LG G4 Does a plastic back really matter?

[sswitzer]

Re: Does a plastic back really matter?

It'd be nice if some Android manufacturer decided to put the same type of quality into their device and Apple does.

My experience with iPhone has not been as positive... my first iphone had the side buttons fall out. Let alone performance issues, where it got slower with each release of ios, the build quality did not hold up over time.

Compare that to my note2... many things I don't like (hence the happy forthcoming nuptials with the LG g4), but the plastic build has proved to be excellent and performance has not degraded too much.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Kelly Kearns]

Re: Does a plastic back really matter?

Don't know about the other plastic backs, just Samsung. People say it is plastic and get the impression it is cheap plastic toy material.

It is polycarbonate, the stuff bullet proof glass is made from. With my 8 Samsung phones I have owned, never had a scuffed, broken or stretched back. It also doesn't show fingerprints, like glass.

 

[sswitzer]

Re: Does a plastic back really matter?

Don't know about the other plastic backs, just Samsung. People say it is plastic and get the impression it is cheap plastic toy material. It is polycarbonate, the stuff bullet proof glass is made from. With my 8 Samsung phones I have owned, never had a scuffed, broken or stretched back. It also doesn't show fingerprints, like glass.

Exactly -- I hate it when people talk about these modern phones "feeling plastic-y"... they don't. The plastic is more durable than glass -- less likely to crack when dropped -- and won't bend if you stick it in the front pocket of your jeans, a la Iphone 6.

 

[Fedginator]

Re: Does a plastic back really matter?

Not really. Makes it light and durable. It may not feel as premium but you will likely put a case on anyway

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[Kelly Kearns]

Re: Does a plastic back really matter?

Exactly -- I hate it when people talk about these modern phones "feeling plastic-y"... they don't. The plastic is more durable than glass -- less likely to crack when dropped -- and won't bend if you stick it in the front pocket of your jeans, a la Iphone 6.

Exactly. That is why when people say" plastic" about Samsung, I say, "you mean the plastic that bullet proof glass is made from?"

 

[Mst99]

Re: Does a plastic back really matter?

I don't care about plastic, doesn't bother me one bit. I'm on tmobile and while I love my s5 it doesn't support band 12. The s6 is not an option because of the non removable battery. The lg4 looks good, but is too big for me. I'll take another plastic s5 type phone with band 12 when one comes out. Metal and glass IMHO is not something that matters to me.

 

[scottysize]

Re: Does a plastic back really matter?

My experience with iPhone has not been as positive... my first iphone had the side buttons fall out. Let alone performance issues, where it got slower with each release of ios, the build quality did not hold up over time.

Compare that to my note2... many things I don't like (hence the happy forthcoming nuptials with the LG g4), but the plastic build has proved to be excellent and performance has not degraded too much.

Posted via the Android Central App

So you're basing it on the iPhone 1? The iPhone 1 was a POS. It was horrible. Didn't do anything. Only had 16 apps you could use with it. Fell apart. Was plastic, etc. Horrible phone. Since the iPhone 4, they've improved their build quality and the phones are now better than others. I am sure there are still some folks who have quality issues on the newer iPhones, but so far I haven't been one of those.

Getting back on topic, the initial post was why is plastic a bad thing. My response was to go hold a metal phone and you'll see why. I used an iPhone as an example. You can feel a difference between an all metal phone and a plastic phone.

My 2 cents.

 

[maduro78]

Re: Does a plastic back really matter?

People have complained about the quality of android phones for years. Almost Every review ever given had something to say about the lack of that premium feel. The manufacturers finally take notice and do something about it and people still complain. The majority asked for a difference and we got it, be happy.

Moto X 2014

 

[MDMcAtee]

Re: Does a plastic back really matter?

So you're basing it on the iPhone 1? The iPhone 1 was a POS. It was horrible. Didn't do anything. Only had 16 apps you could use with it. Fell apart. Was plastic, etc. Horrible phone. Since the iPhone 4, they've improved their build quality and the phones are now better than others. I am sure there are still some folks who have quality issues on the newer iPhones, but so far I haven't been one of those.

Getting back on topic, the initial post was why is plastic a bad thing. My response was to go hold a metal phone and you'll see why. I used an iPhone as an example. You can feel a difference between an all metal phone and a plastic phone.

My 2 cents.

I respectfully beg to differ.

I use a m8... Premium metal backed phone correct?

I'll take a good synthetic over it on feel alone. Metal and glass doesn't wow me because it is cold and has no soul.

On build quality many do prefer glass and metal because of how most synthetic backs have been chensy on most phones. People associate plastic as cheap, but if done correctly it is anything but cheap feeling provided it doesn't warp or creak and the seems are nearly invisible.

I would love to see a g4/g5 with titanium and carbon fiber or kevlar... This would be premium (very costly too) but certainly premium. The leather back has a tactile feel to it that nothing made today can match.

As it is the g4 back qualifies as a premium back and I expect them to continue to offer more because of how well the leather has been received....

Posted via the Android Central App from my HTC m8 till my LG g4 comes in.

 

[Duncan1982]

Re: Does a plastic back really matter?

I respectfully beg to differ.

I use a m8... Premium metal backed phone correct?

I'll take a good synthetic over it on feel alone. Metal and glass doesn't wow me because it is cold and has no soul.

On build quality many do prefer glass and metal because of how most synthetic backs have been chensy on most phones. People associate plastic as cheap, but if done correctly it is anything but cheap feeling provided it doesn't warp or creak and the seems are nearly invisible.

I would love to see a g4/g5 with titanium and carbon fiber or kevlar... This would be premium (very costly too) but certainly premium. The leather back has a tactile feel to it that nothing made today can match.

As it is the g4 back qualifies as a premium back and I expect them to continue to offer more because of how well the leather has been received....

Posted via the Android Central App from my HTC m8 till my LG g4 comes in.

I love my M9 and likewise my S6E builds are sublime.

But Lg have made this plastic build feel like a quality product.

My G3 since sold did have creakyness to it and that detracted but this is not present on the G4.

The build is solid on the G4

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[getbretweir]

Re: Does a plastic back really matter?

Does it actually matter what the rear of any phone is made of, if you're going to protect it with a case anyway? So many people whinging about the rear of the G4 in reviews, but in real world usage you'll hardly see it.
I in fact prefer plastic backs on phones, as I find them more shock absorbant. The amount of rears i replaced on my iPhone 4s was a joke, where with my current S5, I've dropped this so many times, and not one issue. (both were in cases)
Sure, the GS6 and iPhone 6 are beautiful phones, but once in a case, your only really going to see the screen for 99% of the time you use it? If you don't put it in a case then you either have too much money or no sense.
So I will be that one person that stands up for LG with this, and will mark it as one of the reasons I purchase it, all be it a minor one.

Thoughts?

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if the plastic works for you that's all you should worry about ....I can careless what people think about my phone.

personally, I prefer plastic so long as it's light weight durable, and removable.

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[GrooveRite]

Re: Does a plastic back really matter?

I would love to see a g4/g5 with titanium and carbon fiber or kevlar... This would be premium (very costly too) but certainly premium.
Posted via the Android Central App from my HTC m8 till my LG g4 comes in.

HELL....FREAKIN.....YEAHH!!! I have a few gadgets that are made of Titanium. Premium and pricey but Oh SO worth it!

 

[sswitzer]

So you're basing it on the iPhone 1? The iPhone 1 was a POS. It was horrible. Didn't do anything. Only had 16 apps you could use with it. Fell apart. Was plastic, etc. Horrible phone. Since the iPhone 4, they've improved their build quality and the phones are now better than others. I am sure there are still some folks who have quality issues on the newer iPhones, but so far I haven't been one of those.

It was an iphone 3GS and it was what apple was selling as their premium phone. I'm sure things have improved.

At the time iphones were even more popular than now (very little android competition) with rabid fanboys lining up outside stores, and... the phones we were all buying were not only outdated after 3 years, but were useless junk.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[scottysize]

It was an iphone 3GS and it was what apple was selling as their premium phone. I'm sure things have improved.

At the time iphones were even more popular than now (very little android competition) with rabid fanboys lining up outside stores, and... the phones we were all buying were not only outdated after 3 years, but were useless junk.

Posted via the Android Central App

Yup. The earlier iPhones were junk. I didn't get one until the 4. Then I've picked one up every other year since. I've never gotten a S model though...

 

[Almeuit]

Does it truly matter in the grand scheme of things?

No

But does it matter per person -- depends on preference. The thing I like is we have options .

 

[maxburn]

I have thought for a long time that my old 3GS was the best in hand feel of all the iPhones. I liked that curved plastic back and metal bezel but it could have used some gripper plastic like the Nexus 5. I'd imagine the G4 would be close to the modern equivalent to the feel of a 3GS.

I think it's been mentioned elsewhere that the plastic back on the G4 is thinner than the leather so that's a plus.

But I went for the leather because I like the feel (hope the black isn't actually that slippery) and I want to go either naked or with a bumper.

 

[sswitzer]

I have thought for a long time that my old 3GS was the best in hand feel of all the iPhones.

Yes, it felt great to hold -- good ergonomics.

 

[vor]

I think the ability to replace the back is more appealing than drawbacks of a non-premium feel. Although I'm looking forward to the leather "feel".

Just have to decide if I will only have a screen protector or go with a bumper or maybe the quick flip circle case. I like the look of the circle clock and quick access links

 

[anon(5630457)]

Does it actually matter what the rear of any phone is made of, if you're going to protect it with a case anyway? So many people whinging about the rear of the G4 in reviews, but in real world usage you'll hardly see it.
I in fact prefer plastic backs on phones, as I find them more shock absorbant. The amount of rears i replaced on my iPhone 4s was a joke, where with my current S5, I've dropped this so many times, and not one issue. (both were in cases)
Sure, the GS6 and iPhone 6 are beautiful phones, but once in a case, your only really going to see the screen for 99% of the time you use it? If you don't put it in a case then you either have too much money or no sense.
So I will be that one person that stands up for LG with this, and will mark it as one of the reasons I purchase it, all be it a minor one.

Thoughts?

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If a person puts the phone in a case, then no, the material the back of the phone is made of does not matter.

 

[rdt595]

I'm with you on this. People crying about glass this and metal that and end up throwing a cheap case on it.

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