G2x reported problems (freezing, reboots, GPS issues) - valid?

[Ticojpunk]

Looking at picking up a used handset for T-Mobile. The specs on the LG G2x are amazing. And some of the revews are positive. But there are a lot of reports abound of random reboots, freezing, etc. Also problems with the GPS not locking on very quickly or at all. Wifi dropping or not working. Seems like every complaint possible, there seems to be a lot. Yet on the T-Mobile site the phone has 4/5 stars, which seems like a respectable rating.

Is this stuff one should be worried about when thinking about picking up a G2x, or has this stuff been corrected? Of if it's still a widespread issue, can it be corrected by rooting and installing a custom ROM?

Thanks!

 

[robmalt1]

Re: G2x reported problems (freezing, reboots, GPS issues) - valid

You hit the nail on the head. I picked up a G2x for myself and my wife and they are awesome phones except when you try to turn it on it the screen won't come on. Then you have to pull the battery. My phone has been pretty good but my wife's was horrible. It locked up almost every day. Best Buy is replacing it. Mine seems fine as long as I reboot it once a day.

The way the phone acts it seems like a memory leak. It's lightening fast but occasionally will start the get sluggish. I've learned that when it does that I need to reboot because it will soon lock up.

GPS locks are not fast but usually occur within 60 seconds for me.

Should you pick one up? Sure... Maybe... This is my third Android phone and seems to be par for the course. My only gripe with Android is no one seems interested in stability. All the manufacturers are just baking as many phones per year as they can without regard to fixing the stuff they already have out.

 

[Ticojpunk]

Bummer. Sorry to hear that report, but it's honestly the type of feedback I expected to hear.

The thing is, I have an LG Optimus V on Virgin, and running a custom ROM it's incredibly stable and quick. But with the stock ROM it was indeed buggy and I experienced plenty of lockups that required a battery pull.

I'm thinking of moving to T-Mobile prepaid. It there's no "no-brainer" phone in the $200 (used or new) range that's stable and well loved. Definitely looking for 4G, 2 cams, 800x480 Rez, etc. the G2x falls right in the pocket but it's too bad LG screwed it up.

 

[deathwiz]

Re: G2x reported problems (freezing, reboots, GPS issues) - valid

I must've got lucky. I bought my G2x barely a month ago n have been incredibly happy with it. Still running stock GB, not yet rooted. So far only 1 battery pull (time frame on par wit my previous BBs). Incredibly fast device. My biggest beef is battery life.

 

[lindel]

Re: G2x reported problems (freezing, reboots, GPS issues) - valid

If the G2x hasn't gotten the OTA update (either via OTA or the LG updater), and is still running the stock Froyo, then yes, it is very likely to have these problems. I got mine in May, and started having nearly constant reboots almost immediately. Rooting and flasing a custom ROM made it usable day to day. I used the LG updater to install the GB update and that has cured all it's ailments for me. Now I'm running the stock GB (although rooted) and it's night and day from the stock Froyo I bought it with.

My son's G2x is still running the stock Froyo, and has never had an issue. From what I've seen, the "broken" phones are more the norm than those that aren't.

 

[Ticojpunk]

If the G2x hasn't gotten the OTA update (either via OTA or the LG updater), and is still running the stock Froyo, then yes, it is very likely to have these problems. I got mine in May, and started having nearly constant reboots almost immediately. Rooting and flasing a custom ROM made it usable day to day. I used the LG updater to install the GB update and that has cured all it's ailments for me. Now I'm running the stock GB (although rooted) and it's night and day from the stock Froyo I bought it with.

My son's G2x is still running the stock Froyo, and has never had an issue. From what I've seen, the "broken" phones are more the norm than those that aren't.

Thanks for your detailed input. Very helpful. So you're saying if I buy a used G2x (provided its in good working condition), root it, custom ROM it I should be in good shape?

Alternatively you said the LG gingerbread update fixes what ails it as well. Is this available for download and can a person manually install it? How does the update work if I'm using the phone on T-Mobile prepaid?

Sent via VM670

 

[rizzman]

Re: G2x reported problems (freezing, reboots, GPS issues) - valid

Thanks for your detailed input. Very helpful. So you're saying if I buy a used G2x (provided its in good working condition), root it, custom ROM it I should be in good shape?

Alternatively you said the LG gingerbread update fixes what ails it as well. Is this available for download and can a person manually install it? How does the update work if I'm using the phone on T-Mobile prepaid?

Sent via VM670

GB completely changed my phone. It is like night and day. I like the phone, I just don't like the LG support for it. it should have not taken 4 plus months to push the update out when clearly there were major issues with the handset from the get go. But overall like the phone, but personally I would not buy another LG smartphone due to the support.

 

[Ticojpunk]

GB completely changed my phone. It is like night and day. I like the phone, I just don't like the LG support for it. it should have not taken 4 plus months to push the update out when clearly there were major issues with the handset from the get go. But overall like the phone, but personally I would not buy another LG smartphone due to the support.

But the GB update did in fact correct the freezing and other issues?

 

[robmalt1]

Re: G2x reported problems (freezing, reboots, GPS issues) - valid

Both of our G2x's suffered locks and reboots on GB. We just got my wife's replacement last night. I'm not sure if it's refurbished or new. So far so good with this one. No lockups yet. Her previous G2x locked up about 50% of the time after being charged overnight.

 

[lindel]

Re: G2x reported problems (freezing, reboots, GPS issues) - valid

Thanks for your detailed input. Very helpful. So you're saying if I buy a used G2x (provided its in good working condition), root it, custom ROM it I should be in good shape?

Alternatively you said the LG gingerbread update fixes what ails it as well. Is this available for download and can a person manually install it? How does the update work if I'm using the phone on T-Mobile prepaid?

Sent via VM670

If your phone has Gingerbread on it (the stock Gingerbread from LG), then you're probably in good shape, and won't need to flash a custom ROM unless you want to. Rooting is entirely up to you, but some apps require it for functionality. Rooting will allow you to get rid of the bloatware.

As far as using/installing the update, you'll need the LG updater, a windows computer and a data cord. Root isn't necessary. I believe the update is still available, I haven't heard otherwise. Instructions are available at xda-developers.com. Basically, most people will install the update, then use nvflash to install ClockworkMod, and then use CWM to flash a rooted ROM. At that point, you'll have complete access to the phone if you have a good file manager installed.

I wouldn't think that the phone being pre-paid would make any difference.

 

[JFetch]

Re: G2x reported problems (freezing, reboots, GPS issues) - valid

The only problem I get is an error when turning on Wi-Fi. It doesn't happen every time, but when it does I have to restart the phone.

Honestly, the biggest problem is the lack of support from LG. They gave up on this phone right after they released it, and won't release fixes.

 

[Ticojpunk]

I really am considering getting one on ebay to.use with T-Mobile prepaid. But I don't want to end up with a glitchy PITA phone.
I have no issues rooting and installing a custom ROM on it. I did that to my Optimus V. Just wish I knew it would remedy what ails the G2x for sure.

Sent via VM670

 

[lindel]

Re: G2x reported problems (freezing, reboots, GPS issues) - valid

The GB update from LG basically made a new. workable phone out of my G2x. Even with root, the reboots happened 5 to 6 times a day. It made no difference what I was doing, and they happened at random. The GPS was problematic and the connection was not at all stable.

The update fixed all of that and made the phone what it should have been out of the box. It will be worth your while if it hasn't already been installed. The update (and the new baseband that comes with it) makes all the difference.

The new baseband reads as follows: M6600A-SCAUTNZ-2.0.9720T 1 (JUL 15 2011 10:00:00) MP;TRULGE_08.09.02R_MDM

If that is in your settings/About phone/Baseband version then you are golden. Root with nvflash and then flash the custom ROM of your choice.

 

[Ticojpunk]

The GB update from LG basically made a new. workable phone out of my G2x. Even with root, the reboots happened 5 to 6 times a day. It made no difference what I was doing, and they happened at random. The GPS was problematic and the connection was not at all stable.

The update fixed all of that and made the phone what it should have been out of the box. It will be worth your while if it hasn't already been installed. The update (and the new baseband that comes with it) makes all the difference.

The new baseband reads as follows: M6600A-SCAUTNZ-2.0.9720T 1 (JUL 15 2011 10:00:00) MP;TRULGE_08.09.02R_MDM

If that is in your settings/About phone/Baseband version then you are golden. Root with nvflash and then flash the custom ROM of your choice.

I'll probably be buying one on eBay. If its not as you described as above when I get it, can I manually update everything myself?

Sent via VM670

 

[Ticojpunk]

I picked up a new/sealed one that said the manufacturing date was 9-17. Is there a good chance it's got Gingerbread on it?

 

[lindel]

Re: G2x reported problems (freezing, reboots, GPS issues) - valid

I'd say good. It's easy enough to tell, check settings/about phone/baseband and see if it matches. If it does then you're good to go.