optimus v limitations?

[montenell]

in most reviews of the optimus v i've seen how great a phone it is and its always prefaced with " but its no iphone killer or droid killer" so i'm wondering what it is these phones can do that the optimus cant. i understand that they have better camera's and overall better hardware but still the optimus has a camera. so what can the iphone or more expensive androids actually do that is impossible on the optimus?

 

[anthonycr]

Well the Optimus is amazing for the price, in my opinion. I'd say the main difference is that the Droid has a higher cpu. My optimus is clocked at 768 Mhz, while the droid can get over 1200 Mhz... so higher speed. Also if you haven't noticed, the droid's screen is so wicked large, my optimus looks like a speck next to my friend's monstrous Droid X. The iphone has super smooth scrolling, in my experience, and probably a higher cpu, and people love it... well, because its apple.

 

[zedorda]

The main short comings to the OV is that the screen is less than 4", CPU is under 1ghz, and it doesn't have native flash support. These simple points limit the apps we can use and makes some apps just plain hard to use in general.

 

[economichitman]

Well if you consider comparing the OV to the Iphone 3Gs, theyre pretty comparable. Both have 600mhz cpu's, the iphone has a 3.5" screen while the OV is 3.2". The OV has twice the ram at 512mb, and the iPhone has a 3mp camera while the OV is 3.2. Once you root, and overclock the OV to 768mhz+, its a much better phone than the 3GS. The graphics hardware between the two is similar, and the OV has 802.11n where the 3GS is 802.11g

I only use the 3GS to compare because its available at a similar price point with a contract. There may be better, newer phones, but the OV is better than what was thought to be the best phone just 2 years ago.

 

[LeslieAnn]

Storage size and speed.
Speed especially if you are on the stock rom.

Screen size is personal preference.

 

[Whyzor]

There's also a rare limitation on the touchscreen hardware, it recognizes 2 points, and zoom in & out, but when the two points axis crosses, it messes up. It's not even an issue for most users, but maybe in some games it could cause problems. Still the best phone you could get for $99.

 

[mknollman123]

I would say that the main limitation that I "feel" is the limit of space for installing apps. I know that you can use things like Apps2SD and link2SD (which I currently use). I have moved all of my apps including the google apps to my SD card and I still get the occasional "low program memory" warnings. A restart usually fixes the issue, but not always.

I am rooted but still running stock and I will say that to me - the OV (which is a GREAT phone at a GREAT price) is of the generation of Android devices that still needs tinkering to live up to it's potential. Newer and higher end devices are more polished - but that is how it goes.

Fort $99 bucks, no contract and dirt cheap plans - you cannot beat this device still. heck I just switched to it a few months ago wioth my wife from a Fascinate and a Droid X - both great devices - and I was not let down at all. Just adjust your expectations for a slightly lower end phone and a fatter wallet.

 

[scootincivic]

Link2sd is a must-flash support is possible with version 10.2..

Only issue I have is the main processor (witch I have clocked at 806).
But take note that this phone has 3 processors (pcu 806 -gpu 256 & another that holds 128Mhz)
so in total my V is running a over 1Ghz already.
People forget that many other phones only have 1 processor while our V has 3.
You have to keep that in mind.

Another small issue is no front cam.
Rear 3.2 cam is ok & does the job.
Speakers (or I should say speaker) is sup-par at best compared to some other phones.
Battery longevity is week but apps like Juice Defender help in this case & so will an upgraded mAmp battery.

I paid over $150 when the phone came out. Loved it so much I bought 2 more & use all 3 to this day.
Even then the price is right.
Now for less then a bill I may just pickup a 4th.

Sent from my Droid

 

[watskyhotsky]

I paid over $150 when the phone came out. Loved it so much I bought 2 more & use all 3 to this day.
Even then the price is right.
Now for less then a bill I may just pickup a 4th.

Sent from my Droid

you have AND use 3 OVs?

considering you can have 2 phone numbers on one android phone, i really really dont see the point of this. unless you have money to throw around

 

[zedorda]

you have AND use 3 OVs?

considering you can have 2 phone numbers on one android phone, i really really dont see the point of this. unless you have money to throw around

Some people have a family they supple with phone service. As I own 2 and both are in use.

 

[scootincivic]

2 of the 3 are not even activated as I leave one at work while the other stayes at home (vai WiFi only).
The 3rd (that's activated) stayes in my ride.

All 3 however use GV via SIP (GrooVeIP).
& yes I do have money to waste!

Sent from my Droid

 

[Bluntsworth]

for less then a bill I may just pickup a 4th......& yes I do have money to waste!

Sent from my Droid

Big ballin huh. Can brother get a loan?http://cdn-forums.androidcentral.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

 

[Ticojpunk]

For me, it's shortcomings are the things you can't overcome, mostly hardware specs.

1.) Camera: Very slow shutter. So taking pictures of anything in motion is very hard without blur, or just plain old missing the shot. Even focusing first the shutter is slow. If you don't pre-focus, forget about it. I pretty much have written off the camera as semi-useless. It gives me more frustration than it does usable shots.

2.) Screen resolution: The screen rez makes text a little unsharp. I also have an iPod touch 4th gen, and used to have an iPhone 4, so I have been spoiled in the resolution department. I don't so much mind the 3.2" screen on the OV, but the resolution, makes it a drag.

3.) Plastic screen (as opposed to glass): Definitely makes it harder to type on the touch screen for me than glass (like on my iPod touch). I guess glass just gives a firmer kickback. It's a subtle thing, but folks that have touch typed on glass vs plastic might know what I'm talking about.

4.) No front camera: No ability to video-chat, which is becoming more and more common these days. I occasionally Facetime with some iPhone friends with my iPod. Wish I had that ability on my phone.

That's about it. I didn't mention the 600MHz processor, because honestly, with a custom ROM on it (like Harmonia) this phone is zippy and smooth and butter. That's even without overclocking, though I do overclock to 787MHz. My iPod touch has more lag than my OV does when swiping and opening apps.

 

[shiningarcanine]

in most reviews of the optimus v i've seen how great a phone it is and its always prefaced with " but its no iphone killer or droid killer" so i'm wondering what it is these phones can do that the optimus cant. i understand that they have better camera's and overall better hardware but still the optimus has a camera. so what can the iphone or more expensive androids actually do that is impossible on the optimus?

The hardware is the main reason. It lacks 4G support. It also lacks Near Field Communication and a front mounted camera. It is limited to 802.11b/g support and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR support. It has 256MB of embedded storage for the OS and applications, which forces people to put applications on a micro SD card. The CPU is a 600MHz in-order processor, which is absurdly slow. The screen resolution is 320x240, which good for a PDA, but awful for things like games or web browsing.

Additionally, the capacitive touch screen does not work that well for things like Fruit Ninja, although that could be a driver limitation. Lastly, just for the sake of nitpicking, it only has 512MB of RAM, which is okay, but more would make things run more smoothly.

Well if you consider comparing the OV to the Iphone 3Gs, theyre pretty comparable. Both have 600mhz cpu's, the iphone has a 3.5" screen while the OV is 3.2". The OV has twice the ram at 512mb, and the iPhone has a 3mp camera while the OV is 3.2. Once you root, and overclock the OV to 768mhz+, its a much better phone than the 3GS. The graphics hardware between the two is similar, and the OV has 802.11n where the 3GS is 802.11g

I only use the 3GS to compare because its available at a similar price point with a contract. There may be better, newer phones, but the OV is better than what was thought to be the best phone just 2 years ago.

If your smart phone has 802.11n support, then it is not a LG Optimus V. Furthermore, the iPhone 3GS has a 480x320 screen while the Optimus V only has 320x240.

 

[riggerman]

If your smart phone has 802.11n support, then it is not a LG Optimus V. Furthermore, the iPhone 3GS has a 480x320 screen while the Optimus V only has 320x240.

Yes and no. You are right abut the wifi specs, however, the Optimus V does have a 480x320 resolution screen.

 

[shiningarcanine]

Yes and no. You are right abut the wifi specs, however, the Optimus V does have a 480x320 resolution screen.

I just double checked this and you are right. For some reason I thought it was 320x240.

 

[watskyhotsky]

this 99$ phone on a CHEAP CHEAP plan, matches or betters the iPhone 3GS in almost every spec except thin-ness and screen SIZE (resolution matches), the 3GS was previously thought to be the worlds best phone.

 

[scootincivic]

Big ballin huh. Can brother get a loan?http://cdn-forums.androidcentral.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Sure, how would ya like it?

On a different note for what the V dishes out & the specs given (after being rooted of course).
It's in a league all of its own.
Plus having a twin (S) you can guarantee the life span will last for some time.
If anything it makes for a good backup phone.


Sent from my Droid

 

[MasterTec]

It's like comparing hamburgers. My all time best hamburger around me is at a place called "Big Bear Grill" but a burger, fries and a drink costs about $13.

Then "Five Guys Burgers and Fries" just opened up around me. It's pretty good but definitely not the best. But it costs about $12 for a burger, fries and a drink. To me it's worth the extra dollar to get a better burger (and their peanuts while good aren't enough to sway that decision).

When I was in Vegas last fall I experienced "In & Out" for the first time. I have to say their burgers were pretty good as well but were no where near as good as Big Bear or even Five Guys but their price made it a steal! Me AND my G/F got burgers, fries, and drinks for about $8.. for ALL of it. The inexpensive price would be enough to make me choose it over the three options on a regular basis (if they existed near me).

My point is that comparing one burger to another really means very little unless you factor price into the equation as well. There may be a fancy restaurant with the best burger in the world but that would mean very little to the average person if that burger cost a hundred dollars!

I suppose that if someone wanted the ABSOLUTE BEST HARDWARE then the V wouldn't even show up on the top ten list. Also if someone is a hardcore Apple fan then there's no way the V would show up on their list either. HOWEVER for the average person it looks like VM has a winner with the V - an inexpensive phone that does a lot of cool things and performs reasonably well.

For me? I don't voice a lot. I text a moderate amount. I surf a moderate amount. I do like to play. I'm finding the V to be a perfect fit for my needs. I have a battery life I can stretch out to 2-3 days if need be, I have web access through the browser virtually anywhere I go, I don't have to worry about text or data overages, and I have an operating system that is fun and reasonably customizable. I'm also a cheapskate so my $35 plan fits in there perfectly as well! I bought my phone for $120 through a cell vendor on amazon literally days before the $99 best buy sale kicked in. But I don't regret it.. not one bit.

So you show me an Apple or a Motorola Droid product that is available new for $120 or less and doesn't lock you into a contract and then we'll be able to compare apples to apples... (or hamburgers to hamburgers)

 

[LeslieAnn]

When I was in Vegas last fall I experienced "In & Out" for the first time. I have to say their burgers were pretty good as well but were no where near as good as Big Bear or even Five Guys but their price made it a steal! Me AND my G/F got burgers, fries, and drinks for about $8.. for ALL of it. The inexpensive price would be enough to make me choose it over the three options on a regular basis (if they existed near me).

While taste is personal, the owners of Five Guys, hit up In N Out every chance they themselves get and modeled their whole chain on them.

By the way, the outer lying chains aren't as good as the original In N Outs. I think they may rush things a little too much or something. Still great food at a great price though, but the So. Cal. In N Outs do seem to taste a little better.

But yeah, not many places can give you a good meal for $4 a person.