For example HTC 10 it's very rounded on corners .
I like the phone because it's slim. It's a little big for pocket, but with 5,5" screen, that's it. Weight it's normal for a big phone with a metal case.
It is a Premium phone with Good Price!
I'm very pleased about it.
I love the looks so much. The back kind of reminds me of the iPhone 6 / 6S. Build quality is really surprising too considering the price imo.
Love the sleek body.
I get annoyed when someone hands me over a Samsung or Moto
But the camera bump is a bit of a problem too.
with the oneplus cover sandstone it looks awesome because the bump on the camera is annoying without it
Please, no "that's what she said" jokes. Rate this thread to express how you think the Google Pixel feels in-hand. A higher rating indicates that it's comfortable to hold for long periods of time, even in one hand. Resist the urge to say "TWSS" just now. Seriously.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
Really feels great. The small form factor is the new black. Perfect size to wait balance. The added girth of the phone actually helps the palm WRAP the mobile better. The trick of cold but smooth metal is very reassuring.
Sent from my Pixel using XDA-Developers mobile app
It feels like a high quality device but it is slippery. Sometimes feels is if it's going to jump out of my hands! I think it's a little too big for its screen size--bezels are a little too large.
I like the size. I wanted the XL but got the 5" because of price and I'm glad I did. Seems like a perfect fit. In photos the device always looks really thick, but it does not feel thick.
I have the 5" Pixel and find it great with no case (naked joke incoming). I wish I didnt feel it needed a case. The metal would survive some roughness but I dont think the glass would.
I'm coming from a Sony Z3 Compact and don't find it out of proportion or too big. It's an adjustment but love the extra screen size. Miss my 2 day battery tbh and my waterproofing.
Great.
Million times better than the HTC 10 which I also have
Not too heavy, tall or wide.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
XDA_RealLifeReview said:
Please, no "that's what she said" jokes. Rate this thread to express how you think the Google Pixel feels in-hand. A higher rating indicates that it's comfortable to hold for long periods of time, even in one hand. Resist the urge to say "TWSS" just now. Seriously.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
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Yeah it feels amazing but I'm afraid that it'll slip from my hand sometimes
XDA_RealLifeReview said:
Please, no "that's what she said" jokes. Rate this thread to express how you think the Google Pixel feels in-hand. A higher rating indicates that it's comfortable to hold for long periods of time, even in one hand. Resist the urge to say "TWSS" just now. Seriously.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
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Personally the "One-hand feel" is great. I'm coming from a HTC M8 and it's fairly close. I've never had problems switching songs on the go, or using it while walking.
The only issue I've personally experienced is with how you have to hold it when playing a two-handed landscape game. The speakers being at the exact bottom make it so you have to hold it awkwardly as to still hear the sound - unless you're using headphones in which now you have an AUX plug in the way for one hand. It's not a deal-breaker, but it was a factor I've run into.
subhani said:
Really feels great. The small form factor is the new black. Perfect size to wait balance. The added girth of the phone actually helps the palm WRAP the mobile better. The trick of cold but smooth metal is very reassuring.
Sent from my Pixel using XDA-Developers mobile app
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Thanks for your sharing!!:good:
My Pixel is replacing my Moto X (2013 -- the orginial) and while I'd like to say this phone feels as good or better to hold and use than my Moto X so I can add that to the list of justifications for spending so much money on this phone, I can't. This phone is a little awkward to use with one hand. I'm right handed which makes anything in the upper left and lower left corners of the screen on the Pixel difficult to reach without juggling the phone around a little. Because the phone is so slick I start getting nervous about possibly dropping the phone while trying to juggle it around one handed. I know the answer is to use two hands, but I've never had a phone that I needed two hands to use so to that end I'm going through a bit of a transition period. Also, the phone feels a little weird to hold whether I'm using it as a phone (like making a phone call and holding it to my ear as if it were a real telephone!) or just picking it up from the table and carrying it out to the car. To be fair, I did keep my last phone for over 3 years so it may just take a while for me to get used to this one, but ironically I can't help feeling that if the phone was just a little thicker it may be a little more comfortable to hold. Maybe when my case arrives the phone will feel better to me.
On a positive note, the finger print sensor is perfectly located (for me) and super easy to use! I took the time to set up my fingerprint by trying to make sure I got as much of it scanned as I could and that seems to have paid off because it's no trouble at all to use the fingerprint scanner to unlock my phone especially one handed!
I ordered my phone directly through Google (recieved it a little over 2 weeks ago). I also switched my phone service to Google's Project Fi at that time
U just cant compare orihinal motox which must be the smallest 4.7" phone ever made and easy to hold. Everything bigger then moto would feel the same. I had a same feeling wjen I went on a 5.5" phone, felt like im holding a tablet. After 2-3 weeks was great and bemefits of smaller phone and minimal compared to everything that a big screen brings with it
Coming from a 5x I was a bit surprised at the weight - it's heavier then I expected. I have 5" pixel and its a good size. Not sure if they just wanted to keep the phone proportionate but if they shank down the chin it would be a little easier for one handed use. All in all, it's got a premium feel and fits nicely in the hand. IMO, it definitely needs a case. I wouldn't want to drop this thing without one.
love the phone
I wanted to get the XL but due to backordering, got this one. So far, I'm happy I did because it fits so perfectly in my hand. I'm used to large phones so this was a big deal switching to 5". No regrets - the ergonomics are amazing.
can someone tell me about his/her experience of phone with different thickness from top to bottom?
Geeks Empire said:
can someone tell me about his/her experience of phone with different thickness from top to bottom?
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Sure. I've never noticed once. Extremely trivial. And this is coming from a fairly OCD individual.
Well, I started this about eight different times, and decided I'd finally actually write down my thoughts and hit send.
I've had the phone for a week now, upgraded on Friday from my rooted (stock ROM) V20, on Verizon. My main reason for staying on the V20 was to keep root for my hotspot as I was one of the lucky ones with the old unlimited plan (the one that VZW kept jacking the prices up on). Well after getting my girl an iPhone X, and knowing I was going to need to feed that thing a lot more data than a 2GB plan, I bit the bullet and changed to the "new" unlimited (ugh, I know). And then after having my V20 start exhibiting some random power off's in the middle of the day at 50+%, I decided to see what was out there. I compared the V30 to the S8+, Note 8, and Pixel 2XL.
The Pixel, while a great device, lost out with the lack of an SD card, headphone jack and wireless charging. I missed using the wireless charging on my old LG G2, and having a nice plump SD card already, seemed a waste to drop that. Yes I can use a dongle to plug in headphones for listening at my desk at work, but I lose sh*t left and right enough as it is. The Note 8 is amazing, but just a touch larger than I wanted to hold full time. I wouldn't use the pen, and comparing it to the S8+, you lose a tiny bit of screen density for... largeness. And that wouldn't have been noticeable anyway, but I would need something I could hold comfortably. Over to the S8+, then. Nice phone, great build quality, and I've never had an issue with Samsung phones before. Before my V20, I had an S6 Edge, and that's still on my plan as a backup phone. Which is actually one of the reasons why I decided against the S8+ - it looks too familiar now. Other than a little length and the lack of a physical home button, it just reminds me of my Edge. That's not to say it's a bad thing, but the design of the V30 was a refreshing change from anything else. I knew I'd lose selfie quality (the horror!), but I figured how bad could it be? Though, a little interesting that the S8 having been out so much longer than the V30, and they are almost identical in spec. So was Samsung that far ahead back then? Or are we just slow on the take? Well whatever. So I picked up the V30.
First, yes, the selfie camera is lackluster. In good light, and if you can hold your hand steady enough, it's ok. It won't win awards. There's the Google Camera Mod floating around that people enjoy. A little on that- it's fine for what it is, and adds a few neat features. And I haven't found a mode that will let you record higher than 1080 video, either. Not that I'm making movies but I will be using it for video so the higher resolution on the stock cam is preferred. I took a pair of pictures on the LG camera on Auto, and the Google camera on default settings, and they both look close enough to not make a difference. I did notice that the selfie camera seems to be better in the actual camera apps but inside other apps (Snapchat, IG, ect), they seem to lose quality. Or rather, did. Randomly today, it seems to be a little better, but who knows. For all I know, maybe I had a tiny smudge on the front camera the whole time? But I'm ok with it now. HOWEVER: Holy crap the rear camera glass scratches easily. I bought the phone, and refused to spend 50 dollars on the limited cases at the store. I ordered one Saturday, it got here today. And in five days, it's noticeable to look at, scratches on the camera glass. That's from a pocket with no other items, and from sitting on my desk at work. Not playing hockey with my phone. Recommendation: Get a freaking case ASAFP if for nothing else than to protect your back camera. Spend 5 bucks on Amazon for a cheap pos if you have to, but get something on it. It isn't bad enough to effect the camera in any way that is noticeable, but man it's going to bug me now, just knowing.
The home buttons are a pain in the a$$. I mean, they work fine, but the showing/hiding tricks take some getting used to. I've found some apps are a lot less receptive to working with it. Snapchat (yeah, I know) is notorious for it. You send someone a message, and then try to swipe up from the bottom to bring up the buttons to go home, and it does - while swiping all over the keyboard again, so then you have unwanted characters coming up, people are waiting for whatever you're "typing" to send, etc. So you have to go into the settings and disable that for certain apps. Side note on that: Apps that you've changed that for, you have to go BACK and change the setting for that app any time it's updated. So if you update the app, you have to go back and turn off the home button hiding for that app again, it seems to reset every time.
This isn't so much on the phone, but the Tempered Glass protector from Verizon is garbage. All $35 worth of it. Leaves a massive air spot under most of the phone, so tapping on the phone results in a lot of audible clicking sound and less precise sensitivity. Just throwing that out there. I normally wouldn't have, and I'll be taking this off if I can find a case I like better. The one I got, is nice and slim, but doesn't protrude tall enough to protect the screen if set face down. This is 6 dollar insurance for the interim.
The fingerprint sensor so far is snappy as can be. Even to a point that when I just want to light the screen up to check a notification (had Always On disabled), and it would actually unlock just trying to tap the power button half the time. Not a bad thing, just surprising. Volume buttons feel great, as does the rest of the phone. It might lack the feel of the Samsungs, but it does feel decent. Slippery as hell though, another reason to keep a case on if you're even remotely clumsy. The screen itself is wonderful to look at, and I think it's only a matter of time and tweaks as apps catch up to full Nougat and extended ratios and things, between apps and phones where things look better.
Obviously there are still a lot of things I haven't gone through in the settings to find and personalize, but so far, I'm loving the upgrade. Feels good in the hand, more comfortable being a little smaller than the V20 was. Battery life so far has been good, but I do watch a lot of videos and listen to alot of music at work, so I tend to burn through it quick. The quick charge is a godsend coming back up. Other than the frail camera glass on the back (and really that seems to be a common complaint with a lot of phones) and the weaker than expected front camera, I'm glad I picked it. It stands out design-wise, and it's right up there in spec with everything else out there. Not massive to hold, quick and snappy, and with your launcher of choice, worth the investment so far.
Thanks for this!
Agree with you on all points! Thanks!
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