Possible lighter software on the G5?

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

As the release of the LG G5 draws close, we have quite a lot of expectations. One of those is the software.

LG UX has come a pretty long way. It was once the ugly duckling in the world of phone software design, with ugly elements and poor choice of colors. It has improved since then, and even got a much-needed optimization boost in the G4, but it still ain't a looker. While it does work pretty well, the main gripe is that the default DPI of 640 is just too big. Everything feels cramped and don't really take advantage of all that screen real-estate. After using the Note 5 for some time, going back to the G4 felt rather cramped.

So why am I bringing this up? Take a look at the LG G Stylo 2. Look at the status bar up top.





It's a little hard to see, but you can faintly see the word "LTE" on top of the signal strength indicator. That's exactly how it looks like in stock Android. In fact, even the signal-strength bar indicator is exactly the one from stock Android. In LG UX 4.0, the data icon and the signal-strength indicators are different



So what does this mean? It is somewhat possible that LG may have scaled back further on LG UX, relying more on stock Android elements while adding their own touches, in a similar fashion to Sony on their stock and Concept firmware. Then again, these could just be placeholders, so as always, do take these with a grain of salt.

 

[erwaso]

Its a good theory, but that just shows the notification bar. I doubt they would completely revamp their entire UI when they are trying to tinker with the new 2nd screen feature.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Its a good theory, but that just shows the notification bar. I doubt they would completely revamp their entire UI when they are trying to tinker with the new 2nd screen feature.

Hence, why they could be going the Sony/Moto route and toning the design elements closer towards stock while retaining some of LG's features.

 

[gendo667]

Hence, why they could be going the Sony/Moto route and toning the design elements closer towards stock while retaining some of LG's features.

Here's hoping. Cheers!

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

I saw the Stylus 2.

Sorry to say that LG UX hasn't actually changed much.

The only difference is that there's no app-drawer and the icons have rounded corners in the default launcher. Camera app also had a facelift.

And that horrendously high DPI is still there.

Maybe it'll be slightly different in the G5.

 

[erwaso]

I saw the Stylus 2.

Sorry to say that LG UX hasn't actually changed much.

The only difference is that there's no app-drawer and the icons have rounded corners in the default launcher. Camera app also had a facelift.

And that horrendously high DPI is still there.

Maybe it'll be slightly different in the G5.

Seems like the G5 is similar

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Seems like the G5 is similar

I saw it. It's exactly the same.

I'm disappointed.

 

[gendo667]

I saw it. It's exactly the same.

I'm disappointed.

Thank God for launchers. I was really hoping for something a little closer to stock. Again, launchers!

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Thank God for launchers. I was really hoping for something a little closer to stock. Again, launchers!

That only fixes the app drawer.

They made more UI elements white in color.

........God damn

 

[gendo667]

We've all read the rumors. If N takes away the app drawer, I'll be sorely disappointed. Maybe LG is ahead of the curb here. Still, not a fan.

 

[caffeinated pants]

I anything, the software layer will probably be bigger / more bloated because of the modular design. They announced software to manage all those 'friends'. Not a big deal if you decide not to use it - you can always replace the launcher and be done with it.

 

[gendo667]

Agreed. The drop down menu is atrocious. Way to much white.

 

[gendo667]

That entire presentation and no mention of software. There focus is clearly on hardware. What the serious f@&# LG. Okay, I'm done ranting.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

That entire presentation and no mention of software. There focus is clearly on hardware. What the serious f@&# LG. Okay, I'm done ranting.

Yeah. I only saw the lockscreen during the presentation.

I had to go to the AC hands-on article to see the rest of the software. I wish you could see my face of disappointment when I saw the homescreen.

 

[caffeinated pants]

They did talk about the management software for the add-on modules. I don't recall Samsung or others talking about their customizations of Android in detail at launch events either.

 

[gendo667]

They did talk about the management software for the add-on modules. I don't recall Samsung or others talking about their customizations of Android in detail at launch events either.

They did last year. Samsung that is.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

They did last year. Samsung that is.

Yep, Samsung did. And it actually took up a significant portion of the keynote. About 4 minutes.

 

[caffeinated pants]

They did last year. Samsung that is.

I'm glad I didn't watch that one - I can't stand touchwiz or their phone design for that matter. Will be interesting to see if they will devote another 4 minutes to it tonight.

 

[gendo667]

I'm glad I didn't watch that one - I can't stand touchwiz or their phone design for that matter. Will be interesting to see if they will devote another 4 minutes to it tonight.

Agreed, I feel like all their phones look the same which I guess is fine if that floats your boat. I hate Touchwiz too. It looks horrible and I feel like LG is moving in the wrong direction. The app icons remind me of Touchwiz. And the drop down menu.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Agreed, I feel like all their phones look the same which I guess is fine if that floats your boat. I hate Touchwiz too. It looks horrible and I feel like LG is moving in the wrong direction. The app icons remind me of Touchwiz. And the drop down menu.

Honest opinion here.

I actually dislike LG UX more than TouchWiz. I put up with LG UX because the hardware is great and the phone's performance was fine too, so I didn't mind it as much.

But now that the G5 is out, I'm really not liking its software direction. Might even resort to TouchWiz, since Samsung has steadily improved it over time.