I apologize for the jumbled mess, I'm multitasking at work:
1) The LG skin really isn't that bad. IMO the V30 and V40 added some nice features and customizations without bogging down the experience. I dislike the settings menus but they're easy to get used to and the search feature makes navigation easier if you don't like it.
My phone history is mostly Nexus based with a few Samsungs sprinkled in and I've found the LG skin is definitely heads and shoulders above Samsung (as is its longevity) and I've found performance on par with Google's offerings. That being said, I use Microsoft launcher as I find some of LG's skin annoying. I love LG's double tap on and off feature too....every phone needs that. Their face unlock is the best I've used too.
2) FWIW, the G8 sits at the top of the
VCX scores right now. I found the V30 and V40 camera hardware to be nice when paired with Gcam ports but the stock software was horrific. Side by side pictures of the stock app vs Gcam of my son showed shocking results (search my post history for the links). His hair was a blurry mess with the stock app and the Gcam port showed each individual hair in great detail. Facial features are always blurred out on the stock app too. My G8 comes in tomorrow so I'll start doing some side by sides. I'm considering picking up a P30 Pro to test it out too but my experience with LG's cameras has been mixed. When they nail it they really get it right but when they flub it up it's bad....especially handling motion. The pixel camera seems to handle those tough situations more consistently so I'm interested to see how the G8 performs. Honestly, the Gcam ports saved both the V30 and V40.
3) Boot loops from many, many, many generations ago. The reality is that people love to hate on LG and a negative LG review generates more traffic than a positive one. I'm not big on conspiracy theories but tech reviewers are clearly biased....clearly. There really isn't any denying it at this point. Look no further than the Pcworld review yesterday. Apparently it's a great phone but the gimmicks ruin it.....then turn off the gimmicks and you're left with a great phone you *****. Their camera review was hilarious too.....they supplied two images and in each of them they said the Pixel was sharper and more detailed yet the G8 was in better focus in one and in the other the focal point was completely different and if you looked at the G8's focal point it nailed the detail. There are a few reviewers like Juan Bagnell and another blogger (I can't think of his name) that give them more of a fair shot but outside reviewers are hacks when dealing with LG.
4) Obviously the headphone output is bonkers but what that jack does for the mics that sets this phone apart. Audio recording absolutely leaves every other phone on the market in the dust. Not only does it record stereo sound but the receiver as mic flips over on loud sounds and records amazing audio when other phones simply **** the bed. You'd be surprised how often that comes into play. The video recording modes are amazing too so combine that with the audio and your cell phone videos don't look nor sound like videos recorded in a tin can. Speaking of sound, I've found their earpiece speakers to be really good on calls.
The G8 is cheaper too. I just paid $399 on Swappa and the Samsungs are up in the $750 range. The 3XL is similarly priced but outside of the camera that phone is complete garbage....especially with video and audio. I prefer the ergonomics of LG's phones too. The V40 was too tall so I'm excited to get something smaller again. Plus the finger print reader.....screw Samsung's in screen reader....LG got that right. Sdcard support is huge too, Google doesn't offer that. I've also found my V30 and V40 to be more reliable. That used to be the Nexus/Pixel strength but that brand has really fallen apart recently.
The downsides are accessories. Good luck....there are none. I'm interested to see how the front facing camera stacks up but the V30 and V40's cameras were God awful. I don't have high hopes for the G8's front cameras. The boombox speaker is nice but I'd prefer true front facing speakers. Updates are non-existent too but I really don't see why people care about them when 99% of people can't name any new features updates give them.
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